Destination ~ San Juan Capistrano

 

It seems like an eternity since I’ve visited my blog…and many of you. And as time has flown by in my little world so much has happened that I don’t even know where to begin. So maybe I’ll work my way backward and begin there.

A few months ago my SIL moved into our weence cottage and we’ve been having tons of fun since then. Not that we didn’t have fun before, because there is always fun to be had. She’s just added a different kind of fun. Does this sound strange to you? It isn’t really as she’s got a great sense of humor and can find the “funny” in most every situation. Some evenings the three of us sit around singing songs while she and hubby play their guitars.  Me? I don’t play any musical instruments even though I took piano lessons  several times throughout my childhood. But each time my instructors said I was much too fidgety a child and lacked the attention span. One of my instructors even tried bribing me with chocolate bars, but after a while not even chocolate could tempt me to sit still long enough to practice.  So, there you have it! I play no musical instruments, however, I’m thinking about taking up the harp…oh how I love the harp and the gentle music that flows from its strings!!!

And then there are the “other nights” where we sit around and play Farmville for hours and have long conversations about this, that, and nothing at all. Endless jabber is what I call it, but oh what fun to see where it leads and trust me, it always leads somewhere.

Last weekend hubby and I met my dad along with his SO in the quaint little town of San Juan Capistrano for lunch at Ruby’s Diner and then a stroll about the gardens of the Mission.

 

Have you ever been to the mission? It’s such a serene place to spend the afternoon and the perfect place for me to visit after attending my friend’s memorial service. I hate memorial services! Especially when you walk into a room where you don’t know a single soul or only 1 to 2 of them. These are what make up some of the most uncomfortable moments in life.

 

But the gardens filled with trickling fountains of goldfish and water lilies took my mind off the mornings memorial. Missions always have a quieting effect on my soul.

There was this tiny enclosed courtyard that led through the doors of the old stone church or what’s left of its remains.

If you look to the left and see the bells, the enclosed courtyard is on the other side.  Oh Dear! Look! There’s a person on my blog! Aw…it’s just my dad! isn’t he cute? He didn’t know I was taking pictures of him. Don’t tell, but one Christmas a little boy saw him in Target and thought he was Santa Claus…I can’t imagine why, can you?

And just in case you’re wondering…”no,” those are Not his toes…they’re mine ;-). Although I’m sure they bear some resemblance to his, minus the polish, of course. Oh, what was that, “you’ve never seen me wearing jeans before?” Yeah, I know, I’m kinda on a jeans kick, but with the warmer weather approaching I’ll be going back to my linen skirts and ruffled petticoats.

I’m deviating aren’t I? To tell you the truth, I’m not sure where I was going with all this. Oh yes, my life over the past several months. Let’s see…SIL moved in…went on vacation to Arizona…visited some amazing and not so amazing places. Some of those amazing places I need to post pictures from.

It appears I have seasons in my life with different rhythms and different desires and somehow my rhythms have all become catawampus (I like that word). And it appears that I have lost my blogging rhythm all together, but will try most earnestly to get it back…like my roses that have gone wild.

I know I’m making no sense what-so-ever, but thanks for listening anyway.

A fair weathered friend

Last weekend my friend passed from this life into eternity.
She had been sick far longer then the seven years we had been friends.
Her life had been woven with sorrowful tales and heartache mingled with many "I can't-s" strung along the path.
I became her personal cheerleader...the one running along side her...encouraging her at every turn...always telling her, "you can.! I know you can!" At some point, I don't know when, I decided to carry her burdens for her instead of allowing Jesus to do it...that is after all why He died. To save us from ourselves and an eternity of separation from Him and the Father. But I thought I could handle this one...help Him out a little...was I ever wrong!

Under the weight of her burdens I stumbled and fell and like a defiant child I simply said, "I can't!" "I can't do this any longer...I can't carry your heartaches or fears...I can't." While I sat there, on the side lines, licking my wounds, I watched as others came along side her, gathered her heartaches, helped her to walk, and brought it all to Jesus for they knew they couldn't carry them for her. They prayed with her and cared for her and in the end helped her cross the finish line...while I sat there on the side lines...her fair weathered friend.

My children, there is no good thing that I would withhold from you. I have not left you to fend for yourselves nor to make your way by your own devices. I am the Lord your God. I am your provider and your defender. I care for you with a deep and tender love. I am all-wise and all-powerful, and will be your defense against every onslaught of the enemy.

Anticipate My help. I will not fail you.
look down at the path before you. You will see the print of my feet, for as scripture says, I go before you, and I make the path ready for you as you follow.

Taken from the writings of: Frances J. Roberts

I used to know you all by name, but time has erased them from my memory.
How long has it been, 1 year, two? I can’t recall, can you?

Do you remember the days when I would greet you in the cool of the morning? When your velvet leaves were covered in morning dew? You brought such peace and joy to my soul.

I would twirl and dance within your shadows and breathe in the beauty of your sweet scent.

But you have grown wild in my absence and taken on colors and shapes I never would have imagined.

Can you once again be tame and yield to my gentle care? I think not, but still I will try to recapture your beauty.