FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST ....

Thank God Almighty, I am free at last!

A good friend reminded me of this famous quote today. Quite timely on a day when I was told I was being laid off for an "undertermined" amount of time.

It was not what i was expecting after bouncing back to work after a vacation of a lifetime.

A reality check, yes. The end of the world, absolutely not.

From the moment I saw the letter !taped to my office door!, I felt a sense of peace, relief and excitement. An odd feeling after losing my job. But one that I am grateful for, one that I am relishing.

Thank you, Lord for such peace!

WINE COUNTRY!

After heading south of the city yesterday (to Big Sur and the Monterey Jazz Festival), JJ and I are exploring Sonoma in the north. It will be his second trip to the lush landscape that produces some of the finest wines in the world. He is anxious to get there, and I can't wait to see it (and taste!) for myself.

Beauty in all directions ... impossible to take in the true scope of this area in one short visit.

We will be back ... ah yes, we will be back :)

JAVE = JAVA

In earlier post, I said Jave Beach instead of Java Beach. It is early and I am tired.

One tiny letter. But oh so important.

I wouldn't want you to miss the super cool, quaint, ONE BLOCK FROM THE PACIFIC OCEAN coffee shop about two blocks from Jason's apt. It's where the surfers coffee-up before hitting some pretty nice waves right off Ocean Beach. They say this is surfing season-- the beginning of it!!

Java Beach .... I had a blueberry pastry and a cup of joe from El Salvador yesterday. Hmmmmm, what's on the menu for today?


:)

Thank you, Lord for this day

Thank you, Lord for this day.
I am ready,
Come what may.

Equipped and protected,
because of Your love.
Glorious redemption straight from above.

==========================

Lord, help me to be more Christ-like today. Keep us safe in our travels. Help us to appreciate the beauty that is all around us. Both in things great and small. Lead us in the right direction.

Be with those who are sick and lonely, confused and forelorn, and especially those who are lost -- give them hope and peace. Let them know that they are never forgotten.

Thank you for this opportunity. I know that it comes straight from You. Help me to appreciate the gifts I've been given. Help me see how to pass on such blessings to others.

In your most holy and precious name,
Amen.

===========================


Thank you to the friends, family and even California !strangers! :) who have lent advice, tips, prayers, enthusiasm, etc. etc. toward this trip.

Today, thanks especially to Leslie Evans, dear friend, for suggesting a trek to Big Sur. "That's my favorite!," I believe you said. "You'll love it!" you added.

That's all you had to say.
So we're headed there today!
OFF TO JAVE BEACH FOR A LATTE!

:) California here I come :)
Not quite where I started from.

But, I'm pretty sure where I'm headed.
Hallelujah!

Wow ... I'm officially a blogger!

Cool.

This is my first "test blog." Very soon, I'll be posting how to use this blog -- that is, once I figure it out myself.

BTW, thanks Laura. ("You need a blog!" you said one day recently. You didn't think I heard that, did you?)

:)