Spring is much different in Oregon compared to Tennesse--and we are often homesick for the familiar outdoor surroundings and beauty of Lookout Mountain. I still wear jackets on most days--and we have seen some weather patterns that we've never experienced before--although locals say some of the weather lately is somewhat abnormal. Twice now, we've driven home from work through literally three inches of some sort of hail/slush on the ground. The first time I ran into it I was coming through hard rain and then suddenly there was white stuff all over the ground and road. It was somewhat intimidating and very bizzare.
Marshall is still enjoying work, and promises to write a blog soon--not having internet connection at the house makes it harder for him...I have gotten to shadow horse sessions this week as I've volunteered at the ranch. It has been great to observe the process and become more comfortable working with their horses. I've enjoyed each day I've been at Crystal Peaks--it always looks a bit different. On Friday I was able to join some new friends for a day of skiing at Mt. Bachelor. They were running a special of lift tickets for $25, and I was able to borrow skis from someone. It was fun to get another day of skiing in, and the conditions were remarkably good still. Thankfully it was a warm, clear day versus the whiteout conditions we experienced the last time we were on the mountain.
Last night we played the game Qwelf with some people at our house...I mention this because if you have not played this game before--we would definitely recommend that you try it out :-) It has been a new game for us, and it is a blast! It is very interactive and you laugh nearly the entire time you play. Last night, during the game, Marshall could not use his arms for an extended amount of time and so I assisted him as he successfully drank a glass of water upside down. He also had to quack like a duck every time a card was drawn (which reminded us of Wes :-)--this just gives you a small snapshot of what the game is like...

April Already

Well our updates have been few are far between lately. We have stayed pretty busy during our first month in Oregon. Marshall has picked up some side jobs that have kept him working all but one day so far (other than having Sundays off). I believe he will have most of this weekend off, so I think he is looking forward to some rest. I am still looking for work, but I started an internship at the Ranch this week, so right now I go in at 12:30 and work till 6:00 Monday-Thursday. I am getting acquainted with how they do things there, and really enjoyed my first official day on Monday...I spent a lot of time scooping poop from one of the padocks (and nearly froze), but it was fun to work and get to have conversations with some of the other staff and volunteers.
We are still enjoying our time in Bend. Last night Mike Shaw and his fiance and another friend spent the night at our house on their trip back east (they've been living and working in Washington state for the past year). It was fun to see faces from familiar settings and to be able to share stories. It has been snowing off and on the past five days or so. The warm streak we were having has quickly faded away. I am very much missing a southern Spring!!! Daffodils have come up here, but I miss the pear trees and newly green grass this time of year (I don't miss the pollen so much though). Fortunately, the cold is not quite as penetrating here (I think because it is so dry...), but my hands and feet are still going numb...and Marshall wears his new coveralls frequently to work...the wind is what seems to get you.
The best thing we've stumbled upon is the Bluegrass community here in Bend. We went to the "jam" that occurs every other Thursday, and it was incredible! About forty or so people of all ages (mostly 50-80's...we were some of the youngest of the crowd) congregate just to pick and have fun. There were banjos, guitars, harmonicas, fiddles, mandolins, and a dobro (I have no idea how to spell that...). It was so fun to listen as they went around the room and everyone got to choose and lead a song. It made me homesick in a very good way. Marshall was unsure if he could keep up at first, but really liked it...and I think given a few more weeks will pick-up more and more. This jam session is created for people of all abilities--there three rule being 1)your intrument must be acoustic 2) it must be tuned and 3) you must be encouraging to everyone. The couple who heads it up (being orginally from TN) even invited us to go out with a group of them who have a tradition of getting dinner and drinks afterwards. It was fun to make new friends, as well as learn new stories and a ton about bluegrass. There is a local festival put on here in August by this group--ya'll should make your way here for it if you're interested :-)

Quick Update

Marhsall is still really enjoying working for Crystal Peaks, and I am looking forward to starting an internship there next week. I am still in search for at least some part time work though. It is hard to come by here in the winter season, so the month of April will hopefully open up new opportunities. Yesterday we celebrated Marshall's birthday by having a few people over for dinner and a requested mixed berry pie. It was a lot of fun. I also got to try cross country skiing for the first time with a girl I had met on Tuesday night. I was initially nervous about going, but it turned out to be really fun--a new sport I definitely want to pursue. It is crazy that snow and opportunity for these new experiences are literally "in our backyard," or in other words, a twenty minute drive towards the mountains. Tonight, there is the Bluegrass shin-dig we are going to check-out that we are both excited about. The other day Marshall was in Home Depot wearing his Bluegrass Grill t-shirt, and a man approached him asking if he liked bluegrass music. By the end of their conversation, he had invited Marsahll to join a group of people who get together every other week to just play music together. It is at the very least a great opportunity to learn (and for me to listen...until I get that Banjo one day...).

The Weekend...

It is our first weekend in Bend, which honestly has felt a little bizzare as the ranch is closed on Fridays, so Thursday is technically like a Friday night for us (though in the future Marshall may work on many Fridays...). So we experienced Friday night on Thursday, and today (Saturday) Marshall found some side work with a friend here working on a flooring job. So, he is earning a bit of extra money, meanwhile I got to go riding (in an arena again) with two girls I've met (one being the wife of the friend Marshall is working with). I had a blast riding a sweet horse named Spice and asking many questions to improve my riding skills...I've already learned a new trick to help improve my cantering skills :-) We've experienced great weather this past week--temperatures getting up into the 50 and 60's during the day (although being in the high dessert it drops into the teens at night!)--it has been a great treat...the girl working at the coffee shop today said it is often still cold and snowing this time of year. It is going to be interesting this first year learning the weather...apparently there can ben 80 degree temperature changes in one day!

Oregon, Quick hike on drive into OR, New Home, and Smith Rocks

Uhaul heads to the Tetons

Bend...

We are now somewhat settled into our new home--it would've never happened so quickly without the help of all who traveled with us. The guys helped carry in all the furniture and set up our extremely heavy bed, and Kathleen is an incredible organizer--she was awesome to work with. We feel very comfortable in our new home, which we are very thankful for. Our room is in a garage apartment, and we are helping to take care of a house and land for a couple who is currently living in CA.
The final days of the moving week were quite eventful, so I tried to include some pictures that captured the moments best. Upon arrival in Bend we lost access to the internet, so as of right now, we have access only as often as we visit the local coffee shop...(I have spent almost 3 hours here today catching-up on things). We were able to ski Thursday, which was an adventure for all as the conditions were rough--many white outs and strong winds, but we made the most of it. The advantage was there was a lot of fresh powder--more than I had ever skiied in...we all fell asleep by 8:30 that night though while attempting to watch a movie (except for Marshall who was able to read somehow:-). Friday we took the day to unpack and visit the ranch, and then Saturday we hiked at Smith Rocks, which gave everyone a good view of the mountains and lay of the land.
The reality of the move is settling in, coming in small doses, which I am thankful for. Marshall started work yesterday, and I was invited to come help ride some of the horses in the arena as part of their training. We both feel like we have a TON to learn, but we are excited about how the Lord will use us in ministry here. For tonight though, we are excited just to be together and rest. Life has been fast paced and wonderful the past couple of weeks, but we are ready to slow down a bit and settle into life in the west as best as we can :-)