Searching for Mt. Hood

We’re heading home, Lord, after two weeks Out West in California, Oregon, and Washington. I’d only been to California once and never ventured to the Pacific Northwest, but now I’ve been totally enamored with the beauty of Your creation in this part of the world.

We spent six days in Fresno, CA with our mission’s leaders from around the world, gathering for training. The joy of being together in person was palpable as we visited the communities in Fresno where our colleagues work and heard stories of transformed lives. It was a gift to get to see their work up close, dear Lord. In Paul’s and my roles as pastoral caregivers, we shared many conversations and meals together, listening to so many colleagues whom we respect.

Years ago, Lord, You helped us learn how to care for ourselves so that we can care for others. So after an intense six days in Fresno, we headed to San Francisco for two days to take a break and soak up this fascinating city: the Piers, the city’s famous streets, and of course, the larger than life, Golden Gate Bridge. We also ventured to Alcatraz.

Soon it was time to fly to Portland for our second conference where the Global Member Care Team (GMCT) from One Collective met together for 4 days, finally getting to be all together, Lord, with our team of 11 adults who give pastoral care to our colleagues around the world. Both of these gatherings had been postponed twice because of Covid. At last we were face to face with time to worship and pray and discuss ways in which we can improve our pastoral care. Time, too, to absorb the (wet) beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Visiting Scott and Vicki McCracken in Portland, Lord, brought back so many memories of our visits with them in Athens, Greece where they had a vital and vibrant ministry among refugees. Now they continue to serve You faithfully in one of the neediest neighborhoods in Portland.

I spent way too short of time in the enormous readers’ paradise called Powell’s Bookstore before traveling to Manzanita, OR to meet with my longtime friend and literary agent, Chip MacGregor, and his wife, Holly.

And everywhere we went in the PNW, I was searching for those beautiful snow-covered mountain peaks, the ones I’d seen out the window of the plane as we flew from San Francisco to Portland. But with all the rain and wind and fog and clouds, try as I might, I couldn’t find Mt. Hood. Or Mt. St. Helen’s. Or Mt. Rainier.

We’re on the plane now, heading back to the Southeast, but I want to say a simple ‘Merci’, Lord, for all we experienced on the other side of this big and beautiful country.

Sometimes we may be searching for one thing but end up finding beauty and blessing in something else. What are you searching for today?

ELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. Find more about Elizabeth’s novels at www.elizabethmusser.com and on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and her blog, Letters to the Lord.