Mixed Blessings

This morning I am watching Jenna Bush Hager describe her road trip along highway 12 in Southern Utah, part of her "America the Beautiful" report on the Today Show. I made that trip a couple of years ago, although unlike JBH I was not in a classic caddie convertible. I was driving my old VW Passat Wagon with the new engine. (The engine in this car "blew" in Dec. 2009, part of the engine sludge build up that was unfortunately all too common in Passats...It cost us $5000.00 and many months of scrimping and saving to replace the engine)....



Highway 12 truly is one of the wonders of this country, a spectacular drive through Bryce Canyon

and the Escalante Staircase (or in this case, my dad's backyard from his house off of Highway 12)

 and Calf Creek....

That road trip will always be one of my favorite trips, in large part because it was taken with my son and his dog, Emmy:

Although I am on vacation this week, I will not be taking a trip like this one. I do plan to drive to Chicago for a wedding. My daughter's best friend from high school is getting married on Saturday. Sadly her mother-in-law to be is dying from ovarian cancer. She has been ill for ten years and it looks like she may not make it to Saturday. And, she has refused to allow the couple to be married in her presence because she thinks it means everyone has given up on her. Perhaps she thinks she will rebound once more, as she has three times in the past? Anyway, this will be a very difficult week and weekend, in that regard. I really hope the Pastor who is marrying this couple is helping them...

Following this emotional weekend I will drive to Indianapolis for the General Convention of the Episcopal Church...where emotions are bound to run high as resolutions are debated about things like - the budget, blessings for same gendered blessings, Open Table (baptism before receiving communion or not?)...oh my....

I may not be online much over the next week and half. But prayers are appreciated for the days ahead, a mix of blessings, celebrations, and sorrow - in other words, life.