For the past two weeks, wildfire smoke has hidden the mountains and turned Almost Paradise into a gray, eye-watering haze.

Winds from the south carry smoke from devastating Spokane-area fires and enormous Oregon blazes; winds from the north bring smoke from the Upper Smith Fire and Canada. When the wind stops, the smoke simply stays put.

Add summer heat, closed windows, and dry conditions, and North Idaho feels less than heavenly. Yet behind the smoke, mountains remain.

This Morning Brew reflects on firefighters, displaced families, gratitude for clean air, and faith that blue skies will return once again soon.

But first we dip into our mail to see what kind of feedback we have on this Friday!

When Chloe traveled to the Dominican Republic through the International Language Program, she went to teach English to children—but she returned home having learned a great deal herself.

In this conversation, Chloe shares the joys, challenges, surprises, and memories of living and serving there. She offers a look at what it took to step beyond the familiar, connect with her students, adjust to a different culture, and discover strengths she may not have known she possessed.

Chloe also shares practical advice and insights for other young people who may be considering a similar adventure.

Her first trip required her to cover her own expenses, but she made such a strong impression that she has been invited to return—with her expenses paid and a stipend included.

It is a warm and encouraging story about courage, growth, service, and the remarkable things that can happen when we say yes to an opportunity.

Fair week provides the perfect setting for a tale involving horses, an ATV, a manure spreader, and one very important lever.

While cleaning River’s extended paddock, Ted forgets to disengage the spreader before loading it again. By the time his helper spots the problem, an entire load has been chopped and redistributed across the freshly cleaned ground—and River’s favorite resting place.

What begins as a smelly mistake becomes a humorous lesson about setbacks, repeated work, and perseverance.

Sometimes faithfulness means picking up the rake, correcting our mistakes, and beginning again—while remembering to check the lever next time around.

A late-night engine roar and a heavy thump become evidence of a deer killed outside Ted’s home—and possibly an orphaned fawn.

What follows is a restrained but pointed Morning Brew about speeding, responsibility, and respect for wildlife. Ted considers unavoidable (and avoidable) accidents, reckless choices, drivers who leave others to handle the consequences, and the risks faced by everyone sharing North Idaho’s roads.

With humor, frustration, a memorable scoop shovel, and a touch of Scripture, he asks drivers to slow down, pay attention, report collisions, and remember that authority over creation carries a duty to exercise compassion and good judgment daily.

What do you do when life suddenly turns upside down? Where do you turn when you're overwhelmed, uncertain, or simply don't know what to do next?

In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with Lacey, Director and Advocate of Boundary County Victim Services, to discuss the many ways her organization comes alongside individuals and families during some of life's most difficult moments.

We talk about the services they provide, why so many people hesitate to ask for help, and why reaching out is often the first step toward healing.

You'll also discover the heart behind the organization. Lacey's compassion and dedication shine throughout our conversation, reminding us that there are people in our own community who quietly devote themselves to helping others every single day.

Whether you or someone you know could use a helping hand—or whether you're looking for a meaningful way to serve others—I think you'll come away encouraged by this conversation.

Because here in Boundary County, hope often begins with one simple step: asking for help.

Ted shares a meeting with some friends at a local coffee shop.

There was lots of friendly banter about chores, projects, and honey-do-lists. Terry bragged how he has none of these obligations. Ted explains why this is the case.

And a donut that mysteriously disappeared!

And one of the guys revealed how he and his granddaughter were kicked out of the pool. That got everyone's attention!

An upcoming kayak trip was discussed and concerns were raised about the successful return of one particular person.

And a controversy emerged about what is and isn't a truck.

No world problems were solved. No major issues were even discussed. And while there was no Iron Sharpening Iron, relationships were deepened through this typical hour at the coffee shop.

One unexpected phone call interrupted Ted's morning coffee with the guys and launched him into a household mystery that would soon become known as "The Case of the Exploding Ink Pen."

Armed with only a damaged four-color Bic pen and a silent point toward the laundry room, he slowly pieced together the evidence surrounding a washing machine, a favorite notebook, and a dryer covered in colorful ink.

Fortunately, the damage wasn't nearly as bad as first feared, but the story turned into a humorous reminder that even our everyday mishaps can become some of life's best memories—especially if they leave us with a good story to tell.

What would it take for you to leave everything familiar and move halfway around the world?

In this episode, I sit down with Daniel, a young missionary preparing to make Cambodia his home through Youth With A Mission (YWAM).

We talk about faith, sacrifice, raising support, learning a new culture, and what it means to answer God's call, even when the future is uncertain.

Along the way, we also explore the quiet sacrifices made by parents Bruce and Rebecca as they encourage their son to follow God's leading.

Whether you're interested in missions, curious about Cambodia, or simply looking for an encouraging conversation about faith and purpose, I think you'll enjoy this thoughtful and inspiring interview.