HOME BOUND
I could smell the sea air even from the airport. My bestie Cindy graciously invited me to come stay with her this weekend in San Diego. When your a beach girl living in a desert you crave the salt air, the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, and watching the dolphins play in the ocean. We immediately went to La Jolla and ate at one of my favorite breakfast places, Brockton Villa. It overlooks La Jolla Cove. It was beautiful , minus the smell of the otters and other sea creatures! And then to visit our special friends to so many of us..Ed and Donna. It was such an honor because Ed’s time with people is limited. I couldn’t stop hugging him. It was so good to finally see him again. His smile lit up the room like it always has. They watched their daughter get married and now are in the last year of their second daughter in college. When it was finally time to go I hugged him again, just a little tighter this time. My real hero was his wife Donna. With all that she has on her shoulders she continues to be the beautiful, strong, woman of God..the kind you read about in Proverbs 31. That night our other friends, Greg and Jill, came over for dinner. They spoke such truth and comfort to me through their prayers before they left. Its the fruit of cultivating friends over so many years that in such a short time they can speak clarity into areas that maybe I didn’t want to hear or to be open to change. The following day Cindy took me to her church, Maranatha Chapel, with Pastor Ray Smith. It was such amazing teaching with spirit-filled worship throughout the service. At the end there was an invitation for anyone who wanted healing. I felt led to go forward but then decided my situation wasn’t that important. We got in the car and Cindy asked “ did you want to go forward?” We turned around and went back in. Pastor Ray so kindly laid hands on me for not only healing of my heart but other issues that became clear while I was there. Finally, Cindy drove me to Coronado beach. The dolphins were playing, the sky was overcast, and I could see the Del while sitting by the water. Quiet…people were talking but I couldn’t hear them. I closed my eyes and took it all in..not just the sound of the sea gulls but the entire weekend. As Cindy noticed, I had slept a lot those few days. I wasn’t just tired..I was carrying such a heavy load and, as my friend Jill shared, “ a load I was not supposed to carry”. The Bible verse “ carry one another’s burdens” was felt by those who have come along side me when I didn’t know I needed it. Thank you all for making this trip one to remember with such gratefulness and JOY. But a special shout to my friend Cindy who truly took such good care of me and showed me what true friends are all about. Love you all..