A couple of days worth of running to September...

This is a panoramic view out of my hotel window as I sit and type this blog.  Yes, that is a great view of downtown Pittsburgh, PA.  Ken and I have always had Pittsburgh on our bucket list of cities to visit because his family lived here from 1962-1964,  It was interesting to try to find his house since Ken did not know the street address.  He had various memories as a 10 year old riding a bicycle around but other than that, not much!  Finding his school didn't help much since he took a bus to school.  The roads and all of the shopping have changed in the last 55 years, but surprisingly once we got in the general area, he was able to drive right up to the house.

I know that I have never seen a picture of this house.  Ken's family moved into this house in December of 1962 and moved to Kentucky in the summer of 1964,  So that brief year and half didn't get many photos!   At least now we made note of the street address so that we can find the house again if we want.  So today was a great day to check an item off of that bucket list and Ken got to share many memories that I had never heard before.  

Yesterday I got to check another item off of that bucket list.  Ken and I visited the Creation Museum. This destination has been something I wanted to visit for many years.  I had a few bits of hesitation when I saw how expensive the admission was.  But Ken insisted that we should go.  Well you know how sometimes expectations don't equal reality?  This was certainly the case for us.  We were looking forward to the gardens that are a part of the Museum grounds.  Unfortunately, most of the foot paths and foot bridges were closed.  I know that it is past the summer "season", but we were not expecting this.  And it seemed very commercial.  My prayer is that people of the many tour groups that we saw during this visit would have a  better understanding of the message of the Bible. There were a couple of little streams and waterfalls on the walkway to the museum and we stopped to snap this photo.  Flowing water - my favorite!

We had a nice day in spite of the let down of the museum.  We spent time just driving around and seeing the beautiful Ohio River.  It was a very restful day - a good thing on a vacation. And we were happy to have a down day before our driving day today!

 In addition to the previously posted pictures of Ken enjoying some of his much anticipated foods (Skyline Chili and Tim Hortons), we also visited...

Yep - that is a Big Boy restaurant.  Both Ken and I  remember eating at Big Boys during our growing up years.  The Big Boy was the original "Big Mac" and we discovered that, sadly, the Big Boy was not that good.  Again, a bit of a disappointment.   But it was still one of those experiences that we had talked about for years and finally got there.  

So this part of our vacation has been not quite what we had hoped for in some ways.  Yet in spite of that, we are having a wonderful time.  I love this kind of trip when we don't have very tight timelines.  We are able to sleep later.  Eat more leisurely and stop and see something if it catches our eye.  We know that the weather is always an unknown so we never depend on the forecast.  But we have some outdoor fun planned in the next couple of days so we are praying for good weather!  

I am just loving the view out my window tonight.  Being right on the river, with the backdrop of this beautiful city, just calms my spirit.  There have been so many small boats darting across the water.  Directly in front of our hotel is a water cruise and I have watched the boats go off on tours and then return to the dock.  I think the best part of vacations is having experiences like this.  It is funny how valuable a good view can be. We have a week left of our time away and I am practicing breathing and being in the moment.  I know that before I know it, this time will be done and it will be September and we will back in our usual routine.  

At the creation museum Ken and I went to a 4D movie.  The creation story was shown, day by day.  The photography was amazing.   Driving through the hills today, and now watching the river, I am taken back to those scenes.  How beautiful creation is!  I have a much better appreciation for that beauty after seeing the earth come into being in that movie.  So I am grateful for that visual now and also thankful that we did visit the museum for this reason alone.  When things don't seem to meet our expectations, when the weather doesn't cooperate, and even when the food isn't as good as you remembered, you can always - yes ALWAYS find a sliver of good.  I love how Jesus gives us these little nuggets and helps us to appreciate each day no matter what.  And it doesn't matter if you have to be reminded to find the good, or if the good just shows up. It seems like the very best thing when it comes in spite of the bad.  The joy and peace are wonderful.  

So very thankful tonight.  And also so looking forward to the rest of our time away.  No matter what comes up along the way.  I'm just going to rest and be refreshed by the river flowing by my window tonight.  Praying you all are breathing in and out in joy and peace yourself!

Jesus, thank you so much for the ability to travel and see this wonderful world that you created.  Holy Spirit, keep our eyes focused on the things that bring us joy and give us grace to move through the things that are difficult or disappointing.   Thank you Jesus that you bring us exactly what we need.  Give us all courage to keep walking on.  Amen

Time with "GRACE" .... but she is too young to be a guest blogger!

I just spent the last few days taking care of this little cutie while her mommy and daddy are on a much needed "adults only" getaway with some friends.  This is the first time I have been with her overnight and for a few days but as far as Grace was concerned, this was just like a normal day when Grandma Lyn is there.  The first couple of days was rain, rain and more rain.  The poor girl kept asking to go outside, but there was no way we could go out.  Even Sammy and Kylie (the dogs) had to be kicked outside when necessary!  But yesterday was a glorious return to summer with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures.  So we spent the better part of the day outside, enjoying the time together.

The little water table that Grace is playing in was handed down from Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna!  It is a testament to just how well made some of those "Little Tykes" items are.  In spite of almost constant use in the Johnson household, this table is almost like new.  I remember seeing those kids play inside with it filled with rice and outside during every summer.  Now Grace will be enjoying it!  She is the perfect height for it right now.  Most of her "pouring" happened back into the table.  Needless to say, she was not happy when I told her it was time to go in for lunch!  As soon as her nap was over, she was standing by the door, pointing to her shoes and hat and she made a beeline to the table as soon as her feet hit the ground!

Being with her for several days (after not seeing her last week when I was with the older kids) she just seems so grown up.  She manages a spoon all by herself - even with Kix cereal!  And it melts this grandma's heart when she call out "Ga-ma"!  She is learning to say new words almost daily now.  What a blessing it is to be able to see, hold and hug this precious little one.  

Last week, in my few free days between "grandma time", I managed to finish my scrapbook for Grace.

I have made a book for each of my grandchildren that  includes pictures of their first year.  I try to include events that are important to me and pictures of Ken and I with them.  It is always hard to pare down the (way too many) pictures that I have taken and to just use my favorites.  It was hard to not compare this album to Lucas' album.  Until you experience the loss of a baby or child, I don't think you appreciate the fact that although they are not physically with your family, they are still very much a part of your family.  Lucas is so "present" at Doug and Susie's house.  Grace will grow up seeing and knowing all about Lucas.  His pictures are all around the house.   The fact is, no one in our family will ever "get over" the loss of Lucas.  We will always miss him and think about him.  And remember him.  His album is in the stack along with Lia, Ellie, Zeke, Anna and Grace's album.  

Watching Grace playing at the water table, pouring water from cup to bowl, was mesmerizing.  She never seemed to tire of this water play.  And the flowing water reminded me to my life verse...

(from the Passion Translation)  John 7:37

Jesus stood and shouted out to the crowds - "All of you thirsty ones, come to me!  Come to me and drink! Believe in me, so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!"

And there it is, the source of the grace and hope and joy and life that fill my days.  I honestly don't know how you can go on after a loss, without that source of living water filling you every day.  I am so thankful that Doug and Susie decided on Grace's name.  I can not imagine calling her anything else.   And I pray that she continues to grow into the goodness and generosity, beauty and joy that are a part of the meaning of the name Grace.   She is off to a great start!  

Jesus, thank you for time with  my grandchildren.  Help us all to slow down and take time to reflect and remember just how precious life is.  Thank you for leaving us physical things -- flowing water -- to draw our eyes back to what is really important.  Give us ears to hear the waterfalls.  Eyes to see the flowing water.  Hands to touch the coolness of the water. And hearts to receive all that you are speaking to us.  Amen

Finding the flowing water.....

It doesn't matter where I am, I always look for the water.  And finding flowing water is even better!  I am so drawn to the peace and soothing sound of flowing water.  This is the water I found today!  Ken and I are taking a few days away to a rather unconventional vacation location......Detroit, Michigan.  This shot it from Greenfield Villages at the Henry Ford Museum Complex.  Let me tell you that place is amazing!  It is really a multi day trip to even begin to see it all.  This afternoon we wandered the streets of this village set in the early 1900's.  There were horse drawn wagons,  period costumed people and so many amazing things to see and do.  This is actually the river near the grist mill and across from the saw mill!  It was such a pleasant afternoon, walking along shaded streets and seeing horses coming down the road.

Last weekend was a busy one for us.  I had been telling Ken that I was so wanting to swim and this weekend solved that!  We went to a really BIG water park on Friday with Doug and Susie - in fact they bill it as "The Largest Water Park in Illinois"!

We had such a great time!  Ken and Doug went on the newest water slide and Susie and I were quite happy to sit on a bench and wait to watch them "splash down"!  We made several trips on the lazy river and spent time in the big wave pool.  It was a very hot day with a "heat advisory" but we were pretty comfortable for the 5 hours we spent out in the sun!  Afterwards, we went back to Doug and Susie's for a wonderful dinner.  It was a great day.  

On Sunday we met Gwen and Tim and the kids and Doug and Susie at a different water park that is smaller and more friendly for the young ones.  It was another really fun day, being in the water and doing lots of laughing with the kids.  

We all had fun in the lazy river.  It was a bit crowded so we couldn't just go around and around (which would have made us all happy!), But there was lots of wonderful stuff for the kids, including a big sand area and a splash pad.  This water park was also close to Doug and Susie's so after we had all baked in the sun for several hours, we retreated there for food and family time!  Doug had smoked a whole pork loin so we had another wonderful dinner!

Then on Monday, I actually went swimming.....AGAIN.... with Gwen and the kids at a friends house.  So yes, I have really spent a lot of time around water in the last week!   And to just add to our weekend of fun, Ken and I went to our annual "high school reunion"!  It was actually Ken's 45th reunion and my 44th.  We had a wonderful time catching up with old friends Friday evening and also on Saturday afternoon.  Did I mention that we really needed this vacation away just to recover from our busy weekend?????  

Yes, I really appreciated our afternoon today retreating into a much simpler time.  We watched wool, fresh off of the sheep, being made into yarn.  Then we saw that yarn woven into amazing fabric.  We saw tin being formed into so many objects.  And we watched glass being blown into an amazing vase.  As we stood by that flowing water, watching the water wheel turn, I noticed some men with horses plowing a field nearby.  It felt wrong to be standing there with my phone, checking facebook and looking at my text messages.  You know, sometimes it is good to pause.  Pause and let those waters wash over your spirit. The picture is actually taken from a covered bridge and there was a wonderful cool breeze wafting through as I pondered that water.  On one hand I am so thankful for all the modern things that we all depend on.....you know computers, the internet, blogs.  But I so appreciated the refreshing breath of air that I received today.  Tonight I feel so thankful and so peaceful.  Sometimes all you need is lots of time with family.... lots of water..... lots of laughter and then a chance to just stop and be filled up with sweet breezes and living water.  

We do live in amazing times.  Consider what things were like just over 100 years ago.  Mostly horses for transportation.  Candles for light.   Much less to worry about.  I am just glad that our amazing times include this look back into the past.   I am so thankful for the deep refreshing that comes from that pause.  Just the pause.  This has been a full week of activity.  During that pause I was just remembering all of the hugs and all of the smiles and the laughter.  And I was remembering the water.  Yes, finding the flowing water. 

So many people are so busy and distracted and going crazy over all the political stuff out there right now.  We seem to go from one crisis to another and one story of bad news to the next.  So much fear and so much worry.  My advise today is to look for the flowing water. And when you find it, just pause.  Wait for the breeze to blow over you and consider how much you have to be thankful for.  Remember the hugs and the laughter and take a really deep breath.  Be refreshed and renewed.  Be at peace.

Jesus, thank you for being the Prince of Peace.  What a blessing family time and also time away is for us.  Holy Spirit, thank you for the reminder that we need to be filled with THE living water.  Help us all to find the flowing water and then to stop long enough to be filled.  Thank you for showing me how much I have to be thankful for.  Amen