Finally...this is what fall is suppose to look like! Good news...there is actually sun in Pennsylvania. The hill sides in the country look like multi-colored broccoli. I love the orange the most, but the reds are brilliant. I think I make my co-worker nervous whenever I drive because I am so distracted by God's masterpieces all around me outside the windwos of our van--in the sky, the trees, in the rustic home complete with tractor, barn, and cows.
Today was the second day in a row of a gloriously beautiful fall day. The sun was like a friend from California coming to visit. We had a nice time sitting together outside ;) This was after I attempted to give blood to the Central PA Blood Bank. They had a trailer set up outside the school I was at this afternoon, and I wanted to give blood after I had helped set up. Unfortunately, once they found out I had traveled to Istanbul last winter (but Thailand and Kenya checked out ok...???), I was deferred. Apparently there was something about possible exposure to Malaria...I don't understand (Istanbul, not Nairobi they were afraid of!), but oh well. I gave blood last March once I got back from Europe, and Red Cross thought my blood was a-ok. I guess Pennsylvania just don't want my California brand blood. ;)
In other news, tonight and last night Kristen and I are staying at another Pastor's home. He and his wife are wonderful. We haven't been in a home yet where we wished we were in a hotel instead. For one, they feed us. For two, Pastor Mike is just a riot. He is boisterous and little boyish, and is a movie buff! He was more interested in my Master Thesis on religion in popular film than I was writing it. Whenever he is excited about something, or agrees with you (very heartily), he says a bit drawn out "Yessss!" with such adamant enthusiasm, he reminds me of a professor that loves his students, or...a game show host? He has a collection of all sorts of guitars, and we tried to boogie-woogie together on guitar and piano. The cool thing is we get to come back here in a couple of days and stay two more nights. It's nice coming back to some of the same people--like it's some semblance of stability.
The holidays are coming up. It will be hard, but I look forward to Christmas. I've missed a wedding. And a couple of birthdays. Sigh. Two more months, two more months...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (your birthday is in 2 hours from now, east coast time)
