my friend Jon

Last week I found out that my friend Jon, with whom I graduated College, disappeared while hiking alone in the Sawtooth mountains in Idaho. He was working at a camp in Idaho, while taking the summer off from his youth ministry job in Utah. His family called off the search on Sunday night. They never did find any trace of him. This is much worse than knowing he is dead, because we know absolutely nothing. There is no closure because even if you rationally know that he is no longer alive, some part of you still hopes that he is. Because you do not know anything for sure.

Update: On July 24, 2007, Jon's remains were found on the rugged face of Grand Mogul in the Sawtooths. He was laid to rest in Minnesota in October 2007. His family has created a foundation to provide wilderness education and support to families searching for loved ones lost in the wilderness. www.jonfrancis.org

moving on

Today Karla and I signed a lease for a new apartment to move in August 1. It is really cute, and has lots of character, as the building is older. I am so excited to bring in our own stuff and begin to live life at a slower pace. I also have two exciting job prospects and for sure a job at the agency I am at right now. I still am not really processing this whole experience and the fact that it is going to end soon. I cannot imagine leaving my roommates (although 14 out of 21 USCers are living in Denver) and leaving my job. But I am also really excited to move on!

Too darn hot!

Denver has been too hot lately (routinely in the mid to upper nineties and topping 100 degrees!) Our house, which is dreadfully cold in the winter is blistering hot in the summer. We have no insulation, and we are really feeling it. At this moment, it is 9:30 and still at least 85 degrees. I broke a sweat carrying laundry upstairs! At times like this, I think of my clients who are without a shelter. At least I have a home to lounge around in, water to drink and popsicles to eat. Summer can be really deadly for people who are on the street.