Out-of-the-Pot

     No point in keeping on the move if your soul's not at rest.  Today, I read a Couch Surfer's description; a self-proclaimed (diagnosed?) 'Chronic Nomad'.  I think I enjoy this same affliction.


   As such, though I so treasure rooted-ness, it hasn't exactly shone as my most recent achievement.  I could philosophize about how geographically I may not be diggin deep, and am more a potted plant, roots intact, sticking with my owner.  (And could you ask for more?!)  I've liked it well enough, seeing the sun from new vantages, knowing I'm still in good hands.  But my soul keeps urging for me to find something more - and gaining articulation.


     For someone who likes open horizons and equally panoramic options, the prospect of choosing one place to ground - to 'transplant' (leave that pot!) seems foreign - and yet, exciting!

(Pixelated) Clay Pot Adventures

  It's coming clear the things my soul wants; deeper community, family time, close friendships - and the way I've gone about my potted ventures haven't come to line up, and likely won't

-- unless I trade in my hard (sturdy!  protective!) terra-cotta for a pliable, biodegradable pot - and let my roots and real earth mingle.  Then, maybe it could happen.  Soon, I probably won't even realize the pot is gone.

  Conditions will get harsher.  But, I will feel the sun more intensely, and drink in the rain's value more intently.  When storms come, and lightening with 'em, you know I'll enjoy absorbing every possible bit of nitrogen showered.  That's some direct exposure.  But imagine the growth!  

 This is where the Adam's and Eve's of all plants started, no?  The ground?  His name says it all, and hers, that it works.

   From place-to-place as potted photosynthesizers we can surely adapt, and well.  The sun's everywhere we're willing to look, and even where we won't.  But to think of what it means to be suited to a particular environment - starting from a tiny seed, overcoming adversity, working collaboratively with our neighboring flora and fauna... that's special.  Yes, yes; there's overpopulation, as well as under-, and the winds will carry us where they want.  And sure, we can adapt.
But native grounds are native grounds.  We make a lot of sense in our original contexts. 

And then there's always the wind.  

 

Same Caretaker everywhere though, right?
__________

Maybe it's right-brain-heavy justification.  Maybe I'm ready for some dynamic new growth. 
Either way, with this, I officially declare my intent to return to Ohio, or otherwise settle somewhere soon.
I'll re-adapt, and adopt new life - and as soon as I'm adept at adapting, who's to say I won't have the increased maturity to even adopt something new, or it, me?

At my best, I can remain open to the wind.

This is no boring road you're traveling, by any means. 
This is two-handed, take-your-time,
"Lord, the views you've made!"
have you ever seen anything more beautiful
  kind of driving.
Don't got too fast-
  speed up,
and tax your vehicle
  and your own energy,
but you may risk not seeing
   those leaves
   the twist of that branch
   the color of that wood,
   that bark's unique hold on that tree,
       your own breath.

So, stop a while.
   Listen to your car tick, feel the hunger in your stomach, check out the moss on that tree!  (The tree on that moss!)  Pray the advancing-only-other-person-up-here doesn't mean shady business, and that someone finds this if (s)he does, and that their cough goes away, leaves them and leaves them alleviated either way,
sit amazed at how a little altitude, elevation-and-a-view --- an elevated perspective --- can overcome the noise of a whole big city,
muse over Incubus' correctness/wisdom "to obtain the bird's eye...", give the motorcyclists a head start.

 
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
       praise the Lord.
   Oh my soul, rejoice!  and let all
that is in me
       all          
          that is in me
             praise
             His
             holy
             name.

a
m
e
n
!

How do you remember a place like this?  There is little left than to be appreciative.

Thank you, Lord.

I have this notion the sooner we get surrender, the better.

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."

be careful you don't find only what you seek.

San Francisco / Sausalito

   A whirlwind experience of the most easygoing nature, and I've only just arrived!  Ten minutes into San Francisco, I was hooked.  To fill the time before my host friend (from the Environmental Education internship - Tori, herself!) completes work, I decided to drive around to get acquainted with the city.  Fascinating streets, a diversity of cultures, lots of 4-way stops --all it took to find myself completely, totally hooked.  In my automotive wanderings, I happened to make my way sooner-than-anticipated on the road to Sausalito which meant, inadvertently, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge!  Funny how you happen upon things like that.  Heading N. on the road/consequent Bridge, there is no toll.  To come back to the city, though, could only happen at a price.  Since I'm ultimately headed for Sausalito tonight, I decided to keep going in order to explore more of where I'll stay settled the next few days.  After searching out a coffee shop on the GPS, (naturally,) I found 'Fred's Place.' 
   More a restaurant than a coffee shop (think of a very nice old diner, but substitute the tacky [sorry] chrome with  old and established-looking wood,) I took a seat at the bar and ordered a latte.  Simple enough.  Lack of outlet made for limited internet time, which really was all I needed, as I arrived around 2:15 and they were to close at 2:30!  Very gracious of them to allow me to stay, and they were all very kind.  I had a lot of latte to finish, and they a good amount of cleaning, so I was able to stay a little while longer and make a couple notes in the journal, as well as write a brief letter to everyone at AICM - a first of hopefully many fun, concise travel updates.  I asked the person beside me whether there was a post office nearby and after giving me directions shared that he'd probably see me around there in a bit, as he was headed there to check on his car.  We both finished up around the same time and he could stand a ride and I, a guide, so we exchanged!  Since we both had some time to spend after mailing and checking, he offered to show me around the houseboat community, right down the street.  We walked and talked and thoroughly appreciated the plants on either side of the main walkway - a fascinating bunching of scents and textures and lime plants and succulents and cacti and so. many. roses.  If you know me and colors, you know I was a happy girl.  Happy to meet Mr. Alex and do some Spanish chatting and learn about his travels through Central America...and beyond! We parted ways after that without exchanging information.  Very Serendipity, I know, but we're not in love, though I am grateful for such a pleasant life experience.
  Anyway, now I'm at a Starbucks in downtown Sausalito, which is of course very nice and surrounded by people even nicer-looking than those in Malibu, and completely, wonderfully rife with the echoes of many different languages, mostly French, and even so many more that are so foreign to me I can't even decipher the origin!  Of course, that makes me very happy, too. 

Grrrreat shot, I know.
   Today is the first I've loaded the film in the old Minolta, so hopefully I'll get some neat shots over the next few days.  As it happens, my digital camera's battery is nearly exhausted.  Life goes on!  Right now I've got a lovely window seat with a nice view of Alcatraz.  Perhaps I can use the computer camera for a picture!  That would be a good way to preserve such a memorable view :)!  Worth the risk of looking like a sketchball too, I guess.
  
  Praying God continues to teach me and make good use of my being here, however He sees fit.  Looking forward to the next moment.
  In His love and joy,
  Ashley :)

Today I hope you realize how incredible you are.

makes no sense

California's San Joaquin Valley is known as "the food basket of the world."  It also has the state's highest rates of food insecurity.

God is gracious and I am grateful.  He's the substance, my only satisfaction.

Malibu

my goodness, simply beautiful!  I can't even begin to take a justifiable picture, so you'll just have to come see it for yourself.

Last night I met up with Ash and we got to visit an even-more-than-usually-popular Trader Joes where we purchased veg. taco essentials for dinner that night, as well as some lentils and quinoa for tonight.  It was also a fun surprise to find TJ's had really appealing sourdough baguettes for sale -- the thin, crusty-hard-chewy kind. 

Right now I'm enjoying a jasmine green tea at the Malibu Country Mart's Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and a few (privileged?) folks on miniature horse carriages just passed by on the little road in-between the shoppes.  I don't quite get it, but it certainly elicited a smile or two from me and those around.  I wonder what people who live around places where those little burritos roam would think of people paying to do something like that.

There are a lot of very well-dressed people here and the shops and views are quite nice looking.  Something I've enjoyed is how at face people and things seem so unapproachable, but a simple smile goes a really long way.  I think there's something about not being so put-together that makes it easier to communicate with people.  For instance, I'm a little intimidated by the blondie beauties and their impeccable style, buuuuuuuut, on the other hand, feel better about my fly-away hairs and their reminder of ocean air and its pervasive effects on every part of everybody, and how, as a result, we all share that something.

Mas to come!  Santa Monica and Venice tonight after Ash is home from work.  Happy day,
Ashley :)

Ps, I know I said something about no pictures, but that's partly (more of a part) because I have not been able to focus on driving pch and take a good picture at the same time.  I also need to learn where to park for easy beach access.  In any case, it'll happen as it needs.  Should be an interesting day!

Much peace,
:)

So Hopeful

for every possible reason.

Processing

takes me a while.  My best start is to consider the things I'm having a difficult time processing, I guess.
Like how my girls were in fact suspended for the remainder of the school year and now my car is packed and resting at a coffee shop parking lot somewhere in Phoenix, getting ready for LA tomorrow.  And how, two weeks ago and today I've gotten the chance to share quality time with two of my most missions-influential older friends from college; to see how God has been taking care of and blessing them as they continue to serve Him.  What a blessing, really!  And how I've just officially left Show Low and my first real group of friends as 'an adult,' and what fantastic people they are.  I can only pray God helps me be so much a blessing to them as they have to me these past few months.  Makes me excited for further community and getting together with old friends and meeting new friends, shaping each others' lives.
And how beautifully God provides, the tangible, fanciful, practical, wondrous ways he shows His love.  And how no matter how surprising the realities seem, no matter the apprehensions they incite, the truth, the reality is that God works everything out.  It's possible He has already worked everything out, and every day all that's left is to enjoy walking in it and praise Him for all the good and surprises He brings.  May I praise Him in awed love.
And how as I sit to think about all this, a little open-beaked blue-footed bird (not the kind you're thinking,) hops on down and comes across a sizable crumb.  Good to be reminded every day that You're providing for me, that I'm built to have to be reminded in order for my amnesic heart to warm up again, and that You're faithful to paint the most lovely and deeply satisfying reminders.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Luke 10:27

Good Will Hunting: Did You Know?

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon wrote it?!