Category: Travel
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Reflection on Brian’s Thursday question
Have you ever experienced a sudden insight or experience of God’s transformative grace when you were in a dark place?If so, what aspects of God’s character did you experience? Traveling far away to honor our parentsTo spend quality time of joy and celebrationAnd not come together when it feels too late for fun or connection…
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Practiced skills
I can bring myself to solve complicated math problems, from whatever state of mind. Even if I just woke up, or I am hungry or concerned or sleepy. I have had the practice of focusing my attention and doing what needs to be done. But I can’t write on demand. I studied science not creative…
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Conversation
Nobody ever accused a good listener of being a boring. When I worked at Apple, my job was not to show off how awesome I was, but to make our customers feel heard, seen, have their problems resolved, make them feel welcome and to want to come back again and again. Approach with a personalized…
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Traveling to Austin
The flights I booked had short layovers. We buy what’s available. And it seemed reasonable. With all the delays issues this year, I prayed we can make it smoothly to Texas. And we made all our connections. But our luggage didn’t. Here we are, having washed out traveling clothes to have underwear to wear on…
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The cost of raising kids
On a warm summer day, we were sitting on the sidewalk with the other moms, talking about having kids. And how many kids is manageable financially. Many parents I know took their kids to private kindergartens and private schools, which cost more money than we spend on a monthly basis. When we paid off our…
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Balance without apology
I don’t take initiative out of a great sense of ability, I do it because of my realization of how inadequate I feel. In the same breath I am convinced that if I feel so inadequate, then others must feel the same. So I take a step forward. While doing this unaware, and using a…
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Two weeks away
My parents stepped up to the plate. When we left the kids with them for three days they coasted together, without firm boundaries, letting us catch up from where we left, with the routines of rest, food, washing. This time they had to rise to the challenge and not wait for us, but actually make…
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Recognition
In my formative years I did not witness healthy balanced and consistent words of appreciation. I learned to make do without. I even insulate my heart from desiring such encouragement. But I do enjoy it in small doses when it’s not premeditated. After the hike, when two people were particularly recognized and appreciated for their…
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Back to reality
Though the comfort is luxurious, and the conversations thrilling, the company enjoyable, I miss the simplicity of my life, of my home, of my home cooked meals. Brian went from steady determination to do a difficult hike, many days in a row, to a wild let loose have fun, be silly, tired but exuberant. Ken…
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Reconciliation
It’s an old scar. Why bring it up? Everyone has forgotten. I have forgiven daily I have forgiven myself for getting caught in the middle I have forgiven themFor they did not know what they were doing.For a year I did not rush into healingNor tried to cover it up.I went away to nurse my broken heartAnd it has…
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Control
I was not confident in a loud way. I would silently do what I believed is good, without the need for affirmation. Humility pairs well with sustainable courage. And it is disarming to let things slide, let people slide, and not feel the need to be right in the eyes of others. Nothing can buy…
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The last day of the hike
The trails blend in my memory. We’ve had high highs and low lows. Metaphorically and literally. This morning we woke up more rested than I expected. The large shared room had double beds separated by a thin wood board. We even had a window above us that stayed open all night. This style rooms are called…