Even AFTER a vacation, a get-away is nice!

Last weekend, Ken and I spent a short get-away at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  Doug and Susie gifted us this time away in thanks for watching Grace while they took time away.  While totally unnecessary, it was so much appreciated.  Here we are, just a couple of weeks home from a big vacation.  Yet, this time away, close to home was really nice.  We had such a relaxing enjoyable time!

We spent the first day on the beach.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I love the water!  And this beach was wonderful.  The water temperature was just perfect.  The weather was warm and not too hot.  While there were lots of people, it was not over crowded.  We even found a parking place somewhat close to the beach entrance! (No small thing if you knew just how popular this place is.)  After our long beach time, we found a small local diner for a late lunch.  We always try to find local places to eat and this one did not disappoint!  We actually liked it so much that we had breakfast the next day at the same diner.  Ken really wanted to get some sunset pictures, so we checked in to our hotel, rested for bit and then took a driving tour around the lake.  We had to drive by the hotel where we honeymooned.  It was a long, long time ago (44 years!)  

This picture was taken as we were leaving our wedding, headed to our honeymoon!  Things have really changed around that resort and it was fun thinking back and remembering.   We had scoped out a couple of potential spots to get some sunset pictures, so we headed to those spots.  Thankfully, there was a restaurant, across from the lake with outside seating.  So we opted to have dinner there with the plan to walk across the street to take sunset pictures.  We were surprised to actually get seated outside with a marvelous view of the lake.  That picture of Ken above was taken there.  If you look carefully at the picture, you can see the reflection of the sun in the window as it was dropping to the horizon.  We had perfect timing, finished our meal and then strolled across the street to get some amazing pictures.  

After spending about an hour at the sunset, we started back to the hotel.  But not before we stopped for some delicious Wisconsin Ice Cream.  I don't eat a lot of ice cream, but I had a strawberry milk shake that contained more fresh berries than you can imagine.  Ken said he was watching it being made and about half the cup was berries.  It was amazing.  

After breakfast at the diner, we headed to  Yerkes Observatory   Yerkes Observatory says they are the birthplace of "Astro Physics".  If you take a moment to look at the web page, you will be amazed.  I certainly was.  Ken has been there a number of times and we have driven by, but I never realized the significant discoveries made at this place. 

The tour was amazing.  This is the largest telescope of its type IN THE WORLD!!  And the building has the largest elevator in the world (the elevator actually lifts the entire floor around the telescope from the basement to the height needed to view from the telescope.  Sadly, the University of Chicago, who owns and runs this facility has decided to close it in September, due to funding issues.   Right now there is a move to privately fund and keep it open.  Given the long history (it was built in 1893) and the telescope and other items in the museum, I am praying that they find a way to keep it open.  

Yes, Ken and I love to find these museums and unusual places to visit.  But I am just so thankful that we do.  It is really sad to think about the many people who live in the Chicago area, who do not visit the many important sites that are close by.  

We managed to pack quite a bit into a short time away.  I had so much time away from the usual distractions.  I spent a lot of the beach time just people watching.  I had several good conversations with kids who were swimming near me.  Somehow, I am always identified as a safe "grandma" and the kids always talk to me.  We had peaceful car rides, mostly free of traffic and noise.  Our hotel was quiet and calm.  The time we spent watching the sunset was just what I needed.  Watching the boats skim across the water and seeing the small waves tickle the beach.  The time with this telescope, trained at the heavens was just the perfect ending to our trip.  This whole "retirement" season is new to us.  We are making adjustments in so many ways.  Sometimes it seems like we are entering into that "awaiting the sunset" period of our life.  But as I was sitting on the beach, soaking up that view of the sparkling colors on the water, I was reminded that the sunset is actually the BEGINNING of the new day!  There is a new day for Ken and I now.  Free of the responsibilities of 40 hour a week work.  And now there is time to train our eyes on the heavenlies.  Looking up and seeing the plans, and designs that Jesus has for us in the years ahead.  While the purpose of that telescope is to view the stars, all I could think about was He who created the stars!  

Psalm 147:4-5 -  He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.  Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

Sometimes, all it takes is a few hours on a beach, a couple hours waiting for the sun to set and a couple hours touring a really old building, to hear the Lord's gentle reminder that there is more ahead and it is a new day dawning!

Jesus, thank you so much for these wonderful opportunities that you provide.  Thank you for Ken and his willingness to explore new places.  Holy Spirit, help us all to remember that the sunset is the beginning of a new day.  Keep our eyes trained on you Lord and keep our thoughts on your greatness and power.  Amen

 

When a day holds many memories and thoughts on creative ideas...

For some reason I was drawn to this picture today when looking for a photo of my mother-in-law, JoAnne Rowley, to share on this blog.  This photo was taken in 1967 and I decided to use it not only because it is of JoAnne, but also because it is her in the boat that Ken loved on the lake that Ken loved - Lake Malone, KY.  Today is her birthday and she would have been 93. She died in 2009 but  I always remember this date because it is also the anniversary of my engagement (which happened to fall on her 50th birthday).  She was not happy about turning 50 and she was not happy with Ken's decision to marry me.  So in many ways this day represents some very mixed memories.  I am thankful that Ken's mom and dad were around when my children were small and I was able to use them for "emergency" day care when it was absolutely necessary.  Gwen has some pretty sad memories of being with "Close Grandma" when she was sick when Grandma had some "old fashioned" ideas of proper care of a sick child.

I was especially thinking about her creative spirit today.  She was a crafter in all senses of the word.  She knit and did needlepoint.  She sewed.  She was an accomplished painter.  She made baskets.  She did pottery.  She made all kinds of crafts.  One of the first really good memories I have of spending time with her was the year that we made the Santa and Mrs. Clause figurines.  They were made out of foam covered in plaster and then decorated.  It was quite the project that took several days to finish.  I gave my pair to my mom and they were always displayed on her TV at Christmas time.  She just loved them.  JoAnne attempted to teach me all the different needlepoint stitches (which I had never done before).  She had me make a pillow with 12 different stitches so I could practice.  That pillow is still sitting on a shelf in my closet.  It represented so much work for me that I just can't bear to part with it.  Gwen remembers that she had a large weaving loom in their family room and one year she made me a set of placemats that I still use!  As a matter of fact, one of those placemats in currently on my coffee table!  I can't imagine that she thought I would still be using these, but I really love them and appreciate the amount of time it took for her to make them.

I guess I was thinking about all of that creativity because yesterday I heard a prophetic word from a well known teacher about a new spirit of creativity that was being released especially over writers.  As you know, it is impossible to decided to be creative.  You either have that talent or you don't.   You might be able to learn some new skills and even copy what someone else has done, but that spark of true creativity has to come from deep within your spirit.  It takes a certain spark to come up with something that is new and different.  To see something from a totally different perspective and/or to give something a new "twist".  I'm sure we can all think of well known people who have changed the world through a new and creative idea.  We wouldn't have cell phones or computers if someone had not thought of them!  

Thinking about this creativity over writing is interesting.  This could mean a new approach to a familiar subject.  Or it could be a new revelation or a new idea.  Really the possibilities are many.  Many years ago I started writing a document that I thought might become a book.  And I have many notebooks full of ideas that could be shared in some way.  What I need is that spark - that new spirit of creativity to open up the path for these ideas to reach others.  I can only imagine how many other people have notebooks (or computer documents) filled with ideas that have not caught fire and made it to publication.   

Yes, remembering JoAnne and thinking about that creative spark do compliment each other.  It is not an accident that these two ideas came on the same day.  JoAnne did not believe that her creativity came from God.  As a matter of fact she told me that she didn't believe in God.  But I know that Jesus was seeking to reach JoAnne with every painting she painted.  Each of the flowers and landscapes that she painted were a testament to the creator.  And as she captured them on canvas, the Holy Spirit was showing her a glimpse of Jesus.  Even the word "creative" harkens back to THE creator - God.  It is just that creative part of His character that is being expressed through us in any creative thing we do.  

So much to think about and consider in this today.  Remembering who the CREATOR is and honoring Him!  And longing for that new anointing of the creative spirit to spark into new written creations that will bless the world.  

Jesus, thank you for JoAnne and all of Ken's family.  Holy Spirit, continue to show forth the character and nature of God through creation.  Pour out that creative spirit on each of us and fan into flames that spark of creativity.  Unleash new projects and ideas that will change the world and bring many to know Jesus.  Amen

What an awesome Creator God!

 I am always so in awe of the Creator when I spend time in creation.  Yesterday and today were no exceptions.  WOW!  I love being at the beach!  Yesterday's sunset across the Gulf of Mexico was just breathtaking.  The clouds, the waves, the birds...... everything.  Simply amazing.  As I sat there and watched the waves, the pelicans and other wading birds, and the clouds and the sun, I was hearing in my head...."In the beginning...... "  I am so thankful that Yahweh has revealed parts of himself in all of creation around us.  I think of the power and movement of the water.  What a picture of His power.  Each of these birds has been created exactly for their enviornments.  The pelicans that can scoop their food out of the waves.  The wading birds that pluck the sand fleas with their long, scooped beaks.  Then the sun.  The heat and light and the reminder of the SON who brings us into the LIGHT. 

Last night I was thinking about how I might reflect the Creator.   Yahweh, I am thankful that you have given me the ability to hear your voice and speak your words.   Thank you that I can affect my enviornment, just by Your presence within me.  How powerful is that?  To be able to bring a measure of peace to places of stress.  To be able to speak truth into places of doubt or discouragement.  To bring love and kindness when others bring hate and grief.  To receive everything that Yahweh is and has and then to just reflect those gifts. 

Yep, I am grateful to be a reflection of the Creator.  He is awesome and I don't have to do anything myself.  That is a wonderful blessing.   I can relax and just soak up the Creator.  He has such a wonderful plan.  All we have to do is just receive it.  I am going to just keep on receiving all that I can.   And then I plan on letting all of that awesome stuff, just be reflected out.   What a great way to spend a vacation.