Utah to Idaho...via Nebraska

   When opportunities cease to seek us, it divulges upon us to seek them...especially opportunities to serve. Some project pop out of nowhere like irksome mosquitos while others issue a beckoning challenge from afar. Thus, upon departure from the mountain hemmed smog of bustling Salt Lake City, Kimball and I made straight to Idaho like hounded jackrabbits, that is to say in a slightly zigzag fashion, hiding in a Nebraskan hole before darting the rest of the way up. In Nebraska Betsy and Seth were subduing work projects of their own. For instance sheet-rocking three rooms in a good friend's basement, and four extra hands I think were not unwelcome, but then I would not have and unbiased opinion about that. :)

   It was not all sweat and sagebrush for us there. Betsy played with a genuine down-strum, pickup riding, homespun, talented bluegrass band. We went to a festival where this band had won the competition last year and this year they were guest performers. If I said I enjoyed it, no one would be surprised to hear that, and therefore I will throw some weight into my little self-evident truth and declare that the audience also visibly enjoyed their music. You should have seen their CD sale afterwards!

   However, if you were to ask the band members what they liked best, this picture would probably be their reply. Jamming, jamming, jamming like they believed the world was created solely to accommodate their string fraying frolics! I doubt they care whether anyone listens or not. That is why I do not feel bad falling asleep after the clock silently signaled midnight and methodically pursued its measured tread toward the unattainable tomorrow, while the band obliviously chased their own goals.

    After the festivities were finished it was back to work! In addition to the sheet-rocking and all, we removed a great scraggly semblance of a tree on the church-converted-into-a-performance-hall property where we were lodging.

   When we took down this tree it took me back a few years, too, to when I had lived in Nebraska and worked for a company that did this kind of work all the time. Those were good days, and after all my experiences and the places I have been since, the days are still good. Unfortunately, sometimes I think my memory is kind of like this poor dismantled tree. It is there in its entirety...just not the same shape.

   Anyway, with the completion of our tasks there were 20+ hours of pavement between us and paradise. Did I just say 20+ hours; let me correct that, that silent unimpassioned clock gave me that statistic, but I think it must be attempting some kind of poor mechanical joke. Still, when I think of that trip it racks my mind into stretched out images. Everything about that trip was long: long hours, long mountains, long roads, long detours, long faces, long yawns all along the way.

   But did we end the journey as soon as possible? Of course not, we prolonged it just a little longer with a drop in on the contra dance in Missoula, Montana where Betsy and Seth infiltrated the band, upon invitation, for a couple of sets and then we were set and continued on our looong merry way "over the mountains and through the woods to..." our house!! Three cheers for the beautiful state of North Idaho and the nest in the mountains that we call home!
   I am always glad to be here, no matter how long it takes. Such are the words from our long absent Post Host, David. Hopefully, it will not be criminally long before we hear from him again.

Crossing Countless Cornfields

   The hum of an engine, the impartial glare of the sun, mile after mile being beaten down by tireless tires, periodic snoozing, the glassy gaze of the driver, sonic vibrations softening our senses from unforgiving speakers, and yada yada yada...sound familiar? All  too familiar to Betsy, Seth, and David. 

   Traveling should be our family name. If I ever have change my name it might end up something close to exactly like this David German Traveler. I will surely miss this nomadic missionary life when in my scholastic cell I study away next semester. But until then and and every moment before I will love every minute and more. Besides I do not think my companions would allow me to do otherwise.

   It only seems like we are in the car every other day during those breaks when we are not actually in the car everyday. We have traveled hundreds of miles each week; somedays we are gone twelve hours going here and there and everywhere. Thank goodness we have good CD's and conversation to keep the drivers awake. ;) 

   Thanks again for reading the post from our host, David. We hope you make the most of it until next time because you never know when I may post again.

In Salt Lake City

 What a week! We left our beloved Idaho Monday to descend to the state of Utah.  I cannot believe I have again separated myself from the free virgin pristine clean domains of North Idaho that I have been honored to call home. It almost like separating myself; part of me was left behind. Somehow this seems a reoccurring difficulty. Asheville, North Carolina claimed its "pound of flesh", as of course did Brazil, and not least of all Germany, with characteristic determination, retains it's willing piece of my heart. But then...it was Germany, what else could I do!! I have loved living on land lavished with the almost mundane masterpieces of God's handiwork. I should be back again. (Thanks Isaac for these pictures of Idaho)

 Leaving our palace of pines we dove a couple hundred miles south into a spreading sea of civilization. Urbanization is spreading over the Salt Lake Valley like a disease. In the middle of the chaos stands the Salt Lake Temple, a beacon of "Holiness to the Lord" (as is written on its front). I find it interesting to compare the incomparable glories of nature to the edifices erected by man for the worship of "Nature's God". Both are beautiful, both praise the Lord, in both God may come to dwell. It is wonderful.  I love this House of God. (Thanks Kimball for the pictures of the Temple)
  Anyway, here Kimball, John, and I are in Salt Lake and we did not loose too much time in getting to business. Kimball is moving down to the area, John is looking into moving down here, too, and I...I...I know I am supposed to be doing something. Ah! Yes, I am enrolling in a college down here, a couple blocks away from the Temple. A job and place to live would be nice for me, too. I just made my life interesting, though, because I decided to go to Nebraska for the Christmas season with my fellow Germany travelers, Betsy and Seth. I would not miss that opportunity...but afterwards I will be back for school in January.
  This week we went up and down, to and fro, back and forth, here and there, looking, finding, coming close, loosing, recovering, going again, here, there, and...do not get the idea that we overworked or anything, because half the week things were closed for Thanksgiving, giving us plenty of time to relax. Success was achieved in several ways. We are a week closer to finding jobs, and Kimball has found an affordable decent place to live. This next week will welcome the arrival of more family from all over the country. John and BreeAnna will be married in the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday. We are all excited for that day, and then it is off to Kenya, after a visit to Idaho.
  This is what has engrossed David the Post Host this week, and what is next will be next but when the next post comes, who knows? Stay with us...because you never know when I may post again. (It feels good to write that again :)