Falling in Love with the Pacific

This morning I took a break. I needed it extra badly today.

It was THE most blessed, wonderful thing in the world. Do you know what Jesus used to do, when people were following him around all the time, begging for help? Over and over again, the Bible tells us that Jesus woke up before everyone, went up on the mountain, and prayed.

Now let’s NOT get technical here. Focus on the idea: separating yourself from others to pray, and to think, and to be renewed.

No, I did not do the “waking up before everyone else” thing. I have a sleep debt going back a long, long way. Plus Alan wakes up so early, so it’s pretty much impossible to wake up before he does.

No, I did not go up on a mountain. I went somewhere even better!

I parked in one of the $1.50/hour lots, but then I hiked past all the people, the wharf, the kayakers. Then I came to this really rocky area:

But I kept on walking. Then I came to find someone had written “All in” in the sand.

That got me thinking. All in. Am I “all in”? For what? Am I an “all in” Christian? An “all in” school teacher? Am I an “all in” mom?

I decided I definitely DO want to be ‘All in’. Yes, I want that to be me. All in–whatever it takes.

Then I finally found myself a great spot to put my beach towel down and have a sit. Before long, I wanted to be “all in” the Pacific Ocean.

It was so exciting–the exhilarating, wind-in-your-hair, no one asking you any questions, I-don’t-ever-want-to-leave kind of exciting.

Ya’ll! It was unreal. Do you know what I saw!??  As soon as I sat down, I saw a sea lion or two swimming by. At first, I didn’t believe it, but then it came closer and it was completely unmistakeable. Sorry, I didn’t get any pictures. I’m just not that quick.

I meant to sit back on my blanket and read my Bible, which I had brought with me, but I couldn’t do it. I was afraid I’d miss something. Instead, I just sat there with my eyes glued on the waters of the Pacific.

Finally, I opened up the Good Book to Psalms, read about the beauty of God, and thought, “Yes! I feel as though I have never been closer to the beauty of God than right here!” because just then even more things started going by!!

It was smaller than a sea lion. I guess it was a seal. It came, not swimming, but leaping by. It leaped out of the water as it swam!!! I was plumb giddy. This went on for ten minutes–one–and then another one–LEAPING up into the air!!!

I have never before wanted to don a scuba suit and jump in there, until today. If I could have, believe me I would have–oddest thing for me, as I like to play it safe on the shore, but today I felt like DIVING in there and swimming with those seals!!

I would have just sat there and stared at this ocean full of wildlife for HOURS, only something very regrettable happened. I had only put $1.50 in the meter. What do they do to you if you go over? I suppose they give you a ticket. Is that really so terribly frightening to make me give up this front row seat that I had!??? Well, I suppose it was because I hiked my way back to the parking lot. 🙁

I put some money in the meter and went off in search for a place to eat. I finally settled for a sandwich shop. Then I sat down at a table for some more BLESSED alone time, but as soon as I sat down, the older man at the table next to mine started talking to me.

Isn’t that always how it goes? Ha! But he was a perfectly nice Fresno man. He was a car enthusiast, in town for the car show. He was wearing the red car show shirt, with the red car show hat, and he was all about it. I later learned that that symbol he was wearing has something to do with a certain type of sports car. He proudly informed me that he has three of them and 20 motorcycles.

He asked me one of the hardest questions I’ve been asked in a while, “So what car is your favorite?”

“I’m sorry. What?” I asked.

“I mean what make/model do you like the best?”

I’m pretty sure “mini van” was not the answer he was looking for….”Oh, I like the classic cars more so than the sports cars.”

He nodded approval. Phew. Glad he didn’t ask any more questions!!!

I returned home to find Alan, in the garage, working on his bicycle. I love you, Alan. Thank you for spending your money on four little boys and a wife who likes pretty clothes, rather than motorcycles and Ferraris. 🙂 As I speak, Alan is diligently working on hanging our baby gates, which he had to make some extenders, out of wood, for because our staircase is too wide for standard baby gates.

The boys certainly noticed that there was a car show in town. This was a BIG thing. There were sports cars and specialty cars EVERYWHERE. We were out driving, and Caleb asked, “Why are there race cars everywhere?”  We actually were at a stop sign behind a Lamborghini, in front of a Ferrarri.

We took the boys to the beach for a Classical Conversations beach picnic this afternoon, and we saw DOLPHINS. All of this wildlife comes so close to the shore because the “shelf” is really close to the beach here. I love it. I definitely see a lot of beach days in our future.

This afternoon, as it was nearing sunset, Joshua pointed to the beautiful, sun-streaked sky and said, “Look, Mom, there’s Heaven over there.”

I had to agree. It did look like Heaven.

Of course, I have taken lots of photos to share. Sorry, I did not get a photo of the Heaven-ly sky. 🙁

I want all of our friends and family to know that we maintain our open invitation to come visit us and stay at our house. This is DEFINITELY a vacation worth taking.

I can’t believe we really live here!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

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