I woke up this morning feeling all kinds of nostalgia, mostly for this past week in Portland. We spent a few days at Auntie Susie and Uncle John's house and words cannot describe how much we are blessed and influenced by them. To be in their presence was refreshing to my soul. These past few years have been tough spiritually based on sins committed against us-we were just dealing with horrible circumstances beyond our control. In many ways, I've found myself disappointed by people we are supposed to trust most, people who call themselves Christian but continue to lie, deceive, and keep secrets to cover up for their horrible deeds. But I also believe that where certain familial influences are lacking, we still have an Auntie Susie and Uncle John in our lives, and that may be more than enough. Kevin and I feel so blessed to have them love and speak life over us. They are kind, caring, transparent and open. We know we can trust them. We have no reason to think otherwise.
Portland was beautiful for so many reasons. Obviously, Kevin and I were looking forward to visiting because of seeing our favorite couple ever. But it was just so nice to step off the plane and breathe in the cool, crisp air. And the tall forest trees everywhere kept me and Kevin ooh-ing and ahh-ing as we drove around the city. The drivers were courteous and the bikers ruled the streets. I noticed that each time I tried to cross the road the drivers would always stop to allow me to go first. This was new due to being used to aggressive, honking drivers of LA who basically try to run down any pedestrian in their way! Most of the houses were craftsman style and Uncle John and Auntie Susie's place was gorgeous. Honestly, beauty follows Auntie Susie wherever she goes.
Portland was also a very hip city-lots of people with tattoos, colorful hair and eccentric style. I tried to convince Kevin to get a tattoo with me while we were in town but he's still hesitant. Maybe next time ;) Also, many foodies love Portland but Kevin and I are too simple to appreciate the various flavors of the most popular restaurants there. We went to Pok Pok and Blue Star donuts and found ourselves missing regular Thai food and Krispy Kreme lol! Honestly we felt like most of the time, just eating at Auntie Susie's table was a better experience overall. But we LOVED Screen Door for their praline bacon and chicken and waffles. Auntie Susie said it was the best chicken and waffles she had ever tried! Tillamook Creamery was also a fun family activity. Lots of cheese samples and ice cream, and reading a lot about how the cows are treated nicely and watching cheese being packaged. I felt like I wanted to buy more Tillamook products after we left, knowing how well they treated their animals and how thoughtful the entire process was. We absolutely loved looking at the scenic coast-it was beautiful amidst the winding roads and tall trees. Life was slower, more calm, and I told Kevin I wouldn't mind moving there one of these days.
Perhaps one of the most touching things about our trip there was watching Evangeline talk so much to Uncle John and Auntie Susie. She loved running to Uncle John, since he was usually perched somewhere reading a novel. Auntie Susie is naturally talented with kids, especially kids with special needs and speech delays like Evangeline. I don't think I've ever heard Evangeline warm up and talk so much to people besides us before! At one point before a meal, we were going to have Uncle John pray but Evangeline insisted she do it. We could barely hear her since she talks so softly, but I found myself silently crying tears of joy. At such a young age, she really wants to be the one to lead the conversation with God, thanking Him for our provision. Now whenever it's time to pray, she insists she pray first and then Kevin prays afterward. I don't think anything will ever give me as much joy: to watch my children walk with the Lord.
What meant a lot to me personally was that Uncle John and Auntie Susie said that they were happy to watch us start a new godly generation starting with our girls...they've seen us go through a lot these past few years, and it really weighs heavily on my heart that our girls don't commit the same damaging sins that has occurred against us as adults. We do not want them to be liars or keeping secrets, looking to sexual pleasure as a way to escape their problems. We do not want them to say they're Christian and then live a completely hypocritical lifestyle. We want them to know they are sinners in need of a Savior, and that to repent means to have a true change of heart. To be encouraged and reminded that we are a fighting the good fight, and that Uncle John and Auntie Susie are seeing some kind of fruit in our parenting has me breathing a sigh of relief. Obviously our kids are naturally sinful and we had to discipline and correct them during our trip there. Sometimes I feel like I am just going to ruin my children due to my failures and lack of knowledge. But Auntie Susie and Uncle John continued to encourage us saying they thought we were doing a great job. It's only by the grace of God that my children are going to be saved, so to the Cross I'll continually cling!
There were so many other places we meant to visit and food to try but there wasn't enough time. All the more reason to visit again! Maybe for Thanksgiving! Everybody needs an Auntie Susie and Uncle John. So thankful for our trip to Portland!
Portland was beautiful for so many reasons. Obviously, Kevin and I were looking forward to visiting because of seeing our favorite couple ever. But it was just so nice to step off the plane and breathe in the cool, crisp air. And the tall forest trees everywhere kept me and Kevin ooh-ing and ahh-ing as we drove around the city. The drivers were courteous and the bikers ruled the streets. I noticed that each time I tried to cross the road the drivers would always stop to allow me to go first. This was new due to being used to aggressive, honking drivers of LA who basically try to run down any pedestrian in their way! Most of the houses were craftsman style and Uncle John and Auntie Susie's place was gorgeous. Honestly, beauty follows Auntie Susie wherever she goes.
Portland was also a very hip city-lots of people with tattoos, colorful hair and eccentric style. I tried to convince Kevin to get a tattoo with me while we were in town but he's still hesitant. Maybe next time ;) Also, many foodies love Portland but Kevin and I are too simple to appreciate the various flavors of the most popular restaurants there. We went to Pok Pok and Blue Star donuts and found ourselves missing regular Thai food and Krispy Kreme lol! Honestly we felt like most of the time, just eating at Auntie Susie's table was a better experience overall. But we LOVED Screen Door for their praline bacon and chicken and waffles. Auntie Susie said it was the best chicken and waffles she had ever tried! Tillamook Creamery was also a fun family activity. Lots of cheese samples and ice cream, and reading a lot about how the cows are treated nicely and watching cheese being packaged. I felt like I wanted to buy more Tillamook products after we left, knowing how well they treated their animals and how thoughtful the entire process was. We absolutely loved looking at the scenic coast-it was beautiful amidst the winding roads and tall trees. Life was slower, more calm, and I told Kevin I wouldn't mind moving there one of these days.
Perhaps one of the most touching things about our trip there was watching Evangeline talk so much to Uncle John and Auntie Susie. She loved running to Uncle John, since he was usually perched somewhere reading a novel. Auntie Susie is naturally talented with kids, especially kids with special needs and speech delays like Evangeline. I don't think I've ever heard Evangeline warm up and talk so much to people besides us before! At one point before a meal, we were going to have Uncle John pray but Evangeline insisted she do it. We could barely hear her since she talks so softly, but I found myself silently crying tears of joy. At such a young age, she really wants to be the one to lead the conversation with God, thanking Him for our provision. Now whenever it's time to pray, she insists she pray first and then Kevin prays afterward. I don't think anything will ever give me as much joy: to watch my children walk with the Lord.
What meant a lot to me personally was that Uncle John and Auntie Susie said that they were happy to watch us start a new godly generation starting with our girls...they've seen us go through a lot these past few years, and it really weighs heavily on my heart that our girls don't commit the same damaging sins that has occurred against us as adults. We do not want them to be liars or keeping secrets, looking to sexual pleasure as a way to escape their problems. We do not want them to say they're Christian and then live a completely hypocritical lifestyle. We want them to know they are sinners in need of a Savior, and that to repent means to have a true change of heart. To be encouraged and reminded that we are a fighting the good fight, and that Uncle John and Auntie Susie are seeing some kind of fruit in our parenting has me breathing a sigh of relief. Obviously our kids are naturally sinful and we had to discipline and correct them during our trip there. Sometimes I feel like I am just going to ruin my children due to my failures and lack of knowledge. But Auntie Susie and Uncle John continued to encourage us saying they thought we were doing a great job. It's only by the grace of God that my children are going to be saved, so to the Cross I'll continually cling!
There were so many other places we meant to visit and food to try but there wasn't enough time. All the more reason to visit again! Maybe for Thanksgiving! Everybody needs an Auntie Susie and Uncle John. So thankful for our trip to Portland!
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