Raleigh Rocks!

Oh my gosh! I just got back from a wonderful weekend get away to Raleigh, North Carolina with one of my God Chick pals Alina. Thank you so much for everyone who prayed for me…for some reason I was really “anxious” about traveling on this trip (not normally, but this time I was really nervous). I know that I should be “anxious about nothing”, but when push came to shove I was flat out nervous. It didn’t help that my little commuter flight was delayed three times and my phone kept ringing from the Delta automated line telling me to come to the airport, no, now it’s delayed, no come to the airport, no…it’s still delayed. Talk about stressful…eek!

Any who, I arrived (finally) safely and we went out for a very nice dinner at some shee-shee restaurant…all I can tell you is that it was the BEST crème Brule I have ever had in my life!!! We talked, laughed, and stayed up for a long time just catching up a bit…hee hee!

Saturday morning while the rest of the house was out and about I waltzed outside, for a breathe of fresh Carolina air, and was taken back from the sheer beauty of nature. It was stunning…the sun was up, the lake behind her house was glistening, the geese and peacocks were walking around, the leaves had fallen, and God was there. At that moment I just sat out on the deck and wept over the blessings that He brings forth each and every day. (For a brief moment of my day I just stood there in awe of God’s majesty…what a gift)

Later that morning we were blessed to meet up with a really cool chick, Sommer, from Alina’s new church, Life Pointe Church. Sommer runs the Family Ministry at LifePointe and after about 3 hours at lunch we figured that we should probably give the place their table back (we tend to take over places). After we finally let Sommer get back to her day we took off for some Starbuck’s (always a must) and shopping at this gorgeous outdoor shopping plaza. We sat up Saturday night, watched American President (classic!), ate left-overs, and thanked God for the special friendship He has given us.

Sunday morning was spent packing back up, having breakfast with the family, and then heading out the door for church. I told Alina that I was going to church today “expecting to hear a good Word” and I was not let down. Her pastor spoke about JOY and I was reminded that it is MY choice to let others steal my JOY, and right then and there I said NO MORE! My JOY comes from God and only He will bring it and only I can give it away. (Great teaching, great people, great experience…thanks Life Pointe team)

I said goodbye to the kids, packed up my bags (yep, even for a weekend there was multiple bags), and we headed out to Cheesecake Factory (can’t go wrong there) for lunch and a little more shopping before heading to the airport.

It was a quick visit and I am so thankful to Alina and her family for opening up their hearts and their home to me this weekend…it is just what I needed to realize that I am just where HE wants me to be!

Blessed,