Paradise re-examined...a weekend in Heaven

Return to Reality

Allen and I have just returned from an amazing weekend in Palm Springs, California for an LCEF convention in which the two of us were voting delegates for the Wyoming District. We almost didn’t get there, but that’s in the next paragraph. Read on for full details.

It all started on Thursday afternoon. We loaded the Blazer up and hit the road. It seems as if our luck with that Blazer ran out a few days after we bought it 3 ½ years ago. This is me bringing up old wounds, but it seems necessary to give you any indication of how frustrated I was about the latest disaster on the road. If you recall, in May, the four of us took a road trip up a mountain near Rock Springs, Wyoming, and we shredded three tires in a matter of 30 mintues, pulling out the Visa to rescue us.

Now fast forward to Thursday. We’re driving on I-76, miles from the last town and miles to the next town. We pass a vehicle that immediately speeds up to pass us. The passenger is signing out the window, making gestures to indicate we were driving on a flat tire. Indeed, we were. An EXTREMELY flat tire. In the course of the next 15+ miles, we had several people flag to us, letting us know we were about to become disabled on the side of the interstate, with two kids and no houses, businesses, or any sign of civilization in sight. Not to mention no friends or relatives within two hours of us, and no road side assistance.

We slowed down and kept driving, looking for an exit with services. Thankfully, Brush, Colorado showed up after about 20 minutes. The first service station we found happened to be a tire repair station (Thanks, God!) and I walked in, said, “Sir, we’re on our way to the airport and have a flat tire. Do you have air?” He stopped what he was doing, came out to take a look and basically said, “It’s too damaged to air up, it might blow up. You need a new tire.”

De Ja Vu. Out comes the Visa, and 15 minutes, we were on our way to Denver.

We arrived in Denver around 5:00, found Cousin Lea’s apartment with no trouble and tromped a truck load worth of baby and toddler stuff to an otherwise grown up living space. After a ham sandwich, we loaded back up and headed to the airport, where we took a late flight to Palm Springs, then hopped a shuttle to the resort.

Since we arrived in the dark, around midnight b/c of de-icing at Denver, we didn’t see much other than the lobby and our Villa. We were forced into an upgrade, because they gave our room away.

Late the next morning, we peeled open our eyelids, grabbed a shower in the biggest walk-in tiled shower I’ve ever seen and headed out to explore. Lo and behold, we were in the middle of the mountains, sitting in a basin of the desert surrounded by beauty that’s unspeakable. Date Palm trees taller than the buildings, flowering shrubs and huge potted plants were just the beginning. Grapefruit trees right out our back door on the deck, manicured walk ways and crystal blue swimming pools, green grass perfect for the golf course that circled the resort, and butlers at your service, always with a smile.

The weekend was filled with sunshine, windless walks, and quiet time. Our obligations included a formal banquet on Friday and Sunday night, both with award ceremonies, speakers and music. The worship service on Sunday morning, a 2 hour meeting one afternoon, and daily bible study completed the weekend.

We both met many people from all over the states and got to know quite a bit more about the services that LCEF offers to Lutheran schools, churches and church workers. Seeing all that LCEF offers is a model of how they use their gifts to expand Christ’s Kingdom.

Overall, it was a great time and we hated to hear the alarm going off at 0400 Monday morning in order to catch the 0600 flight. Cousin Lea, Eden and Lars were waiting at the curb when we arrived in 40 degree Denver and an hour later, we were on the road back to Nebraska. Eden again asking, “are we going to my house and sleep in my bed tonight?”

Many thanks to Cousin Lea for opening her heart and her apartment to our children. It was not an easy task, as they did not sleep on Saturday night, and Lars awoke for the day at 0330 one morning. I have not seen the photos, but I hear they made tracks around Denver in the stroller, Eden taking in the artwork all through town. They hit the library and the park at least once, baked pizza and pumpkin bread, and read every children’s book they could get their hands on, I think. We would not have been able to go without her, and I’m thrilled that we have a sliver of our family so close.

The photos don’t do justice, as is often the case, but do take a walk though them, just looking at them makes me think it’s sunny and 70 degrees outside!

Back to reality tonight…Eden won’t behave and has been sent to bed. Lars is laying in the crib, whimpering. Mom and Dad ready for bed, but watching the late night Red Wings game. It’s tied at one (1) so we can’t possibly go to sleep now!