We had a treat last week and weekend. The past few months, we’ve been isolated. Yes, late June allowed some of us–to be in church. But it wasn’t the same. Our faces masked. No touching or hugging.

We left our normal routine and traveled to the east coast for five days to a conference. Our daily routine was different. No food planning or preparation. We didn’t even have to make our bed! It was delightful to be waited on. To enjoy the beautiful hotel-resort where we stayed. The best part of our trip? Meeting  like-minded people. Having a longer conversation than has been allowed at our brief encounters with people at church, or 40 minute zoom meetings. We heard inspiring speakers. We saw amazing videos. We met people from all across the United States during our stay in beautiful, coastal Georgia. The weather was humid and warm–perfect, really. Most of our days were taken up with meetings, though we had one afternoon to loll on the beach. Yes. This girl who is used to wearing a jacket along the Pacific Ocean lounged all afternoon in her swimsuit! It was a treat.

Georgia Beach

We had one afternoon before our early afternoon flight the next day, so we took a drive south along the coast to St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in the United States. Older than Jamestown. Older than Plymouth. We didn’t have much time so we took a trolly ride–on tires–with a tour guide to tell us about the city. We enjoyed seeing the sights as we slowly drove through the narrow streets. I was amazed by the amount of churches in this small town of 15,000 people. We saw the oldest Catholic Church, Cathedral Basillica of St Augustine, there was Ancient City Baptist Church, Grace United Methodist, Memorial Presbyterian, Episcopal, and shrines that were built early on in the city’s history.  We saw the beautiful campus of Flagler College.

It was a great trip. We enjoyed the warm sun one last time before the gray clouds and rainy winter that is ahead of us. We had our travel itch resolved and chased the sun on our flight back west. We were home. And though I love to travel, home is best.

This morning I read from a small epistle III John 1:2:

 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

I pray that is true for you! Until then, enjoy good health, may all go well with you, and most importantly, your soul is getting along.