We're back from Oregon, by the way...

Hi Friends and Family! For some reason blogger won't let me include the text before the pictures, so you may want to scroll down, read and then look at the pics. 

Isaiah was in heaven. We thought this was awfully specific of God!

Daddy and Sonny on a "Magical Hike"

The view coming from the cottage towards the prized "tramp-o-yeen!"

The Wonderful John and Laura

The Cottage or "The Sanctuary" to all who have experienced it.

I've known deep down that it's been way too long since I've posted anything on here, but I'm having a hard time believing that I haven't said anything about our trip to Oregon and now we're 2 weeks from Christmas! Please accept my apologies for the lack of communication and for depriving you of some adorable pictures of Isaiah James. I'll try my best in the next few days to get you (our beloved readers) caught up. 

We had an amazing October in Eugene, OR. Ramin and I knew that going on vacation was going to be good for our family, but we had no idea the blessing that was in store for us.  John and Laura Rice were the generous ones who let us stay in their guest cottage, and we came to experience that their generosity didn't stop there. They opened up for us not only their guest home but their own home and their lives. We were instantly endeared to one another and spent many wonderful times together talking, praying and being encouraged by their journey and their wisdom. They took us to their church (www.southhillschurch.net) that first Sunday we were in town and we were blessed by a community in Eugene that mirrors ours here in Boulder. We were grateful to meet Shannon Kearney, their pastor, and spend some wonderful time with her talking about and praying for both of our communities. We also got some great time with one of Ramin's best friends from college, Josh, and his wife and kids (Julia, Shai and Ezra). 

We not only had rich time with others, but a wonderful time as a family just resting and spending laid back time together. Our favorite things to do were walk the Rice's property, say "moo" to the cows, jump on the trampoline, play in the Rice's basement, watch movies, explore Eugene, hike, read, laugh and eat good food. It may seem elementary but we were graciously shown by God that with true rest comes greater revelation of Him and greater insight into ourselves (something that's easily forgotten in the normal rhythm of life). We walked into the Rice's guest house and were immediately and tangibly enveloped by an atmosphere of peace and comfort. We both cried at the intimacy of God's love and knew that our time would be much more for us than just a time of rest. God was specific with both of us as we spent our days at rest and in His presence and we both emerged more whole. Ramin and I experienced great refreshment and Isaiah James had a pretty great time, too. The morning after our first night there he looked at me from the pack-n-play that he had slept successfully in (miracle!) and said, "Mommy, this house is COOL!" What a gift to the Mama to have a happy Sonny! He continued from that day on to make the "vacation house" his very own. 

We unanimously agreed that going to Oregon would be a Razavi family tradition. We can't wait to go again! Here are some pictures of our adventure.