Trip to P-town

This past Saturday, Eric and I decided to take a little trip to Portland

to spend our IKEA gift cards.
Our trip started off as all trips should:
Coffee

We drove past our beautiful mountains

Stopped at the Detroit Lake Bridge. Frolicked a bit, took some rock star pics,
but industrial is really our forte'.

One of the not so rockstar pics...but it's still nice, and you can see the water.

After 3 and half hours we arrive at our destination. We got a wicked awesome
coffee table, and brand new bedding! (pictures of those to come soon)
After about an hour in the madness that is IKEA on a Saturday afternoon,
we took a drive down our favorite street - Burnside.
We hit up Powell's (I could spend days in there), Buffalo Exchange (new cool shoes!),
Urban Outfitters, and of course, Chinatown.

We usually eat at PF Changs, but this trip we were feeling a bit
adventurous. We discovered this new super yummy restaurant called
Henry's Bar and Grill.
We highly recommend it.
This was at our table, and I felt artsy.Eric is way more artsy.

On the drive home. Portland glows at night.

The ride home turned out to be a little longer than expected.
We checked the oil (and by we I mean Eric).An hour or so later we found ourselves attempting to put on chains.
Neither of us had done it before, but we had fun learning!
My job was to yell directions to Eric out the driver side window.
We conquered!!! (And by we I mean he.)
The drive took five hours. We got pulled over twice within an hour
(we have a broken tail light)
And made it home close to two.
HOWEVER,
It was a great day. I love a rainy Portland afternoon.
Even more, I love a rainy Portland afternoon with shopping.
And yet, still more, I love a rainy Portland afternoon with shopping, and most of all:
Eric.

Lazy Sundays

I have discovered something profound:

We are busy!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. We love our jobs and our ministries which fortunately for Eric and I they are one and the same. Yesterday, we had the privilege of serving the city of La Pine by shoveling snow filled driveways (or as I said about a billion times yesterday quite unintentionally, "snoveling show"), praying for strangers, and really just loving people. We saw over a hundred come to know Christ for the first time, and almost seven hundred were ministered to through a concert that was put on that night. It was amazing.

I forget sometimes how powerful outreach is, and how pouring out into other people inevitably fills us up. It definitely brought perspective and vision for our lives and stirred up passion to see the lost come to know Jesus. What an incredible thing it is to further advance the Kingdom of Heaven.

We got home pretty late last night and collapsed. Which then leads me to today:

A Lazy Sunday.

We started the day not knowing what it held or what we would do. We woke up went to Nancy P's, which has the best marionberry scones in all of Bend, read the Word, then went to church.
Who knew what wonderful little goodies the rest of the day held? Afterwards, we did such an amazing thing: whatever we wanted.

It's not often that a day presents itself with no obligations and so we took advantage. We had a leisurely lunch at a restaurant in the Old Mill, read the paper, talked about lots of things, saw a movie, but most importantly - we took our sweet time.

Now this wonderful evening I sit reflecting on the beauty of a day like today. I'm thankful for rest. For time with Eric. For relaxation.
Today was a day to catch up. Reflect on the miracle of yesterday. Learn more of God's character and recognize that on the seventh day, He rested.

And so, to cap off this lovely day, here is are some pictures to end.

Our New Life

Well we finally did it...we have joined the world of blogging.
What a great way to share all the happenings of a new life together with friends and family!

Here are a few photos to catch you up on our new life:

November 16, 2007

November 17, 2007 through December 2, 2007
The Honeymoon

Our First Christmas

Eric putting the first ornament on the tree

Don't Ask.

Christmas Morn.
J Lo?I have the best husband in the whole world! New keyboard? Heck yes!
Don't worry, I got him this rad sweater, so we're even.

Warm new coats from the Parnell's to shied us from the up and coming blizzard. How did they know?Cutest new cousins in the whole world!

Jingle Bell race in Boise , Idaho .Chase - He got fourth. We were so proud!
Albuquerque, unaware Jayne, and my mother's third daughter - Gracie.

Eric being artsy. He's very good at that. Classic.

He rides again! My mom was scared for him, but I had faith. GREAT faith.
Other than the whole him getting lost in an unfamiliar city, it was great!Santa Fe. The greatest New Mexican food ever.
We didn't buy them, but this picture makes me wish we had.

New Year's 2007 - 2008

The drive to Eugene.

My first New Year's kiss.

Present Day

I know I said "a few photos" but a lot's happened since we got married.
I hope you enjoyed this view into our lives.
There will be much more to come!
Hello big wide world of blogging.