New Beginnings--the fresh start after the storm. Follow along as we dedicate our lives to God after blessing us with a new beginning and another chance to make things right.
The last week has been nothing but short of incredible, and a testimony to how God can pull it all together, and make something happen that we could have never orchestrated on our own... As most of you are aware, Charlie, who used to live with us has been out of sight for some time. We've been worried about him, and were thankful to hear that he was OK through a friend. This friend did share with us that he was looking to go back to teen challenge to restoration. Of course, hearing this...we really began to worry. Not more than 10 days after I heard the news of Charlie, and after some long prayer sessions with the Lord, Charlie called!! He told us that he was thinking about restoration and I asked him where he wanted to go. Ten days prior, I had hooked up with Kim, from the Bend Teen Challenge, who originally got Charlie to the Teen Challenge in Shedd. She told me they had an open bed, and if I could get Charlie there, she & her husband would love the opportunity to work with him. I shared this with Charlie, and he asked to think about it. He also had to commit to Bend for a year program. This was something we weren't sure that Charlie would do. It was a long night of fret & worry, however, when morning came, Charlie talked with the Bend Teen Challenge, committed to the program, and asked us to come get him in Portland and take him to Bend. We were MORE than happy to do this. Saturday morning, and we were ready to go...we drove to Portland and got there about 12:00. It was a great reunion, as it had been since September since we had seen him. Lots of hugs and then good bye to his uncle, and off we headed to Charlie's Mom's to pick up his clothes. We stopped for a quick bite and were on the road for the 3 1/2 hour trip to Bend. Sadly, I left my camera in the back, as the snow and sky were beautiful as we headed from Salem to Bend. We had a nice visit on the way...and lots of slushy snow, and whiteout conditions on the way to Bend. Thankfully, when we came off the mountain, it was beautiful and sunny again!
We stopped for coffee and a pit stop in Sisters, and then headed to Teen Challenge. Upon arriving, we went in, and had a tour. It felt like home right off. It was a much smaller environment than the Shedd facility, and of course, fewer guys. Charlie seemed to feel pretty comfortable, and after a tour, unpacking his things, and some goodbyes we were headed once again over the mountain for home. It was with mixed feelings, as we didn't know when we'd be able to see Charlie again, being his is now two hours away, and visits are on Sunday afternoons. Long drive for a few hour visit...but I'm sure we'll make it!
We headed again, out of sunshine, into snow....and then more snow, and more!! We forgot the chains, so we were thankful for new tires, and 4wheel drive! We stopped for some pictures, and then Bill took lots as we drove through the snow.