Troutdale Trip

Laura and I at McMenamims "Edgefield" in Troutdale, OR.

In our little room at McMenamims

Laura enjoys some "Facebook" time in one of the many lounges at McMenamims

In front of the lodge at "Edgefield" McMenamims




Laura and her high school friend Jana Reynolds

Laura and I had the privilege of spending 4 1/2 days together up in the Greater Portland area starting on the 31st of December. We spent two nights at a McMenamim's lodge in Troutdale known as "Edgefield." If you ever want to "get away" for a weekend, Laura and I highly recommend this beautiful getaway in Troutdale, Oregon, just East of Portland. A restaurant movie theatre, mineral salt-springs pool, wine-tasting rooms, glass blowing, ceramics, 5 restaurants on-site with nightly live music, a full spa, and billiards hall; all in the setting of the great Oregon outdoors.

On the 31st of December, Laura and I got to watch Blake Reynolds play basketball for the Utah Valley University, against the University of Portland. Blake is the daughter of Jana Reynolds, a good high school (Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Idaho) friend of Laura's who now lives in Boise with her husband JR, and son Dillon. It was great to watch Blake play some D-1 hoops, and then go out to dinner with the Reynolds family after the game. We had a wonderful time. Laura did a lot of "catching up" with Jana, who she hadn't seen in a number of years.

On Sunday, we got up and drove to Tualatin to visit Rolling Hills Community Church (a church I attended in the eary '90s). Although much bigger now, and in a new building, it had the same, Biblically-based teaching it had years ago. I was thankful to have the chance to visit, and felt the Lord moving and speaking to me during the service. He has remained faithful after all these years.

The biggest blessing of the weekend, though, was the chance to grow closer and spend quality time with my beautiful wife of 11 years. She has been a living example of love and forgivness to me these past 11 years. I truly am fortunate to have her in my life, and thank God I have the privilege of calling her my "wife." My prayer for 2009 is to grow even closer to Christ with Laura by my side. It's hard to fathom at times, but marriage is a sacred institution between a man and woman that is a reflection of our relationship to God. God being the Groom, and the church (us) being the bride. His love for us is unconditional! May we not forget this beautiful picture as we venture out into a new year.