dear redding part 2

So we just walked, actually biked, to a coffee shop down the street from Joey's and low and behold there are a few friends who have moved up here to Portland from Redding. As big as this city is, there is still the small town feel that I have come to know and love while being in Redding. Thus as my reflection continues I will recall a list of greatness that only Redding can encumber. 

1. Sue's: Through the years you have been a host of so many memories. Starting with meeting the Pool's there (plus Andrea) after church on Sunday's, watching Zach and Peter through things at each other and give us many a free cup of coffee. Then there were the middle years where I would meet with a couple girls; Allison, Lindsey, and any honorary guests to talk about life and somehow always ended up talking about church politics. And now Sue's is beautifully employed with a blessed group of people who go out of there way in getting to know Peter and I and who I will forever be thankful for these last few months of delicious brew.
2. The Manor: There are many lives that have been tangled together indefinitely through these outdated and glorious apartments. My journey started with the Dunlap's who introduced us to Matt, Josh and Derek who were able to refer Peter and Jordan to Apt# 31 who then referred David, Scott, and Gabe who would swim with my great gem of a friend, Holly. Holly barged in to Peter and Joey's apt and explained to us that she has been watching us from across the way and obviously we were destined to be friends. (and we were!) Then when Peter moved to a bigger and nicer apartment on the river, we were able to live next to Amy who married Jeremy. All this to say, thank you dear manor for the good times and sunsets galore.
3. Refuge: Wow, this community of people has been a far greater model of community then I could have ever imagined. This conglomerate of  people has morphed more then any Transformer. (I would also go so far to say that it would be their superpower) We started in Neighborhood Church, moved to a beautiful house downtown, hosted some AMAZING Halloween parties, served some breakfasts, and most of all loved each other. And of course there have been some challenging moments, we got through them and have since started a church service designed for young adults. Thank you Todd for being with me from the wee age of 13. Thank you David for keeping us motivated at the Well. Thank you Bill for driving my love of theology and the knowledge of Biblical languages. Thank you!
   

Dear Portland, you have a lot to live up to. And dear loyal bloggers and blog lurkers please visit Peter's blog to find out how our trip has gone so far. Dear Redding, there is more love to be had on this rambling of a website that I call a blog.