Before I share with you this last stop on our tour, I find myself looking back in review of our previous adventures. And I realize that every moment, every wonderful new discovery of the places and people we visited, has been provided to us by the grace of God.
James 1:17 [Amplified Bible]:
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].
Certainly we have had our trials, we still live in the world. But the adversary can merely cast a pale shadow that lasts only until we turn our eyes back to the Father of lights and continue to accept His gracious gifts.
II Corinthians 9:8:
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
So it was by God’s grace that we traveled on to Michigan, over hills and around lakes, through lush, dense pine-green forests and small towns. We first met up with Elijah at his tiny apartment—only 250 square feet. (And I thought our first apartment together was tiny at about 400 square feet.) It was so good to see him but then we went to pick up his bride-to-be, Aimee, and what a joy that was to finally see them together. (Fun Fact #1: Aimee’s middle name is Grace!)
Then we met up with Brenda who was letting us stay with her at the coziest little cabin-on-a-lake that I have ever seen. We settled in a little and then we were off to dinner with Aimee’s parents and family at their lovely home. I was excited to meet this family that we would soon be related to.
Growing up, I had the best parents and two sweet sisters, but NO uncles, aunts, or cousins. So I’ve always loved meeting families, and especially those that become a part of my life. And I really enjoyed every one of Aimee’s family—all very different and yet in many ways so like each other, so family.
We shared fully in God’s gracious gifts, His love, His bountiful provision (in this case, great barbecue made even better by a little Michigan rain), and above all, how He brought us all together to celebrate Elijah and Aimee.
The next day, Cindy, Gene, and I had time to appreciate our lakeside haven. A morning mist arose off the lake and at one point, the resident pair of swans came gliding over from the other side to greet us. Is our heavenly Father too good to us?
Psalms 84:11:
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
That afternoon, we were off to meet even more friends and family at the wedding shower, this time at Aimee’s sister Gina’s house. (Fun Fact #2: Gina is married to Brenda’s son, Nate. All in the family!)
Now you know I’m always talking about the food, but this was a uniquely wonderful experience for me. The Italian side of the family had made homemade pasta, meatballs, sauce, and more. Lots of work with incredible results. What’s not to love?
But of course the best thing to love was seeing Aimee and Elijah together. If you haven’t heard the story of how they got together, ask them! It’s a story of love and God’s wonderful grace. And we are so happy and thankful that they desired to continue their lives together as fellow heirs in the grace of life.
I Peter 3:7 [Amplified Bible]:
[Husband] Show her [your wife] honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life.
Later that evening, they came out with us to the Bostwick Lake Inn where the five of us were able to relax together before we left Michigan the next day.
Early the next morning, I was up in time to see the full moon cast a glow over the shimmering lake, illuminating the peaceful scene until the rising sun began to take over with its rosy glow. I didn’t want to leave but it was time. We commended our Elijah and Aimee, and our “new” family and friends to God’s grace, knowing they were in His loving care.
Acts 20:32:
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
We had challenges to face before we made it home to California, and I was eager to see how God’s grace would carry us through!
NEXT: Our Grand Midwest Tour: Home
PREVIOUS: Our Grand Midwest Tour: Celebrate!
