Thursday, October 23, 2008

Back in Oklahoma

Much has happened in that last month. I guess it was the ast week of September when Justin and I figured out that we should move back to Oklahoma. It was a very difficult descision, but not made without much prayer and wise counsel. The more time we spent in Portland, the more unsettled about being there we became. We want to please God, wherever he has us. We learned so much about each other and how God has put a huge love in our hearts for Oklahoma. Portland was cool, very exciting, and needs Jesus just as much as Oklahoma, but we feel a special love for Oklahoma. The exciting thing is that God keeps confirming in our hearts day after day that Oklahoma is right for us.
Great news!!! I got my job back. It's no coincidence really. When I left for Portland, they interviewed nine people for the position and didn't like any of them. They reposted the job and me and two other people applied. They called all of us for an interview and the other two applicants did not show up. That can only be God working all that out for me. I asked him to have favor and he did. I really love this job because it is in the community, and I know that I will be able to love on people who are hurting. So I'm excited.
We have settled in now and are looking for a house to purchase. We have talked about different ideas of how to do community with a few people who are one heart with us. Please pray that God will give direction as to what the next step is for us.
We love our Portlander friends and miss them. We pray that God will reveal himself and his heart to them in new amazing ways.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Change

Ok, so I still don't know how to put pictures on here yet. Sorry. I am computer illiterate. It's crazy to think we've been here almost two months already. We still haven't quite adjusted to life here. It's been a struggle.
I got hired on with a nanny agency in the Portland area. I'm working temporary babysitting jobs until I find a family that I can work for full time. I hung out with a little guy named Ben yesterday. It was lots of fun. It's not so bad getting paid to play with kids. Please pray that I will find a family soon, so that income will be more steady and predictable. Justin had an interview about a week ago. He should hear from the employer at the end of this week. Please pray that he gets this job. We really need to have jobs. I think he would really enjoy this one and learn a ton about making furniture.
We have visited a handful of churches in the last month. I hate to grade churches so we will say that most of them haven't been our "flavor" to quote Sara C. We did go to one called the Table last Sunday night. It was very refreshing. We felt the most at home than we have felt our entire time here. I think we will go back again. My mom and dad are coming for Thanksgiving. I can't wait. There is so much to show them here that we are having a hard time making plans. We don't want to wear them out! We look forward to seeing them.
As always, we love all of our friends and family very much. See you sooner than later hopefully.

Friday, August 22, 2008

We have a home!!

So we're all settled into our new place. Feels a little like our friend Dr. Sarah's old place. It's nice, brand new inside, and double what we were paying in OK. Ah...the joys of higher cost of living. Surprisingly though, gas is still well under four dollars here. It is so beautiful here. The weather is so great now.  We see something new everyday. There is so much to do here and movies are only four dollars!!!  Justin, Jacey, and Sarah (Jacey's cousin) go and see all the action movies while Lindsey, me, and the kids do something kid-like. It works out really well. Caleb will be home from his two week long trip on Sunday. I know that Justin is excited to have another guy around again- he just won't let on to it. 

When he, Caleb,  gets home, I will be able to put pics up. I'm computer illiterate.  We are still looking for jobs. I found a non-profit organization that works with HIV and AIDS patients that I would really like to work for. Please pray for that to all work out. Since my last job, I have a lot of compassion for these patients and really want to work for this organization. It will take my license 4 weeks to come through so I will probably get a different job before that. I've sent my resume to a couple places. I meet with the lady from the HIV clinic next week just to chat.  

We miss home, our friends and families, lower prices, dinner and a movie at the Anderson's, lunch with my dad, dropping in on the Blue 7 crew, corporate worship at Crestwood (only for a time not available), Tacos and Burritos with Rex and Sara, the house, comfort.... 
We know that we have purpose, sometimes it's hard to gain vision, feels a bit overwhelming at times (not underwhelming or just whelming, but overwhelming) but we know we are here now, for this time to make a difference. Please pray for vision again.  

We thought marriage was a breeze until we sold our house, left all our friends and family, quit our jobs, and moved to a foreign place. We are discovering the kinks in marriage. We're ok, but I'm a little more sensitive than ever, Justin's a little more...well we all know Justin ;-) and we are practicing our argumentation skills more now than before! You can pray for that!!!! 

Ok pics to come. Love and miss all of you very much.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Life in cooler weather (or so we thought)

So it has been almost a week since we arrived here in Portland. The weather is almost perfect...except for today and tomorrow. Apparently we are flip-fopping with Oklahoma on the temperatures. The houses here have no air conditioning cause there is usually not a need for it. Overall the weather is beautiful, just not today. We played inthe silp-and slide- with Jonas and Meridith. It keeps us all cool.

Our the drive here was pretty good except for the boring part of it. 25 hours of the 28 hour drive were pretty boring. It gets really pretty about 3 hours from Portland. If you thought Idaho and Wyoming were supposed to be beautiful, you were wrong. Not on our route. BORING!! Thomas rode well. We didn't even have to sedate him like we thought. About 40 miles from Portland we were driving along the Columbia River, which is breath-taking by the way, behind a boat. Something flew out of it and Justin didn't have time to swerve. We didn't know what it was, but we thought it had flown out the back. Than we smelled burning rubber. We pulled over and looked underneath to see a huge wake board with built-in shoes had splintered into our axil and the boot was melting on our muffler. We were blessed to have pulled into a closed muffler shop, but the owner saw us and pulled into the parking lot. He jacked up our car so Justin could get the board off our axil. All was ok. The car if fine. We were late for dinner, but had our lives so everyone was forgiving.
We are staying in our friend's basement at the time which is wonderful but we are ready for our own place. Please continue to pray for us. The adjustment is going smoothly but we are emotional. We miss all of you very much!!!
Love you!

...Stay tuned for the world's largext prairie dog and pictures of the wake board. (We kept it as a souvenir!)

Monday, August 4, 2008

Before the Trip

So we leave in two days for Portland. It is really good to know that so many people love us. We have really enjoyed just relaxing and hanging out with our friends and family. You all will be missed greatly. We appreciate everything that has been given to us and all the help we have received the last week or so. We are truly blessed. 

We will get pictures up as soon as we can. Please pray for us as we travel and try to find a place to live. 

So let me just introduce you to some people that might be in many of our blogs. 
Thomas: coolest dog ever!
Caleb, Lindsay, Jonas, and Merideth: The family that we are going to be very close in community with. 
Jacey: Lindsay's sister, also moved to Portland. 
Crestwood family: A.T., Micki, Josiah, Tiffany, Isabelle, Erin, Russel, Sammy, Andrea, Jesus, Victoria, James, Steve, Cheryl, Sara...etc. You get the idea. These are our Oklahoma community, supporting us through prayer and more. 
Chris and Keli: our friends all the way in Del City America. Four crazy awesome kids also!!! 
There are more that I will introduce as we continue this journey.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we continue this crazy ride.

About Me

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I am married to very creative and imaginative husband. Our first child is on the way, and we can't wait. We love Oklahoma dearly. This chronicles our journey through life, the good and bad, funny and sad, exciting and new.