Life Picks Up

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today I am thinking about God's amazing love for me and how much he has blessed me.

Last week was the All Ladies Retreat, of which I was privileged to be on the leadership team! There was so much work lading up to it, but it was exactly what I needed to feel purpose my first month here in Oregon. It went so well and I was able to connect with so many other women. I feel that it was just the start of something bigger for me. I am excited to see all that God does from all the relationships built over the past month or so!

The afternoon we got back from the retreat I crashed (not my car). After A few hour nap I was in my car on my way to meet some friends visiting from California. We met for dinner then went to a magical place called Kennedy School. It's a renovated school building originally built in 1915 which is now a hotel, restaurant, movie theater, bar, brewery, pub, cigar lounge and pool. Seriously. You have to see it to believe it! The three or so hours we spent there were filled with cigar smoking and good drinks... But most importantly, encouraging conversation and prayer. I came home that night so encouraged and excited that God had brought me thus far in my life and amazed that as we align our life to the will of God... He gives us the desires of our hearts. Sometimes not in any way we could have guessed or imagined... But trusting Him is always an adventure!

This week I am going to a few different parties in Portland including a glass fusing class with some of the ladies from the retreat, a 90's throwback party and a co-workers birthday party! Life seems to be picking up... Slowly but surely!

God is faithful!

Insomnia

One month ago today I drove into my new home in Oregon. It's hard to believe that it has been one month already! I got an Oregon phone number this week, which makes this feel more like home! Today was my first official shift at Insomnia Coffee Company. After a few days of training I felt ready to jump into work! I love this coffee shop... The two owners are best friends and amazing men of God. The way they run the shop is so amazing. Everyone is expected to work excellently yet the vibe is so chill, it's a perfect job! Plus I get to be around coffee all day. God is so good!

Last Sunday I went to Door of Hope Church for the second time. I really like this church and think I'm going to start going there. They have two evening services, which is cool! The first Sunday I walked in and saw a wall covered floor to ceiling in random eclectic coffee mugs hanging on hooks. I chose one that I liked and filled it with steaming Stumptown coffee. Hmmm.... I liked this place already! But honestly, the way the pastors teach God's Word is so exciting and keeps me on the edge of my seat! Quoting C.S. Lewis, smoking a pipe as a visual aid and singing a prayer in Hebrew to close the service are just some of the little things that make me love this church.

As I settle into work, and into a church... Life will unfold before me, it's exciting!

New.

It's been one week since my parents drove off in the cold morning air and left me standing on the porch of my new home. Those next four days were tough, I'm not gonna lie. In the months and weeks leading up to leaving California I was surprised by how easy it all felt. I knew it would hit me once I actually moved. And it did. I think it was Saturday when the reality of finding a job, finding a church, finding an apartment, making a new life and new friends really hit me. And on top of that my good friend Ryan was in the hospital recovering from a major heart attack back in California. My parents were gone. And I felt bored around the house. So yeah... It was a rough few days.

I realized that I was so worried about finding a job and starting life that I was missing the reality that I now live in one of the coolest and most beautiful cities! So on Sunday I spent the whole day enjoying Portland. I went to church at The Well with Mallory then got lunch at this little place called Gravy. Aaron and I spent the afternoon browsing the religion and philosophy sections at Powell's. We hit up Horse Brass Pub before heading home in the evening. I was driving across the river, looking out over the city lights of Portland that twinkled through the rain drops on my windows, listening to my new favorite band: Blackbird Blackbird... And for the first time I felt relaxed and content. This was my city!

Today I met my possible future boss. He's the guy that owns the coffee shop down the road, and he recognized me and introduced himself! He said he needed to call me. Then I saw the manager later and she asked if I had gotten the call yet and to answer 'cause it was good news! I don't want to be to presumptuous, but I'm kinda excited! God is good!

Tonight I'm spending the night at my friends place in Portland. After a fun dinner party, good wine and new friends I'm ready for sleep...

'Night.