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Finally, right?

Well, after we made the big decision to not go to New Orleans with the Brantleys and the Carlsons, we turned our sights toward the Portland area. I had been wanting to move back for a few years and Geary recently jumped on the bandwagon. I don't know what it is about Portland but it just feels like home to me. Maybe it's that it is the city where I felt like I truly became myself. Or maybe it's because it's the first city where I lived as an adult and had to figure out on my own. Or maybe it's just where I was meant to be. All I know is that my heart feels at peace when I'm in Oregon.

Last year, I read an article about Southgate Chapel in Canby, OR and something about them tugged at my heart. Their mission and philosophy about how to "do" church" really resonated with me. I started keeping tabs on their website to follow what they were doing in the Canby community. Last Novemeber, we went to visit Southgate, where (bonus!) our friend Celina and her husband Geoff are active members. We really enjoyed our time there and as the year went on felt pretty certain that we'd like to be part of a church and community like that.

Almost immediately after that Geary was offered a job at Veritas School in Newberg, OR. We had to keep it on the down low because Geary hadn't told his principal at North Sound yet. But once he did, she gave him a glowing recommendation letter. Canby is about 18 miles from Newberg. Also, Geary has relatives whom we love very much in Newberg.

God has really directed our steps and now we're at the final stage of this whole transition--looking for a house. We decided to save a little rent money by moving out early and staying with Geary's parents while we house hunt. Like I said before, it's pretty scary to move out with out knowing where we're going to move in. But God has never left us homeless before, so we're taking this big step of faith.

Although our first choice of a city to live in is Canby (because we want to become involved at Southgate) we're going to be looking anywhere within a 20 mile radius of Newberg. I was not kidding when I said it was going to take a miracle. We are a single income family on a teacher's salary and the average home price in the areas we are looking is about double what we can afford. Are we crazy to even try? Maybe. But God has asked people to do much crazier things. And I am really looking forward to telling people the story of our miracle. Once it happens, I mean.

So...pray for us! We move down to Albany in three days. We are excited, scared, happy, sad, nervous and elated about this whole adventure. Blog posts might be a little sparse over the summer but we'll definitely keep you updated on our progress.