January 27 – “Cold trip or road trip?”

Here’s a shout out to our friends up in the Northeast who are facing that blizzard of epic proportions.  We are praying for you down here.  And I thought about you yesterday as I mowed and edged our grass.  It was way up in the 60’s.  Downright hot, actually.  Ah, but don’t worry.   I have already been punished for that brief foray into sarcasm.  I was so sore that Chris almost had to fork lift me into bed last night.  It’s not as bad this morning, but I can still feel it.  And now I have to … er, get to … go to water therapy.  Ouch.  At least the pool is heated. 

We didn’t get to see many of those biblical plague-quality snowstorms during our years spent up in those frozen Northlands of Colorado.  I do remember one where those outside mailboxes – you know, the ones set on poles out by the street – were covered up.  I’m not sure if that was because of snow drifts or if we really got that much snow, but for this South Texas boy it was plenty.  And I never did get used to the super-cold temperatures that got down below zero.  Didn’t anybody get them the message that below 50 is cold enough?

Speaking of the frozen Northlands, Chris and I have been discussing what to do for our 40^th wedding anniversary this year.  Looks like the top of the list would be one of those trips to Alaska on a cruise ship.  Problem is we have never been on a cruise, so we have no point of reference for which one to take or what to expect.  We don’t know what is expected as far as tipping people on board (we have heard some horror stories).  And how much extra do you have to pay for those other mini-trips they tout as being so awesome, or are they included in your trip cost?  We don’t even know the right questions to ask.  How about some of you guys who have been on one of those things?  What was it like?  What advice do you have?  How much do we need to save up? 

Forty years is a long time.  Seems like it ought to be celebrated at least a little special.  I guess if the Alaska thing doesn’t work out we can always do a driving trip and mooch free room and board off of our friends along the way.  Where would we go?  Hmm.  We know somebody in Alabama.  And South Carolina.  And Virginia.  And Pennsylvania.  And Wisconsin (I think they’re still there).  And Missouri.  And Arkansas.  And California.  And Colorado.  And New Jersey.  And Oklahoma.  Did I miss anybody?  Makes for a pretty convoluted road trip, if you ask me.  What do you think … Cold Trip or Road Trip?

Psalms 119:165 says, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

Father, thank you that we even have a choice like this to make.  Help us have the diligence to save up what we need to go somewhere.  We are excited to see a little more of this amazing world you created.  Amen.