The Little Things

     In the midst of trying to figure life out up here, with the ups and downs of expectations and hopes hanging in the balance, including waiting for more than two months to hear about what I may be doing up here for work. God has been present. Since my last post, I have seen continual messages and posts about trusting God with out allowing the emotions or circumstances affect your reliance upon Him. I think he is trying to tell me something. 

    One of the best things I have learned these last few weeks came from a devotion I read about perspective. It talked about how we can either let our problems, planning or expectations control our perspective and distract us from our connection and reliance upon God, or we can stop thinking about what we want and look to God for his perspective. If we do this we can focus on trusting God instead of focusing on providing for ourselves. 

     I am happy to say once I realized that stressing or not knowing about what was going to happen next wasn't getting me anywhere but stressed and restless. I began to make it a goal to stop my reactions and start to be grateful for all that God has given me and all that He has planned. Almost instantly, things started to fall into place. Two weeks ago I received an email inviting me to interview for a school district near our house. I then went to the interview, and I thought it went really well, but you never know. Preparing for it reminded me why I love to teach and got me excited to potentially have this opportunity. During the interview I was asked if I would like to be considered for a full time position with the school district if one should open up. I felt so blessed. I do realize that this would be a slight chance...as is everything with education currently, and also, that I at this point had no idea if I would even be a sub, but I still had hope and was thankful for the opportunity. 

     This last Monday, I was called for an interview with Starbucks. I went the following day, and feel it went okay and will be hearing back about their decision this upcoming Monday. Later that day I opened my email and found out that I was selected to become a sub for the school district I applied to! I am so excited about this and hope this will lead to a permanent position... needless to say, when I focused my energy and emotions on being thankful, (that I serve and am loved by a God that protects his children, and provides in ways we can not imagine) before considering what I need to do, He supplies the desires of my heart. In the midst of waiting (even now) I can see the treasure of getting to know Him more is priceless and even though I have encountered struggles in this new season, I would not ask to experience this new journey any other way.

Little by Little...

Update time...
    So far we have had a total of maybe 4 days of rain since we have been here...kinda ironic, but the weather has been beautiful in all of it's changes. We have been able to discover more of the city we live in, with lots of fun coffee shops and pubs. We also checked out another church last weekend, that we liked a lot, although it's across town. We found out that the pastor and a few of the other attendees went to school in San Dimas down the street from Newsong at Life Pacific and/or grew up in SoCal right down the freeway from us. Such a small world! We will be visiting that church this weekend too.
     Bella has continued to make friends with the neighbors and has been playing Romeo and Juliette on our balcony with the dog on the first floor across the lawn. As well as, when we take walks, with the dog across the courtyard... and the two dogs down the way from us... Let's just say she is quite a social butterfly.
    Chau is doing well at his branch, and recently passed the licensing exam to continue his level of work up here. The branch manager seems to think highly of Chau and has made
sure he is on track to succeed here. As for me, I am still looking for jobs, and recently had an interview! I should be hearing about the outcome sometime next week. If not this job, then I am faithful that something will turn up soon! In the meantime, I am continuing to settle in and organize our space, along with walking our social butterfly and enjoying our surroundings.
     One thing I have come to learn during this time is that by stepping out in faith, you never know where or when you are going to stand on solid ground. Faith does not guarantee feeling comfortable, but it does
guarantee God's peace. I have definitely had moments of uncertainty from time to time, but the foundation of faith is to trust God daily. Everyday, I have been reminded that in order to have faith, you have to continually rely on God, despite how you feel at the moment or the challenges you are introduced to (may seem obvious, but can be easily overlooked when too busy, or caught up in life). Things may happen or not come to you in the way you expect, but God will always provide. Lately, I have felt that I was wandering in the desert, much like that of the Israelites, not sure where they were headed, but certain they were where God called them.
      I take this time wandering as a gift, to really take in my surroundings, to really appreciate and discover the depth of the love God has so graciously offered to me despite my flaws of being easily distracted, not being available and my immaturity in my walk with Him. This time away from familiar and comfortable surroundings has exemplified the amount of grace and peace that God provides. Exodus 16:14-20 talks about how God provides for the israelites in a way they have not seen before, in a specific way that would fulfill their needs of food for the day. Notice it is for the day not for the full 40 days they were wandering in the desert. He wants to be called on and engaged daily. He wants us to rely on Him. God is present and purposeful in how he makes himself available. All we need to do is come to him daily with our thoughts, feelings and needs. He provides in the best way possible for us. We just need to come to Him (Philipians 4:6-7, 19).
      I recently read a quote in a book that reminded me about how Love should be. I believe it speaks to how God models to us how we should love one another. "Love is expressed unequivocally in...the availability offered. The assurance that each will be there for the other when needed, when expected, when desired, is the confidence of being loved."-David Augsburger. God offers this daily, second by second. He sees all and knows all, yet he still takes the time and is there for us despite how we react or our level of willingness to receive from Him his affections. Do we live out love this way? Do we expect this from God? Do we even value this affection from God? What a revelation it is to realize that God loves us with such a passion that he not only desires our attention, but that He undoubtably provides for us on a daily basis in a way that is best for each one of us individually, so we can have the confidence that he loves us. All He wants from us is our reliance on Him.
    I know that this is a daily struggle, and I am trying to practice and live out what God desires. I feel so blessed despite the uncomfortable feeling of not knowing when or where I will work, or what Chau and my life will look like up here, but then again I am reminded that this time and uncomfortableness is a necessary ingredient for us to be reliant upon God and his desires for us to be continually looking to Him with our needs, desires and uncertainties.
      More updates soon- and hopefully more pictures!

Twists and turns

Hey everyone!
    Time has flown, it has been a very busy time since we arrived with unpacking, resting and trying to understand the process in which God has started within both Chau's and my life. Its been a bit of a roller coaster- now being up here and determining what our life will be once we are settled.
    We arrived in Lake Oswego, Oregon around 11pm Friday night (close to two weeks ago), after nearly an 11 hour drive up from Roseville, CA. Some good friends of ours provided us with their house to stay the night after the first 6 hours of driving. God is faithful and helped us to remain safe during both extremely long drives through California, and then Oregon. I am not sure how we drove the whole stretch in one day last time... Chau had one of his good friends drive up with him to keep him company, who was also stoked to see the Autzen Stadium in Eugene, on the way up. I had Miss Bella with me in my passenger seat, and she was excited to look outside the window and sleep in between. I must say she was a great co-pilot, but there were definitelytimes when I deeply envied her ability to sleep a long the way.     

      Due to the amount of hours we needed to cover, and the lateness of our estimated arrival, we were able to arrange to have the management provide a way for us to access our apartment after their office closed (this was not an option before). We were so grateful that this was now a possibility and upon our arrival, we discovered that they had placed a gift bag for Bella and some items for us as well, to welcome us home! Once we settled in for the night, it hit us how exhausted we were and how we had really wanted to sleep 4 hours earlier, so sleeping with out much of a bed was not a problem for any of us. The next morning we had our POD arriving (so we needed as much sleep as possible) with all of our furniture and belongings. Luckily, we were able to reserve a few parking spots for the POD to be positioned some what close to our apartment, although far enough a way to be a challenging workout.

      Instead of digging into the massive POD right away, we avoided it...and went shopping! We found a Target and were able to get necessary items, and a few things for comfort. We then thought of another way to avoid unpacking...Eating! Around 3 we finally had to start the process that seemed almost as bad as the 11 hour drive up...about an hour into the some what defeating task, a couple of my friends, who lived in the area came over and gave all of us the uplift we needed to then finish the job in 3 hours! It was amazing and I was sure that with out all of our friends helping, Chau and I would be living out of the POD for an undetermined amount of time...I for sure was not motivated to accomplish the unloading any time soon (if you could't tell). My friends who lived in the area also helped us by loaning us some items to help get set up. They were truly a blessing from God and helped us be encouraged in our tired state. They were able to help us stay focused and grateful in times of discouragement.We celebrated our accomplishments and thanked our friends by eating at a McMenamins. Such a blast!


 Chau and I had a week off together before he returned to work this past Monday. We have so enjoyed spending time going through our many boxes and seeing all the memories we have made through out our lives apart, and together. We have decorated (my favorite thing to do!) somewhat, still a lot more to go... (don't worry I will post pictures when all is looking more put together), organized (Chau's favorite thing to do...) and spent time dreaming and exploring life up here. Last week, I have to admit we spent a lot of time catching up on sleep and movie watching- we weren't super efficient on the whole unpacking idea...big surprise right...- Anyway, we loved enjoying our new place, our tv, and time to relax before reality would hit.


   Last Friday, we visited my cousin (so fun to have family up here) and went to see Oz the Great and Powerful in a small St. Johns theater, where we ate Pizza and watched the movie:). It's the simple things that make it so fun up here like eating dinner, while watching a movie in a small hoakie theater, for less then 10 bucks! Chau and I look forward to discovering more simple joys up here. Saturday, we explored our surroundings a bit more, and went thrift store shopping for a few items, but ended up empty handed...however, we continued our new fascination with the Fred Meyer grocery stores. These places have a starbucks, home goods section, electronics, clothing, kids section, and more going on and on and on...like Walmart or Target, but so much better, cheaper and more organized. I think we have been there close to 10 times in the last week and a half...AND there is no sales tax in Oregon, so we think we are winning all the time when we shop! :) (we realize taxes are paid, just in other ways here). Sunday, we attended Easter Service at a church in Lake Oswego, and enjoyed it. I believe we will return this Sunday to check it out again. After the service, we went over to our friends, Dacia and Quint's house to have Easter Lunch. This was such a blessing and has really helped to make us feel supported up here. Not only have they helped us move, but they have openly offered to help further, lend us anything we need that they have, and now made us a meal, and gave us a gift to help us in our exploration of Oregon. Our hearts are filled and again, we are so grateful. We realize this is not by chance and we thank you all for your prayers and thoughts in our journey, I know that all we have experienced, or have been shielded from has been encouraged by your faithfulness in God, and your tender hearts toward us in this new and somewhat challenging chapter for us.

     Some prayer requests: Chau just started his job at the branch up here, and has had a great experience with his coworkers, feeling supported and encouraged, but at the same time, challenged in what his role up here will be in the long run. There has already been some unexpected feelings of discouragement and reflections on where he is currently, with an impatience and frustration with what he would like to be doing, and where he would like to be career wise. Despite that he is dedicated and determined to make it work. In reflection, I am feeling so blessed by him, that he is willing to sacrifice the time to support both of us in the move up here, and for the time I am unemployed. So please pray for encouragement, clarity and inspiration for him, as well as, peace and insight for me to best support him through out this time.

For me: I need a job. I have been applying continually and have heard little. A lot of the postings have still remained open weeks from when I applied. They are all listed as: still in progress. So, since we will need more income, I have looked at retail/any job as well, in the mean time. I would love a job that would fit me and what I love:). But I am also open to what works to make ends meet. Randomly, I have also recently been inspired through conversation, to consider looking into Occupational Therapy schools to go back and get a degree, but we will see, it definitely sounds like something that would fit me and be something that I would thoroughly enjoy. God definitely has an interesting way of supplying inklings that support the twists and turns of our lives...if nothing else allows us to think outside our box of living life our way.

"Do not be anxious about anything..." is a verse and concept that has definitely hit the depths of my heart during this move and currently in my search for work. I have been continuously reminded that God is in control, and this time is a time for transformation for me. No control, no way of planning and only reliance on His plan for Chau and me. I have faith, but am constantly tempted to freak out a little (or a lot). Please pray for Chau and me to not allow our current circumstances to blind us from the blessings and provision God has given.

Thank you all again for coming with us on this journey, and patiently waiting to read our updates, we truly appreciate your prayers and your desire to live life alongside us as much as you can!

More sooner than later....
      ~ Jess

 

Progress...

Since we introduced our worlds to this blog, we have been showered with love, support and encouragement. I thank each of you who have been there for us through this exciting, yet difficult and scary process.  We are now two days away from our departure up to Oregon, and I am currently sitting at a Barnes and Nobel resisting buying more books- {I have a problem...:)} and using their internet, since we had to cancel our service early last week, (thus the delay in the posts, this one will be short). We have also been showered with invitations to connect before the move and were thrown a going away party to see friends from near and far one last time. We have thoroughly appreciated all the heartfelt connections and prayer warriors out there for encouraging us to move on the path that God has prepared for us. Joshua 1:9 has become our verse for this journey and has given us peace in the midst of our nervousness.
       Backtrack- March 8th, my last day of work, I enjoyed thoroughly, eating breakfast with a great friend, seeing and being able to say goodbye to my co-workers, (who I miss!) celebrating a friend with a baby shower and connecting with the new friends I made through APU. I was sad, but encouraged by all who I shared with, about our decision. God is good in his timing, and blessed me immensely by providing that job!
        Second week- Packing, packing, packing!!!! Our Pod arrived and I was the only on off of work! Oh and weather was nice and HOT... Fun times in that, baking in that POD....:(. All that week and the next Chau and I were sorting and packing to make sure we had all we needed and donated all we didn't. Thursday was a really long day and night, and all this to say our POD was picked up last week Friday.  Packed from floor to ceiling and back to front. We are glad that is over!
        This week we are finishing up with packing what we need with us, we have since spent time with family and friends, (yesterday at Disneyland!) as much as we can to soak it all up before the distance.

We love you all and are looking forward to your visits! (hint....hint)

I will most likely be posting more in a couple weeks, feel free to comment :) I really like this blogging!

The start of it all...

    Life is surprising, I am sure this is not a shocking concept, however, it continues to keep me on my toes. In every nook and crany of the past 5 years, I could have never foresaw us moving to Portland, Oregon. But then again, I could not have seen us meeting 4 years prior to dating, becoming good friends and then end up very hapily married. God is good and I have never felt so blessed to be living life with Chau, and our puppy Bella. There may have been some curve balls thrown at us and our families, but I feel that despite the downs, God has been faithful.

JANUARY- (through July)
     So let's backtrack the last year of our lives to the point when Chau and I had a moment of clarity, that maybe God was trying to show us something other than what we were looking at; something that we were trying to make work on a daily basis. Exhausted and becoming more and more burned out, we decided that we needed a change. We were working on opposite schedules, myself feeling taken advantage of by being held to the evening schedule in the position I was in, but on the other hand loving working with students who needed guidance and encouragement. None the less, still unsupported and disrespected at work. I was looking for other options nightly. As a result, Chau and I were unable to see each other except to say good morning, and good night until the weekend, where we were still on different sleeping schedules. We felt like glorified and well matched roommates. Let's just say life was not ideal.

JULY-  
    Shortly after coming to the conclusion that there needed to be a change, we started looking for a house to buy. After searching for about a month, we found our dream house. It had a porch,( I realize this may not be a big deal to everyone, but it was huge to us!) we were dreaming about it and the rest of the house daily.... and well....nightly too. We were in love. Many visits to see what we could imagine about how our lives would be there. Then we took the next step...finding a realtor who could show us the inside of the house, which sealed the deal for us. We signed and practically gave the guy what he asked for the house- we were stoked! It was a done deal...or so we thought. Turns out the owner withdrew the house. Needless to say we were heartbroken and it became clear that God was trying to get our attention. Who, after receiving the offer they ask for pulls the house from the market?

AUGUST-
   Two weeks after the house incident, I was laid off (with not even a day's notice). We didn't see that coming...

    Thank God for his provisions even in the midst of heartbreak he knows how to provide to prevent us from more distress. What my job did not know at the time was I had already interviewed for another job, and had my second interview with APU the day after I was laid off. I thought all was well, I had peace in my heart and was grateful that God prevented us from turmoil with only having one solid job, and no major mortgage payment, but felt that I would get this job at APU. One week passed. Two weeks, then three...no word from APU.

SEPTEMBER-(through Present)
Then the day came, I did not get the job. However, APU wanted to know if I would be interested in a Temp position. 6 months with no guarantee or benefits. I took it.

     I have greatly enjoyed and have been blessed by this job. I have made many new friends who pray for me and Chau, who love and accept us. I have learned new valuable skills and have felt like I have grown, spiritually and emotionally. Even though I have been experiencing such Joy working for APU, I consistently felt uneasy, not knowing if I would be staying or having to find another job.  Chau and I regrouped one night, feeling uncomfortable with where we were in life. Happy that we were now on the same schedule, but not quite living the life we wanted. We were not as drained, but felt we should be loving life. Isn't that what God wants for us? To live Life fully alive, in Him, with our gifts reflecting Him?
November-
    I asked Chau if we could start to think about what would make this a possibility, we thought, well maybe not living so far from work, driving in traffic each day. So we looked at apartments, town homes, houses. Loved some, but not the price of rent. Then I said, Let's look out of state, just for fun. Right away we saw a very cute house for rent 3 bedroom 2 bath Craftsman for less than what we could find here. Others, were not that far off as well. Looking back at our first place (1 bedroom/1bath) the rent was about the same. Looking for apartments now closer to work was 1100 upward for 1bedroom/ 1bath. So moving out of state became more appealing. Our whole aim was to enjoy life more, not work to live at a minimum.
      Being that we have an amazing group of friends and a priceless community, as well as, loving families, we had a hard time imagining leaving them and moving away. Chau has been with the same friends since high school, and it would be like separating brothers if we left. I too have had such rich friendships and am still having a very difficult time thinking about not living in the same area as them.
Regardless, I asked him to think about possibly moving out of state, and just sleep on it. Why I felt so eager to explore other options, I can not explain. I had asked Chau a month earlier on a scale from 1-10, how he felt about moving, his answer was a 6...which doesn't indicate much either way. I guess we were both curious, but not willing to admit it.
DECEMBER-
   The night after we had our out of state home searching experience online and saw that there were other options that we could explore, we both slept on it, prayed and went on with our daily tasks and duties.
8 am Monday morning I received a call from Chau. "We should do it, I have prayed and I feel like God is pulling us that direction for a reason. I have never felt like this and I know this is what we need to do." Answering the phone to a phrase like "We should do it, I have prayed...etc." Left me spinning on what in the world he could be talking about... you see I am a night owl, mornings take a little encouragement and a lot of coffee for me to catch on to topics. Once I caught up with Chau and what he was talking about, I felt an overwhelming excitement and peace. The decision was made right then and there. We were starting a new adventure, another chapter in our life and our journey striving to follow God's gentle voice leading and nudging us to a place we have yet to discover.
     This was the start of an amazing journey, one that has already taught us about Love, Life and God's Blessings through the Unknown...