Today I Picked Blueberries

I love the fact that God will choose to show Himself to you when and how He pleases, and I adore when He catches me off guard. Today started out like most other days I've had since I have lived in Oregon. I made myself breakfast, careful to focus on the amount of protein recommended by my trainer at the gym. I decided (though without much thought) that I would attend the morning Zumba class for my daily exercise. Oh how I love how that class causes my sweat to pour like a fountain, how I am learning to move as if not the white girl I actually am, and how it gives me an organized way to appropriately "shake it" (those who have done Zumba will totally understand). After the class I phoned a woman from freecycle.org (you must check out this organization), and arranged to go pick up her cooler. For free.

She lives in a town called Aloha, which was about a 30 minute drive from our town. It was a windows-rolled-down-hair-blowin'-in-the-wind kind of a drive. Lovely. After receiving the cooler, the GPS on my phone took me back home a totally different way than I came; weird, I thought...and a bit annoying as it seemed to be SO out of the way, going over mountains and driving on mostly back roads. Oh well, Deb (the name my sis appropriately coined for the GPS lady's voice) usually knows best. I followed her lead.

Over the hills we went (Deb and I, that is), passing by farms, fields of wildflowers, vineyards, and straight up country living. Something close to my heart. I silently thanked Deb for leading me through a new part of the country. I came upon an adorable, run down, side of the road produce stand and had to stop. Much to my delight, it was also a U-Pick Blueberry farm. I decided to head out to the field, even though it would totally ruin all of the other plans I'd had for that afternoon. I can rarely pass up an opportunity to stop at produce stands, and to pick your own berries?! I was in heaven. In fact, I am now convinced there is going to be a field for people to pick fruits/veggies from in heaven. It's so therapeutic.

 I stood out in this field, surrounded by mature green trees and blue skies, and felt totally at peace. As a calm breeze blew through the small bushes, I felt God speak. He encouraged me that this simple peaceful experience was one of many He wanted to give me as part of the healing process from my past 2 years of work. (If you don't know that story, I will write about it another time; in a nutshell, I was demeaned and mistreated by my superior for 2 years, both through words and actions, to the point in which I am run raw). He took me down that country road. He allowed my heart to be quiet before Him so He could comfort me. He made the blueberries. And the sky. I am overly thankful for today. Below are some pictures of my day.

   May God, who puts all things together,
      makes all things whole,
   Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,
      the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,
   Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd,
      up and alive from the dead,
   Now put you together, provide you
      with everything you need to please him,
   Make us into what gives him most pleasure,
      by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.
   All glory to Jesus forever and always! 

~Hebrews 13:20-21 (MSG)

I am an Oregonian

It has been 2 weeks since I moved here, and there have been numerous things that have reminded me of my new found status as a permanent resident of the state of Oregon. I will do my best to list them, as well as include a few pictures I have captured along the way.

• Oregon is teeming with beauty, every way I turn my head.

Growing on the side of a busy road.

• People in Oregon are nature lovers. I have experienced everything from unshaven armpits belonging to that of a woman to hippies dancing freely to a band at the local Farmer's Market. Food is grown and enjoyed most when plucked straight from the ground, and there are oodles of restaurants serving Farm to Table fare. Places like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are trumped by natural food markets, Farmers Markets, and community gardens. 
• Country music exists and is enjoyed in Oregon, contrary to my fears otherwise. We were able to attend a small Thompson Square concert the other night at a country bar called Bushwackers, which just so happens to be a 10 minute walk from our house. Not only was the venue small, but we were able to sit almost directly in front of the band as we listened to them play, chat, and joke with the crowd for the duration of the show. 

Note the incredible wall decor.

•  Most Oregonians (at least the grip I have met) are California transplants. Hmm. What does that tell you, California? 
• When people find out where we moved from, the #1 question asked is, "Are you prepared for the rainy weather?" I find it funny that since I've been here, there has not been an ounce of water that has fallen from the sky. It is summertime, and I know I will be in for a shock once the sky opens up for days on end...but I am willing to deal with it. Why? Because of all of the other good things Oregon has to offer. (P.S. On a side note, the day before I moved to Oregon my mom went and picked us up our favorite Chinese Chicken salads from Shangri La in Los Gatos. Upon opening my fortune cookie, I was taken aback by the small, poignant words inside: If you want the rainbow, you have to tolerate the rain. Profound.) Yes Oregonians, I am ready. 
• Portland is weird, and they like it that way. They even have a HUGE painted sign downtown which says, "Keep Portland Weird."
• Things and people everywhere continue to remind me that weather is an issue here. Take the sign I spotted and snapped a pic of out the car window yesterday...

A pothole hotline, really....?I love the last 4 letters of the number to call.

 

 

 

 

 

•  I love my husband with all that is in me. Now, this I already knew...but it was a magnified reality as we spent 4 months apart up until 2 weeks ago. Brian bravely moved up to Oregon to look for a job at the end of March, and being apart this whole time (except a few visits in between) made me realize how lucky I am to have such a truly incredible life partner.

Hubby showing the vintage couch some love.

Through ridiculous coke bottle glasses, I can still see the love. (On a side note, do I not look like the kid from Little Miss Sunshine in this pic?! Sick...)