A trip to California

"Those who refresh others

    will themselves be refreshed."

                        Proverbs 11:25

We got home from Arkansas, I did laundry and packed again!  My friend Marilyn and I decided to go see our friend, Carolyn.  Last June, her husband had passed away.   We wanted to go and just be with her!

Carolyn and Rich had moved to Newton, Ks from California many years ago and attended our church.  She joined our Bible study and was soon involved in many ministries.

Rich was an excellent piano player  (like Marilyn) and we LOVED to hear him play!!  He was also a mentor in small group ministries to our son-in-law, Adam.

When they moved back to be with their family, we were sad for our loss.  But of course, happy that they were with their family once again!

We had to wake up really early for our flight.  Marilyn's husband, Dave, drove us to the airport.   Sleet/ice had been predicted for this morning and we were grateful that the Lord answered prayers and we had no trouble getting to Wichita.

There was snow on the ground in Denver, where we were making connections for our flight to California.  Our daughter lives in Denver, as does Marilyn's son.  Wish there were a way for visitng family without having to go through the re-check process.

 As we were waiting for our next plane, we saw a girl come and sit across from us.  She had a bridal dress with her and a bridal bouquet.  We wondered -
1.  Is she the bride?
2.  Perhaps a jilted bride because there was no groom?
3.  Is she the sister of the bride?
4.  Or the maid of honour, taking the bride's dress back home.
The couple sitting next to us gave another option.
Perhaps it was a body!  The body of the groom??

Marilyn dared me to go ask her.  I didn't, but she decided to jump up and go ask her.  Pretty soon, they were both back and this girl asked me "So, which do you think I am?  The bride, sister of the bride or the maid of honour?"  I hesitated and then said "maid of honour."

"NO!  I'm the bride!"
"Where's the groom?!" I asked.

So she told us her story.  She had visited New York City and visited the studio where they film "Say Yes to the Dress."  We don't have cable so I didn't know anything about that show.  But Marilyn knew about it.

It is an American "reality television series on TLC which follows events at Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan. The series shows the progress of individual sales associates, managers, and fitters at the store, along with profiling brides as they search for the perfect wedding dress."  Evidently, while this girl was there, she was able to meet the host of the show and he encouraged her to apply for a part in the show.  They would be taking a bride from each state to win a spot on the show and do a huge wedding with all of them.  And she WON the spot for the bride from Colorado!  The show will air in January.  I'll have to figure out a way to watch!  She had been to New York for a photo shoot and was returning to Aspen.

 Our flight was delayed and delayed again, but we were finally able to leave Colorado.

 Here you can see where the snow line ends.

 Google photos will let you see where on the map your pictures are taken from a plane!  This is just south of Sloan Canyon National Conservation area.

Zion

Las Vegas

We wondered what this was!  Just southwest of Las Vegas.

I found out that it is the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in the Mojave Desert at the base of Clark Mountain range of California, located just across the state line from Primm, Nevada.

 As we neared Burbank, we could see a fire burning.  See the smoke?  Carolyn had told us that there were fires everywhere.  Last year, she and Rich had to evacuate their home.  Even now, she keeps necessary papers and things ready in case of a sudden evaucation order.

Marilyn and I had never used an Uber before, and we asked a younger lady if she could help us figure it out.  Dave had put the app on Marilyn's phone.  It was quite simple and after a 4 minute wait, we had a ride in a Lexus to go to Carolyn's!

 How wonderful to see her!!!!  

 We were looking forward to a great week with our dear Sister in the Lord!

At first, we had thought we would go before Rich passed so we could see him also, however, it didn't work out.  And truly, we would be able to visit longer this way.  We were looking forward to encouraging and serving her and for us to be filled with love from her.