If the "Dog Days of Summer" are associated with summer's hottest days, then what do we call summer's HARDEST days? Parents, you know: the last few weeks of summer break, when you're hanging on by one last thread, desperately counting down the days until school starts?! "Dog Days" still seems fitting - that is, if we want to continue the association - dog tired, doggone exhausted, I digress! I know I'm not the only parent who will not be shedding tears when school starts! Right....??? I do love our girls and I am most grateful for this wild, extended summer we've had together. The memories we've made will be forever cherished! They are very excited for school to start and for the opportunity to make new friends.
Our Big News Update: Bryan started his new job a few weeks ago! He is mostly doing the same thing as he did in OKC - working with a local subcontractor who specializes in Industrial Flooring here in the Portland Metro. It is a company we knew through our OK Employer and had a preexisting relationship with. They're a great team & Bryan is excited to partner with them! He is working in the office now which means, I not only lost my favorite co-worker, but also lost my officemate of 2.5 years. (I'm not sure how many people know that we worked together for the last 7 years, but we did - we didn't go crazy - and in fact, we learned that we work quite well together. Further confirming we make a great team!)
Our First Visitors: My mom & dad will arrive in Portland tomorrow! They'll spend a week here & we will show them as much as we can fit into 7 days. Our agenda includes Seattle, Church, the Coast, Waterfalls, and taking Isla to her first day of middle school. I was hoping we could welcome them with some 70* weather, but it looks like it will be fairly warm. Guess they'll have to come visit again soon!
My Newest Hobby: Tending to my flowers - which I've become quite proud of! I purchased approximately 25 variations of plants - Go Big or Go Home, right? - (with no idea how to care for them. I've only ever managed to keep Petunias alive...) and nearly 8 weeks later, much to my surprise, they're all still beautiful & continue to bloom! (I'm sure I'll soon have a blog in the works about pruning and growth) Since we are in an apartment, we do not have a garden. We found deck rail planters & I have them lined along our balcony rail. There's not enough wind here to even think about making them budge - I love it!
Introvert/Extrovert: I have always classified myself a mix of the two, maybe 60/40 split. But I am beginning to think, the older I get, the more that % seems to swap. Or maybe it's how I've come to learn the importance of Community and doing life with others - how critical this is to our formation as individuals, impacting who we are and how we show up in the world. We have been so lucky to connect with one of Bryan's college friends from OBU who has lived in the area for nearly 20 years. They've graciously hosted us on several occasions and invited us to join in on some fun - family kickball ranks at the top - the girls loved it & we learned that Bryan has a rather competitive side - shocking, right?! As for organically meeting people, I have been _ close to approaching people at the grocery store & asking if they're looking for new friends! I continue to be told that making friends in Portland is quite difficult. I am still deciphering, but I'm currently finding it a blend of Portland Culture and also...there seem to be "new" people everywhere here. This is quite different from Oklahoma where the majority of people live 10 minutes from their childhood home and their extended family.
Connecting: I'm learning things about myself in this new season - for example, like how I show up in new places. I feel like I need a 'welcome', an 'introduction', a 'blessing' to activate in the new space as myself. I've always enjoyed being a Connector of people and want them to know they are seen, welcomed, and that they belong. My (likely unrealistic) expectation of walking into church and "Their Connector" finding me for the 'great connect', lead to rather quick disappointment. After spending several Sundays pushing through the Portland culture at a pace slower than I'd hoped for - the Lord spoke: "You HAVE agency - ACTIVATE." My (selfish) perspective shifted and I realized: what if there are other new people - eagerly hoping someone sees them? Or maybe...Portland needs a dash of some Midwest hospitality!? I realized my calling remains - regardless of the city, space, or environment I am in. Once the Lord sorted that out - I'll have you know connections immediately began to start. And I feel really good about the ones to come! Our previous pastor once gave me words: Rather than asking someone 'is this your first time here?' - ask them 'how long have you been attending x-y-z?" It's my new go-to: I see a new face & that's my in. I do have a great respect for the "Portland Culture" and "the way they do things here". I'm eager to observe and take it all in - all while continuing to show up as me - to be and serve as I have been called. Maybe you're in a season of self-pity or you've forgotten your own agency. I hope you're encouraged to activate. Take that step, make that connection - it might not always come to you, but nothing can stop you from going to get it. Take those risks - they will reward you!
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