"I'm very sorry. I didn't... I can't imagine how long it must of taken to get over here. I'm so sorry you couldn't find somewhere safer or closer to where you use to live. The trip must have been so hard for you, even if that's the path God intended." She meant this kindly as she looked up from pawing through items. The smile and her expression is sweet and compassionate.
Oh, she had a good idea many died from East to Oregon. It seemed to be imprinted on the Oregon psyche of the struggles people went through to find freedom and safety. "January is usually the snowiest time, but I wouldn't mind a soft blanket of the stuff for Christmas. It hides and nourishes at the same time."
Ava took that moment to dig through the basket again, finding the intrusion half rude from the other man. But then again, complimenting took a briefer amount of time than welcoming the new priest. What she did not catch was the look of contempt from the other Chet, that someone who obviously wasn't a Chet was speaking to their priest. She wasn't even aware of the troubles that might be going through Priest's mind.
"Oh, of course, I should be here at the least." Ah ha, she found it. She pulled out a red jar of strawberry preserves. "Not quite from me, but my family to welcome you."