What was the highlight? I was asked…

We’re back from our trip around the United States. We didn’t cover all of the US for sure, but added 9500 miles to the SQ. People ask me what the highlight of our trip was and it was hard to say. We saw the Liberty Bell, Plymouth Rock, Independence Hall, walked along the Freedom Trail in Boston, walked through old cemeteries, gazed at old buildings dwarfed by city skyscrapers, walked through museums. It was thrilling to sit where our forefathers sat and debated and formed our free and beloved country.

Liberty Bell

We drove through four National Parks.

We were awestruck by Badlands, prairies, the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, the steep mountains of New England, the Atlantic Ocean, the hills of Kentucky, and on to rugged Utah. We drove through four National Parks.

It was the people….

But it was the people who made our trip the most meaningful. There were new people who felt like old friends after a few hours. We renewed family acquaintances.

Those sights wouldn’t have meant as much by myself….

Seeing the places I’d only read about was thrilling. Driving through our magnificent country–was also very good. But the people. That’s really the most meaningful.  Traveling alone would have been okay. But with someone. That’s really where it’s at. Jim and I celebrated the fourth anniversary of our first date while on our trip. Those sights wouldn’t have meant as much by myself. I’m glad we did this long trip together.

Celebrating four years of our first date. This year in Wisconsin.

Don’t set our hope on uncertainties….but on the Solid Rock..

In my morning meditation today, there were words about guarding against setting my hopes on the uncertainties of wealth, but on Jesus, the One who provides us with all things. I was encouraged to store for myself a good foundation for the days to come. As I contemplated that, I thought about the words to an old hymn.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand. 

All other ground is sinking sand.

From “The Solid Rock” by Edward Mote

The only place to build hope

I was astounded by the gorgeous rocks in Utah. But it’s the solid Rock of Christ that is more astounding. And the only place we can build hope.

 

Solid Rock[/caption