Happy President’s Day Weekend. I hope it offers some rest, and of course, some wonder! This is a little late, but onward, right?
One quote I’m thinking over – C.S. Lewis (can’t go wrong with him)
“The Future is, of all things, the thing least like eternity. It is the most temporal part of time–for the Past is frozen and no longer flows, and the Present is all lit up with eternal rays.” – C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
One new birthday experience – Korean Spa
For my birthday this year, I pushed myself from my comfort zone by going to a women’s only, Korean spa. My friend Tara told me about this place. She lived in Japan for four years and often went to the onsen (Japanese hot spring/bathing spa), where she’d learned about personal care (ridding toxins, skin care and such) from the Japanese women. I was intrigue. And a little nervous since clothing and shoes are prohibited in portions of the spa, and I hadn’t been in that kind of situation since high school gym class – I won’t even begin those stories but I know my classmates know what I’m talking about there.
This spa is half off on your birthday, and I figured why not start a new age with a new experience in my birthday suit. Their website says, “Let us pamper your mind, body and spirit,” and I said, “I’m in!”
After a 30-minute massage and tea in the tea room, I headed to the numerous infrared heated rooms, then to the showers (you shower a lot and before every time you go in the pools) and the hydro pools and saunas, back for more tea and some reading of a great book, more heated rooms, the mugwort sauna, shower, hydro pools, oh and the cold pool which was freezing and awesome, and also tried the mugwort herbal well which meant scooping up and pouring this interesting smelling water on myself and hoping I was doing it correctly. I spent over three hours there, and could’ve stayed longer. But all in all, I had such a great time. It was so relaxing which I don’t do enough of, and it was interesting to do something that people around the world do quite regularly. I’d definitely return.
https://www.olympusspa.com/tacoma/tacoma-services
If any of you have experienced something like this, I’d love to hear about it.
One great birthday night
Sometimes home is the best place for good food. Here was my birthday dinner: steak, bacon wrapped scallops, smoked salmon, sushi roll, artichokes, salad, sourdough bread, beet salad, wine, and lemon cake. So good. Lily made me a piñata that included an orange and toys since I don’t like a lot of candy. There were many great things about the day including many special FB messages I still need to respond to, and I’m grateful to God for another birthday to be grateful for. The beautiful sunset was taken as another gift.
One wonder TV show to seriously NOT MISS – Blue Planet II on BBC America (and SlingTV)
It’s easy to believe that TV is a mindless activity, an empty escape or an activity the equivalent of eating junk food. I enjoy TV, or specifically, certain TV shows. There’s certainly a lot of junk food on there. My daughter Maddie told that I had to watch Blue Planet II because it’s amazing, and because it’s relevant to a book series we are writing. It’s in a word spectacular! You will be dazzled, amazed, and intrigued by what you learn all at the same time and through every episode.
As I watched, I was thinking how in no other time in human history have people been able to sit in the comfort of their homes and explore wonders upon wonders beyond what human eyes had the ability to see before now. For me, it only deepens my awe of God and how great His designs are and weaving together of life and ecosystems. It’s all beyond what we can comprehend or even see. Whatever you believe about God or how much you love nature, I guarantee you will be in awe of this show.
One gift to give someone else
My mom is the best for always coming through on birthdays (thanks Mom!). And I had some really special things from others this year too including words that were very impactful and lasting. And this week, I suddenly remembered a non-birthday gift that my friend and mentor Robin Jones Gunn gave me many years ago. This is something every one of us could give someone else.
Some context: this was probably 2005 and I was going through a divorce which if you haven’t gone through one, you can never imagine the depth of pain and heartache involved. But anyway, Robin and I were at a book convention somewhere – maybe Orlando or Atlanta – and we’d set aside a little time to hang out. Time with Robin is always fantastic, but this time, we hardly talked at all. Instead when we sat at this table together (I can’t even remember where this place was, just that table), she just opened up her Bible and started reading. She read and read some more. Chapter after chapter she read from the book of Psalms. I know this included Psalm 139 and 143, but I can’t remember where she started or when she stopped. What I do know is that there were some tears, a lot of love, and an incredible, divine peace as she was reading. Sometimes we seek the right words to make someone else feel better in a hard time. Sometimes it’s better just to read words that will bring them peace.
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” Ps. 139:14
“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my anxieties. And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139:24
“Hear my prayer, O Lord.” Ps. 143:1
One adorable poem – “My Favorite Word” by Lucia and James L. Hymes Jr.
Lily performed this adorable poem at her first grade Speech Meet at school. Proud mom has to share the adorableness.
One funny Griffin conversation
So last week, I learned that I needed a real job that includes hot dogs, according to Griffin. This week, my four-year-old came up and asked in all seriousness, “Mom, when someone goes in a time machine, how do they get back?”
We had a little chat about time machine issues and how no one has made one successfully yet – that we know of. Then I shared my hopes that he doesn’t go in one and come back older than me. After our talk,
He then asked, “Where do we get metal?”
I tried to give an answer about metal being in the ground and then it’s distilled, or no, it’s separated, or no, “Want me to ask Siri or Google?”
“No, I mean, where can I get metal?”
“Oh, I think they have it at Home Depot.”
His eyes lit up at that. “I’m going to get some and build a time machine.”
If we disappear suddenly, you know what happened.
Have a wonderful and wonder-filled week ahead!
