adventures in the bay.

After living in a different state, I only now realize how fortunate I am to be from California. While the arctic outbreak is in full swing, I've been enjoying the sunshine in various destinations. I've traversed some of my favorite places in the north including Capitola, Berkeley, San Francisco, and Half Moon Bay. In each place, it's been so exciting to visit and remember all the great memories while making new ones. These are some of my favorite pictures from each trip. Again, I can't express enough how happy I am to be home.Comfortable, familiar, friendly, and known, but all part of the adventure nonetheless. xx Amelia

thank you.

These past few days, I've been feeling so incredibly blessed for everything around me. Even in this new, exciting but unfamiliar place, I am filled with peace. A few major blessings have come my way, including the chance to write for my school's publications. And the life of this writer continues. This afternoon, I wandered around downtown again and happened across a vivid mural. Then, feeling free-spirited, checked out the lake in the middle of campus. Though full of lily pads and algae, the setting is serene. I wish everyone a beautiful weekend. And when you're feeling overwhelmed, take a minute to admire the sky and say thank you.

xx Amelia

coffee + cake.

 What a busy weekend. Managed to find time to curl my hair for the first time in months though. Celebrated my roommates birthday at Signs of Life, the cutest bookstore slash coffee shop slash gallery of all time. I'm having so much fun finding all the cute little places downtown. A friend I haven't seen in three years visited from Wichita. We grabbed grub at Free State Brewing and then she gave me the grand tour of downtown. To-do list coming soon. Enjoy the pictures. Stay cool {but really, it was over 100 here yesterday}. xx Amelia

{tried the Vanilla Mango cold press. mmmm}

strolling downtown.

For the first time, I had the chance to explore downtown Lawrence through a creative lens. Finally, the heat subsided and walking a block only worked up a healthy glow. I was already sold that Lawrence has charm but this time I kept in mind that this is my new home. Neighborhoods are completely different from the suburbs I'm used to in California. Houses are aged but have cute little porches with wicker furniture and delicately potted plants. Crickets buzz in the trees that hang low, shading the sidewalks. It was a lovely day to explore a park along the way, where a summer wedding was just beginning. Inessa (my roommate from Germany) and I couldn't pass up a few scoops of homemade ice cream from Sylas & Maddy's, a townie favorite. This is just the first of many more adventures! xx Amelia

my happy place.

Since I was just a speck, as far back as I can remember, I have visited Mammoth Lakes with my family. There, my love for fishing, hiking, the smell of pine, moths {say what}, tackle shops, paneled wood, and country music seeded. No, we've never gone up during the winter. But that doesn't mean we've never seen snow! One of many favorite memories is throwing snowballs on a patch of white among the dry twigs and dirt. This last visit was special for me. God opened my heart to see his creation in a new light. Mammoth will always be my happy place.

{Rainbow Falls}

{Devil's Postpile}

{My goofy parents; favorite shot of the trip}

{Rainbow trout says "ahhh"}

{Morgan Pass}

summer. sonshine. shasta.

 Trying to recollect the past two months gives me a foggy head. Every incredible memory becomes a blur of water and boats. It frustrates me but each remembered memory becomes a gift. To recap, I spent my summer on Lake Shasta in Northern California serving with Sonshine Ministries. My role on the lake included driving ski boats and houseboats. But more than that, I met so many amazing people and witnessed God move in beautiful ways. I am just beginning to sift through each significant moment and remember all that God has taught me. These are some of the captured moments that tell just a fraction of the story.

{Photo credit to Mackenzie Look}