A lovely vacation

The past week Handsome (my nickname for my husband) was home on vacation.

We did something we’ve never done.

We stayed home together.

Past vacations have been a kaleidoscope of different activities, whether together or separate.

Twice my husband and I went to the UK and left the kids with Grandma.

Handsome and Jase have had many camping trips which included either hunting or fishing.

Two different years the kids and I flew to the UK.

Once, the three younger, my mom, and myself flew back East to visit her family.

Handsome and Bell went to Africa to attend a wedding a couple years ago.

But rarely do we all take vacation at the same time and never without a schedule.

God had put it on my husband’s heart to not schedule the time outside of previous commitments.

He and Jase headed south Tuesday, as our son had a quick doctor’s appointment and my husband had a dental appointment.

Handsome did inquire into our son’s desire for the vacation and Jase mentioned the coast.

We took Wednesday to drive over for the day.

The majority of our time was simply spent at home.

Yesterday afternoon, Jase and my husband went fishing at a nearby pond Handsome had recently discovered on a walk.

I had to laugh when I received the picture above.

Obviously the fish weren’t biting if the pole was still enough to become a perch.

But it was an excellent example of our week, and if it were a word it would be:

Restful.

Throughout the week, my husband commented on what a great vacation he was having.

I praise God for the gift!

His direction to my husband was perfect, His guidance was better than anything we would have come up with.

Because He knows what is best for us.

I again was struck by the beautiful things which occur when we trust in the Lord and follow His lead.

His work truly is perfect.

Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV — He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your direction and guidance. Lord, thank You that You give us rest, not just physically, but eternal rest from striving against sin and spiritual death. Your salvation brings us rest. You are just and upright. You hold truth and grant us it in Your Word. Lord, thank You for Your perfect ways. Thank You for Your faithfulness, goodness, and love. Lord, thank You for teaching us daily to trust You and not to lean our own understanding. Lord, in all my ways, I want to acknowledge You. Thank You for teaching me how to do that. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Vacation

Just got back…
from
vacation.

It was only a few days,
but the road was long.

Not in distance or traffic.
In memories.

We went camping near the little town we spent our honeymoon in.

We smiled at each other and pointed out the hotel.

Room with a view of the ocean!
I winked at my spouse.

“Yeah, if you stuck your head out the window and leaned  to one side, then you could see the ocean.”

The kids giggled.

We ate at our favorite restaurant.

Told stories of the different dates we had there.

We were sad to see our favorite Antique Store a Café.

Visited the shop where we bought our first “together” house decoration.

Smiled at the kids reaction to watching us walk memory lane.

It wasn’t until later that it occurred to me how all this came about.

My husband and I had promised to take the kids camping all summer.

We even had a trip planned with my sister and family that had to be canceled.

“Honey, we have to go camping. I think we should see if our friends want to go. I really don’t have time to deal with the details.”

I made a face, shook my head and related the busy schedule I had that week.

So he called our friends and they picked the spot and made the reservation but couldn’t come till Saturday.

So without knowing it our friends were the ones who made it possible for us to relive some memories.

Yesterday we all visited a church in that little town.

We had been invited by a street musician whose voice had caused us to stop and listen. (Really gifted!)

After church we received directions to the beach. (Which turned out to be cold and seriously windy as only Oregon Coast can.)

My husband stopped and handed his phone to our oldest.

“Take a picture of us.”

Then we smiled for the camera.
Kissed.
Walked on.

I explained to our friends that we had a picture of ourselves at this same beach almost 17 years ago.

The drive home was when the bigger picture came into view.

This wasn’t an accident.

God had been there every step of the way-

Not just in our vacation with friends,

but in our lives, our marriage, our home.

“The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want. ” Ps.23:1