El viaje...

Ok, whether classified as a trip in your vocabulary or not, i went to Dallas yesterday. I went to celebrate my best friend's birthday. It was an unexpected surprise and i had less than 24 hours notice... Thankfully, i didn't get stuck driving. Not that i would have minded, but i don't think 3 people and then bags from shopping would have made for a very comfortable ride home... We went in Dave's Eclipse. I had a wonderful time- at the beginning. First, left from church to drop my truck off at home. Rode with Dave to Hayley's house. Felt incredibly stupid. How was i to know that it wasn't proper to get out and open the gate? Afterwards i did get a speech on chivalry and the lack thereof these days. I felt so retarded- my brothers treat me like dirt, i figured every other boy would too. Although Adam was made out of dirt, I guess i shouldn't really think of myself on that level- especially if i ever intend to have a boyfriend...

The ride to Dallas went alright. Hayley slept, i talked Dave's ear off, and listened to him talk. Unusual fact- lives an hour away from where my mom was born and raised. Overall, i enjoyed the ride there. A couple hours after leaving Liberty City, we finally arrived at Grapevine Mills. We got out of the car, walked to the door, walked through the door, and although i had to go to the bathroom, i was able to stand there in awe for a little bit. As i tiptoed in, i had a smile come across my face that i had forgotten i owned. It brought back so many memories....

We went from store to store and looked at various kiosks (or whatever it is that they're called). In all of the stores that we meandered through, i couldn't find the perfect wallet. I did, however, find the perfect cross necklace. The stones sparkle like opal does and reminds me of the heart necklace that I have. The only other thing that i bought was a little frog from from Rainforest Café. It reminded me of the one that i bought way back in 4th grade. The shopping experience dragged along for hours. Finally, a bit of excitement- we went to Books a Million. Hayley paid up on the coffee she owed me (by the way, Will sing for coffee...). Dave and i sat for a bit talking and waiting for Hayley to finish looking around. After a while, she came up with a bag full of books. Inside it was a book for Dave and a set of the C.S. Lewis signature classics for me. I am sure that i will enjoy them to the fullest. It's quite exciting to have the box set of them. They are so much more accessible to read now. After a few more stops, we got back into the car to go meet Hayley's sister at the Macaroni Grill. To say the least, we took the scenic route. Dave wasn't given very good directions. He did much better with them than i was capable of. After a while, we finally got there. We coloured on or table cloth. It was so much fun! I'd never done that before. Hayley and i had a great time taking pictures in the bathroom. i'll put some pictures on my facebook and then maybe you can figure out why... After watching everyone but me eat some cute, poor, defenseless baby squid, it was time to go. Well, i guess to be more technical, after cookie cake and complimentary cake.

The drive home wasn't as pleasant. I felt like a thorn in some body's flesh. I felt like every word i said was worse than not speaking at all. Well, not like it began just then. Guess it all started in the mall, but that's all i'm going to say about that. As Hayley slept and Dave listened to the radio and drove, i stared out the window at the stars and moon that were so far away yet seemed so close. I thought of Africa and all of the people that i left behind there. I remembered Kimberly so far away in Senegal and thought perhaps, she had looked at that same moon not too long before i had. I thought of the sparkling blanket of stars that i saw there. Not the one of patches and rags that i was seeing on the way home from Dallas. Strange how we think we're so smart because we can make and use light bulbs. It ruins the beautiful masterpiece of art that God gave us to look at. I hummed and sang in a voice so quiet that i hoped neither of them could hear. Among other things, i sang God of Wonders and Indescribable. Looking at his creation, how could i not think of that? I also sang songs in Swahili that i had learned in Tanzania. I sang songs that i learned in Mexico. Just looking at the moon and those constellations reminds me of the closeness of God, no matter what country he may send you too. He's there and just as visible as those pieces of rocks and burning things that he has placed in the sky. Even more comforting than that, he's so much closer than i will ever be able to get to any of those things. And invisible or not, it's neat to think that since he's everywhere, i was looking through him while looking at the sky. Perhaps that's what makes it so beautiful and gives me that since of wonder that it does.

After a long and silent ride, we finally arrived home. Somehow, the moon managed to follow us... I slept til 12:00 when i was awoken by a pleasant phone call from mom asking if i was still in bed. The day began with a quick look at facebook. It progressed to getting a phone call from Hayley to see if i wanted to go see a movie. Without thinking, my response was yes. After chauffeuring Mom to and back from Longview, Hayley and I left for my second trek to a place so familiar. This trip was different though. It was all the same at first. Got into the truck, turned it on, stuck it in reverse and backed out of the drive way. After a while, we got onto I-20. All seemed normal. After a few miles, the exit i always take to get onto 259 came up. I got in the lane after turning my blinker on. I got onto the ramp, and then that's when it was no longer my usual trip to Longview. A big truck cut across two lanes of traffic and pulled in front of us. Without thinking, my foot hit the brake. I thank God for that. It was so close! The roads were wet and i thought i might not stop in time. I did skid off a bit to the left, but not off the ramp. Expensive or not, i just got new front and rear breaks put on my truck. I honestly thank God for that. Things could have been much worse. As it was, we only had to smell burning rubber for a little while after what i will classify as a near death experience- or at least a near wreck experience that could have had some very serious effects. I guess when you do the math on a pick up and a car, chances are i'll win. When you're dealing with a pick up and a big truck, it's a different story. I was very shook up. Couldn't talk right for quite a while. Gulped down my leftover diet coke. i guess the familiar feel of an excess of caffeine helped a bit in calming me down. All i can say is thank you God! Things could have very easily ended up differently. I know God is always in control and am very thankful for that. I know it wasn't my time to get into a wreck and die and i'm sure there was a reason for that. What that is, i don't know. i know that whatever happens, Christ will be glorified by my life. May i daily seek to do that in whatever path i am supposed to go down.