One Year

Today marks ONE YEAR since we packed up the u-haul and made our way out of Phoenix, Arizona and into beautiful Portland, Oregon.  WOW!  Cannot believe how quickly the time has passed us by.  It's been an exciting year of adventure for us.  Looking back, it occurred to me that this past year has brought us more adventure, more fun, more joy, more beauty, and more fellowship than the entire 6 years we spent in Arizona.  And none of the misery and pain and loneliness we experienced in Phoenix.  We never fit in there; it was never "home" to us.   Now Portland, on the other hand, has been a wonderful "second home" (California will always be home, no matter where we live).  The community here is unbelievable until you experience it.  We are fortunate to have found an amazing body of believers to live life with here. We haven't experienced this kind of community since we lived in Santa Cruz.  And I think that is what drew me to Portland in the first place--how much it reminded me of Santa Cruz (minus its beaches, the year-round wonderful weather, and the high cost of living).  I am so thankful to be in this city.

Peter had to work today.  We originally planned to go out to dinner to celebrate, but are now postponing that until June 7th, when we celebrate the day the kids and I arrived here one year ago.  Instead, the kids and I celebrated with a hike up Mt. Tabor and some fun at the park and then dinner and dessert with our wonderful neighbors.  We are so blessed to live in the beautiful Mt. Tabor neighborhood and have such wonderful neighbors to celebrate with today.  

God has been undeniably faithful during this year.  He has revealed Himself in some of the most unlikely places.  We are closer as a family and have also grown closer to Him.  This could not have been done without the amazing fellowship of our Home Community!  These men and women have supported us, helped us, prayed for us, and loved us as if we've known them forever.  First, North Tabor, and now Tabor Villa when the love of North Tabor grew so big that we had to split and share it elsewhere.  We are so grateful for them, and for the community of Imago Dei.  God's Church is definitely alive and flourishing in Portland!

Here is a video summarizing some of the amazing things that have transpired in Portland since churches here united with city officials to reach out to Portland, as a community.  It has been pretty amazing to witness and I am thankful to be a part of the process.  Note the cameo of Pastor Rick McKinley of Imago , sporting a Beatles shirt.  :)  

Happy One Year to us!  :)

Monday Catch Up

We haven't been up to much.  We've had some beautiful weather the past 3 weeks and yesterday was our first taste of rain in awhile.  Honestly, it was refreshing.  I like sun intermixed with rain.  Too much of one thing isn't good, and that includes sunshine.  At least, for me.  Even the kids were asking when it was going to rain again after a few days of temps in the 80s.  You would never know they've spent the majority of their lives in AZ where it is 80+ degrees 9 months out of the year.

It is crazy to think that this week will mark 1 YEAR since we left Arizona!  Time FLIES!  It's been a wonderful and exciting adventure so far.  School is coming to a close here with about 3.5 weeks left.  The kids are so ready to start summer.  And we've got a lot planned for this summer.  We shall see how those plans work out.  We hope for a 2 week trip to CA (just the kids and I since Peter is still in training and needs to work); a trip to Seattle; a trip to Newport (Oregon Coast) and the dunes.  And hopefully, one or two camping trips to Mt. Hood.  Should be great!

Here are a few random nature photos taken over the past few weeks of sunshine in this wonderful city we call home.

Molalla River

Dandelion

Hawthorne Bridge

Sunny rays through the branches with new spring leaves.

Original Oregon Trail covered wagon (field trip to Foster Farm).

The cover and wheels are not original....

Duck at Westmoreland Park

Love this one (yes, I took it) of the big shiny orb.

Mother's Day 2012

On A Beautiful Sunday Afternoon in Portland

Gorgeous Spring day in Portland yesterday.  We were outside for almost all of it.  After a morning at Imago, we headed over to the Saturday Market for some food cart tasties, fountain fun, walking around, and even a henna tattoo for Alayna!  We met Jill and Aaron there and just enjoyed the fresh air and the sunny, cloudless, blue sky.  It's suppose to be a beautiful week here.  We will enjoy it!

Aaron is 6'2"--this made Alayna over 7 feet tall!  :)

Finished!  It's going to darken over the next couple days.  Love henna!