Hot in Arches

Our trip back to Colorado had us stop in Arches National Park in Moab, UT. We had 80 degree weather and sunshine both days we in the park. Our hike to Delicate Arch was fabulous, with an early start in the morning hoping to miss the heat. We started out with a long climb over the red Navajo Sandstone to reach our destination. It was steep and hot.
When we arrived at the vista of Delicate Arch, a fresh breeze captured our attention. It was delightful! We explored around the rim that has been weathered over the years and took in the landscape. We took many photos, too be posted soon. As other tourist lingered at the Arch we decided to make our back and refresh ourselves by our vehicles air conditioning.

We made another hike to Landscape Arch located in the northeast section of the park. It too was hot with the occasional breeze. We met many friendly visitors in the park on the trail, which was a pleasant surprise coming from Bend.

Though we covered ourselves in sunscreen for protection from the heated sun, we found we were not prepared as we thought. Rebecca burned her calves and Larry had crispy red ears. Next time, we'll bring hats and load up on the sunscreen.

Moving Back to Denver, CO

We're happy to report to those friends in Colorado, that we will be back in the Denver area next week! We're sad to say goodbye to Bend, OR, to new friends, my brother and sister-in-law, and Gail and Billy in Whidbey Island. Central Oregon was a great place to spread our wings as newlyweds! We will always hold Bend dear to our hearts!

For those of you who wish to remain in contact with us, you can still reach us on our Colorado cell phones. There's always our blog, and our personal emails are as follows:
rebecca.zent@gmail.com and ldzent@gmail.com

We packed our truck this afternoon and are living in an empty house. We will depart Bend early Sunday, April 29 and plan to stay in Ogden, UT the first night. We will detour to Moab, UT and spend two days in Arches National Park for some Rest and Relaxation. Moving to Bend has allowed us to see two National Parks that I doubt we would have traveled to earlier. This is Larry's first time to Arches as were the Tetons last summer. What a great adventure!
Rebecca will be delighted to return to the Park as well, as her memory of the National Park system holds a dear place with her. Natural scenes will be great to see again and there will be many photos to post to the blog!

A New View - Retro Chicago

Chicago at Dusk from Above

Walk Through Chicago

Life Lesson

You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Whidbey Island- Gail's Birthday Weekend

Mt Hood in fog and clouds at sunset on the drive on scenic byway Highway 97 -

It's a fun drive with curvy roads and not that much traffic. The views are incredible as the dusk lighting plays on the landscape!

While visiting Langley (a small tourist town on the south part of Whidbey Island) it began to rain lightly. We encountered this rainbow on our walk to see the shops after purchasing fabric at Quilts by the Sea. Gail found some wonderful, lively, oriental fabric to make herself a purse. She's so creative!

Langley plans to have Mystery Weekend, February 23-25, "Death By Chocolate". Apparently, you go store to store collecting clues, and you gather in town later that day to solve the mystery. Note-the town writes the mystery.

There's a chocolate flower farm outside of town that creates all sorts of products from candles, chapstick, to soaps from these plants. It's amazing what you learn by exploring a small town...

Last weekend was Gail's 23rd Birthday. We drove to Whidbey Island on Friday, Feb. 9 and returned to Bend on Monday, Feb. 12. It was great to see her again and celebrate her Birthday! Billy, her husband, has been on detachment since early December, so celebrating with family made her day.

Larry always painted Gail's fingernails and toenails since she was a little girl. It was a treat to have him do it again.

(Kit, her American Eskimo, is in the background)

Deception Pass is north of Oak Harbor by ten minutes and is on the way to Anacortes, the main land. This is the only section of Whidbey Island that connects, via bridge, to the main land.

The waters of Deception Pass are know to have strong currents, so it's always fun to watch boats pass underneath these large bridges.

Life Lessons

Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint on it you can.
~ Danny Kay

Life Lesson

If friendship is firmly established between two hearts, they do not need to exchange news.
~ Sa'ib of Tabriz

Thank you to all our friends in Colorado who've made our friendships conquer the distance.

Life Lesson

In the end, these things matter most:
How well did you love?
How fully did you love?
How deeply did you learn to let go?

~ the Buddha

Friendships across the miles

Landscapes from Denver, CO

Denver from the Plane

Denver had just recovered from two large snow storms in December, when we arrived into the white city on December 30th.

Here are some pictures from the plane.

Gingerbread Festival at Sunriver

Life Lessons

The only gift is a portion of thyself.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

In memory of my cousin Raleigh.

In Memory of Cousin Raleigh

The passage below, was written by my second cousin, Sarah. She elequently describes her mother in great detail and her memory will live on in others. I hope to learn the gracious life Raleigh led.

Dear loved ones and friends:
My mother, Rosalie (or, as everyone knew her, Raleigh) Johnston, had her Coronation day today, December 7, 2006 at 7:30 in the evening. She went to be in the glorious presence of our Lord while at home with my dad and wonderful friends by her bedside. I would say that she has now, once and for all, won her battle with cancer.
I got the news about Mom tonight, shortly before the beginning of our University's Christmas production. As my mom was a great woman of faith, the words of the songs took on new meaning tonight. As I listened to the celebration of the voices, from the angels' proclamation to the majesty of Handel's "Messiah", I knew that this was but an earthly shadow of the heavenly celebration she was experiencing. I was also reminded that it is because of the birth of our Savior (and His gracious death), that she forever has life. What a new facet to the celebration of Christmas for me.

My mom was a woman of character... she was the same person no matter to whom she was speaking (well, except for "phone voice" :-)), and her word was her bond. I learned about honor (and humor) from both she and my dad.

My mom was a woman of great wisdom... many of my friends called upon her as their "mom" when they needed advice through the years. Even now, there are countless times when, in the midst of teaching or leading a Bible study, I answer a question beginning, "Well, my mom used to say..." I am praying that I hear her voice in mine and remember her wisdom as I teach my own children.

My mom was a woman of great love... the many people she loved and took in always amazed (and sometimes frustrated) me. :-) There was always "room in the Johnston inn" for those who needed one, as well as a listening ear for a hurting friend, a healing touch for a disabled child, or a word of wisdom.

Thank you for your love and prayers for my mom and our family during her struggle with this nasty, terrible disease. I have been reminded many times of the great gift of community - as we share both our joys and our grief. Thank you... for being community to us. We are more grateful than words can express.


The Lord bless you and give you all grace and peace during the Christmas season.
Love,
Sarah