Beneath Still Waters

I had the opportunity to travel this weekend, to simply get away from my life here in Phenix City, and go visit some wonderfully dear friends in Pennsylvania. I haven't seen Bruce & Emilie since they visited Augusta in February, but prior to that visit, it had been more than 2 years since I saw them last, and it was really nice to be able to visit with them for their daughter, Isabelle's first birthday. What a joy it was to me to be able to see my sister from the Grand Canyon and her husband with their daughter, and be able to share in that time with them. Charlie joined me on the trip, which was a new experience for me, in that it was the first time I had brought anyone to meet Bruce & Emilie and also first time traveling with the boyfriend. That was interesting, because when it comes to waiting and security and airplanes, I think I'm very patient. Charlie, is not. But thats not the point. I was so excited to see Emilie & Bruce and baby Isabelle. She's a toddler now - I can hardly believe it, and I found myself thinking back to that summer we spent five years ago serving God in the Grand Canyon. What an experience we had - what a summer. It just reminds me of how BIG God is, and how small we really are in comparison. God, in His infinate wisdom, put Emilie and myself together for a brief moment in time, and yet, as the years pass, we remain in touch, remain friends... remain family really. We were a part of each other's lives every day that we can't help but be family. The visit was, as always, too short, before Charlie & I were off to Columbus, Ohio to visit his mom, step-dad, and brothers. I'd never been to Ohio before, and it was prettier than I thought it would be. I'm always suprised at how God laid out this land before us, and how different He made all of the world be - from England and Ireland to the northernmost part of the US (Acadia National Park in Maine). I've always thought the west was one of the most beautiful parts of the US, but now I think I've just realized that the whole of the United States is beautiful - because each part is so different. New York & its skyscrapers, Florida/Alabama beaches - green, green trees, the rolling hills in the Ohio Valley... anyway, I didn't mean to wax poetic on that. I had a really awesome time with Charlie and his family. It was another first for me - flying somewhere to visit the boyfriend's family, but it was a really nice experience overall.

Can't wait to go on my next trip - hopefully back to the Grand Canyon in October. No matter how many times I go there, I never get tired of seeing its depths, or feasting my eyes on the splendor of its beauty.

-b.

Isabelle & Uncle Jeremy (aka DJ)

me & Charlie

Isabelle, 1 yr