Deep in all of us is a God-given need for pleasure. He has given us this need so that we will find pleasure in him and in the good things he gives us.
– Neil Cole, Organic Leadership
Not a bad theme quote for the past two or three days! The girls and David and I — even our dog, Toby — have entered deep into vacation mode. How lovely it is not to strive and push in life for just a few days. Just take time to STOP. We do that so rarely, even on vacations. I try to live life doing the best I can for the kingdom, for the community, and sometimes forget that we’re allowed to look around and appreciate all that God has showered on us, all that he has given us to enjoy.
On July 3rd we took the gang to the Red Sox v. Seattle Mariner’s game in downtown Boston. It was the first sunny day of the trip, and the evening game was just magical. We arrived early so we could walk through the Back Bay area of Boston and eat at Vinny T’s, a great Italian restaurant that we all — miraculously — love. The return trek to Fenway seemed long, so we hopped on two bicycle pedicabs for the trip back. With three of us in each bike, it was a tight squeeze! And then… oh the magic of watching four girls discover Fenway Park for the first time. Yawkey Way, with it’s raucous vendors and fans squeezed into party mode, winding our way through the stadium, and emerging at our seats…just feet behind home plate. Wow. Everrywhere we looked it was a sea of Norman Rockewell red and blue. And the game itself was amazing, even though we lost in extra innings. Hot dogs (Fenway Franks, of course), lemonade, peanuts, ice cream and a late night stop for grilled cheese sandwiches at Friendly’s on our way home. Perfect night!
On the fourth we drove back up to the lake in time to see the fireworks over Meredith Bay. OK, so the fireworks were underwhelming. But watching them from the boat, all cuddled up in quilts because it was cold: priceless. The last two days we’ve been jet skiing and tubing and taking the boat for dinner to a restaurant on the lake that features tacky live music and yummy food all set on the beach next to the lake. Today David and I got up earlier than the girls and headed out to “get gas in the jet skis.” What that really means is staying out long enough until the jet skis need gas! We passed a great summer island — no cars allowed — and watched the kids jump off the dock pilings while they waited for the mail boat to come in. We idled slowly around a cove, looking at fish. And in one lovely moment we raced full speed across a bay, to see who could win. In the end, of course, we did need to get gas, and that’s a trip we love: the friendliest people are at the marina! Everyone shares stories, admires their dogs, comments on the weather (finally amazing!).
So that’s what I’ve been doing! Basking in amazing creation, enjoying the rare peaceful moments with my family and resting.
