Encountering Yoda

After a year of tossing and turning, praying and crying, dreaming and learning how to say goodbye – I have found myself living a new phase of my life in Oregon – Cannon Beach to be exact. It is far more beautiful then I had dreamed and it’s God’s beauty that blesses me here. My time at Cannon has been a slow transition, but now three weeks into my time here I am finding my way. Cannon is like many other coastal touristy towns – the places the tourists go and the tourists themselves, and the other side of CB is the life of a town that hosts these tourists. Simple people who sell kites, or own the local bar, or make pizza by the slice, or work in the bakery – simple people who love the ocean and this place and their big dogs that run through the tide at sunset. CB is a simple place and with it comes a refreshing peace despite the tourists it brings in.

It’s been a great blessing getting to know some of the “locals” here. Desiring to get out and play on Friday nights I sought out the local coffee hang out to see if they would be interested in having a musician come once a week. They agreed – and from it I have started to form a handful of new friendships – plus a place to play and stretch myself as an artist on Friday nights. This last Friday I made $25 singing for passer-bys outside the coffee hang – not bad for an hour of my favorite hobby. The pizza shop around the corner hosts a great group of folks who are fun and easy going – tonight I shot the breeze with them as I grabbed a late slice of great pizza. The most moving thing, however, happened tonight as I headed to the beach to watch the sunset.

As I was about to turn the corner for the lookout, pizza slice in hand, I noticed this little old man who seemed crippled – he was carrying cardboard from a building to a van. I passed by him at first and then looked back to see how much more cardboard he had to carry – the pile was bigger then him. I went back to him and asked him if he needed help – it’s then that I realized that he looked like Yoda – and that I had better help him or he might use the force against me – no really – I began to help him with the cardboard. I carried big piles back and forth from the doorway to the van. While we worked he told me that he had really bad arthritis and that his hands hurt him, he told me how he picked up cardboard from most of the main shops in CB and takes them to the recycling center in the mornings. My new friend moved me. I wanted to somehow run into him every night when he was moving cardboard. I didn’t want him to do it on his own, actually I wanted him to be sitting in a nice easy chair, sipping warm tea by a fire with a faithful dog at his side while he enjoyed Jeopardy and the company of a nice older lady. I didn’t want him working at 8pm at night – hauling loads of gross cardboard by himself. It seemed unfair to me – he could have been at least 80.

But then I realized that I only understood one aspect of his story and he mine. And that for one moment our lives intersected, and that my God is his God and the God that loves me and provides for me loves and provides for him to. I wanted justice for what I thought I understood – I needed to seek God’s justice and just be willing to serve and trust. These issues of justice tug at me. It is a conversation I believe we will have a lot here at CBCC this summer. What does it mean to be united in Christ? How do we live out justice in our own lives? What does mercy have to do with me? How do rich Christians – or how should rich Christians live in an age of hunger? What does the gospel mean in light of equality? These are issues that have already surfaced in my time here and I look forward to seeing what God has for us and the lessons He wants to teach us this summer in light of them, including myself.

My new friend was very thankful and I wished him well and told him that if I ever saw him again I would stop and help him. As I walked off he said, “Even though I’m little and slow, I still get the job done.” Such wisdom Yoda – I thought. May the force be with you friend.


For those of you who have been looking for my new address:

PO Box 908
Cannon Beach OR 97110
*My birthday is next Tuesday!!! Feel free to send cards or packages…;)

Eastern Oregon

Beautiful does not acurately describe Eastern Oregon. The scenery changed from desert to prarie to rolling mountains to cliffs with lush forrests. As we turned the final peak mountain corner to descend over 500ft into the valley we were amazed at the landscape - as far as the eye could see was green Oregon, - farms, forest, and beautiful earth. When we finally reached our hotel in Pendleton - 3 hours out of Portland, I took off my shoes and walked through the grass. The smell of the earth and the feel of it on my toes was refreshing. I love this place-I don't know why, but there is something about it that makes me so calm. I belong here, her winds call to me on the prarie. The way the sun fell on the Oregon floor outside our resturaunt window told me that peace is coming my way. I could use a bit of peace these days.

Thank you Mr. Miagi for getting us here and thank you Oregon for your welcome. In the morning on to the city.....