Spring Has Come

“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything." (Sonnet XCVIII) 

― William Shakespeare

Spring.  I remembered it as a child.  The sun would become warmer, the leaves would clothe the naked trees, the blossoms would explode with color on every bush and nearly every tree, and new life would unassumingly grow out of the once hard, winter ground in the form of tulips and daffodils and burst into exquisite glory and delicacy.  But I haven't lived through a Spring like this since 1996, and I feel like a giddy child again.  Yet this time I appreciate it more.  The verdure is breathtaking with all of

the hues of green, and I nearly have to wear sunglasses just to look at all of the brilliant colors...everywhere!  It is beautiful.  On my run this morning, the ground looked like snow from the cherry blossoms, the lilacs infused my nose with their glorious smell, and I stopped from time to time just to take it in.   

In life, we go through seasons.  Sometimes Winter can seem so long, so unwelcoming, so cold.  Sometimes we wonder if the trees will ever have leaves again, or if the wind will ever stop blowing, or the ground will ever produce a fresh, delicious crop again.  Sometimes our wondering is so severe that we miss the introspection that Winter can and should bring; maybe that's why Winter sometimes can seem like such a long season.  But Spring does come.  It does. And with it is a newness, an energy, an excitement that reminds all hearts to remember the Winter, but to relish in the beauty of the Spring.

Snakes and Nutrias...Just Another Day in Oregon!

"If a person has nothing but nature, then nature is enough to reveal something about God." -Max Lucado

Seventeen slithering snakes. Two fuzzy nutrias.  Hundreds of squeaking frogs as they jump off of their logs and splash into the water before them.  Perfectly mirrored reflection of the towering coniferous trees on the pristine, shiny lake.  Brilliant pink azaleas.  Red and white rhododendrons.  Yellow daffodils.  Just another day on our nature hike.  We ride our bikes down to this spot that allows time to stand still.  Our science lesson for today is in front of us.  Our art lesson for today is all around.  The simple reminder that there is a Creator behind all of this makes us stand in awe.  God's hand is reflected everywhere. 

My adventurous son finds a green and yellow garter snake, grabs its squirming tail and holds it up with all the glee in the world written on his face.  "Mom, get a picture!  Hurry!" he says, giggling.  

"Mom, Shhh.  There's a nutria," my becoming-adventurous daughter remarks in her purple-flowered rain boots as she spots the head of a brown nutria swiftly swimming to the vegetative bank, and we observe as it eats its lunch.  We take a snap shot of the scene, and we will take it back to the house to draw it.  This is a sacred moment.  It is a privilege I have these times with my children, and I never want to forget it.  Time.  That gift we can't take for granted.

Nutria eating lunch

Blinding azaleas

Cam playing baseball

A home run just beyond the fence would put the ball in here!

 

Richer Whispers...The Unexpected

God knows our hearts.  I trust it.  I believe it.  After the past 24 hours, I understand it in a new, fresh way.
Four weeks ago, we drove the 982.81 miles to Portland, left all that was familiar (and comfortable) to us, and began this new adventure.  We have been welcomed with arms more open and even wider than I could have hoped.  Matt's parents have opened their home in this transition period, and been so beyond gracious and welcoming to us.  Friends (e.g. reconnections, friends of friends and others with hearts of gold) who have invited us over, included us in their days, met us at parks, helped us in this transition in various ways, have shown our family what hospitality looks like.    

We know that we are supposed to be here, but yesterday was a struggle as there are so many pieces of the puzzle still waiting to settle.  One of the harder moments was watching our little girl struggling with missing her friends and her life in Cali, trying to find her place on a new gymnastics team, and not feeling well in the midst.  I hadn't been emotional since the mile after we left our Rancho home, but I just felt sad for the moment and asked the Lord to comfort our hearts.  
He did in three unexpected ways (actually five ways, but I'll just mention three):

Unexpected Conversation: "Are you the parents of the new girl?" One of the team moms asked us as we sat, watching Kaylee.  "Yes, we are." That simple question provoked conversation, and before practice was over we learned that a dad of one of Kaylee's teammates, teaches at the dental school with my father-in-law.  Her mom and I have enjoyed acquainting ourselves while our girls train.  Small world, yes, but warmth to my heart when you understand something in common.  

Unexpected Kindness:  A few weeks ago, the kids and I met my dear high school friend (of whom I haven't seen since then) and her three beautiful daughters at this stunning park with a view of Mt. Hood.  She said she knew it was me from afar since I was the only person in the park wearing a coat (My skin is still California thin; it was a balmy 65 degrees!).  We reconnected like time hadn't passed, and last night I received a caring note from her, balming my heart.   

Unexpected Encounter: At the library, I found an intriguing book entitled, "60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Portland."  I picked it off of the metal shelf, tucked it in the purple library bag, and decided to take a look at it when we got home.  I found a great hike five miles south-east of the city at a wildlife refuge on the Willamette River, and decided we would head there in the early afternoon.  The three of

us were walking on the trail, enjoying the marsh-like beauty, green foliage, white cherry blossoms and yellow wildflowers when a lady was walking down the path towards us that looked like my sweet friend from high school (another friend I haven't seen since high school).  As she got about 50 feet away, we looked at each other in disbelief and both said, "NO WAY!!!".  What are the chances that in a city of about 600,000 people we would encounter each other at this moment on this path?  I knew this was more than coincidence; it was a gift from above that I just had the privilege to unwrap.

I realize that every day is filled with the unexpected.  Am I looking for it (not the kind filled with fear; the kind filled with opportunity of how God might be working)?  Am I stopping long enough to soak in the beauty around me whether it be the bullfrog on the log or time with a precious friend that has walked back into my life?  After today, I was reminded of the gentle whispers that come our way.  We just have to be still enough to hear it.  The whispers that make our lives richer.  Thank you, God, for knowing, caring about, and whispering into our hearts.