::between destinations

No big updates on the trip today. [currently, I'm just waiting on further info and moving toward the next step.]

Instead, I'm sitting here at the computer with a big mug of banana-chocolate shake and thinking back on all the memories made on vacation these last two weeks.

                                                                    So much to remember -

We strolled down local street markets, busy with people and food and art and clothing and music. Stood speechless at Abraham Lincoln's memorial, the Washington Monument, the Capitol. Were utterly fascinated by all the museums and their historic treasures and stories. We walked and laughed and ate till it hurt and took so many unnecessary goofy pictures.

 

 We walked the morning beach sand and found hundreds of pretty shells. Spent hours smashing through the big waves, getting sunburnt, soaking it all up so we could close our eyes and remember it when we were back home.

It can get kind of crazy coordinating what every person wants to do and see when there's only so much time. There's a lot of driving and walking between each destination. But of all the wonderful things and places we saw in DC and Virginia and Ohio, we ended up enjoying those in-between-destination-times as some of the best.

Because it turns out, stretch stops

are pretty hilarious when you're dancing together in the open parking lot. Those car ride games that you come up with just to survive can be pretty amusing when you're jamming out to the Bee Gees. The views along the long, long drive can be breathtaking. You decide to look at it all as part of the grand adventure. 

One of those in-between times when we were walking through the city toward our hotel, I looked up to realize that we had crossed several streets, and I hadn't even looked around me for any of them. Sheer brilliance. I'm in the middle of a big city with cars and people and craziness everywhere, and I'm not even paying attention to it. But I looked right in front of me, where my dad was walking two steps ahead, leading the way to where we were headed. I didn't stop and look both ways or worry about crossing the street because I knew he was right in front of me, leading the way. Even if the road was busy and crowded, he would make sure we would cross safely. I didn't hesitate to follow him.

I can't help but think of the Savior in this picture. There are so many in-between-destination times (with the trip, yes, but in any other situation really) when it seems like I'm all dry and He's not moving the way I want Him to. The answers are slow in coming, the other side seems very far away. I'm on a long road trying to follow the map and just get where I'm going, and I just don't see the big picture. But He does. He sees the whole, grand adventure, and He sees everything along the way. He sees all the lessons, the magnificent views, the blessings, the people I'll come in contact with, and all the ways He will reveal more of Himself to me and bring glory to His name. I don't want to miss that.

I should place my hand in His and relinquish my control. I need not worry about the craziness and the confusion all around me, but simply look to Him - my leader. When I give Him my total and complete trust, I can be confident in Him as guide - because although, no, the road may not always be safe or clear, I have His promise to walk ahead and bring me to the other side. I needn't hesitate - to step out, into the chaos, into whatever He is calling me to - and follow Him.

So today I determine to look for beauty in the in-between. To watch for glimpses of Him in it all. To look at it all as part of the grand adventure.