Skip to main content

Here I Come, Chicago!





You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
 You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
 You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!  Psalm 139: 3-6


I learned in May that when you make your airline reservation months in advance, when fuel is less expensive, the airline can make lots of changes!  My itinerary doesn’t resemble the way I booked my flight months ago, but what the heck.  I’m going to Chicago!

You won’t see my smiling face for a while. 

I miss my brothers and my sister and their families.  Maya Angelou said it well:

I don’t believe the accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers.  It makes them siblings.  Gives them mutuality of parentage.  Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at.”

So I will breathe in family love and enjoy my roots to the hilt!  Who knows?  Maybe I’ll return with a few Midwest-flavored stories to share!  It’s where the grass is green; the buildings are tall and the backyard grilling, the pizza, and the Italian Beef rock.

It will be good to break away from the routine here in the country.  I will miss my husband.  I will miss you guys, too.

Returning in a few weeks!  Take care.

Comments

  1. I have traveled to Chicago every other year for about ten years now for family business. Unfortunately, I'm usually doing business and not being able to enjoy the city. I love the *vibe* in Chicago, and I have promised myself that I will one day return to actually sight-see! Hope you have a wonderful trip! Enjoy family and fellowship - and food, too!

    GOD BLESS!

    (By the way, Jane Fonda has had *help* with those good looks...)

    ReplyDelete
  2. That was interesting to learn about the airlines and changing around things. You think they would keep consistency with what you booked. I'll just add that to my list of why I don't like to fly.

    Safe travels!! How fun to go and visit family!! Enjoy the time away and hope the weather is pleasant in Chicago!

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  3. Have a great time. I had the same going to Florida last winter. Lots of changes, but I just had to go with it and enjoy my visit. Chicago is one of my favorite places and I look forward to your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Travel lightly, travel safely dear friend. We'll miss you ... but picture you with that big smile we've come to love!

    ReplyDelete

  5. The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
    The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.
    The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
    The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

    Enjoy and have a great time with your family!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love Chicago! Our son went to Moody Bible Institue and visiting him was always a ball. Be sure you include some of their deep dish pizza... like no other! Have a wonderful trip Mary!. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Time to get a hotdog from "Portillos!" or Italian sandwich! ;)

    Take care sister Mary and have a fun time. No matter where you go, it is love that keeps you going back there...Love from families! Blessings and love to you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Mary! Have a wonderful trip!! Where in Chicago will you be? I don't live far from there at all. I'm sure you'll be very busy, but it would be fun to meet in 'real life' wouldn't it?
    Have a great time, and I hope our weather cooperates :)
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
  9. Came back to reassure you that I'll be joining you in prayers! I am saddened how so many vets are not getting the help they need. Tell him "thank you for his service" and I'll have my hands/fingers for battle in prayers...Same for you. Love you sister Mary.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Have fun and enjoy your time with family. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good for you! Enjoy your time… seems like we don't get enough of them. I'll consider this my reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh you dear sweet lady! I am so excited for you to go and spend time there with your family. I think we all need that at times. I will look forward to those stories you will share with us upon your return. :) xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Mary, for me you're like a mom already. Thanks for that comment you posted in my birthday post, that totally gave me a lift! Thank God for using you and i even told my friends and mates about your comment in my blog, you just made another soul happy and inspired. I haven't seen as your prayer list, i wish i could see it, please provide me a link where i could view it or instructions. :)

    Also, please enjoy yourself there in Chicago! I bet you really need some air! :) When you come back, please give us stories! :)

    ———————–
    By the way, I added you in my exchange links. To know more about this surprise, please visit this URL:
    http://stevevhan.blogspot.com/p/artist.html

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dear Mary I will miss you. But your vacation is very much needed. Be restful, praiseful and joyful.
    Many Blessings to you

    ReplyDelete
  15. That's a beautiful verse. I just always forget how magnificent our God is. :)
    Have a wonderful time.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I hope you enjoy your time! The verse is so lovely...and so are you. God bless you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Greetings Mary!You are now just a few short hours away from where I live in WI! Unless one gets stuck in Chicago traffic! Yikes right! That alone can add an hour or two in travel time! Chicago has much to offer. I hope that you get to see some museums and eat at an excellent restaurant or two! Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love your visits! Rest well and totally be inspired!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Daisy House

I work at my desktop with the children at my feet.  A makeshift area rug made of white butcher paper lines the floor where the baby, crayon in hand, imitates her big sister.  Sister focuses on the finishing touches of the house she designed.  The catchy children’s song, Wheels of the Bus, blasts from the Toddler Station on Pandora Radio. Six year old Sookie unveils her masterpiece and I ooh and awe at the sketch.  “It’s a daisy house!”  I exclaim.  “I love the colors.  I wonder what the inside looks like.”  Without hesitating, Sookie describes each room.  “There are five rooms and they are all different colors.  One is Mint Chip, another Strawberry.  There is a Vanilla room, and a Cookies & Cream room and the last room is Rocky Road.  You have to wear a sweater inside because it is very cold.” “A house made of ice cream,” I reply.  “It sounds heavenly!” I dug into my Bible readings that morning ...

A Memorial Day Reflection

  Memorial Day is always noteworthy for me and my girls.  Next Thursday marks the third year of missing their father, my husband. So many thoughts  run through my mind.  The journey of loss takes on various emotions.  The strongest feeling, at first, was emptiness.  In a split second, I would forget he departed forever.  I imagined things I needed to talk to him about when he got back home.  My mind is realistic now.  He's not coming back.  There will be no more times of sitting on the porch swing together on the front deck staring at the moon and the stars.  He would tell me all he knew about the majestic night sky. I have so much I wish I could tell him, like the excitement of seeing our oldest grandchild make a decision to follow Jesus and get baptized on Mother's Day!  And our little Amy, 11 years old, I wish he could have seen her on stage receiving her induction to the National Honor Society. Our daughters have their own ...

Whisper in My Ear One More Time

He woos me to His side and I listen carefully to clues I hear about His direction for me in the coming year.  I love September.  It is a special time for me.  I look for Him in a word or phrase; He speaks in the quiet hours.  He weaves my life’s days together in such a way that I see a glimpse of him in everything.  I look at my simple days and that word pops up like a revelation and I know He is near. The fall Jewish feast days explode with meaning for me as a Christ follower pursuing my Jewish roots.  The forty days of Teshuvah, or time of return, depict God calling us back to Him spiritually for a deeper relationship.  The sound of the shofar every morning, a wake-up call warns me not to miss what God is about to do.  That shofar blast scatters my enemies releasing breakthrough where needed.  Then comes Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, a brand new start.   Yom Kippur follows, a time of deep repentance and fasting....