And yet, California is like any other place, full of people trying to live, of stories and conversations and memories. We originally came out to Long Beach in the summer of 1990 just after Stephan was born. He celebrated his first birthday here with this church family (dressed like a little bunny). It has been good to see old friends and make new relationships here, even if the sun has not shone that much (they talk of “June gloom” here, which comes every year).
Our time here has been filled with visits and conversations with the church members, as well as some time to look around and even do some tourist things. We made it down to Seal beach and stood in the wind amazed at the few people who braved the water and sand. We spent an evening at Harbor Village shivering in the evening sun that finally peaked through the clouds, but enjoying the boats in the marina and the people along the pier.
Later in our time, we were treated to a visit to downtown Los Angeles. You would think that we had been there before, but this was our first time. We even took the “metro” there (a mix between a tram and a metro). It is always fun to visit places with people who know what they like and share it with you. In this case it was a very short but very busy (in years) funicular tram, an office building straight out of a 1930’s detective novel, Union Station and the old roots of this very large city, grounded in Spanish and Mexican culture.
We of course spent time with members of the congregation, telling about how God is working in The Netherlands and Belgium. Scott preached on Sunday and we enjoyed a potluck afterwards. The song leader even made Scott feel at home (unknowingly) by raising the last verse of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” - just like often happens in Maastricht on a Sunday.
Sunday evening was an interesting time. We shared a meal of leftovers with the Jablonski’s. These were leftovers from the various meals since arriving and brought with them the various memories of good conversations. So we also enjoyed the conversations and memories a second time.
And food has definitely been a part of this stop. A fish restaurant with a sort of fish tex-mex, O’Malley’s Irish pub for a breakfast, authentic Mexican fare including Mole enchilada’s (spicy chicken with chocolate), Angus beef steaks as well as good ol’ home-cooked meat and veggies. We may have to be rolled home when it is finally time, but we have enjoyed the varieties and especially the conversations along the way.
Our trip these past 7 weeks has seemed like a dream. Even more so as we look back on all the people we have seen and places we have visited. And we missed seeing so many! But we have been able to share memories and make new memories along the way.
Here in California we are blessed to stay with our friends, the Jablonski’s, who live on a golf course. They have plum and avocado trees in their yard. We have enjoyed the avocado’s almost every evening while being spoiled by their hospitality. Their Egyptian cat mewls and rubs your leg as the wind lightly plays with eh flowers growing around the swimming pool.
And yet, life is still life whether it is elsewhere or here in what to some seems an idyllic surrounding. Gas prices are the highest here than anywhere we have yet seen and families still do their best to deal with all the struggles we are given in this life. We are so thankful not only to have family in God, but to have strength and security and a future in God. This is not a dream, but the real reality - wherever we are.
Very soon we will be on the last leg of our trip, visiting with Sean and Jill in New York, after which we will be heading home. But that is another story.
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