BSA Troop 514 Scouts enjoyed a sunny, chilly day marching in the parade in La Grande. After the parade they went over to the local Safeway and collected food for agencies that help those in need.
Veterans Day La Grande, Troop 514Veterans Day La GrandeVeterans Day La GrandeVeterans Day La GrandeVeterans Day La GrandeTroop 514 Scouting for FoodTroop 514 Scouting for FoodTroop 514 Scouting for Food
Troop 514 recently took its annual September backpacking, camping, rock climbing weekend. Eleven Scouts enjoyed their time camping at Hoffer Lake above Anthony Lake and then rock climbing higher up. We have been doing this event since the early eighties.
We set up our tents in the rain. When the clouds cleared in the evening, we enjoyed a spectacular sunset that reflected in Hoffer Lake.
Hoffer climbing wallHoffer climbing wallHoffer climbing wallHoffer climbing wallHoffer climbing wallGunsight Anthony LakeHoffer climbing wallHoffer Lake fallHoffer Lake Anthony Lake sunsetHoffer Lake Anthony Lake sunsetHoffer Lake Anthony Lake sunsetHoffer Lake Anthony Lake sunset
“Around us life bursts with miracles—a glass of water a ray of sunshine , a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops. If you live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere. Each human being is a multiplicity of miracles. Eyes that see thousands of colors, shapes, and forms; earth that hear a bee flying or a thunderclap; a brain that ponders a speck of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; a heart that beats in rhythm with the heartbeat of all beings. Where we are tired and feel discouraged by life’s daily struggles, we may not notice these miracles, but they are always there.” Thich Nhat Hahn.
1 Corinthians 2.9, Grande Ronde Valley, Union County Oregon
The Mt Emily Recreation Area above La Grande and the the Grande Ronde Valley in Union County Oregon calls recreationists anytime of year–hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing in the winter, and mountain biking, riding dirt bikes, hiking the rest of the year. We are so blessed and fortunate to have such a great place to enjoy so near to us.
MERA, Grande Ronde valley, La Grande, Union County OregonMERA, Grande Ronde valley, La Grande, Union County Oregon, MERA mountain bikingMERA, Grande Ronde valley, La Grande, Union County OregonMERA, Grande Ronde valley, La Grande, Union County OregonMERA, Grande Ronde valley, La Grande, Union County Oregonunion county oregonMERA dirt biking, Grande Ronde valley, La Grande, Union County Oregon
Mt Emily Recreation Area dirt biking, Mt Emily Recreation Area, Union County Oregon, La GrandeMERA, Grande Ronde valley, La Grande, Union County Oregon
MERA, Grande Ronde valley, La Grande, Union County Oregon
As I watch a sunrise or sunset develop, I am awed by the spectrum of color that is displayed. The light and color move gradually and spectacularly, cleansing my mind and soul, reminding that my circumstance are minute compared the eternal moving, transforming Light.
“God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience….Let us go out with the patient power of knowing the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step into the invincible future with Him.” Oswald Chambers
On Saturday, I snow shoed up to Hoffer Lake, above Anthony Lake, OR with five Scouts and two other adult leaders. I came back with two “day” scouts, and the others are camped up there tonight. It was a proverbial winter wonderland, but not enough to attract/convince my “elderly” body to stay overnight
“You are present, Eternal God, in every moment of my life, in the daily tasks and the swirl and seeming chaos of world events. Help me then to be aware of your presence and responsive to your purpose.” Evelyn Underhill
“The root of prayer is interior silence….Deep prayer is the laying aside of thoughts. It is the opening of mind and heart, thoughts and feelings—our whole being—to God, the ultimate mystery, beyond words, thoughts and emotions.” Fr Richard Keating
“We must become aware of the sacred in every single element of life. We must bring beauty to birth in a poor and plastic world. We must restore the human community. We must grow in concert with the God who is within. We must be healers in a harsh society.
“We must begin to do life, to be with people, to accept circumstances, to bring good to evil in ways that speak of the presence of God in every moment.” Joan Chittister
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! 10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” Isaiah 58: 9-11Meacham Divide Blue Mountains Oregon
“The value of compassion cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone can criticize. It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands.” A. Stainback
We can march, we can protest, we can accept, but how do we touch? How are we going to act personally with our neighbors?
