The Napa Valley Detour

The first time my H and I drove down to explore southern California,

I was 20 and he was 25.

 This year we will be 65 and 70!

Listening to a favorite artist of the 70's, 

I let the years flash through my mind

and found it hard not to get a bit emotional.

God has been so good!

There were years that we picked up three excited kids from school,

suitcases in the car, ready to head to Portland or farther,

sometimes driving late into the night. 

Now they are doing similar trips.

Familiar landmarks dot the way

ranging from scenic mountain views to farms and orchards.

I always marvel at the precise way the trees are planted,

straight rows no matter which direction you look,

flying by in a kaleidoscope design 

intensified by the white painted stakes or trunks.

We are still getting used to the fact that we can slow down and take our time now,

so, for the first time, we took a detour off the I5

ending up on a windy road leading to Napa Valley.

There was something magical even about just getting there.

Wildflowers along the side of the road.

Okay, I made him stop!

California poppies

I coudn't get enough of the views.

Immaculate hillside vineyards began to dot the landscape. 

Coming into Napa, the friendly vintage locomotive Wine Train made its presense known 

as we drove by and admired the historic homesteads.

We made our stop at one that made us feel like we'd been transported into Italy.

 

We didn't  do the tour or the wine tasting but it's all available,

along with a large Deli where we got our lunch

and then took it out to a picnic table area. 

It was a perfect setting and one I'll remember as a highlight. 

We left this beautiful little valley after such a short visit, but hope to be back. 

 

Run to the Father

Last Sunday I was touched by the music and lyrics

of this song written by Cody Carnes.

I love how the words express that

whatever comes, 

we can keep running to the Father

who loves us more than we can ever understand. 

Such amazing grace.

 I'll post the words of the second verse and chorus.

You saw my condition

Had a plan from the start

Your Son for redemption

The price for my heart

I don't have a context

For that kind of love

I don't understand

I can't comprehend

All I know is I need You

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh

Again and again

And again and again

♡♡♡

History Repeated

These days, as our thoughts go out to Ukraine and Russia, I was looking up the map of where my grandparents came from and I came across this photo that I posted as part of my grandmother's story a number of years ago. 

This photo has always struck me as beautiful and sad at the same time. My Omi and my dad, facing a life I just could never imagine. In about 1943 they fled Memrik (Ukraine) under the threat of the Russian army. By this time her husband had been executed and two other children had died, likely because they were not able to get medical attention. Together they faced the war torn landscapes, settling in Poland and later in Germany.

This map shows the Mennonite villages in Ukraine 100 years ago, places that were moslty destroyed during WWII.  But as I see the News today, showing the line-ups of refugees heading to Poland and other places, it makes history come alive. My heart cries out for the mothers and children having to leave their husbands and daddies, not knowing if they will ever see them again. Many people making life and death decisions. I also pray for the Russian soldiers who may not have a choice about being where they are. Altogether very sad. And yet, I'm here. My children are here, as are my grandchildren. May we never forget the price of freedom and may God redeem the years the locusts have eaten, even today.