Family; Chicago and the Fourth of July!

Fireworks!

I love fireworks...Hope your Fourth of July was fabulous, as you celebrated Independence Day!

This year, Randy planned for our family to spend a few days in Chicago together, so we arrived there on the 4th! And, so to sit in Millennium Park, with our kids and grand kids and watch fireworks being displayed over Lake Michigan was amazing! (and, of course, a little hot!)

The Palmer House was our hotel destination that evening, as always, we were not disappointed!
The next morning, we took an 'architecture tour' on the Chicago River...in a speed boat... Hilarious!

All I can say is: hilarious!!! Randy booked this tour thinking the kids would love 'going fast'...not taking in to consideration how potentially 'wet' we'd get!!! We were on Lake Michigan for approximately 5.7 seconds when the entire population of our vessel got drenched! I was on an aisle seat, smugly thinking I might get a little 'over spray'...and Whooosh....the water just rushed over the edge of the boat, the entire upper half of my body looked like I'd just gotten out of the shower!...hilarious!!

All I could do was scream and laugh...the kids in front of me were as wet as me, and laughing just as much...Randy looked hilarious with water just dripping off his glasses!! The girls were sitting on the outside...so they were completely soaked, as well!

While I was laughing and considering how ridiculous we all looked, I heard screaming...

Can you say: Terrified?

Ally, poor little thing, was terrified...they were directly behind us, and when the water & laughing & screaming began, she was so scared, all she could do was scream and cry:(

Alayna got her some what calmed down...but we continued to 'get wet' until we entered the locks that connect Lake Michigan & the Chicago River! From that point on, we learned a lot and were in the sun, so we dried out! And, little Ally fell asleep, which was a good thing:)

We enjoyed Navy Pier the rest of the afternoon, rode the giant ferris wheel and Alayna & Wes took Will & Ally to the Children's Museum, which they loved! In the evening, we took a short walk to Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) and took the SkyDeck tour. We ended this day at the 'Bean' and the 'fountains with the random faces', again at Millennium Park...the kids had so much fun playing in the water!

On Tuesday, we enjoyed the Lincoln Park Zoo--the flowers, the trees, and water elements there, with the city sky line as a back drop are, for me, breath taking!

On this day, we changed hotels (don't ask--it's a Randy thing) on purpose, moving to The Drake. After a quick check in and a dinner reservation secured, we walked the short block and a half to the Cheesecake Factory for a light lunch and cheesecake. We ended this day at the huge Borders book store just across the street from Water Tower Place. I love getting lost in there! And, I wasn't disappointed! I found a fabulous book! (I'll share more about that later!)

Today, we slept in a little and had a late breakfast in our hotel. SO much fun! Two times per year, the Drake has an emergency evacuation for their employees. Two times per year. As we were being seated for breakfast, it was ONE of those two times...and so, emergency speakers and alarms were going off for 10 straight minutes. Employees had to evacuate the building, so we got to sit under the alarm while we 'waited for their return'...I'm telling you hilarious!
The view from that dining room was fun, it over looks the walk way and beach area of Lake Michigan.

One of my favorite buildings to look at and ponder is the water tower. I think it is gorgeous....I think I love it so much because it was one of the few buildings that survived the famous Chicago fire. Longevity!


Which makes me remember something my brilliant grandson asked me this morningwhile we waited for our breakfast to arrive. Will says, "G-mar, I was looking at your wedding pictures and you and Grandpa don't have the same faces, where did those faces go?" Longevity! I tried to explain that his face looks 'different' from when he was a baby...I don't think he was impressed!!! I also tried to explain that I was old...still unimpressed...then his eggs came, and it didn't really matter any more! Hilarious! Just hilarious!

Fun times. Great memories! And, of course, Randy's already planning the next place to go!

I Praise God for One Way Streets

On my recent vacation, or road trip adventure with my sister, there were many experiences, sights and sounds that not only took my breath away, but helped me to see this world in a little different light and perspective.

I usually try to 'find the lesson' during unplanned experiences. This adventure was no different, in that respect.

First of all, you must know, LaDonna is a fabulous navigator...she got us where we needed to be, with the help of 'Gert', our trusty GPS, and her atlas! (As much of a techno-geek as she is, LaDonna didn't 'just trust' Gert's micro-brain, so we had to stop and purchase an atlas--of course, at this stop we also purchased a dictionary, for her to use while she quizzed my on GRE vocabulary words...that's how much of nerd I AM!)

But, that isn't what THIS is about!

I don't really have LaDonna's permission to share the entire story here, but let me just say that I think she'll understand, after she reads this entry and why I felt compelled to 'share'!

I recently met a woman that was on the wrong path. By wrong path, I simply mean that she may have never been taught anything about the living God of Heaven and Earth, or if she has been taught truth from holy scripture, she's chosen not to believe it, or live it. I know this because she is pursuing and listening to whom the Bible would call false prophets. People who would take a portion of the truth of scripture and corrupt with their own ideas and purposes. This encounter broke my heart on many different levels. Intelligent people and not so intelligent people are pursuing truth, and trying to make sense of life. The Father of Lies is right there, enticing and telling them things that 'tickle their ears'. Beware.

That's the way of life, isn't it? choices...

My 'new friend' has a choice to believe what she's being taught as truth, or to drop it, and pursue God. Unfortunately, the enemy is sly, and he preys on those that are seeking but are not seeking in holy realms. The 'filter' my friend is using is not scripture, which makes distinguishing between truth and untruth impossible.

Life choices...Sometimes we choose to follow and live by God's precepts, we fall down, we get back up, repentance & healing happen, we're restored.

And, others choose to reject holy scripture completely...all the choices we make culminate with whether or not we are 'lost' in the end.

One evening, while on a walking explore, LaDonna and I found ourselves 'far from our destination'. We thought we were prepared enough: comfy shoes, we'd lighten our bags and had our bottles of water in hand.

We'd taken a map of the area...we'd listened to wise counsel (a local person gave us instructions)...yet our first turn should have been RIGHT, and it was LEFT.
Here's the thing:

• this happened EVEN with a map in our hands, it wasn't a great map, but it was a map.
• this happened after we'd received verbal instructions from someone we could trust, a 'local' who knew the area well. After careful consideration, and recollection of the conversation, she could have actually been telling us exactly what we needed to 'do and when to turn and which way to turn' but her verbal instructions were not 'in order'...they were random ...'you could turn here, you could go here, OR you could turn this way, and go there...OR you could make this turn, turn again and find yourself over HERE'...confusing, at best.

And so, my lesson from this experience: Even with the word of God in my hand, as my road map, looking at it on my own, with the enemy lurking, I can 'figure it out on my own', and make a mistake...unless I seek Holy Spirit counsel (we serve a Mighty, Wise, Good God that is ready and available to help us see truth IN His word, no matter how 'lost' we might be on our own!)

Also, we can be confusing in the way we talk to people about God's word. We sometimes can give them too much information (like our local guide) and do more harm than good, for the kingdom!--If LaDonna & I had stayed on our 'path', we'd have eventually wound up in some random person's living room begging for dinner...for the gorgeous things we had set out to see and experience were completely in the opposite direction of the one we were headed.

That's the way it is with the life God has chosen & planned for each of us...sometimes the beauty He has in store for us requires us to completely TURN AROUND from the things we are pursuing, and SEEK HIM instead!

He is faithful...He LOVES you...If you are seeking Him, He may let you wander for a little bit, but if you're truly seeking HIM, He knows it and He will draw you back to Himself, a place of beauty and peace and rest!

There was a man of 'truth' on the path my sister & I were on! I knew immediately we could trust him as someone that would possess the truth we needed, and he would give us sound advice, because: he drove a white van with red & blue stripes on it, carried a cloth bag, talked constantly on his cell phone, and was very busy doing his job...but he took the time to talk with us, direct us and encourage us!

And so, with great arm gestures, this man of truth (we now refer to as our version of Brad Pitt) said to us, "Turn around, go back the way you came, See?--It's ONE WAY, the cars are going DOWN town... go that WAY!!!!!"

You gotta love that, I know I'll think of it and laugh for years to come!

Because here's the hilarious thing: Our choice at the beginning of our walk was SO wrong, it should have been obvious to us: we were walking the 'wrong' way down a ONE WAY street!!!--This bit of information should have been a clue when we turned left instead of right...but we were too busy pursuing our confusing instructions!

On vacations, we take incorrect turns, follow incorrect instructions, and listen to Gert (or what ever you've affectionately named your own GPS), but the fun part can be finding the lesson. You can usually recover from wrong turns in traffic, part of our adventure was the fun in watching Gert's head spin around...and the 'pink line' where the car should be, turn in to a round coil! Hilarious. Just Hilarious.

That's a great thing about our God, as well. He's there, waiting for us to hear the call of His voice on our lives. He's there, with truth! Remember this, though, there's only One Way to God...and that is through Jesus Christ!

I don't know about you, but LaDonna & I are so thankful for One Way streets! God, in His infinite wisdom knew our greatest need was a Saviour!...and, that's what He gave us out of His love for us.

Take a listen:

"It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone the builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:10b-12NIV

Home...Oh, But it is GOOD to be Home, Again!

My own bed, my 'stuff' put away (not in a suitcase) and Internet access!
Just a few of the things I appreciate about being back home from my road trip with my sister!
Oh yeah, and it's been really good to see Randy...my awesome husband, and father of our children...and the kids...all of them, including grand kids! They are all so much fun! All talking at once, all telling me about their week 'at once'! Holly, Madison & Mallory were at church camp all week. Mallory had done a pretty good job at a softball game that she came over to play in because the team was going to be 'short' a member. And, a tree actually fell on a house in front of our hospital...and it looks to me like the house is a loss...but I'm not an adjuster. Will & Ally are getting their first puppy next month, and Will had gone to 'visit & name it' yesterday afternoon. These were BIG news items last night & today! It was fun to hear all their stories from the week!
But, I wanted to write about finishing up my trip:

• LaDonna & I had such a good time together! She's a great trip navigator & planner. She always has a plan, and she's easy going enough that if the 'plan' changes, she's OK with that, too! So, to say we had an 'easy trip' is a huge understatement! I drove most of the miles, but we spread it over all 9 days, so that was a good thing!
• We both really enjoyed Graceland, much to our surprise! Well done, and well thought out displays. I could go on and on, but as I said earlier, there are web-sites devoted to Elvis & Graceland!
• And, we, of course enjoyed our visit with family in Odessa. Grandma not only looked great, but she seems busy in her life, making friends, encouraging those around her and still laughing a lot! Our aunt & uncle were awesome hosts, making sure we were comfortable, feeding us, laughing with us, telling us great stories, and encouraging us on the next portion of our journey! I'll write more about that visit in another blog, as I'm still contemplating much of this journey in my brain!
• We both really enjoyed the drive between Odessa, TX & Sante Fe, NM. There was actually a stretch of road, (90 miles or so) that we only met 10-12 cars. nothing else was around. I mean nothing. just land, and in the distance striated hills that turned quickly in to mountains! Speed limit through much of that portion of the journey was 75-80mph. I love driving my car...and I love driving it fast...so this was a perfect day for me! During this portion of the trip, we stopped in Roswell, NM, just for fun! Remember? The claim to fame for this town is that a UFO landed there in 1947. The girl at the gift store told us that a person 'through' there recently, told her that he was one of the ones the space ship left. She congratulated him, and went on...she shared with us that 'she meets all kinds of people' in her job...let me just say this: I'll bet she does!
• Sante Fe was everything we'd hoped for--and more! The people were so friendly, and helpful. We kept our visit, because it was 'short', to the historical/downtown attractions. We stayed in the 'Pueblo Bonito Bed & Breakfast', down town: highly recommended! The inn keepers were there to make sure our questions were answered, that our room was satisfactory and that our visit was great!
• Among the attractions we enjoyed the most were the Loretto Chapel, and the Bell Tower at the LaFonda Hotel.
• The chapel, was breath taking. This chapel is famous because of the story of it's winding staircase. Two complete 360 degree turns in it, and it was built only using the wood, a little water for the curves, and three tools...almost 400 years ago! This was a school for women, so a staircase was necessary for them to have access to the choir loft. It was only accessible by ladder before, and women didn't climb ladders back then, apparently.
• The tower,because of the view! They don't even open til late afternoon, and it's a fabulous place to watch the sunset. LaDonna loves to take pictures...lots of pictures...and so this was a fabulous opportunity for that!

Today, fittingly, is Father's Day. God blessed my children with the most amazing 'daddy'...now known as 'dad'...but he's so good to all of us...If he weren't, I would not have been able to share the above story. He cherishes each of us, and we feel loved by him...so thankful that God blessed me with him as my husband!

Reminds me of that song, you know the one: "Oh God, You've been SO good to me!"

Day 7...Sante Fe

Sante Fe. Wow. We have had such a good time exploring and experiencing 'the west'! Last night we had a wonderful dinner at an outside bistro, complete with live music! Then we just walked around and window shopped!

So far on this adventure, we've learned a few vocabulary words (!), visited with each other, visited with Grandma & our aunt & uncle. Explored 'old family pictures' with the family, and heard all kinds of great 'old' stories from grandma. Lots of memories, lots of laughter and a few tears.

With mixed emotions I pulled away from Odessa yesterday. Excited to explore New Mexico with my sister, and experience the wind in our hair on the open high way while we took in all the dessert scenery; yet, sad, because the reality remains, this could be the last visit with Grandma.

The amazing thing about our relationship has always been the closeness, even across the miles. I can always hear her voice, and see her hands move as she tells a story. I can always picture the way she puts on her makeup and does her hair--even at 87 years old--and nothing is 'out of place', on her person, or in the place where she lives.

We arrived to say our good byes early yesterday, she wasn't completely 'ready' for the day, yet, so we talked while she finished up her makeup & hair. LaDonna even took a few pictures of her doing this! Those are the pictures I will probably cherish the most. Those moments 'before' pictures growing up, and there were many!

We must move, because it's still 'cool' outside...must explore!!!

I'll write more later!

Day 2...Graceland & Texas!

We made it to Texas...we're about 7-1/2 hours from Grandma; we'll finish that leg of the trip in the morning! Today we started with an early tour of Graceland & the museums they offer in their Platinum package! This is a picture of LaDonna & I in front of the outdoor pool at the mansion.

We loved the tour. It was an amazing display of a 'larger-than-life' life.

When I was a little girl, I was a huge Elvis fan. I loved his music and his movies! As I got older, I had an appreciation for his talent, but wouldn't say I was a huge fan. For today, I was a fan, again--and thoroughly enjoyed the moment!

I could go on and on about this, but I feel certain that there are web-sites dedicated to JUST Elvis details...so I won't bore you here with those! I would recommend this experience to anyone going to Memphis (or, as in our case, anywhere NEAR there--hilarious!)!

I'm trying to multi-task on this 'vacation'...hours driving in the car lends itself well to sing alongs, lots of conversation & laughter...but also, LaDonna has been quizzing me on GRE vocabulary words...we even stopped today (very quickly) to purchase a small dictionary so she could tell me the derivative & pronunciation of each word...I know, I know: we are such geeks...but, at this point in time, that's a really good thing.

Seriously, as we drove in to Texas, the temperature rose about 6 degrees! It is really hot where we're headed...so, we'll have the top down in the morning, early, as we travel through Dallas! By the time we hit the dessert in the afternoon: not so much! I'm pretty sure we'll want the a/c on HIGH!!!

We ate dinner with an old friend from high school tonight. That was fun, he'd moved to a town in Texas in the middle 80's ...so it was good to re-connect with him. (this 'reunion' was made possible thanks to facebook!)

Other-ness for today: In the Great Adventure reading this morning, from I Kings: the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon, and 'the 1/2 had not been told' to her concerning his vast wealth. No other king lived like him, neither 'before or since.'

...I can't even imagine that kind of wealth. Especially, considering the display of wealth that I witnessed where I started my day today!

What a display!

What a perspective!

What an era!

Road Trip to TX--Day 1...

Funny. Too funny--for my sister and I to travel by ourselves is just too funny! We've never done this before, so everything is a 'new experience'!!! Of course, we've traveled together, our whole lives...lots of times...this time; however, we've left our families, our husbands and our 'other responsibilities' behind and are focused on the 'day ahead', and our eventual destination: Grandma's place!

Our first stop was to get 'art & craft' supplies so that we could take 'fun' pictures...like someone named Flat Stanley, and a few other, more familiar faces!

Then we drove...listened to Elvis...of course, because we're cool like that...and sang along.

We did an overview of the trip...made plans for along the way...and LaDonna 'quizzed me' on vocabulary words...that was fun--NOT!

We had a great time in the traffic...not a lot of rain...and made it safe & sound!

We did a walk-around the neighborhood...got a recommendation for a good place for dinner. We knew we were in the 'right place' when we walked in and there was a huge poster of the 'Drive-In's, Diners & Dives' guy had been there! Great food, great service and SO much fun. There was a guy singing Elvis tunes in the corner, and one of the patrons actually was dressed like 'The King of Rock & Roll'...and was standing up leading his family in the sing-along...it looked just like a movie set...HILARIOUS!!! It was fun...lots of laughs!

It's kind of hard to be away from everyone...but it will be so good to see Grandma. She's really looking forward to the visit! My husband, bless him, was almost as excited about this trip as I am! He's just really so supportive, and he loves to travel, so the planning of this trip was almost as fun for him as for us!

There are so many things I want to 'do' this week. And so, I must get busy!

This morning, as I read in I Kings 8....the verse there, verse 11 says: And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple. ...it just took my breath away... What a picture, the Lord's glory, filling the temple!!! What a Mighty God we serve, to give us such blessings: Beyond Measure...Filled and Overflowing.

Truly Blessed, that's me! Praise God!

AnnaBelle.

I just spoke with my grandma. She's my hero. If you know me, you probably already know that.

AnnaBelle. Named after both her grandmothers. She has a way of laughing through tears. She also has a way of telling a story through the laughter. I've heard her do this my entire life, so I understand everything she says. To the untrained ear, which is most of my family, they just hear laughter!

(Unfortunately for them, I do the same thing...laugh & talk at the same time...which makes the 'story not so funny'...sorry!)

Grandma & I always have so much fun, whether we're together physically, on the phone, or through our letters (snail mail; I don't think she's ever been around a computer!) She doesn't write much any more....I only write a 'real pen & ink letter' once in a while, to accompany the occasional card to her.

She moved almost 2,000 miles away from me when I was in 8th grade. She & I were close before she left, so the 'move' was especially hard for both of us. She also moved away from her parents, and her siblings (she is the oldest of 6).

But, it had to 'be'. Jobs. Health. The other 1/2 of their family lived 'there', as well, so she & my grandpa could be closer to them. While I understood all these things...I just missed her.

She was very creative. She kept up with my sister & I even over the miles, before cell phones, skype and internet...and did a great job of remaining close to all of us!

I would consider her a master seamstress. She instilled & encouraged a love for fabric in me at a very young age...that carries through to this day! She & I could spend hours looking at pattern books, and 'lines', of garments, and then spend even more hours touching & imagining & planning fabric. Her love for fabric & thread & texture are amazing gifts for her imagination. She taught me a lot before she left, but even through the miles, she continued to teach me what she could. Even now, when I talk to her by phone, she'll give me little 'garment tips'. Now, the only sewing she does, is to occasionally hem a pair of pants for a friend.

The thing I love the most about her is her attitude. She's trusted God through everything she's faced.

Devastating health issues with my grandpa, left them forced to move from our area; but, looking back, the move was a complete blessing for their lives.

She lost both of her parents, and grieved for them 'far' away from home & her siblings. She trusted God.

She grieved the end of my parent's marriage...and eventually the death of my dad, her son. Later on, she & grandpa came to my house, spent an entire month to help us through the loss of our little daughter.

A couple of years later, I watched, as she cared for my grandpa to the end of his life on this earth. His death was so hard, they'd been married for about 68 years, her entire adult life. A little later, when the grief was so overwhelming, she moved to assisted living, leaving everything behind that had been her 'life' for about 30 years.

Never, never did her faith wane. Never, never did she allow the circumstances of this life to make her question God's faithfulness to her and to her family. She always looked for the good, the blessing, and because of her faith, she found it! We would cry together, and then in a few minutes, we'd be laughing at the memories. She would end the conversation with a 'good memory' of the person or time, that we were mourning.

Yes, she's taught me a lot about life, living well, and trusting an almighty, faithful God! I'm thankful to have had her as a part of my life this long...

This probably would have been more appropriate for Mother's Day, or Grandparent's Day...but today seemed to fit for me...she was just on the phone with me. She was excited because they are remodeling the dining room where she lives, and they were going to get to eat lunch in there for the first time today.

My sister and I are driving my car out to see her. We leave in 7 days. She's so excited. There's a lilt in her voice I haven't heard for a while...she told me, "I haven't felt this good in a long time." The truth is, she has something to look forward to: our visit! She's always loved having her 'bunch' around! Each one is so precious to her. Even now, she can't always remember 'all their names'...but she loves them just the same.

I'm afraid I haven't done her 'justice' in writing such a short entry about her. I haven't even talked about her marriage to my grandpa. Or the way she is with her friends. Or the way she can rebuke in love, without being harsh (this one I have not mastered, yet, unfortunately)

I could write a book about the things she's taught me. Once, I wrote down one words of wisdom she's given me over the years. Some are so practical, some are hilarious...but most line up with Proverbs...amazing how that works!