Went to the Blazer game tonight with some friends, shot this picture as I was walking back across the river into downtown to my car, after the Blazers came back from 15 down to beat the Suns: RIP CITY BABY!

Such an amazing night.  And this shot tells exactly why I love Portland so much  A great ball game, at the arena, right by the water.  As I walked away from the Arena, people yelling and screaming, I go across a beautiful steel bridge, a train rolling by underneath, Brandon Roy and the gang lighting up the night on the silos by the river, a barge cruising under the bridge as I cross, and the MAX train rumbling across next to me, shaking the bridge and speeding my heart… the city lights glistening up ahead, and the silent river rolling peacefully along.

I love this town.  LOVE IT.

I knew going into it that I would probably have a slow start.  It is hard for me to meet new people, to be in new situations, and to get confident in a new place.  With the addition of Amalea, and most of my days taken up with taking care of her, things have really gotten off to a slow start.  This week seemed to drag as Robin went to work every morning at 8 and returned each day around 3:30.  I tried to not just sit in front of the TV all day, but take Amalea out to parks, on drives to new places, and try and get things done that needed to get done.  Towards the end of the week I felt like I was beginning to get in the groove.  I have to give all those stay at home mom’s some credit, and some grace for how crazy some of them are – I’m beginning to understand.

Last night, Friday night, we had dinner at some new friends house.  Their names are John and Lenette.  John teaches Social Studies at Robin’s school, and they met because he mentioned he was from Santa Cruz (and so is Robin).  We set up this dinner, and went over their timidly, nervous (at least I was) of how it was going to go and if they would like us.  I should tell you it was great!  They are really nice people, and John and I seemed to hit it off right away.  He’s a big nerd like I am, and has this great collection of old NES and SNES (Nintendo) games.  We spent some time rummaging through them and he even let me borrow a couple (Secret of Mana & Castlevania IV for the SNES).  He even had a collection of Anime movies that Robin and I love (Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, etc.) We seem to share common interests, and he’s a funny guy with a good sense of humor, and majored in Theology.  I look forward to being able to spend some more time with both John and Lenette and hopefully developing a great new friendship.

Today has been a relaxing, beautiful Saturday.  Robin got up with Amalea and let me sleep until 8, which was amazing.  Then we had to go to Urgent Care this morning because Robin’s wrist has been bothering her.  She’s ok, but it gave me an opportunity to play with Amalea while she was in with the doctor.  After that we came home and Robin took Amalea and I was able to do some work, lie down, watch some tv and just relax a bit.  It has been a great day, and a great week.

I thank God for his providence and his constant love.  Thanks for what you’ve shown me this week God.

I am constantly learning how to trust God more.  This whole move to Oregon, I guess was about that.  Call it an experiment.  Not that I am trying to test God or anything to see if He really comes through for me, but more of a test for me to actually jump into the void and see if I can actually do it while trusting that everything is going to be ok – and not only ok, but better than it ever has been.

Of course leaving all that was comfortable behind was just the beginning of trusting.  Now that we are here, I feel like the next part of this journey is to really work hard to establish some friendships, some relationships, and get involved in the community and with organizations that are doing some amazing things.  If we just move and then sit here and do nothing, what has changed?

And this is where I am… trying to not just be lazy and sit around all day.  Even though I am taking care of Amalea most days, and that is work (and holy work in my opinion) I can still get lazy and just want to stay home and not meet new people or get involved.  I am trying to trust that if I get out of my comfort zone, enter into new experiences and meet new people, God will reward me.  It is messy sometimes and very hard.  Sometimes I go down the wrong street (litterally and metaphorically) and get lost, but I’m still learning things at the same time.

After an exhausting drive in a u-haul and the Eurovan, we made it to Portland and unloaded into our new condo.  We have an incredible view from our rear windows (basically a forest) and we’ve already met our neighbors who seem really nice.  We’re excited about getting into a routine and getting some sleep so we can explore Portland more.

If anyone ever wants to come stay with us, we have an extra room with a bed, and we’de love to have you!

More to come!