Phone waiting did not work, but changing the flight in the app surprisingly did work. Nice job United Airlines.
Casually woke up to pack and have breakfast at the lobby. Devine timing that I finished everything, without haste, and made it to their hotel with 2 minutes to spare.
I had the genius idea of holding hostage their luggage since they were cutting it close to their tour time. I dropped them off with 5 minutes to spare. Devine timing continued.
I decided to go get lunch. Finding parking took way too long. Not enough of it even on a non-peak day/hour. $2.30 / hour
It was Chipotle style ordering. I liked it. Reasonably priced too
Moved to a garage for $19 for the day. Walked to Natural History museum. Learned that one of our deepest diving submarines goes ~ 14,000 ft down. I wonder how many species of marine life we do not know about beyond that depth!
Christine and Nicole met up with me after their tour ended. We walked thru the ice age to human impact. Dinos. Cousin mammals. Up to climate change and stars. Back down to rocks and gems.
Walked to dinner reservation
Swordfish and meatballs were delicious. Fancy dinner prices…
Walked to Washington monument and saw a bunch of people doing this… So monkey see, monkey do:
Then went to visit Lincoln and MLK.
Earned our Gelato and hung out like cool kids outside
Drove over to Madam’s Organ jazz bar, but there was a $10 cover. Maybe next time. Free tiki bar sounded more fun.
4 fun types of tiki cups (Panda, fair lady, bathtub ducky, in love tiki-man 😍). Good DJ
Reflection
Maybe it was somewhat silly to extend the day for the opportunity to hang out with a new friend. Maybe not. Mike is a lifelong friend that I will see many a times. I needed to balance seizing the opportunity that God graciously provided, without taking for granted my good friend nor looking too much like the single dude desperately trying to hit on the gal. I could have extended my trip to two days and really crash their whole party, but I think I struck the good balance.
I do so [sarcastically] good at playing 50 chess moves ahead to see all of the possible good/bad interactions in my hypothetical fantasy relationship. I did prophesize, and was mildly correct, about the conflict that would be caused by my close (and large) family relationship would have on my last intimate relationship. Also, the pessimistic outlook of life and the opposite of the “benefit of the doubt” towards people….most hurtfully me.
How much can I gather in two dinners and two tiki bars? Only enough to want to gather more.
So much movement in her spirit. Literally, she has to make a special calendar titled “where am I” to remind her of the tentative plans for where she will be sojourning.
She makes Panda tiki cups dance to music.
She has an AI generated, biblical described angel as her phone background.
She loves weird, creepy looking things because the Bible says we will need to have courage to not be afraid of the angels that look like odd creatures.
She has an idea of maybe what she wants, but will not stress about what to pick until she needs to make the decision.
She carries a metal credit card holder
Getting nails done is usually a turn off for me, but they were tasteful. Eggs tasty-ful. But not too tasty since the point of them is to prevent her from biting her nails
She can laugh at herself
She does not get offended when I give considerations for her plans
She honors other’s choices without judgement. Being a lighting person for food photographer. Just supporting
She takes care of her mother
She helps manage the family properties
I have not been able to ascertain what she actually likes to do
Dear Heavenly Father
Thank You for Your Mercy and Grace.
Whether it is a mere fleeing test to see my response and search my heart for selfish, self-flesh, desires or answering my prayers. You are good and know what is best for me. I will try to listen for your directions. Do my best to discern Your voice over my own (or the enemy’s). Lean into the painful awkwardness and courageously step towards your light.
I pray for my friends as we all seem to struggle with our worldly problems. You perfectly made us to be more than a people dependent on the world. We are only dependent on You. You are the Great Provider and we only need to trust in You. Please continue to reveal yourself to all of us, in our special ways of understanding, that only You know, so we can maybe one day get it thru our thick spirited skull to trust You.
Silly to be so arrogant to say, “If I was a disciple of Jesus that first hand witnessed miracles, I would have walked on water with full Trust in the Lord”. Truthfully, the mustard seed is not found under the hay stack of doubt.
I pray that all our faith can grow to be AT LEAST the size of a mustard seed. Please continue to nourish us with your living water, Lord.
I pray all this in Jesus name.
Amen