Traveling Light

Here are some of the photos we took on our vacation last month. It was wonderful being able to spend time with Rebecca making memories together. I’m always surprised at how much there is to see in just this one state. I’ve definitely missed the mountains and the forests of northern California since I moved south. Rebecca and I traveled to Yosemite and Sequoia and then across the central valley to the coast. Now I’m not one of those people who feels that norCal and soCal should be separate states, but the difference between them is pretty striking (geographically anyway). If anyone living in (or visiting) California has yet to see Yosemite, you really need to go; it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.

We enjoyed lots of fireworks with our friend Danny.  He took some fab pics of the show with his camera.  It was fun to find a place in our home town to start a 4th of July tradition.  I’m so thankful to the Lord for the gift of growing up in this country.

Today as I was reading through Psalm 72 while enjoying the cool morning from our patio, verses 18-19 really jumped out.  Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things!  And blessed be His glorious name forever!  And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.

While thinking about them, I took a bite from the tip of a big, sweet, juicy strawberry we got at a fruit stand.  It was delicious.

The phrase “wondrous things” brought my mind first to Calvary where my Savior gave His life, that I may have life.  The most amazing thing of all!  But then, I thought about all the seemingly ‘little things” that He does & gives which are wondrous too- juicy strawberries, the sparkling formations in a remote cave we saw last week, cool breezes in the summer… and the list could go on and on.  The Lord God is indeed the only One who does wondrous things.  What a daily example of His grace and love that He created so many sights, smells, sounds, and tastes for us to enjoy, experience, and savor. 

I obviously enjoy sweet strawberries in the summer time and display that fact to others through my smile, words of delight, and the way in which I always go back for more.  Is my Heavenly Father as easily visible through my words, delight, time, and joy-filled demeanor?  Is He displayed as glorious and the most enjoyed One in my life? 

We had such a fabulous vacation!  I’m thankful for the sweet time away with my husband.  What made it most special, was celebrating how the Lord has so richly blessed us over these past two years since we committed our lives to each other. 

Our travels took us to Yosemite, Sequoia, and King’s Canyon National Parks– and then on to Carpinteria to soak up some sun, hand-in-hand.  Justin surprised me with each new destination of our trip, and did an excellent job of it… I didn’t have a clue. 

Being married to my best friend is truly a gift more than I could have ever asked, or even imagined.  The Lord is so gracious!  Lord willing, I look forward to many more years of growing closer to each other and our Savior.   

During the trip, someone asked Justin if we were on our honeymoon and he answered, “well our third one actually” (adding up our honeymoon + 2 anniversaries).  That summed up our time together quite well :)