Life in the Northwest

Exploring new places, meeting new people, and discovering a few brew pubs along the way.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Change

Six years ago today I was traveling west to what would become my new home in Salem Oregon.
A lot of change was taking place in my life.
Some of that change was of my choosing.
Some was not.
Roughly six years ago I began a blog to help me reflect on, process, and understand all the changes taking place. 
Writing helps me with refecting, processing, and understanding.
If you know me well,
then you have been with me reading along as I try to capture the changes of my life.

Six years ago I wrote about Change 

I recall the early days of out move and how odd it was to

I have eight children. It doesn't seem that long ago that all ten of us lived under one roof as a family. One family living, sharing, fighting, loving, annoying, and laughing together. However when I think about how long ago it has been since we shared the same home I realize that it has been seven years now. Seven years! When did all this time pass and how did it pass by without me knowing it? Four of our eight children have graduated high school and are on their own life's journey.
And in many ways my own life journey has taken a new turn as well.


One month ago I and four of our children left Kearney, my home of nearly thirteen years, to join my husband (and child #6) in Salem Oregon where he had been living and working for the previous four months. It was with very mixed emotions that I started my car and began the trek 1500+ miles across the country to join them in our new house. Waving to me in the rear view mirror was my oldest daughter and her husband (who will soon give birth to our first grand child) along with our oldest son, our third child, and a couple of dear friends.


This past month has found me experiencing life in vastly different surroundings. Everything about where I live and work is different. I expected vast differences especially in terms of our terrain and climate. But there are differences that one never anticipates until you are right there living and trying to function in a new environment such as: where do you buy groceries? What isle is the lemon juice in? Why can't I pump my own gasoline? Who are these people we are calling neighbors? Where is the dump? How do I find someone to cut and color my hair? Which schools do I enroll the kids in? How do I choose a parish, by boundaries or by where I want to worship? Where is the liquor store?
There is a lot to be learned and a lot to adjust to. Most of the time I feel as if my world has been turning, spinning and rotating and I am just trying to stay upright.
I have found that when I can go to the beach and just sit by the ocean then I feel more solid, I feel more grounded, I feel a sense of peace in my world.
I hope to get to the beach more often until I don't need to go to the beach as often.





Steppin' out with DWNTWN
 DWNTWNimages.me

The Summons


The Summons has been a favorite hymn of mine for years.
It speaks to me on so many different levels.
It is not a hymn sung often at church and I am always surprised when it is. 
This morning was one of those mornings.

Yet, as much as I love the music and the lyrics,
I just couldn't sing. 
I fought back tears. 
(And I am not a 'pretty' cry-er.)


This morning the lyrics struck me more deeply than usual.  A lot of past memories came flooding back and it was simply too many emotions welling up at once.
I know my daughters felt a bit awkward on my behalf as I tried to catch the tears unnoticed.

Oh well...
Sometimes life brings tears.


 Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.


Steppin' out with DWNTWN
DWNTWNimages.me