Higher and Faster

I was thinking that I was way too old for this one but then I knew that my sons and daughter would ask if I rode the it. Kinda Ka at Six Flags in Jackson, NJ now boasts having the highest and fastest roller coaster in North America. Last week we rode it and it certainly gets my vote. As I sat there wondering what this would be like, I felt us start to move. then it happened. We were launched. The ride information states 0 to 128 mph in 3.5 seconds. I agree. Then it was straight up over 45 stories and over the top. Then of course straight down 45 stories. The web site states that the ride is 59 seconds. really seems more like 30-40.
The first time was with a friend we were with at the park and the second time (Don't ask why) was with Billie, my wife.....you know mother of my children and grandmother to our three granddaughters.
I was thinking afterwards that I should get a card or a tattoo for the world to see to let them know I have ridden the Kingda Ka. but if they gave me one they would have to give one to all the 10 and 12 year olds on the ride with me and to Billie.

What is the point of all of this maybe nothing but it was an experience.

Needing More Than Rest

Several years ago good friends gave Billie and I their cottage to stay in and rest. When I say cottage that is not doing justice to La Casita. Al and Marta have been friends for several years and whenever our family could get south of Tampa to Venice, FL we had a place to hide out and rest.

The trip several years ago taught me a good lesson. Remember that a lesson once learned for me does not mean that I will not have to learn that lesson again.

Billie and I arrived at La Casita absolutely exhausted. On Sunday we went to church followed by dinner with friends and then back to the hideout we went and crashed. after an afternoon nap and walk we had a light dinner and sitting in the chair reading I felt myself getting ready to doze off. I distinctly remember thinking that if I fall asleep now I will not be able to sleep tonight. not to be swayed by common sense I was out for over an hour. Yet that night I slept like a rock. when I woke up on Monday I thought now that I am rested I can have a normal day. Not so.... I napped in the mid morning, the afternoon and again after dinner and slept that night again like a rock.

Tuesday was a new day and now revived I was ready for what the world had to offer. I was a new man and rested. Yet Tuesday was repeat of Monday and by the way so was Wednesday.

When Thursday came around I was more than rested I felt restored.

In my reading and quiet time it was as if the Lord spoke and said "When you are tired, you need rest. But when you are weary, your need restoration."

That was significant for me. There is a major difference between tired and weary and thus the need for rest and restoration. Whe I am tired a good nights rest usually takes care of it. But, when I am weary, a couple of nights sleep and I still get tired and run-down by the afternoon.

Why do I share this with you now.... Billie and I have again left town. Not really for vacation but for restoration. This business of living and trying to live to the fullest takes a toll....physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. We both found ourselves more than tired but again weary. So we are hiding out and sleeping late, reading and probably eating too much. We are with some great friends who allow us to rest.

Then I am brought back to very familier Scripture that I need to read regularly.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me besides still waters,
He restores my soul.

And that is it....He restores my soul.

This has become a major issue for me. I must realize the difference between tired and weary and thus the need for rest or restoration.

Have blessed day.

Seeing Things Close to Home

Yesterday was a pretty remarkable day. Billie (my wife of over 30 years) and I took our brother-in-law on a local tour. First let me tell you that my brother-in-law, George is one of my hero's. His wife, Billie's sister Ann was George's wife. She went to be with our Lord last year after battling cancer and several other ailments. She had undergone a liver transplant, partial lung removal and years of treatments. In all those years George was as solid as you could ever ask a man to be. He loved Ann and he never wavered. He did all that and still served our nation in the US Army. His tours included Korea, Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan. So to say it was an honor for us to have some time together is a pretty great understatement.

It was with George that we ventured out.

We pretty much spent the day out but two things really stood out for me. One was relatively quick. It was "Dinosaur Ridge" located no more than 8 miles from our house. There we saw tracks of dinosaurs in the stone. Incredible yes but more incredible that Billie and I had not been there before. So close to home and we had not taken the time.

The second place that was incredible was the drive up Mount Evans. It is the highest paved road in North America, reaching over 14,000 feet. It was an absolutely spectacular day. The views and the wild life almost indescribable. Again so close to home and we had never been there.

It is not that we do not get out much. I have been in every state except North Dakota.

Yet often the things missed are the things close to home. The little things that make memories. yesterday will not be forgotten by any of us for a long time, if ever. What a day and so close to home.

Today there are many more things to see and some of them may be in our home. Things I have missed that are so close to home.

Have a blessed day.