Getaway Pictures

Winter break seems long past already, and I sit here tonight feeling grateful that the first two weeks back at our regular routines are behind us. They were a super-charged two weeks with much to attend to; it's a relief to be sitting on this side of the pressures. 

Jon, however, keeps moving forward full throttle. Maybe if rest cannot be afforded, it's not truly needed? No, not true. He tried to lay down this afternoon for a short moment before hitting the road once more, only to take a phone call instead. I don't know how he keeps up the pace. As for me, I'll have the bed to myself and I think I just might sleep-in tomorrow morning because it's a holiday Monday. And as I always do, I'll remember to pray for my husband, asking God to grant wisdom to lead and strength to persevere. Sometimes rest comes in different ways than by sleep. Refreshment can come through relationships and conversations, and on Jon's behalf I am grateful for these provisions even today.

We took a few nights away as a family last month, and I'm posting a few pictures before more weeks of time fly by. We spent our first night in Hollywood. We explored that area at night, then ventured up to Griffith Observatory. The next day we walked through down town before heading over to Malibu. Then we travelled up the coast to our old get-away, Santa Barbara, where we stayed for a couple days and rang in the new year. (Santa Barbara pics will have to be posted another time.)

Not all my kids have clear memories of The Walk of Fame, or the theaters, Hollywood streets, and sights in general, so it was fun to show everyone around once again.

Jon took us to some of his old vendors and contacts. He knows this city pretty well and loves it so much. Some of my kids have a natural comfort in the city, while others, like me, have an appreciation that lasts for a limited time.

We made a late lunch stop in Malibu at the fish place we used to take our family to when they were babies and toddlers. Sometimes we'd get clam chowder and take it to the beach. It was like playing a real-live game of Frogger to get across the PCH, so that part of the memory I don't miss.

It's a terrible picture we took with the camera set on the table, but it's my only group shot from our entire trip. Then the camera kept shooting, and some preferred expressions appeared.

Driving up the coast as the sun set was a lovely way to wrap up the day in L.A. The two of us who take pictures insisted we pull over.

Fire. There's always fire when the opportunity presents.

A few closing thoughts as this day wraps up:

1.  People are weird and they do weird things. That's surely something we can all agree on, yes? I witnessed some truly weird stuff again today, and remembered that people can be pretty blind to their weirdness. The most astonishing kind of weird is when people think their behavior is acceptable.

2.  Being weird is not the same as being original, creative, and different from the masses.

3.  I had a refreshing conversation with a dear friend tonight. To speak candidly and openly about the things of the heart with a trusted friend is a gift, but when those conversations are saturated with encouragement from God's Word, it is life-giving. We talked about Christ and his promises to us, we talked about the goodness of God, and about the results of trials. We shared our contentment in knowing Christ still more as a result of suffering. We noted that although God promises to work all things for the good of those who love him, we are not ensured that our trial will give us some sort of award or happy ending or increased virtue or testimony we can share in this life. He promises good, yes, but we don't set our eyes on looking for that good as though it is the prize. In fact, we may not ever know what that good is on this side of eternity. We can be 100% assured that his promises are true, but we are not always privy to the whole story he has fashioned, nor are we to set our hope on finding some sort of reward as though we are waiting for due payment. No, that is not where our hope resides. We set our hope and our gaze on him alone. The suffering and the trials drive us to him. Perhaps this is the good. Perhaps his promise is fulfilled in our knowing the Lord still more, and in a deepening relationship and love for him. Shouldn't that be more than enough?


~Katherine