As we entered Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge, my instinct was to stop at every waterfall hike I remembered and quickly soak in all of the beauty as I had during our 2 week cross-country road trip. I intentionally had to tell myself that I was returning to abide in Oregon, we had time to see the sights, and I did not need to continue at the fast pace we had been viewing the national parks. The Columbia River Gorge is always a welcome sight. My heart was at peace though knowing I would see those waterfalls in the days, weeks, months and years to come.
Upon our arrival near Salem, we reconnected with a variety of friends, who welcomed us. Amazing how time wasn’t a detriment to meaningful relationships. Granted, a tween & teen had to overcome initial awkwardness, but then ease and fondness returned with old friends.
During a dinner gathering, friends circled around praying blessings over our family. What a wonderful testimony to the body of Christ, when friends from 4 different churches surrounded us in meaningful prayer encouragement then opened their homes to us either for a long weekend visit, over for dinner, or for longer term housing. The family we are staying with for an undetermined amount of time in the waiting and seeking, just welcomed a foster newborn girl into their home a week before we arrived and yet they still opened their arms wide for us as well. Pretty sure we’ll devote an entire post to processing how God brought us with our disrupted (failed) adoption baggage to experience our friends’ foster moments.
And so it is with Oregon's nature and friends alike...we do not need to rush and cram all conversation into an evening or afternoon--as we tried 2 1/2 years ago in our vacation visit--this beauty of relationship will continue to unfold in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. We've spent intentional time jumping on a trampoline; catching up over coffee, tea or beer; helping friends; walking at the beach to reconnect; playing with a friend’s child; listening to another’s grief; celebrating a birthday...God is directing the rhythm as we listen to the joys and struggles of our Oregon friends. And our friendships and the kindnesses of those in Pennsylvania weave into our conversations here. Our lives are absolutely formed by the experiences of life with friends in Pennsylvania and Oregon.
Over the last three Sundays, we have attended four church services with friends at Salem Alliance Church, El Monte Calvario, Salem Vineyard Church, and International Prayer Gathering (a worshipping body of refugees, immigrants and local individuals & families). How truly glorious to step into different houses of worship, expressions of praise, and languages with brothers and sisters in Christ.
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