twelve
Portland became a rival as my favorite city in the world – rivaling Austin, TX for that top spot – had coffee & Bible Study in one of the many parks downtown, went to the Portland Saturday Market (just beautiful), and then visited Western Seminary after a very fulfilling lunch on fake “South Congress.” Drove to Seattle that evening just in time to scalp some tickets for the Seahawks/Broncos pre-season game.
thirteen
Mars Hill Church…another top spot rival for best church I have ever been to-very spiritual experience where I was reminded that forgiving for any motive other than a response to how you have been forgiven makes it about you and thus counter effective. Drove that afternoon to Idaho, saw an 18 wheeler slam a Saturn on the way (everybody was OK), & ate dinner at a floating restaurant.
fourteen
woke up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho … had our last wonderful round of golf – taken to the golf course by boat (a little much for me, but a great experience none-the-less). Steam roomed it that afternoon with Miles while Ash went to the spa (surprised her for being such a trooper). Finished with a huge dinner at a Japanese restaurant talking over predetermination, before the world, & purpose.
fifteen
left the hotel early enough to forget my golf clubs, breakfast in Montana at “The Huckleberry Cafe,” and driving … lots of driving & talking & wondering & “Marley and Me” & debating & “Homeword Bound” & pb&j sandwiches & laughing & convictions by the Holy Spirit…amen.
sixteen
the Marianna Inn provided a full nights rest, surprisingly. Bryce Canyon was the first on our list…the erosion was mind-boggling. Grand Canyon was next and proved to be even more mind-boggling. After a four-mile hike into the canyon we decided that it should probably be re-named the “Grand Irrationality” in hopes that people would have a more accurate image in their mind when trying to comprehend it without being there.
seventeen
5:51 sunrise over the grand irrationality as Ash, Miles, & I sit on a boulder just inches from 1,500+ foot drop (a smaller cliff) and pray…thanking God for the trip of a lifetime.
There are a ton of things that were not included simply because my brain isn’t powerful enough to recall all of the moments at this time & I don’t have words to explain many of them…however, notes were taken (some lost in the toilet at Bandon Dunes) & over 1,600 pictures taken.
I will post soon.
Thank you for your prayers.
What is your favorite thing about getting home again?