Times, They Are A Changin'

Change is a funny thing. Usually you don't feel it so much as you wake up one day and just realize it. You look at a picture of yourself or family and you don't recognize the people in it. Then you ask yourself: when did things change!? I'm not really talking about a grown-up looking at their baby pictures... Though that's crazy too. I'm talking about the picture on my iPhone wallpaper. It's the one of me and my brother the night he left for Australia. It was only three months ago. But for some reason, tonight I caught my breath when I saw it, 'cause so much has changed in three months. He's not the same and I'm not the same. Just three months.

Today was a good day. My parents and I spent the afternoon at Insomnia Coffee Company, a local coffee shop. We met the manager and had a great heart-to-heart with her. The coffee shop is owned by Christians who's philosophy of ministry is completely in sync with mine. It was so encouraging to talk with like minded believers and open up the connection for a possible job and future ministry. They display and sell artist's work (I'll be in charge of setting up my mom's jewelry display for the month of May). Every weekend they get local musicians to come play for open mic night. They are focused on building relationships and community! This is just one coffee shop 5 minutes down the road from my new home. And I'm not even in Portland yet! I am starting to see glimpses of the reason I moved come to fruition!

Portland is at my fingertips. The holiday season is just about over. My life here in Oregon is about to begin. Things keep changing... Moving forward... God is faithful.

New Home

Well... After three days of driving I am finally in my new home! My parents and I had planned to take the I-5 north, but because of weather conditions, ended up back tracking and adding an extra 400 miles to our trip! It was truly an adventure getting here. Driving into Hillsboro this afternoon brought a sense of excitement... wondering what the next weeks and months will bring!? I am writing this as I'm curled up in my new bed, in my new room, in my new house, in my new city, in my new state, in my new life! Honestly, I'm too tired to process it all. I kinda feel like it's just Christmas vacation and life will go back to normal next week. But no, this IS the new normal.

Tonight we had a progressive dinner with the family. Appetizers at my cousins D'Auna and Chris', then dinner at my cousins Donovan and Lynnea's, then back to my Aunt and Uncle's house for dessert. It was fun to see everyone's homes and know that I'm a part of life here now...

I am very tired and need to go to sleep now...

Goodbyes...

What a whirlwind of a week! My head is spinning with goodbye coffee, lunch and dinner dates! Right now I feel overwhelmingly blessed and loved by my friends (who are more like family) that God has placed in my life over the past six years here in Southern California. I remember the day my dad called and said we were moving to CA; my responds was basically, "bring it on". I mean, what's one more move!? But the last six years here have proved to bring the most growth in my life. Spiritually and emotionally.

Visiting my friends in Cypress last week was so good. I was reminded of who I was six years ago and how much God has brought me though and matured me. Yet the relationships I made back then are still strong today! And it was good to laugh at old memories.

I have been filling my days with heart-to-hearts with amazing friends. God has been so present in every conversation. I am truly blessed!

Thank you to all who have laughed with me, cried with me, walked with me... Over the last six years. Your friendship means so much to me. I love you all!

Goodbye Brother

This was written on September 26, 2012...

Tonight I said goodbye to my brother. He is currently sitting at LAX international airport waiting to board his one way flight to the Down Under. This is the third time I have driven with my family to LAX, pulled up to the departure gates, popped the trunk and watched as Taylor swung his backpack on is back. Each time feels different. The first time, I felt kinda afraid for him. The second time I felt excited for him. But this time... its hard for me to explain. It feels surreal... at least that's how my mom described it. I stood there on the curb and watched the sliding glass doors invite him in, then I watched his silhouette disappear behind the frosted glass... and he was gone. Just like that. The past 10 months since Taylor has been back from his last travels, it has been like watching a fish swimming around in a small bowl, fully aware of the outside world but unable to get out and experience it. It wasn't right. He didn't belong here, in Simi Valley, living with mom and dad. He needed to get back out into the world. So in one sense watching him leave this time feels so right. But it also feels more permanent. Like I literally don't know when I will see him again. "Growing up" and "moving out" in the Hay family seems so intense. We do everything big! With Taylor off now, I feel ready to pursue what my next move will be! I have lived in Simi Valley longer than I have lived in any one city since I was 12 (it has been four years). Needless to say I'm feeling the itch to move on. I may not be taking a one way flight to Australia, but I have a feeling I'm in for an adventure all my one very soon. My brother has inspired me more than he knows... probably more than I know. His wanderlust and fearlessness give me an energy and desire to explore the world in my own way. I want to move on with my life and follow where God leads me... I want to hang on for this journey we call life... I want to make my brother proud.