africa, texas and _____________

As I've mentioned in a previous post, Richard & I have been having our ongoing "state of the family" talks (which include all other subcategories). These talks arise of course, when things are out of kilter, or perhaps you could say, when we feel the ripcurrents of life pulling us out to sea.

Richard had a bit of a spiritual awakening a couple of months ago. Meanwhile Sister Cheryl had hit a spiritual slump. Or, more like I felt (feel- this is ongoing) like a mole in the whack-a-mole game. I stick my head out- WHACK! Down I go. Up I come. WHACK! You know the cycle. Anyhow, Brother Richard has moved in and replaced my old sports-watching husband. I've been a terrible Devil's Advocate to him during this time of awakening for him (God forgive me).

Richard found this African church here in our town. Who knew there were Africans here? The pastor and his family are refugees from the Congo. He has a deep voice with a thick accent (French is his first language). He requires attentive listening for a while because the syllables come out differently than we're used to. There's just something about when he says "if a man kills 100 men, the grace of God, he will forgive him" and there is a knowing look in his eye. Gulp, he's talking about something real here. I can't even imagine what horrors he and his family have witnessed, and to still come to that conclusion.

This is the first church in town that I feel compelled to return to.  I don't even know exactly why. Do you ever feel like you are supposed to go somewhere to learn something, but you're not even exactly sure what that something is? Then again, many times I go somewhere, thinking I know what I'm going to learn, and I don't, or I learn something I didn't even know I needed to learn, that was not on my agenda at all. So this is where we're at.

We spend 2 hours with the Africans and leave wondering "where are we?". Oh yeh, we're in Texas. And the second part, "why are we in Texas?" or "how did we come to live here?". After 2 years, my husband and I still feel bewildered by this place. Richard always had in his mind that we would "try it out" for 2 years. I don't think he's ever liked it here. Not Suburbia, not Texas. But I think he has the harder environment to spend time in ("the cube farm").

A couple of times he has brought up moving to the Pacific Northwest. Believe it or not, I was the one making the case that we really should put in a genuine effort to make this place our home. And so we have. We have a few friends, but can't imagine we'll ever have that sense that this is where we're supposed to be. So when Richard, once again, presented his appeal to move to Portland, Oregon, I found myself agreeing. We are under no illusions that there is a "perfect place", but there is where God calls you and there are places the spirit thrives.

I could go on and on about this. For now, this month of January, we are praying about it (and sneaking google peaks at this city and it's people). Creative, green, innovative, gloomy, misty, depressing with beautiful summers seems to be typical descriptions. The children now know this is a possibility and they have mixed emotions. Karina will be entering high school next fall, and Noah, middle school. So if there is a time to go, it seems to be the end of the school year. They need time to process it. I can't imagine if we just popped it on them in April..."guess what kids?". So we have time. And we don't know for sure if it will happen. But it is the direction we are being pulled right now.

Comments

[Heidi Renee]

WOW! I know the feeling of being in a place that isn't "home" and in a community that just doesn't fit.

Having found one that does not I would only move where that existed first (kind of like find the community and then see if there are jobs around it!) :p

You'll be in my prayers!

[Rich]

Man, your whack the mole description sounds VERY familiar. I can sympathize. Actually, my relationship with God is very tight right now. But I am so weary. So very many long time challenges with no end in sight…have really worn me out. Time and again I learn the lesson of surrendering. That God is God…and I’m not. I can control somethings in my life. But not a whole not. And certainly not other people. That’s where God comes in…with like everything really. Easy to say…HARD to live it through.

Wow! Cheryl, I think Oregon would rock! I’ve only been “through” Oregon on my way to other places. Iow, not really ever having stopped and spent time there. What I saw of it was gorgeous (the terrain). I have had friends that are native Oregonians and are Christians. They described Oregon (much like the rest of the Pacific North West) as being very creative, vibrant, and politically left of center. And there does tend to be animosity for organized religion. Which can be a challenge. It seems a lot like the “anti-Texas” if you will.

But I think that kind of change sounds really exciting! And I think Oregon needs more salt and light. I’ll pray for your decision.

[whitney]

Hey Cheryl,

Thanks for leaving a comment. I am totally drinking your words in. You feel like a kindred spirit to me. I lived in Dallas for 20 years and spent the entire time dreaming of somewhere else. And I do know from experience that the place does matter to many of us. Since being here in the great Northwest my spirit has grown exponentially. I LOVE it here. This place is amazing. And things are really shifting up here spiritually. I see it and feel it everyday. So if your heart aches for something. Like my friand once told me... Just GO FOR IT!!!! SOmetimes you have to just step out in faith and then the next step will come. And as you know Dallas is a place that one can get "stuck" so don't wait to long to follow your dream.

And it's funny because there are many people coming up here now. Alot of people in the healer category. Which your spirit feels like too. And you obviously have a love for God's creation. ie birdsong cafe description.... I can't wait to meet you someday!!!!

Oh and if it helps at all you always have a place to rest with us. We are up here as well. And community albeit over a distance is a really GOOD thing!!!

I will be praying for your transition.

And thanks again for commenting. I would not have even known you were out there!!!!

Whitney

PS if there is anything we can do on this end let me know!!!

[cheryl]

Whitney-
Too much to write to you here. Will email you soon.
Cheryl