Category: Journal Journey’s

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Life with Jesus

judyinthesky91

Life with Jesus

     July 29th, 2023 and ahhh, my friends, I have missed you during this season of grief and restoration.  

     I am just returning from my second retreat in Montana.  My first was last August.  Timmy, my brother, was hospitalized at the time with a broken femur.  It was a catalyst for his death in November.  My Aunt Katherine was surrendering to life in a care facility and would precede my brother in death by a few days at the beautiful age of 102 ½…. more than twice as much as Timmy.  My message from that retreat was “cease striving”.  Jesus knew hard things were coming.

     It has been a weird season, this cease striving season, where I had very little to say.  I have always loved writing.  It’s my prayer language.  It’s my super-power to express words that ignite the senses.   I wondered where the desire went.  I wondered if it would ever come back.  

     On retreat this year, Jesus brought me into joy… simple joy.  He showed me how to walk in nature and see him at work all around me.  He gave me things to delight in for no other reason than to confirm his love and that I am cherished.  And he woke me up, he gave me words to say, and a calling to share them.  

     You may have heard it said that being a Christian is not about religion, but relationship, a real and amazing relationship with Jesus.  It is my desire to share my relationship with him in the most transparent way I can.   I pray you are curious and that Jesus uses your curiosity in a personal and intimate way.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus: Judy, it’s like your wedding ring. You are married whether Kevin is with you or apart. The ring is a symbol of that. Would you like a token of some sort to remind you that I am always with you? Another ring? A tattoo? Your bracelet? Is there something you can wear to draw you back to the truth when the world blurs me out?

Me: Jesus, I’m so sorry. It’s true though.

Jesus: Judy, stop, shhhh, this is not about condemnation. It’s about helping you know I am always with you.

Me: Would you really be okay with a tattoo, Jesus? I don’t like them.

Jesus: (laughs) Then maybe you should get one, like Paul’s thorn. How about if we just start with what you already have? The bracelet you are wearing is beautiful.

Me: Thank you, Jesus, yes.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

I have been given a new word for 2023, CHERISHED. I have been keeping my life simple. I have ceased striving for validity through other people, positions and even posts. But, I was not ready for “cherished”. Yet Jesus, in his gentleness, has slowly persisted in teaching me that I am worthy to be cherished.

Song of Songs 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies.

We had some free time one morning, so I took a walk past the gate. I was feeling grateful for my physical being, able to walk and breathe. I thanked God for my eyes, which were able to take in the beauty all around. He gave me an experience so wonderful that I tried to capture it with words:

I am a bride. His path is adorned with flowers.

I am invited to dream. He grew a wishing flower to ignite my imagination and remind me that my asks can be as infinite as all the wishing flowers in all the world.

He goes before me. The fragrance of the forest envelops me, reminding me He is always with me.

He asks me to dance. I don’t even know why, but it sure feels good to move, skip, and twirl on the path. My smile grows. It is a wonderful thing to be loved by Jesus.

I am returning. It is uphill, and I am breathless. I stop at the edge of the shade, then will myself to press on.

The music stops. He says stop. He reminds me that he invited me here just to play. There’s nothing to hurry off to.

Psalm 68:19 Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.

     Later that day I was again tasked with going on a lunch date with Jesus.  When I did this last year, I spent much of the time in fear of bears, wolves, murderers, snakes, ticks, poison oak or ivy or whatever they have in Montana.  I worried I might get lost on the 2000 acres I was given license to wander about.  Jesus kept assuring me he was not that kind of date, but it did take some time for me to be at ease.  

     One of my prayer requests for Trinity 2.0 was that I would not be afraid in the forest, and I wasn’t.  Jesus is real and he really cares about me.

 John 14:13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

     You left instructions for me to come find you, bringing only my curiosity, the sack lunch and comfortable shoes.

     I went in a direction I had never considered, down where the two hills come together and the tall grass grows.

     I discovered grass laying down for a span in one area and it made me curious.  A few steps out of the resting grass I discovered animal droppings… This is how you let me know it was a place of rest for others within the vast realm of your creation.

     The walk was messy with uneven terrain, more droppings, different than the last, and fallen trees in various stages of decay.  I stopped to look up and marvel at the beauty.  When I walked, I could only look down for my careful next step.  It seemed like a metaphor for walking with Jesus.  When I am trying to control things, I have to be very careful and I miss most of the beauty.  

     A path appears.  Jesus is such a gentleman.

Isaiah 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

     My steps made a different sound on the pine needle covered dirt road.  I felt stickers poking within my shoes and tried to balance on one foot to pluck them out.  I was a clumsy sight to no one but the Lord.  He pointed to a nearby tree, where I hopped and finished clearing my socks from the intruding thorns.

     I want to go on that pilgrimage, Camino De Santiago. It is a walking trip with many starting points, ending at the shrine of the apostle James in Spain. An authentic Camino will encompass 100km (the bare minimum) to 600km. The rhythm of my steps made me think of it.  This is like a taste of it.  A question formed in my mind, “Am I capable?  What am I capable of?”

     Like I said, last year I was afraid, and this year I am not.  I am capable of being in the forest without fear.

     I think I hear running water and stop to find where it is coming from.  I discover it is not running water, but the song of the leaves dancing in the breeze.  I am grateful for their song and the breeze and the clouds that pass by offering me moments of shade on this 90* day.

     Purple wildflowers enter my view on the border of the pasture.  Thank you, Jesus, for dropping beauty here and there…. I’ve seen yellow ones and white ones that reminded me of pompoms.  Our walk is peppered with butterflies in whimsical flight.  Their lives are so short, but they seem to dance and discover the whole way through.  Jesus has a lot to teach me from them.

     There is a tree stump with new life sprouting from its core.  This is perseverance, Jesus impresses on my mind.

 Psalm 71:20  You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.

     At last I arrived at the Bitterroot River.  The temperature is cooler near it.  The sound is full and rich, much like the place I released my mothers ashes last spring.  It is a place of release.  My toes are resting on a muddy rock while the cool waters soothe me.  The sound of rushing water lulls me to silence.

     The ranch is encompassed with a barbed wire fence and signs that read PRIVATE PROPERTY NO TRESPASSING, but I am their guest.  I am permitted in.

Enter by the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  Matthew 7:13-14

     Heaven will be like that.  I will enter through the narrow gate that few will find.  

     In many ways, I am walking as a citizen of heaven here and now.  Like in heaven, Jesus is with me wherever I go, but I know the best is yet to come!  One day I will take off this world of corruption and my body, full of aches and demands, as I enter into the full glory of His presence.  That is indeed cause for celebration…. ultimate celebration.

We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.  2 Corinthians 6:2

Journal Journey's

Africa – 2017, Day 4

judyinthesky91

Day 4

We rejoined Joseph and went to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to learn about and enjoy the orphaned elephants that they provide safe haven for until they can be released back into the wild. 

We exited a few hours later with our hearts warmed by all that we saw and learned, and next went to the Giraffe Centre.  

It was another amazing experience – we were given pellets to hand feed these graceful giants.  Long black tongues carefully reached for the inch long pieces of food one at a time.  As we got braver (Cody first) we placed the pellet in our lips and received giraffe kisses!  It was such a delight.

Cody, our researcher, then discovered Nairobi Mamba Village, a crocodile park nearby so we went and learned about them, turtles and ostrich’s as well – and yes, a few of us blew kisses to them too. 

Attempting to kiss a turtle proved to be a memorable experience for me.  He looked deep into my eyes, stretched out his curios neck… and shot a stream of urine all down by blouse!  Turtles were my least favorite of the day.

We had a quiet dinner at the hotel that night.  It took such a long time to cook!  Aisha offered to help in the kitchen… perhaps our western standards were getting a reality check.   It proved worth the wait for the parmesan risotto and multitude of vegetables – each prepared in excellence of spice and flavor.

Early to bed, early to rise.  Tanzania was waiting for us.

Journal Journey's

Africa – 2017, Day 3

judyinthesky91

Day 3

Our Emirates crew received their gifts oddly at first.  It is not a common practice for them to be thanked.  It was my turn to give and I literally had to place it in the boarding flight attendant’s hands while he seemed bewildered.  

I was glad to have included a note:

Dear Crew,  

We are traveling in celebration of a 30th, a 50th and a 60th birthday!  Our ultimate destination is the beautiful and adventurous land of Africa and we are so grateful that you, our airline family, are part of our story.

Please enjoy this little sweet along the way and a tip for your van driver later.  Thank you for welcoming us.

Warm regards from your Airline Family, Aisha, Eileen, Diane, Cody and Judy

As word spread throughout the flight, most of the 19 member crew stopped by to wish us happy birthday.  They dressed the us in their elegant uniform hat – a traditional stewardess cap from days gone by – red, trimmed in gold and adorned with a long cream scarf which they draped beautifully on each of us for the photo.  They brought decadent desserts and again we were delighted that such a simple gift would spark such fun!

Customs in Kenya was dirty and confusing.  My officer overcharged for my visa, then wanted to correct the error by using the difference from Diane, then changing the receipt.  There was a messy pile of forms on his desk and his demeanor reminded me of myself when I am especially hormonal, irritated and over-caffeinated.

Receipt in hand, we finally exited to find our checked luggage and had just done so when the officer came back to demand the first receipt even though I had already given it to him.  He was flustered and frustrated with me.  Finally he accepted that I did not have it and let me go.  A customs difficulty in a country so foreign was intimidating, and now the line to exit was tremendous – but we did not complain.

Our driver, Joseph, met us outside with a joyful smile that immediately atoned for the complications.  We squeezed into his small mini-van with luggage piled to the ceiling and made our slow egress thru traffic that made the 405 at rush hour look easy.

And now we are all caught up and checked in to the faded glory of the Nairobi Safari Park Hotel.  It feel like our trip is about to begin – Africa at last!!!

I showered under lukewarm water that I was cautions not to swallow, refreshed and met everyone back in the lobby.  Our destination was the Safari African Lodge for a dinner show and dancing.  

The resort was spectacular with lush gardens and walkways.  Dinner was an exotic grill featuring the ordinary chicken and beef to the more exotic crocodile and camel.  We toasted with big glasses of the local beer, Tusker, and waited for the show to begin.

It was an extraordinary display of song and dance, enhanced with colorful and ever changing costume.  I found myself holding my breath in awe throughout.

When the show ended all the lights went out and a chorus line of singers surrounded our table to sing a rhythmic happy birthday song.  We were enchanted and felt very honored.  The remainder of the night was spent dancing, laughing and taking pictures.  It was a grand celebration.

Journal Journey's

Africa – 2017 Days 1-2

judyinthesky91

On September 11th, 2017, we boarded Emirates for Dubai – our airline custom is to bring gifts for the crew – something little to say thank you for letting us join you.  Our crew was so taken by this simple token that they spoiled us like mad for the entire 16 hours!  They gifted us with gift bags and desserts from business class – they took Polaroid photos of us and made us birthday cards.  We landed weary, but pampered in Dubai on the evening of September 12.

We checked into our hotel – a luxurious 3 room suite at Chelsea Towers… marveling at our view of Dubai’s tallest building – Burj Khalifa.  Actually, at present it is the tallest building in the entire world!  

We met our driver downstairs and began our city tour.  The opulence of Dubai is hard to put into words – everywhere we looked was pristine and spectacular.  It was the cleanest city we had ever seen – not a speck of litter or graffiti to be found.

Her skyscrapers were intricate and different like snowflakes.  They did not seem to compete with one another, but each added to the blanket of wealth and earthly image of security – and the irony that this city was built on sand was not lost on me.

At one am we dropped into a café for Middle Eastern food – hummus – eggplant – pitas and grilled meats.  Once there Aisha realized she had forgotten her purse at our last stop.  She and our driver went back in search of it.

Upon return she reported a man had discovered it and was standing guard until the police could arrive to bring it to safety.  We were astounded by the notion that someone would take such great pains for the security of a stranger’s purse.

Our driver continued with our travel weary bodies – showing us his Dubai and all her glory until we pleaded for rest!  Back at Chelsea Towers, we melted into our beds for a few hours rest before returning to the airport and pressing on for Kenya, Africa at last –

Journal Journey's

Journal Journey’s

judyinthesky91

Africa 2017

Introduction

Today is the 14th of September 2017 and I am in Kenya, Africa.  I am on day 4 of these incredible travels to mark my 50th birthday – still 5 weeks away, but why not close out my 40’s well?

I feel like I am off to a late start – it’s been such a whirlwind of travel, but at last a peaceful moment here at the Nairobi Safari Park Hotel.  

My hotel reminds me of my travels to Magadan, Russia, in my early flying days during the 90’s.  She is well worn in places, but the opulence of her history shines through the weariness.

I was surprised to learn that she opened in 1985.  I thought she was centuries old, but 1985 – how perfect, right?  It was the year I graduated high school, and here we are meeting again.

But I am ahead of myself – Day 4 is no place to begin a tale… let me back up.

My colleague, Aisha, has been telling me about her homeland for years – always concluding with, “You should go.”

“One day, one day,” I would respond.

This is a decade birthday – a perfect time to reflect and plan.  It’s so easy to let the years come and go without thought, but decade birthdays are thinking years.    

So, I jumped at the notion that ‘one day’ would be the marker for 50.  I was going to Africa!

Two of my work friends were of like mind and had been planning the trip to mark their 30th and 60th birthdays – Cody, and Diane.  Our dear friend Eileen also recognized the need – the desire – the calling to be changed by travel and enlisted as well.  We committed to Aisha and began making plans.