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.
We spent a busy week and found out that the Teen Challenge Spring dinner was this last weekend. We knew it was a good opportunity to show support to TC and to Charlie. During the week we had some sad events....as Kristin lost both of her rats within 5 days of each other. Tommy, one of our Youth Pastors was here to borrow our truck, and blessed her by helping Ryan bury the first one, and having a short service. He & Ryan even made a cross. Our kids are so blessed by the adults in their lives!Friday finally came, and we made a fun weekend out of it, and got a room on Saturday night so we didn't have to come through the pass late, and it was just a good excuse! We left Ryan at home because he had a Youth Group event....the VELCRO WALL!! Not sure it sounds too exciting to me to dress in the loop suit and hit the other side of the velcro, but then again, I'm not 15! Kristin enjoyed being an only child for two days!
We arrived in Bend around 2, and checked in to our hotel. It was very nice, and right on the river. We had a few hours, so we headed into town and found the coolest Christian Bookstore. We spent most of our time there, taking it all in! It had wonderful gifts, many books, t-shirts, etc. We finished up in town, headed back to the hotel to get dressed for dinner, and headed to Eagle Crest for the Teen Challenge Banquet.
We arrived, and saw Charlie as soon as we entered. He saw our name on the list, so our surprise was not a surprise. He seemed very happy to see us, and we enjoyed a very inspiring, fullfilling evening, and enjoyed our visit with Charlie. It turns out there was a baptism the next morning and a BBQ, so we checked to make sure we could attend, and planned our next day at the park.
We enjoyed a fun evening in the pool and spa at the hotel, and crashed in our room to be awakened by a pair of swans that thought the hotel residents should feed them breakfast. We went out on the deck, and the waddled up to below our deck, and waited....joined by a pair of ducks, and a pair of geese. This must happen daily for them! We had breakfast, headed to pick up a few things that Charlie needed, and headed to the BBQ for Teen Challenge.
It was incredible to watch 5 men give their lives to the Lord. Braving the icy Dechutes River was enough to make most back out! It was a great afternoon, and after we headed over the mountain and arrived home in time to unpack, and head to our leadership prayer night with our church.
Talk about exhausting. It was a mentally enriching and draining night and about 25 of us met for a few hours of sharing, worship and prayer. Both Bill & I were mentally drained when we got home. It was a weekend we were both so met by the Lord. What a few weeks this has been! God is good, and he shows his grace and mercy to us in so many ways. Thank You Lord!
Seeking prayers for our direction. God has provided for us so much since Bill has been laid off. His unemployment benefits are now exhausted as of April 3rd, and he will finish school this June, with one class to finish next fall. Please pray for a way for our financial needs to be met. God has been good, and we are trusting him. Prayers are greatly appreciated for guidance and peace.
