Happy Birthday...

Dear. Mom

For your birthday this weekend I thought I'd write a note to you.
You've been on my mind a lot this week. The goldenrod is in full bloom along the side of the road and you always reminded me that this meant fall was in the air. It won't be long now until the leaves will soon follow and before we know it, fall will be in full swing.

The summer has gone by fast as Maine summers seem to always do. One day the calendar says it's the Fourth of July and the next weekend seems like Labor Day. Those seven to eight weeks in between seem but a blur. It was very strange to not see any sort of a garden out in front of the house this year. Probably I'd guess to say that this was the first year the Corey farm has never had some sort of garden. I was reminded the other day when late last summer you ventured down to the garden on your own and you took a little tumble, you were okay and everything. You just sort of sat there until you heard someone drive up the driveway. Sure enough your granddaughter Hannah heard your hollers and came down to your rescue. Hard to believe that was only a year ago.

I was looking through some pictures the other day. I remember I took some shots of you and your sunflowers a few summers ago. I can remember how impressed you were with how well they did. I'm thankful I was able to capture that memory through some of the pictures we did that afternoon.

The family stays busy with life and all that is going on. Ron finally has some new wheels and he is on the road to recovery. It's amazing how many similarities the two of you share. It was very hard to be back at St. Mary's hospital the last week or so. Ron was literally just two doors down on the same wing where you were admitted when you first started dialysis. Each time I walked past your old room a part of me wanted to just check to see if you were in there. So...Mom you'd be proud of Ron for what he went through in having his knees replaced just like you had done 7 1/2 years ago. We're looking forward to a much better quality of life for Ron as he becomes more mobile.

The Farmington Fair is just a few weeks away and remember what we did last year Mom? I can't believe this still but I remember you walked up and down those stairs to the exhibition hall. In fact you walked the whole time we were there with barely any assistance. I was so proud of you and more than anything thankful that we were able to share that time together.

So Mom on this birthday you can tell for me it's a maze of both the present and the past. I think that is what is the hardest thing for me right now. I'm trying to be present in this "moment" but I'm also not wanting to forget (and never will) all the "last" things that we experienced together. I mean even the simple things catch me off guard and bring me right back to moments with you. I was walking in Wal-Mart just last night and passed the juice isle and their was your little Welch's white grape juice bottles. You burned through a lot of those and I just remember how much comfort those brought you. There are so many simple things Mom that all add up. So what I'm trying to say Mom is once again thank you for all those things that make me laugh and cry at the same time.

You will be thought of often this weekend. We will not forget you Mom and on your birthday weekend we will celebrate your life and all the gifts you gave to each one.

Happy Birthday Mom!
I miss and love you so much!
With deep admiration.
Your Son,
Rodney

Updated Photos

I haven't updated my photos in awhile so I added some new ones today.
Here is the link:
Rodney's Photos

Tiger Time

Went to Detroit Tigers game tonight with some friends of mine (my left
Trevor and his Dad Terry Prisk). Oakland beat Detroit but it was still
fun to see a game there. Trevor was able snag me a practice ball so
that was cool. While at the game my brother Ron called me and it looks
like the surgery went well. They already have him on a machine that is
moving his new knee now. I'm thankful that the procedure went well.
I'll be hiting the road to visit some places in Michigan later in the
week, more updates soon to come.

The View from the Summit

I've been in Michigan for almost a week now and I have had an amazing experience last week attending the Leadership
Summit. I attended it with some church friends out here. We watched via satellite feed from a church in Troy Michigan. This was my first year attending and I can say that it will become a part of my August every year now. There was so much to digest that it's hard to even put to words. I'll have a lot more to say about this experience in the days and weeks ahead.

My time away has been amazing and it's hard to believe that I'm on week number three. This time next Monday I will be on a flight returning back to Maine. I've really not been able to spend a lot of time in depth with what I've been able to experience and do over the last few weeks. I'm grateful for the technology of my iPhone since it allows me to post pictures and content to my blog site right from my phone. However, it is a little cumbersome to write long postings using the tiny keyboard on the phone.

With all that I've been experiencing lately I still can't seem to shake the experience I had at Mt. St. Helens a week ago Saturday. It was spontaneous and I'll remember the look Lisa gave me when I said "Hey Lisa, have you ever been up in a helicopter before?". I posted a few pictures last week about that amazing adventure. At first I was a little disappointed because the rim of the volcano was clouded in. Despite the visibility it was very clear that slowly nature was taking its course and regrowth and restoration from that eruption was taking place. Thousands of trees have been hand planted and the vegetation in its various stages are reclaiming what was once lost. Lisa took some great photos of the trip and here is a shot that I think really shows how nature is in a sense being re-born. It's funny cause literally seconds before we boarded the helicopter my camera decided to go on the blitz. I still shot video but something had reset on my LCD display on my camera and flipped literally everything upside down. It was pretty interesting to shoot. I looked at the footage and sure enough it came out fine. After about ten minutes into the flight I stopped shooting footage and just took in the scenery. I was just in a awe of the amazing power and strength of what a mountain can do when it literally blows its top off. In retrospect I'm thankful that I was just able to put down the camera for a bit and take in the full beauty of what was surrounding me. I was able to relate in a way I didn't realize. This mountain and me shared a lot in common. The eruptions of the past season of my life are now claiming new ground as well. That day I was not to see the source of the destruction because the clouds were there. My focus was redirected to the valley of healing and restoration and I viewed life being made whole again right in front of my eyes. Animals were grazing again, water was flowing and life was returning.

The tourist trap became the teachable moment that day. Now I have had two mountain top experiences. The last two and half days at the Leadership Summit have also been transforming. I've learned from the summit to claim ownership of one's vision and to keep motivated and crystal clear in direction and intention. My last week while away I'm praying that I don't miss the whisper of what that will look like in my life. I'm so grateful for having the opportunity to be able to take this time and digest all the things that I have been processing. I can't thank enough the amazing Prisk family and Terry specifically for inviting me out here. You all have been amazing. This is where I am staying while out here in Michigan. A family here has been so kind to let me stay at their house while there gone during this month. I literally having this lake-side home to myself. It's been amazing to say the least. I am looking forward to this week. It has been a long time since I've just been able to clear off a whole week to just be still and be reminded that God does have a perfect plan for me. I am claiming ownership of that promise once again. I found this verse in Jeremiah today and I thought it was fitting in relating to both mountain top experiences I've had in the last week and a half.


Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."

As I finish this blog post I'm thinking of my brother Ron right now and praying for good news as he has his first of two knee replacement operations. Knee one this week and knee two a week from today. I'm so excited about Ron's new wheels. I'm praying for a full recovery and strength for the therapy journey.

OH and here is a cool link of what the current conditions of Mt. St. Helen's looks like. There is a webcam located at one of the observation areas. Mt. St. Helen's Live VolcanoCams.

Off To Michigan

Wow, what an awesome week in the northwest. I can't say thank you
enough to my good college friend Lisa for hosting me for the week. The
time did fly by and we packed a lot in. The pacific northwest is
beautiful. I haven't had a chance to upload all my photos but I hope
to be able to do that while I'm Minnesota during my layover. Well I'm
off to Michigan and will have a very unique opportunity with a very
cool pastor and his church. On Thursday through Saturday I will be
attending Willow Creeks Leadership Summit. I've heard nothing but
awesome things about this conference so I am really looking forward to
that time. This picture was taken in downtown Portland in what is
almost much like their city center. I thought it was cool because if
you look at the top of the sign you'll see a mileage marker for
Portland Maine. Not sure what time will allow over the next few days
but will try to keep my travels updated as much as possible. My next
blog will be about my experience flying over Mt. St. Helens. I
couldn't help but notice restoration in action and what similarities I
share with a mountain that erupted over 27 years ago. I'm typing on my
iPhone and I'm starting to get a stiff neck sitting on this plane seat
so I'll write more about my volcano teachable moment when I'm back on
my laptop.

Multnomah Falls

After church this morning we headed to some cool water falls just
outside of Portland.

Mt. St. Helens

Today was a very cool day. We toured Mt. St. Helens by helicopter. Unfortunately the peak was clouded in but overall the tour was amazing. Here are a few shots from today's adventure.

Not A Win But A Lot Of Fun

Even though our offense didn't come out on top it was a great game and
a long time wish of mine to catch a Red Sox game in Seattle. Off to
Mt. Saint Helens tomorrow morning (Saturday). I'll be posting more
photos from today's Seattle trip.

Game Time

Our seats are kind of high (three rows from the top) but were in the
game and just 30 minutes until game time! Go Red Sox!

Getting Ready For the Game!

Arrived in Seattle mid morning. Having a great time and I have already
met a number of fans from Boston that flew out to the game. Just went
to the Farmers Market and had an amazing experience with the guys that
throw the fish. I'll have to write more about that later. Having lunch
and the Public Market sign is right at eye level. Seattle is such a
cool city. We will be headed to the Sox game in a few hours...really
looking forward to it. I'll send more updates later.

Portland, OR Day Two

Today was a chill day after spending the morning with some college friends. We were going to head up to Seattle this afternoon but have decided to strike out first thing on Friday morning. I just checked the Red Sox website and the pitcher that I wanted to see will be on the mound Friday night John Lester. So I'm really looking forward to the game and to tour downtown Seattle. It's been a number of years since I've been back in that city.

Tonight (Thursday 8/2) we went downtown and ate at Baja Fresh and the caught a movie called Once. It was a good flick. A unique movie that was more musical than drama but a very strong emotional connection the characters.

After the movie we went downtown for a bit and stumbled upon a sports-action photography exhibition called Ilume sponsored by Red Bull. There were some very cool photos taken by some talented photographers from around the world. I took a few shots with my iPhone. Tomorrow is going to be a full day so I need to head to bed. I'll write more tomorrow.

Finally Baja Fresh

Its one thing to eat at Baja Fresh and another when you eat for free.
Thanks Lisa for the free coupon for my meal tonight. It was amazing as usual!

Catching me blogging on my iPhone

, originally uploaded by Lisa Burch.

Here I am blogging on my iPhone waiting for some friends for Happy Hour.

Lisa and Me

, originally uploaded by Lisa Burch.

Lisa and me at the Goonies Rock along the Oregon coast. An awesome day !

Breakfast With Buddies

Had a great morning with some college buddies of mine from Azusa Pacific University. It was great to catch up.

First picture: Me on Dain's and his wife Sarah's rope swing. It was pretty intense. The picture doesn't do it justice at all. It was a blast!

Second Picture: Dain and his wife Sarah

Third Picture: Dain, Sarah, Me and Lisa my good friend from APU.

Fourth Picture: Butch and Sandy Strobel (Dain's parents) and Dain & Sarah. So great to see them after almost ten years.

Oregon Coast Photos

More photos from Wednesday's trip to the Oregon coast can be found at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rodneycorey

Oregon Coast Sunset

Had an amazing day along the northern part of the Oregon coast
yesterday. This is a sunset photo taken at Haystack Rock.

Day Two Continued

The Oregon coast is amazing, more photos to come.

Day Two

Woke up this morning and my luggage was outside my door. So the
luggage fairy came in the night. On our way to the Oregon coast today.
On our way we stopped by to grab a bite for breakfast and two of my
favorite places right next to each other! Jamba Juice and Panera
Bread. I'll be posting more photos from today later.