48 hours, 650 miles, 5 stops

I have done little in the way of blogging over the last couple months, because, simply, I have been doing little other than study and business via my computer!  And no-one wants to read about that!

BUT, last week marked the last of six consecutive exams, giving me a little room to breathe this weekend - FINALLY!!  And just like a little bird that has been trapped in its cage for far too long, given a peek of freedom, I took it for all it was worth and hit the road!

STOP 1: Business in Ellensburg (enough said)

STOP 2: Pumpkin carving with my sister and nephews in Moses Lake!  To get a little bit of the Halloween fever before the season is out, I gladly helped my 7 year old nephew with his pumpkin.  And before the evening was out?  We literally had a pumpkin food fight going on in my sister's kitchen!

Carving Pumpkins with my two nephews!

My sister and nephew after our pumpkin fight!  (Note my sister's full body protection from the slime.  Hehehe!)

STOP 3: Motivational speaking at Chief Moses Middle School in Moses Lake.  One of my very favorite things to do, is share of my heart and passions with the middle schoolers of my hometown, and this year marks the fourth consecutive year of my doing so.  On Friday, I spoke to moderate sized groups of students during each of six class periods, for an hour each.  During my time with the students, I use Haiti (and my experiences there) as an example of international poverty, and explain to the students that they may be the poorest individual in the room, and are still incredibly blessed compared to those living in Haiti.  I go on to explain that given the blessings we have, we also have immense opportunity (and duty!) to serve the world around us, and lead the students in brain storming ways in which they can impact the world around them.

Chief Moses Middle School has a particularly special place in my heart, as these are the students currently sponsoring the education of six students in Haiti, through me.  Over the coming weeks, these middle school students will continue to explore the idea of international poverty, and their power to make a difference.  I truly count myself INCREDIBLY blessed to be able to take part in this discussion with them!

(Holding up my crown and sash) "While yes, I am Miss Moses Lake, I chose not to wear the crown and sash today, as what we are going to talk about is far too important to get distracted by pretty sparkly things."

One of the student's parents contacted me the day after I worked in the classrooms to let me know that her daughter thinks I should run for president. Love it!  But I'm afraid that is not my calling...

STOP 4: Family Time in Yakima!  Friday was my nephew's 7th birthday, and so we all packed into cars and headed to an arcade in Yakima.  As my brother had joined me earlier in the day at Chief Moses Middle School, he rode with me!

 While in Yakima, we were also able to spend time with my Grandma Isherwood, and Great Aunt Ruth!

Racing my brother!  I won!  (So he had to drive home....hehehe!)

My Grandma Isherwood and 7 year old nephew!

STOP 5: Miss Clark County 2013 Pageant in Vancouver!  Pageant sisters have the tendency to grow incredibly close, and over the last several months I have developed a particular fondness for Miss Clark County 2012, Sadie Johnson.  Saturday afternoon, Sadie was featured in the Miss Clark County 2013 Pageant as she passed on her reign to the next lucky lady.  You are lucky if you know her, because she is one incredibly beautiful (on the inside and out) lady, and I am incredibly fortunate to have been there supporting her.  Love ya, Sadie!

 And congratulations to the new Miss Clark County 2013 Alicia Cooper!

SO happy to embrace the beautiful Sadie after the pageant!  Love this girl!!

STOP 6: HOME IN SEATTLE!!!  After all that driving, I was incredibly glad to arrive home in Seattle Saturday night.  And next up?  Slippers, sleep, and (more) studying!  I will check in again at the next peek of freedom!

Psalm 139:16  ...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be!!