Here it is a whole year since I last wrote. Again, I sit at deer camp in the middle of the quietness and the beauty of sugar pine trees watching squirrels and chipmunks scurry around. The wafting campfire smoke lingers into the trailer as I write. It amazes me that my iPad works out here in the middle of the wilderness. It is going to be a lovely day. The sky is so very blue. The sun already warm. The wind is gently blowing in the trees. Last night's campfire stories cause me to smile as I sip my cup of hot chocolate and begin to write this morning. I give thanks for today and I lean into the Spirit to hear His heart for this season.
Eccl 3:1 says, "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven..."
A memory that popped up early this morning as I threw some wood on the fire, was of our home in Oregon City where we often lit a bondfire in the back yard near our garden on our 1/2 acre parcel. It was always a favorite day at the Lais'. About 9 years of Levi and Lindsay's early childhood was lived out in this house and yard. The back of the property was lined with a forest of fir trees. It was cozy and whimsey. The yard full of blooming rhododendrons and foxglove in the spring. Nasturtiums and zinnias, sunflowers, beans, dill and cucumbers filled the raised bed garden in summer. We had forests visitors on our deck often; opossums, raccoons, chipmunks, large squirrels and many birds. The sound and the movement of wind in the trees while out gardening was enchanting and watching the shadows of branches dancing on the walls through sunlit windows was glorious. It was living there, I believe, that my appreciation of living in the woods began and my desire to move to Welches and to Mt Hood took seed.
Is it not amazing how experiences in our lives leave it's mark causing desire, sometimes greater than we know, to later reveal itself?
Our lives, my husband and mine, has turned and twisted like a water course to get us to where we are at this moment. This year specifically, has taken an unexpected delightful turn that began apprehensive. But let me just say, as I begin to share, my heart is filled with the deepest gratitude for the Livingwater that moves Darcy & I along life's pathways (thus the name of this blog...) and I feel as though we are in a season we have waited for all of our lives. Darcy would agree. Generally, I don't speak on behalf of my husband. Many of you know him to be the silent type. He is. Therefore, I have always felt guarded to speak on his behalf and to let him speak for himself. Because of his quietness, it is always a pleasure to hear what he has to say. Usually filled with humor and wit, my husband is thoughtful in word and in action. As his wife and closest companion there are times that I believe it is ok to speak for us both. This is such a time.
Last October, just after returning from camp, Darcy & I began a new journey of helping Leonard & Sandy Eurich pioneer a new church in Welches. Let me tell you first that Darcy's retirement was less than a year 1/2 in and our daughter Lindsay had just gotten married the previous month of Septmember. We were exhausted. And we were brand new empty nesters! It seemed surreal to say the least to begin this new work. But, every time I would asked the Lord about it (you know... while in the middle of dress fittings, showers, wedding details...) I would hear the Lord say, "Just say yes and trust me." and I would sense His peace. Then one day, I looked, really looked into Darcy's eyes and asked him, "are you really sure about this?" He stopped what he was doing to say, "yes, it's time to sing...we knew this day would come". He said more and I saw peace in his eyes. So we went forward. So, the pioneering of a new work on the mountain began. There were a number of things that happened to confirm that God was leading. He opened huge doors. We just stepped in to what He had prepared. His blessing and provision were evident to the right and to the left. But, the biggest miracle of all was what God did in each of our hearts. Leonard, Sandy, Darcy & I had talked at length while fishing one day, curious as to how we each had come to live on the mountain after knowing one another for 27 years and having experienced working alongside one another 7 years ago at Sunnyside Foursquare Church and Christian School. What was the Lord up to? The small gathering in their little cabin was growing. But start a church? That was the last thing we desired. How quickly things began that came about, first through the desire of others who didn't go to church much, but felt love from their neighbors in the Village, Pastor Leonard & Sandy. We are one year old this month. Every Sunday you will find us up early, setting up to greet those God brings in for us to love on. Joe and JoAnn Alcorn, who live next door to Sandy & Len are there faithfully. And others. And there is such joy! Even in the rain (yes, equipment set up in the rain...) As soon as the coffee is on and friends begin to arrive and the worship begins...it is the best of places to be!
Before the songs on my cd "Songs in the Night" were recorded, a new song came in October of 1997 that I didn't put on the album. I pulled it out while here at camp as I was pondering the evening when Darcy and I had just put our Oregon City house on the market. We were talking as we took a walk, of trusting God in the move. It was a big decision. We knew if we stayed our home would be payed for in 15 years, but, we both knew in our hearts it was time to move on. We were walking when Darcy was the one who began to hum a new song and I filled in the blanks...
"We will wait upon the Lord He will answer all our prayers.
We will wait upon the Lord, He will answer in His time.
We will wait upon the Lord, He will show His awesome power.
We will wait upon the Lord. We will trust in El Shaddai.
He is Lord of all creation He commands the land and sea.
He is Lord of all creation His awesome power we'll stand and see.
We won't worry we won't fret. Victory is ours to get!
Standing firmly on His words, He will prove He's who we've heard."
Darcy & Karen 1997
And here we are today...we love living in Welches on Mt Hood. And as I look over and see my husband playing on his Bass, worshipping God beside me with a twinkle in his eye, I am so very happy to be here! My h eart rejoices in this wonderful season of singing praise to God on His Mountain! So, after cancer and surgeries, blood clots and early retirement, we seem to be doing what we were created for... for such a time as this.
