Facing the Wind



Just Wed---September 5, 1998




Dan and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary this weekend. We didn’t do anything “big” to mark the occasion. That is planned for next year. We did spend the long holiday weekend doing our favorite but simple things.



Me on top of Julian Mountain (CA)




Dan enjoying the waves-LaJolla Cove (CA)



We made an overnight trip to visit with relatives. Of course, there was laughter and lots, and lots of food. As I have said before, it is the Southern way; if you can’t fix it feed it!



Our friends of Grace invited us to share with them in their Labor Day activities. There was softball, cookouts and worship in praise and baptism. The testaments proclaiming lives completely and miraculous changed was awesome.



Formerly the site of a church camp, Grace is located on 60 plus acres. We enjoyed hiking in the woods enjoying the beautiful weather in between activities. We hear some folks are a bit stiff and sore today, but I am sure that is just a rumor.




Safe or out????

 


Beautiful Labor Day Weather

 

Yesterday morning we loaded up the bikes and took them to the park. It was a beautiful September day with blue skies and cool but gusting winds. Still needing rain badly in this area, the wind produced clouds of dust in the distance.

As we began our ride, the wind was at our backs turning bikes into sails. It was when we faced the wind the struggle came. We could barely turn our pedals. The wind almost held us in place. We were not sure if we could make it. The harder the wind blew, the harder we peddled. At one point in the trail, a sudden gust of wind hit us sideways almost knocking us off the trail. We took turns falling behind the other in single file, the one in front taking the worst of the wind.


The bike ride is just like life and marriage. Even on the best and perfect days, life can suddenly turn difficult. It is at those times you press in together. You watch the others’ back, hold on to each other and trust God to help you stay on the path.

The things we have experienced in our marriage many couples don’t survive. We have been blessed. The difficult times have drawn us closer rather than separating us. We thoroughly enjoy the times in our lives when the wind is at our back. It braces us for the inevitably of facing the wind.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10