The Beach Life

This past week my parents were in town visiting us from Utah. We brought them to the impressive Japanese Gardens and to Andina (a fine dining Peruvian restaurant) in Portland. But I think the highlight of their visit was spending the day on the Oregon coast! It's not a particularly warm beach, often the water is frigid and the weather is windy and gloomy...but that day was beautiful! So warm that Dad couldn't resist diving in several times...although he loves water enough I think he still would have jumped had it been several degrees lower.

   I know it sounds cliché to say that there is something amazing about gazing out across the ocean, but it's true! It is huge, calming, unfathomable and breathtaking! It brings to mind the verse in Ephesians that reads :

"...how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

There is something beautiful in the mystery of not being able to grasp understanding, but to know it is beautiful, real and good.

It was by far my most memorable time at the coast, besides the beautiful scenery we saw several sea lions and even the spout of an orca not to far from the shore! It may not be a tropical beach but our Oregon coast is an experience you won't want to miss!