Reflecting

As John and I were driving back from our wonderful road trip to So. Cal, I was hit by what the Lord has done in and around our lives in the past decade. I thought it would be fun to take a moment and and make a "pillar" of sorts, praising His goodness in all He has accomplished. So, just to give some highlights:

The decade started with a bang. John started at UPS the begining of February 2000. Six days later, we got engaged. We were married February 25, 2000 (yes, he only gave me TWO AND A HALF WEEKS!! But man, it was beautiful, thanks to very special women in my life, helping me like CRAZY!)



And then three very short weeks later, Andrew Samuel was born (March 17, 2000). Here is a little bit older picture of our precious Drew.



The next few years were full of haze as we moved 4 times, John changed jobs, I started working part time at The Difference, and all the while treading through what it actually means to be married and have a child. Needless to say, we messed up more than a handful of times. But by God's grace, with the help of our church family (especially our young marrieds Bible study), and the Lord bringing new friendships into our lives, we pressed on (or, more accurately, He pressed on for us).

In the summer of '02, we bought our first home in Tigard, OR. It happened to be just minutes from where John grew up and where his parents still live to this day. Great starter house. We were able to discover a passion we both have: hosting others. And it was there that we brought home Samantha Kathryne (born May 10, 2004).



Here is our home in Tigard



Our little lady



Then came another boat rocker. John and I had decided before we bought the home that law school wasn't the best idea. Not quite a year later, he came back and admitted that it was something he couldn't get out of his heart. That re-started the process which took another two and a half years. But by fall of 2005, we had sold our Tigard home, bought our second home, and both John and Drew were off to school...in Eugene, OR.



Here is our house in Eugene (before we removed that big hedge in the front yard)



Here is Drew heading off to his first day of kindergarten

Eugene was such a great time of learning for us. We were taught that we could survive as a family, we were able to see our true friendships, the kind that miles apart can't shake the foundations of love. And we learned that the word "organic" wasn't as scary as we once thought it was. It was also a season where we went through a bit of a desert in our faith. As painful as that was, I now see the reasons for it.

All along in law school, the plan was to end up right back in Portland. And once again, God had different plans. He opened no doors there while opening a huge door in Seattle. And as you all know, in the end we ended up here. I could not praise Him more for doing it. We have authentic community, a great neighborhood, and best of all, an amazing church. And again, I am learning the lesson along the way of contentment. He has opened door after door here for me to serve and to be used. For the first time in my life, I feel like He is putting to death some of the demons that have taken a free ride for so long on this journey.

All in all, in the past decade we have been married, welcomed two amazing children, moved seven times, lived in two different states, called three churches home, traveled to Mexico and Disneyland twice and to Austin to visit the Zimels I think five times, owned seven cars, gone to four bowl games with our beloved Ducks, added our precious puppy to the family, met fantastic friends, read countless books, fought with each other, made up, watched too much TV, played Wii, cleaned the house more times than I would like to recall, fell in love with working out, played dozen of games, and learned how to actually cook...sort of at least:)

Thank you Jesus, for through You alone we know true redemption. Thank you John for leading me through these past 10 years with grace and humor. Thank you Drew and Samantha for being the bestest teachers God has given me. And thank you friends and family for keeping me ticking!




I do believe that a life like this is the definition of "Living the Adventure". And as we enter the next decade and all He has in store for it, I wouldn't trade it for the world.