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!  :)