July 30, 2005


            Up in Washington there is a beautiful river called the Washougal, there are deep plunge pools, and the water is clear and cold. Yesterday, I went there with some friends to soak in the sun and jump in the river. I wondered why we were driving so far (an hour) to jump in a river when we have a lot of them closer. Well, it was because it was a gorgeous location, and the water was great. Later we went to the zoo to see Bruce Hornsby, it was a nice summery, "bring the family" style event, and quite enjoyable.
      I just got Betsy back from the body shop. This certainly was not the way I wanted to go about getting her fixed, but now she is looking really great, the shop I used did and excellent job, they work mostly on Jaguars, and there was even a Ferrari getting work done! Needless to say, they were more than qualified to work on a 28 year old Volkswagen. My motorcycle got me thru the time I needed it to, then the day before I got Betsy back, it stopped starting, I think it just needs a new battery. Maggie called today, she had a nice time backpacking with her family, and is now waiting to get her truck starter replaced. Darned vehicles!
      Mom is going to begin a lactation consulting business this week, I'm sure she will do really well, and I am exited that she is pursuing this. Before long she will probably be the premier service in the Tri-Cities area! She's already the best lactation consultant. Keep her in your thoughts.

  Nate





 July 23, 2005


            Well, summer grinds on here in Oregon...
It's not really so bad here though, I hear from travellers that it is really hot elsewhere, and truthfully, it helps me to appreciate the weather here a lot more. We may have a lot of cloudy days, but at least the tempurature is moderate. During the heat of the day, we are probably looking at something like 85 degrees or so as an average, in the evening it can be light jacket weather. I hear in Phoenix it has been around 110 for a while! Maggie left today to do some travelling, she will spend about a week camping and backpacking with her dad and sister, then she will spend another three weeks volunteering at a christian art guild, the Grunewald Guild in Washington state. I'll miss her, but it may be nice to have some time to myself too.
      It's been almost three weeks since the accident, and I'm doing pretty well. I really appreciate all of the support that I have recieved from everyone, really I do.
Betsy Bus, my van is still in the shop getting repaired, I think I am supposed to get her back sometime next week. I contacted the son of Mr. Robert Beloof (who lives here in Portland), via e-mail, and he promptly replied with a very understanding letter, stating that "it was an accident, plain and simple" and also that his family had been concerned with how I was doing. I needn't say how that reply made me feel...   I believe I may have more correspondence with the family at a later date.

If you visit my web page, I would like to hear about it! I don't have a counter yet, or a forum, (I intend to have both soon) but email me, to let me know you visited! I know I haven't been updating it, but I intend to soon, and I will email you when I do.





 July 13, 2005


      As you may or may not be aware, I was involved in a very unfortunate turn of events last week. I was driving home from work, and a man ran out in front of my bus. I swerved as hard as I could, but I couldn't avoid hitting him. His name was Robert Beloof, and he was 81 years old. Shortly thereafter, he died during surgery. This has been a terrible experience, one I would not wish on anyone, however I am very grateful that it was not not my fault, it was simply a horrible accident. I know I did all I could to avoid hitting him, I would certainly be in a terrible mental space if I had been at fault. If you haven't, I would appreciate it very much if youwould pray for his family. I cannot imagine the pain that they must be experiencing, I pray that they may be at peace.
If you would like to talk to me about this more, then please e-mail me, or call.