Marilyn's Trip to Paris!

Charles and I are just back from ten days in France. I actually have two CD’s full of photos, but I pulled just a few to share with you. From that first sun-rise glimpse on the morning we landed through the post-card perfect countryside of Provence and the sights and sounds of Paris, I took it all in.

I used to just hate it when enthusiastic friends came back from a vacation with an album filled with pictures of museums, relics, and random sights that I could not fully appreciate.

I always wanted to ask why they didn’t take pictures of people. And here I am doing exactly that!

I have to laugh at the different way Charles and I approach our picture taking. I’m thinking, “Take my picture in front of the Eiffel Tower,” and he is thinking, “Move over. I am trying to take a picture.”

I kept a journal of my trip. I don’t know if anyone except moi will ever want to read it – but I will enjoy reading and remembering it for a long time. I can honestly say that the neatest thing about the last ten days was that I did not “hurry” through even one second. Everyday was filled with “living in the moment” and being completely surrounded by beautiful sights, friendly people, and my favorite companion…and my cup runneth over!

It was good to walk out and leave things in the capable hands of Kari and Christi. The June issue is looking good, thanks to them. It should be on the streets by the end of next week.

Marilyn's Trip to Colorado

Why is it everything looks so desperate in the middle of the night? I have been out of the office for a week and will be gone all next week. I don’t think of myself as a controlling person until I have to walk out the door of this magazine and leave the decision making to someone else.

I woke up at 3:00 this morning worrying – yep – worrying. I do that best at 3:00 am. After I tie myself in knots, I usually begin to search the files in my brain for scripture verses that remind me how futile and unproductive it is to worry. This morning I began to think about Matthew 6: 27 that says, “Who of you, by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” The passage goes on to remind us of the lilies of the field, of God’s ability to give us just what we need.

Whenever a scripture I’ve heard my whole life comes to me at the moment I need it most, I have a little nostalgic and special burst of gratitude for the people in my life who taught me to love and believe the Word. It comforts again and again and forever reminds me that I am never alone in any situation.

I finally got back to sleep, and when I turned on my computer this morning, I had a daily devotional that Tim Smith of Holy Trinity Anglican Church sends. The verse today was I Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you.” One more little daily God-thing – He reassured me a second time within a few hours that I have no reason to worry. That was just so GOD-like!

I can’t help posting a few new pictures of my grandchildren. I am just back from a week of babysitting. The one thing that stands out in my mind is this: Reasoning with a three year old is like the proverbial attempt to nail jello to the wall. I lost.

On the way out to Denver, I took my new book by friend and hero, Barbara Crespino – Living on the Edge. I read the whole book on the plane. I had put some of my favorite praise and worship tunes on my ipod – so reading Barbara’s inspirational perspective with Shout to the Lord ringing in my ears was a real mountain top experience. The neat thing about reading Barbara’s book is it is as therapeutic as a visit with her. I am so glad she put this together – when you read her prayers or her blogs – you want to know God the same way she does. You also want to love life with the same contagious joy. Let me know if you’d like to get a copy. I will tell you how.

Christi, our associate editor tells me blogs have to be short. She will probably tell me this is too long – I will try to get better at this. Tell me what you think so far. I love to hear from you readers!