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Friday, January 28, 2011

Across America - Again

 {Please note: The new posting schedule referenced in New Wrinkles On the Way does not begin until sometime in February.}




Although the label on this post is Travel with the Youngs, this one should properly say "travel with the young", even though I am not.  That is to say, my husband is not making this trip as he has to keep Holly,our little dog, safe from marauding mailmen and the like.  Work and other responsibilities might also have something to do with it.

The fact is that he has graciously cut me loose this week to return to North Carolina, for the second time in four months.  The week after I arrived home in October, we received the news of a very serious diagnosis, and now a gravely ill family member could use a little company and a lot of support.  And it will be my pleasure to travel with the young, as my daughter and my niece are making the trip with me.

Thus, while the circumstances occasioning this trip are difficult, the actual trip itself should prove to be a lot of fun and fellowship since we all three love a good road trip.

Of course, the time of year isn't ideal for cross-country travel.  As my daughter's husband said, "You know, it is winter across the rest of the country."  (They have to remind one another of this from time to time given that they live in the Los Angeles area.)

Yes, it is a little nerve-making to contemplate a 2,700 mile trip with just us three chickens in the coupe (actually my Buick is a four-door sedan, but it does have a sun roof).  However, we each feel there is a purpose in our making this trip, at this time, and we are excited about it.

I hope to post from N.C.; but we will have to see how it goes.  I already know how it starts, though, and that is with my morning devotions today, as I read Psalm 84:5.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage. (NIV)

A pilgrimage is defined as a "long journey, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance."  I admit that this sounds a bit high-flown to describe a trip by two young women, accompanied by one older one, in order to visit a sick relative. 

We are, as my sister says, "a tiny little family."  When my parents relocated our family from the Midwest to the West Coast in 1959, we left behind literally dozens of cousins, none of whom we now know.  There are only a handful of us who really count as family.

You know what they say about family, you get to choose your friends, but family...well...

I am reminded of a story about a little boy who was asked how he knew that God was wonderful.  He replied, "Because He loves everybody in the whole world.  We only have four in our family and sometimes we don't even like each other very much."

Just so.  But when the big questions are in play, things like life, death, love, and loss; well, we seem to find the grace to like each other enough to pull together.  And I think the Father smiles.  Because after all, He loves the whole world.
                                      & & &
The the King will say to those on his right, 'Come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ...I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:34-36

6 comments:

  1. Hi Marsha,

    I really enjoyed reading your post. Your so honest, and real. The part about the Little boy who was
    " asked how he knew that God was wonderful." gripped my heart, and think about how we were created to love everyone in the same way Christ loves us. Thanks for a wonderful post!
    I pray that you have a blessed trip, and for the ill family member that they will find comfort and joy with knowing how much you care.

    God bless you

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  2. Marsha,
    Travel safely. You and your family will be in my prayers as you travel and minister to one another.

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  3. Michele - I stopped by your blog and was sorry to hear of your father-in-law's illness. I will remember him in prayer.

    Miriam - Tonight we are near Oklahoma City, so we are over 1/2 way there. Thank you - Marsha

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  4. Very good post. I hope you sick folks get better soon. I also love to travel. I've never driven cross country, but I've ways wanted to. Travel safe.
    Rick

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  5. Oh my, that's a long way to drive! I drove once from Wyoming to South Carolina and I've never been brave enough to try it again.

    Well, I take that back. If you aren't having to rush, if you can sort of mosey cross-country (and if the weather is cooperative), it could actually be fun! Hope you have a great trip and saying a prayer for family member in need.

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  6. Life 101 -thanks for the kind wishes. We are near Nashville, TN this evening, so we are making good progress. AND I saw lots of live trees today. :)

    Little Women21 - It IS a long way to drive. But we are having a lot of fun, and I have garnered material for at least another 10 posts. :)

    God bless you both - Marsha

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