Hueco Tanks (El Paso, TX)

Our last climbing destination for our four month mission trip with Solid Rock Climbers for Christ was Hueco Tanks, TX.
It is a popular winter bouldering area. Although Gretchen and I tend to be more comfortable climbing on ropes, it was awesome to see the power, determination, and technique of those who work shorter, harder boulder problems over and over again, until they master them.

We were privileged to spend time with a Solid Rocker, Rob (pictured below with his beautiful daughter Ella). Rob is passionate about Jesus Christ and about adventure sports, and his enthusiasm is contagious! He and his wife are building a house near Hueco, and look forward to reaching out to climbers there.
We also got to hang out with some wonderful folks who are missionaries with Casas por Cristo. They partner with local Mexican churches and mission teams from American churches to build homes for needy families across the border.
For some of us, anything goes when it comes to bouldering!
Our last day of climbing on (official) mission, (sigh). My "bachelorette trip" as one friend coined it, is now over... but what a ride it has been!The great thing I am reminded of is that it is crucial for Christians to serve God through how we live our lives every day, whether we are "on mission" or not. Our mission field is right here, all around us. May we live and love as Christ did, and reflect His glory wherever we are!

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18

Saying Goodbye to the Road

Joshua Tree National Park has been as much a home to me as anyplace I have frequented the last three winters. God has taught me a lot here, and I am continually awed by the beauty and majesty of His creation in this desert environment.
Friends and family joined Gretchen and I for our last weekend bash in the park. We rented a group campsite and had 30 people stop in for at least some of the festivities!

We climbed:
We hung out:We ate:
...and ate!
We worshiped and gave thanks
...and we said goodbye to our friends out west and to the amazing rocks and scenery of one of our favorite places.Thank you God!

Bishop in The Fall

Bishop is the bouldering capital of California... but also has some excellent sport climbing, and trad and alpine routes nearby as well. There are amazing rocks to climb everywhere!

Bishop rests in the Owens Valley with snow covered mountains looming on either side. To the west are the mighty Sierra Nevadas (pictured below). For a desert climate, fall is beautiful here as the leaves change on the willow trees. (It's nothing like the east coast, but it does help me feel a little more at home!)

This is our friend Amy... she's buff :)
These photos are from a few sessions at the "Happy Boulders" in the Volcanic Tablelands just north of Bishop.




As we enter the last month of our road trip, I am filled with gratitude for God's faithfulness. He has provided for us each step of the way, and given us amazing opportunities to share the love of Christ with those along our path. Most of all, through hard times and beautiful times, He has drawn us closer to Himself. How great it is to rest in the arms of the Almighty!

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
-God (Jeremiah 29:13)

Joshua Tree & Halloween

It feels so great to be back in Joshua Tree! The warmth of the desert, old friends, crazy rock formations and unique Joshua Trees made us feel welcome right away.

It was great to get back on lead in JTree... the routes always challenge me mentally and physically. This is me leading Pope's Crack, 5.9

Jess and Gretchen dance with Ed (the van) to "glamourous"... had to be there, I guess!
Here's me with my cousin (Ryan)'s new dog Cali. I decided to make my old hat into a visor, so here we are sharing what's left. Cali liked the remaining beanie : )
Here's Gretchen's first REAL crack in JTree, Double Cross, 5.7 We figured her winged halloween costume would help her up the climb!
Gretchen and I sandwich our friend Dora. She and her partner Andrew have been some of our favorite people on the road. We met in Red Rocks, and got to hang out again (on Halloween) in JTree.
Here's the shadow of my halloween costume in the morning light at our campsite.
Geronimo (5.7) is a crazy roof crack we climbed one day- such fun!
Campfires always draw a crowd, and provide opportunities for chats about climbing, life, and lots of good musical jam sessions.
The musical jam sessions draw in the good drummers... who draw in the fire spinners... Joshua Tree is always full of fun and excitement!

Red Rocks 10-08

Red Rocks, NV, as seen through the eyes of Ed (our van)

Ed struts his stuff at the Red Rocks Campground, proudly displaying the Solid Rock Logo.

We had a great time of worship and prayer with dear friends, Michelle & Noelani (pictured here).

We love having instruments with us wherever we go, for leading worship, and for spontaneous jam sessions around the campfire.

One of our many new friends, Tom, begins the first of three excellent pitches on Lotta Balls, 5.8
Brian approaches the last Belay station on a stellar 5.8
I was so blessed to have him come and visit yet again!

Goodbye beautiful Red Rocks... we will be back!

For more photos and stories, visit Gretchen's blog: www.blindtosee.com

Time "off" - backpacking in Sequioa National Park

The fearless four (Gretchen, my teammate, Darin, my brother, and Brian, my fiance and I headed out for four days of backpacking in Sequoia National Park... in weather 30 degrees colder than average!
The hiking was beautiful,
the company was great,
and when it snowed (yup... twice!) we just all crammed into one tent to play cards.
The competition was stiff, but tons of fun was had!
ahhh.... so beautiful

California 2008

Gretchen, Jillian and I are sporting designer trash pick up vests for the Yosemite fall Facelift fashion line

Our beloved van, Ed, in the Camp 4 parking lot

My awesome teammate and I coming down from Monday morning slab on the apron
El Cap, just before we climbed the Nose (OK, just the first pitch!)
Climbing and having fun with the Mulkey family at Church Bowl after worship
Making pizzas at the Sapps home in Bishop
Stre in front of Fairview Dome
Climbing in Owens River Gorge

ooga!

Photo Highlights

On the road in the western US... we've spent time in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Nevada so far. Next we are heading on to California. The last month has been full of unexpected blessings as we have spent time with friends, families, strangers, and lots of mechanics... in order to get our new home (a lovely old van) on the road. The cool thing about being on a schedule created by car "trouble," is that God has shown us ongoing blessings and provision, and used us in the lives of others. Praise Him!

Solid Rock BBQ after climbing in Clear Creek Canyon (Golden, CO) The Price family generously offered to help us build shelves in our van (and sleep in their driveway). Here the kids are doing some important measurements before we start cutting and drilling!
OK, so I got a little into it! Master carpenter, Jason Price

Brian came to visit, just when the van broke down... great timing honey! 16 month old Cora is well trained to "pound it" when you put out your fist. The Schaffner family (dear old friends) welcomed us into their home for almost two weeks while we waited for van repairs. Julia, fellow Solid Rocker and old friend hosted us in Salt Lake City. How great it is to laugh with friends!

Sporting the latest quick draw/helmet fashion!
My amazing teammate... she's the best and I am SO blessed to be on the road with her!
Gretchen enjoys the view from the base of Castle Rock, Idaho

Our New Home

Here she is, folks, our new pimped out road trippin' mobile. Gretchen and I will be stylin on the road in this elegant coach. We can't wait to get on the road to climb and share God's love!Some amazingly generous new friends helped us customize by building some new shelving units and fixing up a few things. Check out the cozy living space (below)! God has answered our prayers for a vehicle that will also serve as a home on the road.

Now all we have to do is get it to start...

(this is not a joke- please pray with us!)

Solid Rock National Conference

Rocky Mountain National Park

Christian climbers gathered from all over the nation for a week of climbing, fellowship, outreach and encouragement. It was refreshing to meet even more folks who have a heart for Jesus and for rock climbing! (I think we all agree that if Jesus were currently walking the earth in human form, he would spend some of his time hanging out with rock climbers- OK, maybe he’d be more into the bouldering scene.)