I just got back from the best road trip ever.

A two-week joy ride that took me from Livermore, California up to Redmond, Washington, where our daughter Abby would begin her new adventure back in our homeland of the Pacific Northwest.

There was no doubt the trip up would be beautiful.  From Lake Shasta on, deep green pines sat nestled in the brilliant oranges, yellows and reds of the deciduous trees surrounding them. Mountains stood tall in all their snowy glory reaching to the billowy clouds overhead.  For the first  time in too long, my windshield wipers got their overdue workout in the scattered showers that fell like liquid blessing from gray skies beckoning me north.

This luscious beauty was expected.

Little did I know that the surrounding beauty would not stop there.

It also came in the form of every soul that I encountered.  Family and friends (though never enough or all of them!) that drew me into their homes and hearts.  Rich conversations.  Tears and laughter.  Lots of laughter!  Sweet, refreshing laughter that came straight from the gut and poured out our smiling, crow-nested eyes.

Two weeks of reminiscing.  Dreaming.  Sharing.  Souls that opened up in new ways, more beautiful than I had remembered.  Each telling stories of sorrow and joy.  Failure and success.  Fears and hope.

Every stop along the way was priceless.  Meaningful.  Enriching.  The perfect balance of giving and receiving in transparent and reciprocal conversation.  Two way listening, every single time.

Lightning struck nine times in two weeks.  Right in the center of my soul.  Electric and powerful.  A bolt of encouragement to my heart.

I could never have anticipated the glory of this spontaneous adventure.

God knew my need  before I did and lavished His answer all over me before I even had the chance to ask.  

And He did that in a uniquely different way every single day, using the uniquely different people of the Northwest who still, and will forever, hold my heart and my history.

As my time came to a close and I began my drive from Washington to California, I wept with gratitude.  Hours of reflecting on what and who the past 14 days had blessed me with.  Amazed by how God could know me and love me so well. The rain on the windshield seemed to mimic my emotions.

My tears dried about five hours in, and a smile began to take their place as I looked forward to my homecoming. My loving husband who shares my past, present and future. All of my beautiful children, near and far that will be coming home for the holidays.  My precious California friends who have jumped into places in my heart reserved just for them.

And Jesus, my precious Jesus, who has so generously graced me with people I could never have dreamed to ask for.  His conduits of love, understanding and encouragement in my life. The physical manifestations of His care for me.

Thank you to all that shared this two-week joy fest with me.  Thanks to all who prayed for my trip and who sent me off with every blessing possible.  And for those that I didn’t get to see?  I WILL be doing this again and would love to have you join me on the trail!

I love you all.  From my core.  You make and fill my life with every beautiful gift God has to offer. 

My greatest hope is that I can do the same in return….

xoxoxo

J