Making Historical Memories

 Spring break ended and I feel like I need a vacation! For 8 days, Meran and I visited the East Coast (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia & DC) on a whirlwind tour of American History, arranged by her school. Jason kindly held down our fort on the West Coast, dad-style (see Picts below:).

Meran and I love to travel together and we have been blessed to be able to make several memories in this way. A few of our favorites were being on an Amish-Mennonite Farm, seeing Gettysburg, and visiting Montecello, home of Thomas Jefferson and Mount Vernon, home of George Washington. After walking where these 2 men walked and spent many of their days, I was struck with the thought of how much they impacted our world and American History. Back in their days of letter writing (with a quil!) and word of mouth carried by foot or horseback, I am guessing they had no idea how much of an impact they were truly leaving on America. It'd be fun to see their reaction today if they were here...and perhaps there would be some shaking of heads too.

Today I was reading the online devo, Daily Hope, by Rick Warren, titled,"God uses your work to develop your character" , Luke 16:10-12. He talks about how the work we do here is preparing our character...refining us for what God has for us in eternity. It really puts things in perspective when you look at eternity being our "true" life and this earthly time as our practice run, or dress rehearsal. I love his quote,"God is far more concerned about who you are than what you do. He is much more interested in your character than he is in your career." In a day and age when "what you do" is so emphasized, it's truly ones character that sets you apart. Thinking of my experiences as one of the ways God is refining my character for His purposes, I will embrace them because I want to be ready for eternity.

On the home front that week...

Surprising Surprise

I haven't been able to blog because I've literally been bouncing from one fun event to the other! 2 weekends ago Jason took me away on a secret weekend get away. While I do not like surprises, I also do not like ruining surprises. So, I agonized over packing on the clues that Jason gave me. Thankful, the Lord gifted me with a daughter that is very in tune to my likes and dislikes, and knowing how I would NOT like showing up to the weekend with the wrong wardrobe (yes, I'm vain like that), suggested I leave my sneakers and jacket behind. I threw in another dress, my inlaws came to keep our ship running and we were off!

We showed up to Michelle & Andy's home for what he said was "brunch". Now, I was excited to be spending time with 2 of our favorites, but couldn't believe that Jason would ask Michelle to do this, considering the week this girl had (think stolen purse-canceling credit cards-and inconveniences of that sort).

We opened the door and their luggage stood there. "Surprise!" She yelled.

I processed... Luggage, friends, weekend away.

They were coming with us!!

The weekend only got better...sun, Palm trees, pool time, dinners out and more favorites! Sarah & Tim flew out from Idaho. Our college roomie reunion (plus hubbies) would have been complete if it had not been for our blonde-bestie in the midst of a relocation. (We missed you Can!)

We used the excuse of my recent 40th birthday, but our time together was rich and refreshing. I love that God introduced & melted our hearts together back in 1993 at PLNU. Relationships are by far my favorite gifts I took from college. And it's definitely a benefit of being 40... To have 20+ years of life with these favorites. Thank you for loving me!

    Fun fact: it was fashion week in the desert so we walked the red carpet;)