Love Lerrers to the Lord - Letter 2

Dear Lord, 

As You know, this morning,  as a part of my time spent with You, I was reading Psalms 23. This is among my favorites, as it teaches us our position in You and where Satan sits ... just beyond and below us, but still within sight of Your bountiful table. It is beautiful and I love the imagery.  

But I felt that there was something more You wanted me to see within its lines. So I reread it in a different translation  - the Passion Translation  [TPT]. I found it so rich that I wanted to quote it back to You here.

1. The Lord is my Best Friend and Shepherd.  I always have more than enough.

2. He offers a resting place for me in His luxurious love.

His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.

3. That's where He restores and revives my life. He opens before me pathways to God's pleasure and leads me along in His footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to His name.

4. Lord, even when Your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness,  fear will never conquer me, for You lead me through it all the way.

Your authority is my strength and my peace (shalom). The comfort of Your love takes away my fear. I'll never be lonely, for You are near.

5. You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of Your Holy Spirit; You give me all I can drink of You until my heart overflows. 

6. So why should I fear the future? For Your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life. 

Then afterward,  when my life is through, I'll return to Your glorious presence to be forever with You.

How awesome is this picture, Lord. I found it really bringing depth to my understanding of this Psalm I have always loved.

In verse 4, I  added shalom in parentheses as it means so much more than we think of when we say peace. It means total order and absence of chaos. So often I have forgotten that You remove chaos from our lives that I just wallow in it. But You are my peace which passes ALL understanding. 

Thank You, Lord!

Your daughter, 

Leigh 

Doing Our Part

Last time we met here, I shared how I felt that God was calling us to pray for a "Fresh Wind" of His Spirit to blow through our country and the world. And I know that He will do just that but first, we have to our part.

I don't know if you know this but all except one of God's covenants with mankind has two parts; the part that God will do for us to ratify the contract and the part that we are required to do to complete that ratification process. In 2 Chronicles 7 when Solomon is making sacrifices as the Temple was being sanctified God tells Solomon that He will heal their land. But first His children must do their part in order to show Him they are willing to serve Him unconditionally. I believe that He is calling us to renew this covenant with Him today.

God is ready, willing and able to heal 'our land,' our country and the world, but He requires some action on our part in order to do so. We can find it in the passage I was speaking of in 2 Chronicles.

II Chronicles 7:12b-14 (One New Man Bible):
I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself for a House of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven so there is no rain, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people: If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I shall hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

We in the body of Christ have sinned by allowing our government to legalize the killing of our children in abortion. In doing so, we have stood beside them in allowing the shedding of innocent blood. Though we were not aware, by doing so we have paid tribute to the pagan gods of Molech and Chemosh. So the Lord has allowed the pestilence of the Coronavirus to become the pandemic that it is throughout our land and around the world.



If we continue to do nothing to stop this bloodshed, we will stand beside all those who have shed this blood ... the parents and other family members that have allowed it as well as the medical personnel who have actually taken those lives. I know this as my pastor, Eddie Reed of Living Stones Community Church in Shelbyville, TN, received a very difficult word of the Lord for the church the end of March. I will summarize it for you here:

     Until we as a nation stop abortion, I - the Lord - will continue shaking the land. There will be wave after wave of disease, natural disasters, pestilence, etc. For the land cannot be healed until this blood stops flowing. It continuously cries out to Me. Pray and repent ... repent for the shedding of this innocent blood.

For too long we have grown comfortable and complacent in our walk with the Lord. We have quit seeing what is happening in the spiritual realm - the 'real world' - and kept our focus on the physical, yet temporary world. But Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians that we are focusing on the wrong things.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NKJV:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not (should not*) look at things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

We must regain our focus on what is important in God's eyes. We must regain our sight of the invisible world ... the eternal world. We must also humble ourselves, seek the face of God with our whole hearts, and pray for this shedding of innocent blood to stop and stop NOW. For God has commanded it. and He will continue to punish us with the plagues He brought against Egypt if we continue down this path our country is currently traveling on.

God sent our forefathers here for the same reason that He delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt, so that we could worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. This nation was founded in order to allow us the freedom to worship Him. But if we do not change our ways, we will have thrown away one of, if not the most important, of our God-given rights.

Get back on track with the Lord; Repent, humble yourself, pray and seek God's face, ask Him what your part is in ending abortion and do it. 1and look for His invisible realm. It is far more real than this physical world that we live in ... for it is eternal!



*Words in parenthesis I have added for clarity.

All The Way With Jesus

Though life's storms may batter me

And their flood water's deluge

I have a firm foundation

I am founded, my Lord, in You

You are the solid Rock

The High Place upon which I stand

I seek no other refuge

For I'm holding onto Your hand

We walk together in the daylight

And in the darkness, too

For You are the Light of Life

I draw my strength from You

When the times are difficult

And I seem in dread defeat

I will press in a little closer

Ever sitting at Your feet

You are always here to guide me

To teach me all Your Truth

No, You never will forsake me

While I dwell in You

When this day has ended

And time is no more

We will ever be Best Friended

As we walk along Heaven's shore

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8, NKJV

Leigh

3-26-2019

Wednesday ... To Laguna Pueblo and Beyond

Tuesday night, after fueling the van and generator, I camped in the truck parking lot at the Acoma Pueblo truck stop, hoping to re-visit Laguna Pueblo this morning before actually starting today's adventure. When I reached the turnoff, however, I found that the overlook that Dave and I had stopped at on our last trip through this area was closed for maintenance and repairs. So gathering more pictures and information for another writing project was not possible at this time ... maybe on my return trip.

So I pointed the van towards Tucumcari, New Mexico, and my next fuel stop. The scenery on today's leg of the trip was gorgeous. All of the colorful rock formations and desert low lands would have made beautiful pictures. Unfortunately, my phone was telling me that the memory was full and pictures could not be saved. The memory was full? I had put a 128 GB micro SD card in it just before I left, how could it be full? Sorry, no more pictures this trip.  :-(   I think I will ask KJ, my nephew, how to correct this memory issue.

I didn't get as far as I had planned on today's leg of the trip; the weather wouldn't allow it. The day started out sunny and bright, but by the time I had reached Tucumcari, the clouds had gathered, thick and dark ... almost as dark as just after sunset. Clouds were OK, they kept the van's engine cool, but the atmosphere nearly melancholy.

As I approached Amarillo, TX, I had been through one major downpour and the sky looked as if it were priming for another round. As it was nearly 4:00 pm local time I started looking for a place to spend the night. As I left Amarillo, another deluge began which took nearly all my visibility. Lasting about 20 minutes, it quit just as quickly as it had begun. And I thanked God profusely for the clearing skies.

Just then I came around a huge curve in the road. Off the left shoulder was an eighteen wheeler laying on its side. It looked as if it had been gently picked up and laid there... except for all of the emergency vehicles that were rapidly joining the scene. For the rest of the time I was on the road this day, I prayed for the driver of that truck and any passengers he may have had with him. I also thanked God for my safety since I had been on my journey. Our God is SOOOO good!

About 20 minutes after passing this truck wreck the sky was looking thick and gloomy once more. That's when I saw the sign for a 'picnic area' a mile up the road. It seems that the roadside rest areas that are common in California and Nevada aren't in other states. But throughout Texas and Oklahoma, they have Picnic Areas. These are roadside pull-offs that provided picnic tables and trash cans. No restrooms or drinking fountains.

At this particular picnic area several trucks that had pulled off and were settling in for the night. I parked the van and got out to speak to one of the drivers that was setting up orange cones around his rig.

"Sir, do you think anyone will mind if I park here overnight?" I asked.

"No, Ma'am," He replied. " that is just what we plan to do, too."

Saying thank you to him, I set about preparing to start the generator and settle in for the night.

Having tucked us in for the evening, I will leave you here in the picnic area east of Amarillo, TX until tomorrow.

Good Night!

Grammy Leigh’s Amazing Adventure!

**Sorry, I couldn't find the pics that go with this segment. I will add them later.**

I, and my furry family, left Dayton, NV about 1:00 pm on Sunday afternoon. It was a mostly cloudy day and the road was about as busy as a lazy, spring afternoon should be. We made it to Tonopah, NV about 5:00 and gassed up the van and the gas cans for the generator and immediately left out for what was to be a blissful even camping beside the hot springs at Alkali Flat.

I said ‘supposed to be’ as it seems that the Flat, and the hot springs, had disappeared in a dust storm … LOL! Well, probably not! But my phone was dead and my directions were hidden deep inside its circuitry. I took ‘the road less traveled’ that headed toward the Flat for about 15 miles, no Hot Spring in sight. And as I was in uncharted territory, I headed back toward Hwy 95 South toward Las Vegas. We ‘camped’ in the truck parking lot, across from Denny’s, in Beatty, NV. And there ended our first day on this road trip.

I awoke Monday morning – very dark and VERY early – to my mattress laying flat against the platform. It seems that my three-legged cat, Hop-Along Catsity – or Hop for short, had popped it once again. So much for a NEW Airbed … it would have to be replaced while I was in Las Vegas later in the day.

The day ahead looked gray and cloudy – at least the weather did. But the open road beckoned me on, so we mounted up and headed out. First stop, Fort Armargosa and coffee. It was a brief stop and the coffee was tasty. Now, onward ho!

I arrived in Las Vegas about 9:00 am, seeking a place to buy a ‘non-air’ mattress. I stopped at a mattress store and told the salesman what I was looking for and that my funds were very limited. He gave me an AWESOME deal on the mattress, just $2 over cost – over $400 savings. Praise God! I made a couple of other stops then met my cousin, Mary Morton Keum, at a local restaurant for dinner. I had planned to treat her, but God had a different plan – she bought me dinner. We talked for a good long while over our plates of food. I would have loved to spend more time chatting, but the open road was calling me on and the shadows were quickly turning into darkness in the skies above. So we hugged and said our goodbyes – wished I had taken some pictures. Oh well, next time. And there will be a next time as she gave me an open invitation to stop and park a while at her place in the future.

We traveled on down Hwy 93 to Boulder City and the Hoover Dam Lodge Overflow for our second night of camping. This ‘campground’ was also a truck parking lot, just across the street from … you guessed it, Hoover Dam Lodge. Well, it is now nearly 7:00 am, and I still need to have breakfast and break camp, so I will close …

It’s time to be … ‘on the road again. I just can’t wait to be on the road again …’ more of this adventure to come in the days ahead!

The Journey Home - The Chronicle of my Reunion Weekend

Part Two - Saturday

On today’s agenda, before our dinner tonight, is a trip to the Bieber Museum this morning, a drive through the valley this afternoon including lunch at the Frosty in Adin, before heading back to the motel and a nice, warm shower.

As I sit here on the motel bed eating a bit of breakfast, I am looking out the window at what the weather may bring. It is gray and blustery and looks like a huge storm is brewing. Boy am I glad I threw my jacket in the car before I crawled in.

Bieber

The Museum was empty, save for the attendant, Ms. Gerig. So I wandered about the two rooms at my leisure, taking pictures of the displays. As I prepare to leave I ask Ms. Gerig if the library, also in the museum building, would be open … no joy. But I opt to leave a selection of my books and a note with Ms. Gerig to deliver on my behalf. I have many fond memories of time spent with my old friends - Asimov, Cartland, Lewis, etc. - there in the stacks. I wanted to share some of the words that God had given me with others who would visit here, too.

As I went to the car for my library gift, another lady entered the museum. When I returned, books in hand, I was pleased to run into one of my former teachers, Ms. Parks. I spent a few moments talking to these two ladies while I wrote the note to the library. I took two copies of one of my poetry books in, as I talked to these ladies, I felt led to give one to Ms. Parks. So I signed it and gave it to here with my contact info.

Upon leaving the Museum, I wandered through the streets of Bieber taking pictures and remembering the past … specifically, my time spent on these streets 40+ years ago, the good times and the bad. Those days were nothing like I had imagined they would, or rather should, be.

I had dreamed of life in a beautiful, though small, town, with lots of friends. A place where I could bloom and grow in joy and peace. But I found little that resembled my dreams. Though Big Valley fit my idyllic dreams, most of the people I met here didn’t. We were ‘flat-landers,’ people who came from the ‘big city’ to invade their rural community. We just didn’t fit in, so we were ignored and/or shunned by those whom I would have preferred to call friends.

Lookout

As I finished my tour of Bieber, I headed out the highway towards Lookout. Upon entering the community, I notice that the roads have been rerouted and an historic bridge has been removed. We learned of in class - the site of the Lookout Lynchings in our California History class. It was a dark time in Modoc county that came to an in this rural neighborhood in May of 1901. It was a site that I had wanted to visit on my tour, but alas it was not to be. But I did get some nice pics of the Blacksmith, Fire Hall, and Jail. Now on to Adin, and lunch at the Frosty.

Adin

I visited the Adin Supply, boy has it changed since I moved out of the area. They have opened up it up by removing many of the areas that made life in the valley possible; the butcher shop area, the front counters where we used to pay for our groceries, the hardware department - where you could grab a handful of nails, screws, nuts and bolts, and pay for them by the pound, and the original Adin Post Office boxes. It still takes you back in time when you walk through the doors, for the hunting trophies are still there as are the creaky, wooden floors, rugged posts, and beams in the ceiling. But the familiar spirit it once had, is gone forever.

Time for my valley tour is running out, so after a sandwich and soda at the Frosty, I head back to the motel for a rest before I get ready for the Alumni Dinner.

Dinner

As I shower and dress for dinner, I begin to have doubts about why I am here. I grew up feeling like an outsider all through my educational career in Big Valley. I know it will be no different when I arrive at the Adin Community Hall. But I also know that there will be at least one person from my class who will greet me with love and kindness, two if they are both able to come, but no more. But I dress up in a formal length black skirt and lacey, ombre blue blouse. I try to look my best, knowing that most people there will be wearing their dress shirts, dress jeans, dress boots and dress cowboy hats - it is cowboy/cowgirl country, after all.

There were 28 of us at some point during our Senior year, this is the largest that the Big Valley Class of 1977 grew. But by graduation, we were 24. Some had moved away, some - like my sister Jerri - took an early out by passing her California Proficiency test in our junior year and going on to Lassen College in the fall. But two of our number passed into their eternity before graduation Ms. Crabill - due to illness and Ms. Quin - due to a tragic accident. As I enter the Adin Community Hall, I reflect on these and the rest of our class. Our class, self-described by the majority as the GFO’s - doesn’t take much imagination to decipher that acronym. I wanted to believe we were invincible … but as noted above, we were NOT!

Moving through the maze of people I spot a few of those I graduated with in the middle of the room. I move toward them and smile, hugging a couple girls from another class on the way. I am greeted coolly by most of my classmates as I move closer to Mr. Harper, one of my few true friends in this room.

I had a few minutes with Mrs. K. Raul, giving her an autographed book of poetry, and spent the rest of the evening swapping tales with Mr. and Mrs. Harper as we enjoy the festivities honoring the BVHS class of 1967.

Overall, the experience was exactly as I expected, but not at all as I had hoped. I had hoped for acceptance, maybe even a little friendship; but by and large I received little of either this night. Though, as I mentioned, not all of those in the class of ‘77 were unaccepting and non-inclusive. I can actually say that two of those who shared our graduation day have earned my respect and the title of High School friends - as they truly had been all along; these are Mr. Harper and Ms. Kuykendahl, now Mrs. Raul.

Mr. Harper finally found his true voice. I fondly remember him as the shy and retiring “AV Geek” from school. He stayed mostly to himself, but had kindly teasing for a few of us girls that were also quiet types. I Also remember the times I spent visiting him and playing music in a cabin on their ranch. When I met him tonight, he oozed confidence and charisma. Though I find it heartwarming to know he is still the “AV Geek,” though I mean that with the utmost affection for my BVHS brother. And his lovely wife is a beautiful counterpoint to this once bashful boy.

And Mrs. Raul is still as sweet and bubbly as she was in 1977. We shared a few memories of our youth and her dreams of being a cosmetologist … though I think she may have given up that dream after one picture day haircut, LOL! Sorry, sis, I just had to share that.  :-)

Well, I have had a very long day. So I decide to cut out early. Though I make arrangements with the Harpers to meet again for breakfast back here again at 8:30 am before I leave.

You know, going back over these events once again as I prepare to publish this post, I realize that I am Blessed by my Heavenly Father to know though I have/had very few friends from my childhood and young adult years, I have true and loving friends at home. I am not alone in the world anymore. Even more wonderful than these people I call friend, is the friendship I have with my Lord, Jesus. He is everything to me! He has taught me so much through our years together, I know He is pleased with my progress ... well, mostly.

So I’ll leave you here as I head back to the motel and bed for the evening. Good Night!

The Journey Home - The Chronicle of my Reunion Weekend

Part One - Friday

I don’t really know what I was thinking I would find by coming home for my 40th High School Reunion and the 2017 Big Valley High School Alumni weekend. I don’t know if I actually thought about it beyond meeting up with those I had known so long ago and reminiscing over times we spent together throughout our High School Career. But as I prepare for this ‘momentous?’ occasion tonight I am wondering what it is that I am to bring to those I meet up with. As well as what it is that they are to share with me.

While I sit here in my ‘weekend retreat’ this morning, I thought I’d ponder the path I have taken so far to reach this place. I left home about 7:00 am on Friday morning to head to Reno Airport to pick up the rental car. As we were filling up with gas, I realized that I had forgotten my pill container with all of my meds for the weekend. So we headed back to the house to pick it up. With my pills now in hand, we headed once more to Reno.

Arriving at the Airport, Jeremy dropped me at the door and headed for our prearranged meeting place so that we could transfer my luggage and ice chest into the rental. At the car rental company I spoke to a nice lady who informed me that after I made and paid for my rental, they had changed company policies. Now, if renting from an airport location, you must present either a boarding pass for a return flight -OR- a major credit card to ensure the payment and any incidentals were covered … I had neither. AND, I had PREPAID for the car. So this made no sense to me. She advised that I should call the customer service line and have the reservation transferred to their other Reno location, at the Meadowood Mall, Sears store, and they would be able to let me take my rental car from there. OK. Now I am ‘stuck’ at the Airport with no rental car and Jeremy is gone. I tried calling the Rental car phone number, no answer, so I call Jeremy. He drove back to the airport to pick me up and take me across town to Sears and the other rental car location.

While I waited for Jerm, I tried the car rental company again. When they finally answered I had already arrived at their Sears location and had spoken with a nice man behind the counter. He also told me that their customer service center could transfer the reservation for me and He would then rent me a car. But the agent on the phone was now telling me that he could not transfer it, all he could do was cancel it … and he then did that.

This rental location also rented cars for another company. So, with Jeremy’s help, I went ahead and rented a car, loaded my things into it and was finally on my way … about two hours after my planned departure time. Thank You, Jesus!

The weather was beautiful. Warm, sunny and supposed to be in the 80’s at home and mid to high 70’s in northern Cali where I am headed. The radio playing and my mind started to relax as I drove from Reno, NV to the first destination on this three-day adventure - a ghost town above Downieville, CA called Brandy City. I headed West on I-80 out of Reno toward Truckee. Once passed the ‘bug station,’  the local California Agriculture checkpoint, I headed North on CA Hwy 89 toward CA Hwy 49, Downeyville and the Brandy City Road turnoff.

This trip to Brandy City is something I had wanted to do since I received my diploma from Long Ridge Writer’s Group for Fiction Writing and Marketing.  I had been planning this visit for many years. I wanted to do a bit of research for a novel I have been trying to write for more than 20 years, but the plans have fallen apart more times than I can remember. Today, Friday, May 5th, 2017, looks to be the day I finally make it. Well, maybe.

The drive was peaceful and very calming. After the many trials recently faced at home, and the incident with the car rental company, the calm was much needed and totally welcomed. By now I am starting to sing with the radio and enjoying the peace that is enveloping the whole car, but more importantly, my whole spirit. I tuned to a classic rock station and sang as I drove along.

Before I left, I did a road conditions check to look over the route I wanted to take. I wanted to know what to expect. There was one stretch along Hwy 49 that was showing delays for road construction. No worries. It was to be expected after the winter we had just come through. I am in no hurry, the drive is for refreshing body and spirit, so I will just drive and enjoy.

The scenery is breathtaking as I drive through the woodlands and meadows on this California backroad. And the delays were minimal. Music, melodious meadows, and wooded splendor make for just the peaceful experience that I need. Peace and contentment have found their foothold in my heart and mind. God’s magnificent paintings are not wasted on me, today.

Google maps navigator had said that I should arrive in Brandy City about 12:30 pm on this afternoon. Not too bad, if all goes as planned... I know, famous last words, right?

I reached the Camptonville/Brandy City Road cut off - literally - as it is a bit of a switchback turn - about noon. It is a paved road, but a bit rutted and pocked with potholes. This was nothing unusual in this area of the California ‘backwoods.’ So I made the turn and proceeded up the road to a place I had long wished to visit. About 30 minutes up this mountain trace, I saw the first signs - literally - that I may not make it to this long awaited destination. There was a barricade filling the downhill lane of the road claiming that the road was closed. Well, not being one that is easily discouraged in the reaching of my goals, I proceeded uphill around this barricade … it didn’t close the whole road, just half of it.

I continued up the road, but it was very slow going. These turns were very steep and tight, but still passable. There were a few rocks and small branches scattered along the pavement, but nothing I couldn’t handle. And there were several wide places on this, now very narrow and trail-like road. So I knew if it became impassable up ahead, I would be able to turn the car around and make my way back down the road to Hwy 49. Little did I know at that moment that that was exactly what I would need to do in just a little over 45 minutes from making that turn uphill.

The closer I got to my destination, the narrower the road got. After about 20 minutes of uphill twists and turns, I came to another barricade with a Road Closed sign across it. But this new sign gave me pause. Though the barricade still only filled half of the roadway and I could have fit through, I opted not to proceed.

This portion of the roadway was more densely forested, swathed in darkness and shadows. And the road beyond the barricade as far as I could see was littered with an abundance of rocks which looked to be about golf ball sized. So I decided going back down the hill would be a more prudent decision than trying to go forward any further. Looking back on this research portion of my trip, maybe the Lord is trying to tell me something about the novel I have been in the process of writing since early 2002. I will be putting this book aside - for a time or perhaps forever - we’ll see, but for now, on with the adventure!

As I re-entered Hwy 49 North, I needed to decide what route to travel to reach tonight’s destination and my temporary dwelling for the weekend. Google Maps was telling me to go south toward Grass Valley/Nevada City, but I had lived in this area for many years and knew the roads that the locals would take to reach CA Hwy 70 and the road to Redding CA that would take me to CA Hwy 299 East - THE road to my High School Reunion. I opted to drive like a local and I'm glad I did!

When I reached a sign that said Marysville Road turnoff 12 miles I knew I wasn't far. I also knew this road well, so when I can to the junction, I turned right toward Bullard’s Bar Reservoir and headed toward my previous home in Rackerby.

Now I hate high places, especially those that have sheer drop-offs and though I had driven across Bullard’s Bar Dam many times, I have never reached a place of comfort while driving across it. Today was no exception. A couple hours earlier I had found a KLove radio station, so, with the radio playing praise music and singing to the Lord from my heart, I crossed the dam in the Lord’s Might. Praise GOD!

Now Google Maps Navigation keeps telling me that I need to make a U-turn to get back on the right route. But I know where I am and I am confident that I will arrive at my motel in good time. Though the roads they would have directed me too were main thoroughfares, I would be going south and west rather than traveling in the northeasterly direction I was actually headed. Yes, the roads would have been in better condition and I could have traveled at highway speeds for a longer period of time, these things were not as important to me as just having a calm and pleasant drive. And it turned out to be just that for me.

Making the road choices on this trip remind me of the choices we make along life’s road, the Highway to Heaven. Many are the times I have taken a path of my own choosing because it looks ‘easier’ to travel. And I have totally missed, or delayed, God’s blessing by doing so. My choices landed me in dark paths whose destinations were jail and many failed relationships. I could have ended up dead and buried, instead of alive and living this new life for God. I give Him thanks EVERY day for His prodding, and encouragement along the way! I am so glad that I decided to follow His path many years ago while sitting in a cell in the Butte County on charges that could have placed me in the California Prison system for at least a year and quite possibly the rest of my life. Today, I trust God to keep me and fully believe the passage in Jeremiah, which reads;

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV

Taking the backroads from Bullard’s Bar out to Hwy 70, I had an opportunity to drive through the communities of Brownsville, and Rackerby. Areas I used to call home some 15+ years before. They were lush, green and more beautiful than when I had last visited. Though I had no reason, and more importantly no desire, to stop and see anyone from my former life in the area … so I just drove through the countryside and enjoyed the scenery along the way. I refrained from stopping until I reached the northern outskirts of Chico, CA before stopping for anything. So, I made a quick stop for a sandwich and a soda before heading up I-5 toward Redding, CA, gas and the last leg of today’s journey.

The road to Redding, and beyond, was as uneventful as the views were gorgeous. More gorgeous than I had seen in more than 15 years, 10 of those were in severe drought. But today there is green and all of the water levels were higher than they had been before the drought began.

I arrived at the Bieber Motel about 6:00 pm on Friday evening. Though the backroads took much longer than the Google Maps route, I felt the drive was more than worth the time spent.

Well, as it is Saturday morning and noon is quickly approaching, I will close my journal for now, but  I will be back to share more with you about this weekend’s adventure. For now, I need to finish eating, shower and get out the door for today’s leg of my adventure. TTFN!