Thank you in advance for your grace surrounding my “cliffhanger”. While I am still committed to sharing in pieces, I will be sure to tie off with better transitions!
In the spirit of “giving the people what they want”, I will be extracting pieces of our story & will circle back at a later date to share other details with you. Get in the weeds so to speak. Feel free to stick around for that, too!
For now: WHY PORTLAND Continued…
Stage: Fall 2019
We arrived back home after our trip to the PNW. Our hearts began dreaming. As life goes with 3 children: ages 8, 2, 1 - processing by way of communication was, let’s call it, a challenge! Then, in an instant, the entire world changed.
First, allow me to lay some groundwork…
September 2015:
Not by coincidence, this same 7 years was a huge season for me (Arlene) personally. Short: I (begrudgingly, to the Lord) left my 10 year long career in Multi-Family Property Management (Identity Crisis) with no job lined up (apparently we are making this a trend). Within 2 months, the Lord told me that we would have “more children” (Screech - WHAT?). And next thing I know, I was working at the same place of employment as, not one, not two, but three family members (again, never say never). Did I mention that one was my husband? (future insight: we make a pretty darn great team!)
2016-2019: Kids, more kids, work, survival!
For preservation of time, I will broad-stroke some of our personal convictions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic & the political climate of the last 7 years. But one thing I want you to know: this changed our focus. This is where we have done work - on ourselves to ensure we are living fully present and shifting our focus to those around us with love and Kingdom mindset - walking away from the self-centered path of career, achievement, & success.
2020: Pandemic.
Along with the rest of the world, being thrust into the COVID-19 pandemic was a shock to our system. For us, some of the hardest & what may be some of the most beautiful stories came from this season. Here is where the weeds get real thick.
December 2020: My Daddy died from COVID-19.
March 2021: I took myself to Onsite Workshops near Nashville, TN where I checked-in for a week long, Individual Intensive Therapy Session (so much more to come on this later!) By way of my Guide for the week, my PNW interest (focused on Seattle) was peaked (no pun intended) to the idea of “Portland, OR”. Only a very brief snippet, but my curiosity noted for later research.
We will press pause here. I promise we are zeroing in on ”WHY PORTLAND?!” - this is where it all starts to get really good!
Until next time, friends…
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