A run at Farewell Bend Park

It’s been so long since last time…

anticipation growing the closer and closer I get.

Not sure whether the coffee and yogurt will be kind or cruel.

Sunny, cool

Frost on the ground.

Run, run, the freedom in movement, wind, and cold.

Feeling the altitude, trying to find the right rhythm

of breathing… breathing… gasping… okay, breathing and pacing.

The river on my left, birds singing.

Chickadee, jay, flicker, robin

Junco?

Nuthatch?

Which one is it? They’re always on the go…

The geese and ducks stay put… the permanent residents here.

They own this water.

Breathing… breathing hard… legs never quit.

Walk the bridge, pay tribute to the water, no reason not to slow.

Back on the trail… oh, wait… what bird is that?

Stop

Woman coming… don’t let her think you are tired…

or watching birds… even worse

Moving on and done before I know it.

Hands cold, back dripping, legs warm

Dizzy… the rush of cold, warm, adrenaline

God, doIreallyliveherethisisbeautifulsunmountainsriversthankyouthanky

outhankyouInevercouldhaveaskedforanythingmoreGod… speachless

About Nate

Currently, Nate is living in Bend, OR, working as the co-founder for VillageWorks (celebrating abundance | creative connectivity) and the singular Bend|OR advocate of BridgeWorks (an educational 501[c]3). He is connecting and holding space for an emerging community of people, young and old, who are seeking to grow into more sustainable and mature relationships… with self, community and God. The vision on his heart is one of giving people experience of village culture and practice. Nate can be found connecting people through at The Hub, VillageWorks’ Central Oregon community connection center (www.rockthevillage.com) and making oven pancakes for the biggest regular “village” breakfast in Bend every Saturday morning at 9:30. Nate went to Bethel College in St Paul, MN (’03), got his BA in Youth Ministry, completed his Masters in Divinity at Bethel Seminary (’06) with an emphasis in Spiritual Formation, and is currently pursuing a certificate in Spiritual Formation at George Fox Seminary in Portland. His hope is to continue to pursue community spiritual formation within the framework of the neighborhood conversation and cross-cultural dialog. Nate has been connecting people into more authentic community in Bend | OR since June ’07. Since day one of his arrival, Nate has been gifted with the chance to listen and learn about the culture and people of Central Oregon. Because of his passion for conversation and community, he has fallen in love with the people of this wonderful city and is committed to the growth of more intentional and transformational community. Nate’s particular areas of interest are: * conversational transformation * spiritual formation * relational mentoring and counseling * small group strengthening * men’s work (spiritual, emotional, and relational) * “Village Knowledge” of homecraft, live food, etc * Intergenerational community * New visions of the gifts we offer to the community * teaching for the 21st century, and more. At this time Nate has not written any books, but hopes to some day have enough material to put into some type of publication. At this point, he is dedicated to building relationships in Bend, Central Oregon, and across the United States to connect people to what is happening in an emerging and evolving paradigm and with those who are seeking to follow God and live more authentically in the transforming presence of the divine.
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