Adventure awaits

The time has finally come for us to begin to pack our bags, get all our paperwork in order, and board the plane for a new adventure.  We will be literally taking off in a couple of days for the big city.  And I do mean the *big* city!  I have been blessed to visit London, Paris, and Sydney, and now it’s time for the American version of big… New York City.  Actually, I’m not really much of a city person, but have always enjoyed visiting them from time to time… but to me, coming HOME is just as much fun!  Anyway, this time we will be traveling with our Canadian friends – the first time we have gone on a “major trip” with another couple.  Should be interesting!  We will board a cruise ship in NYC and visit more uncharted territory (for us)- Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Boston.  After the cruise we’ll have 3 extra days to explore The Big Apple, like millions of tourists before us.  Of course I have spent hours poring over guide books, and websites like TripAdvisor.com.  After much discussion, we decided to take in a couple of Broadway musicals; do a big tour of the big city; take a trip up the Empire State Bldg; visit an Irish pub or two; see the Ellis Island Museum/Monument; possibly do a Circle Line harbor tour around Manhattan; and who knows what else?!  The food, that’s what else!!  I’m anxious to try some real NY pizza, proper bagels,  and don’t forget a visit to a *real* deli!!  Ahhh the possibilities are endless!

In the end, I simply hope to have a grand time with the one I love, and to make more wonderful memories.  Stay tuned for some pictures of the trip, next time. 🙂

Ever Amazed

I was on my way to work last week, sleepily driving south on I-5 towards Seattle.  I always struggle on the way in for my first day because I have to leave at such an early, early hour.  Except for 3-4 weeks in June, I always leave in the darkness.  Yes, I have found myself “dozing” sort of, at times on my way to work…. so I’ve learned to periodically take DEEP breaths and stretch, even while I’m driving.   Well last week, as I had the car on cruise control and all I really had to do was steer, it rose up in front of me.  That gorgeous, spectacular view of Mount Rainier at sunrise.  Simply stunning.  And at that exact moment, when I rounded the curve and saw the mountain in all her glory, I could only think of that song we used to sing in Sunday School and church… “How Great Thou Art”…..  “O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.  I see the stars, I hear the the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed… Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee, How great Thou art How great Thou art…….”                          

 This morning, I headed home early from work.  Not enough patients mean nurses “get to” stay home – or go home, in my case.  So, there I was, headed an unusual direction  for me at that that time of day – North on I-5.  And what should greet me, just as the sun started to come up over the Cascades?   Mount Baker, in all her glory.  Again, God spoke to me in

His very own way, with the majesty of His creation.  Wasn’t it just yesterday, while at work, that one of my co-workers announced that she is “athiest”?  I sat there in stunned silence.  Amazed that anyone could live in our beautiful part of the world, and question – no, deny the existence of God – the God who is so real and so present to me.