Spacious Place

“He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”

2 Samuel 22:20 (David’s Song of Praise)

It will probably come as no surprise to you that I am a Type A personality who very much thrives in structures and routines. Which is why the last 7 months of our lives may have been as shocking to you as it has been to us ;) Turns out, I am quite capable of embracing the unknown and…it’s been quite fun! This season has opened my heart and mind to be more flexible and present in the moment. Present and trusting the work that the Lord is doing in, through, and for us. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20

We have followed our heart’s desire in this new place & continue to be in awe of the Lord’s provision and goodness. There have been bumps, shifts, and deep challenges. But our heart posture remains the same: Surrender, Trust, Hope.

If we have had the opportunity to share in vulnerable conversation over the last 5 years, you know that I have been grown and stretched in some of the hardest, yet most beautiful ways juggling both full-time work & full-time caregiver to our girls. (Hindsight: I do not recommend this!) However, the Lord grew me in ways I desperately needed. I have been surrendering “doing” and embracing “being”. But oof, I’d be lying if I said it was fun or easy. And I’d also be lying if I said His work was complete ;)

Adaptation to motherhood is still a struggle - does it ever get “easy”?! The last nearly 6 years have certainly been an ode to how selfish I am and how challenging it is to navigate parenting: the sacrifice of self - feeling highly unqualified - learning to pivot - the redefining of one’s aspirations and goals - not always for the worse, but for the better - the ease and peace in which presence and joy outweighs measurable successes in this world - the way you soften and embrace the chaos - build shared memories - create a safe and loving space, etc. — and thus, perhaps it truly is a matter of ‘perspective changes everything’. Motherhood isn’t changing - it is a gift that I forever get to experience. But what about this hope for pursing my passions outside of the home?

In December, I shared with you that I had declined a professional opportunity that, by the world’s standards, was unique and promising for a “successful” career. While exciting and flattering, it simply didn’t fit my “second mountain” shift. (Please read David Brooks 2019 book “The Second Mountain”) The shift in which, over the last several years, I have longed to use my skills of administering and my desire to serve and love others well into a “career” of purpose and passion. But what was that Lord? Well - we both knew. There was a deep desire, a very specific hope to serve in that exact capacity at our new church home here in Portland. And if I’m being fully transparent with you, you’ll need to know that the hope started a year and a half ago while we were still in OKC. Doors didn’t open, but my hope never waned. ‘Meet me in Portland’ the Lord said.

Now, while we didn’t purposely move here for shifts in our careers, it was a hopeful anticipation of new things to come. A joint expression of that shift in career/vocation and simultaneously positioning our family into a part of the country that geographically speaking, made our hearts jump with glee! We simply love it here. The beauty is astounding. The people are incredible. We feel like we are home.

I wish I could share the very many details that have transpired the last 7 months or backdating the course of the last 1.5 years - but I think I would take too much of your reading time! In an essence of wrapping this thing up: I’d like to share with you that my hope has been fully realized - the shift in career - the hope of pursuing my passions outside of the home.

I have accepted a position on staff at our church! The exact church and role I have wanted to serve by way of vocation for the last few years. On February 1st (my birthday!), I start in the role of Executive Assistant to Executive Director at Bridgetown Church! (Yes, that’s a lot of Executive-ing) The depth to which this church means to me is beyond words - it truly is a gift from the Lord. I have a hunch that it, too, means something special to you. And if you’re not familiar, please come join us in Portland on Sundays and for you non-locals, check out the teachings via podcasts.

I am living a pinch-me moment. I GET to do this! I feel like I have been brought into a spacious place here in Portland. The way the Lord has specifically, in detail, revealed himself to me have been beautiful reminders that He delights in ME. And friends, He delights in you, too. Sometimes the valleys are long, and the wilderness season is so very difficult. Whatever that space is that you are in, feeling trapped, feeling overwhelmed, feeling tired, feeling lost, and finding it hard to have hope. I encourage you to stand firm and stand firm again. Do not lose heart. Our God is good - He loves you - He cares about the tiniest things that you do. I challenge you to keep pressing deeper into His love and clinging to His words - wearing His peace and trusting His work in you. I believe He is up to something good. Even on your umpteenth lap in the valley. The refining is not easy, but oh, the outcome is beauty. He awaits to bring you out into a spacious place. There is space for you. Will you trust Him?

We are surprised and excited by this fresh start to a new year. We can’t wait to see and live all that is to come! If you’re making summer plans - go ahead and put Portland on your list - it will not disappoint! We do have more news to share on the rest of the fam, but we are knee deep in some other big changes - so I’ll hop on and give you another life update soon! Please enjoy our soaking wet selfie from our morning at the park last weekend - you learn to not let the rain put a 'damper' on your plans ;) Sending so much love, encouragement, and hugs from the Pacific Northwest.