I got the window of opportunity and urge to go, so I came up home,  north, yesterday morning, will go back home, south, later today. It’s a blessing to be here, it’s a blessing to have a place to be. “I LOVE NY” is both a statement and a place of mind. And I found it funny when the gentleman whom I asked to take a photo of me with the I LOVE NY sign at the visitors center left his finger in the photo and it looks like he is pointing “THIS” – yes THIS – I love NY.

One urge in this window of opportunity of course is to see family and get the gist of them which comes better in person than on the phone – and everyone is enjoying summer, doing ok. My aunt is getting thinner, she realizes this too, prayers are appreciated. I do appreciate that they appreciate our visits. Everyone is not getting any younger up here.

And my other motivation to come up was to bring up all this family history research and materials BACK to the farmhouse, to share it with her and my family, to basically explain that they had dozens (now hundreds) of cousins that we never knew we had. My family wondering if they would be looking for us too. I don’t know but I would hope so – there are probably many hundreds of folks now – I wonder if they have our (my grandma’s) letters too. It’s the connections that interest some folks, or simply the possibility, but really my blessed ability here was just to take the closer look into our vast family and their plights, and trust me that I felt like love for my grandma and family from her aunt and cousins through these letters and cards. And help us appreciate counting blessings from our opportunities and commiserate for our collective sorrows. My aunt said she appreciated my sorting and hard work, she felt like she was in one of those family ancestors finding your roots programs. Cool. I did hope she and my mom would appreciate it – but honestly I felt the drive to research if just the people in heaven were saying “hey, someone spoke my name”! I do believe I will meet these people in Heaven – I can’t wait (but I am in no rush!)

And ANOTHER motivation for my trip up here, which is both practical and selfish – is to put a bookmark or pause or “finished for now” placeholder on the research – both because it is time for me to travel soon and because I have “milked” the bulk of research our of it –  a box which is the size of a shoebox – but the information to fill a lifetime of research. I have to pause and say “done enough” – wrote up a big report on the census findings too – 36pages – and pause. Of course it is ALSO time for me to find work OUTSIDE the home – which is what my family in the depression (according to these letters) was wanting to find. It would make for a better “Santa Claus” as they would say… When people ask “how has your job search gone?” I have to say it is the connections that I have made over the years that are being renewed are my favorite part of job search. A friend just redid my CV for me in AI-lingo – and that was so nice of her – looks so much better. And honestly I have counted my blessings over concerns and kept going this five and a half months as if I was doing “other work as assigned” by the Lord. And for this I am truly grateful… GRATEFUL! (and yes, I have NO regrets on travel and time spent.) 

(and one has to have both a tough skin and “to guard your heart” – from the Proverbs – because when you feel it is your mission, don’t let anyone dissuade you – and also don’t worry what others think…  Guard your heart – and get wisdom to know (from the Lord) whether each step is worth it – and don’t let the fear of folly dissuade you from keeping going.)

And a different kind of “closer look” was lowering down upon us yesterday too when a hot air balloon drifted and dangled and dazzled from the sky – they lower to touch down at a local park down the hill – so this particular balloon is seen a few times a year by my family – I think it was the closest I have seen it myself – so cool…  I have video too. And close enough that I was looking for their faces – but no one was leaning OVER – they must have been looking AROUND. And isn’t that our joy too – for a closer look – to take the time to look around at our situations and opportunities – from a new vantage point. The balloon people saw us as specks – and then we drifted out of their view, same with the balloon, same with life – YEAH!

Yeah take the OPPORTUNITY for A CLOSER LOOK – then keep drifting to the next view. You won’t regret it… won’t regret being “in the moment” – to have the Lord’s Finger pointing to THIS. I never have regretted it when the Lord has “made me look”…  And I thank the Lord for keeping me close as I try to look closer towards HIM.

Yeah – a closer look – and daily a closer walk too…

Amen…

(Thank you for prayers for traveling mercies!)

—

Proverbs 4 NKJV

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.
When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.
Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
And the years of your life will be many.
I have taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble.
Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life.

Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil.
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;
And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.
For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.

But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.

My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.