As I sit here and reflect, the lyrics from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros' song "Home" play on repeat in my mind.
Ah, home
Let me go home
Home is wherever I'm with you
Ah, home
Let me go home
Home is wherever I'm with you
nesting, settling, whatever you want to call it, we are about to have a home for the first time in luke and my married life and we couldn't be more excited!
while we were dating, we each lived with roommates and friends. then, as soon as we got married, we headed off to south america, where the most reliable "home" we had was our little REI tent that we could pitch in any lawn and feel some sense of comfort. we hopped from hostel to hostel and stayed with family and new friends as we adventured. the amount of homes that we have been welcomed into in the past year has been overwhelming and a great testimony to the hospitality that we hope to embody as a couple. staying with luke's parents upon our return (thanks to rusty and mary lou and aaron for welcoming us in with such open arms) and house sitting for several families, we have continued to live out of boxes and in transition. like the song lyrics say, since we started our married life, luke has been my home. wherever i have been with him, i have felt at home, no matter if we were sharing a bunk bed in a surf hostel in chile or sleeping on an air mattress or in a twin bed or out under the stars. not much compares to lying next to him at the end of the day and knowing that i am at home...
starting next week, we will finally be able to SETTLE! everything will have its place and we will no longer have to wonder just which city (Portland or Vancouver) something is in if we can't find it or try to remember just which box it's in.
we are moving in with a lovely couple from our home community at Imago Dei (elic and erin as you may have heard me refer to them as. their names are actually eric and ellen!) we are so expectant for what our life together will bring! they are also a young married couple, so we are looking forward to learning together and having dear friends to share life with.
in other news, luke is working at pyro pizza (SE 12th and hawthorne) and will continue that work as he begins his NEW JOB at Rose CDC as the Resident Assets Assistant next Monday. i am working at Bridger K-8 teaching in the SUN program and will soon begin at Harrison Park K-8 working with the PPS Summer Academy (hanging out with 5th and 6th graders in summer school). hoping and praying that something works out at one of those schools for the fall.
since we have been home, there hasn't been that much culture shock or a hard transition home. we have been able to jump back into relationships in Portland and enjoy all that this town has to offer (even the rain and being cold enough to put on a long sleeve and sweats). we are back on bikes and are even heading off 4th of July weekend on a brief camping/biking trip with friends. the summer months fill up quickly with family, fruit to be picked, friends, and the incredible nature that surrounds us here. because of our long time gone, we are able to fully embrace all that we have here and it sure is an abundant life.
stop by our new home sometime and say hello. the door is always open to share a meal, get a hug, play some games, or if you need a listening ear! our home is your home.
