Michigan Weather in California!

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” *

     While Al and I were in California, we were surprised by the weather. Assuming it would be warm, I had filled up the suitcase with appropriate clothing like shorts and light weight shirts. It turned out that most of those clothes remained in the suitcase because it was much cooler than expected. In fact, during the ten days we were out west, it was warmer in Michigan! Quite a switch!

     After arriving in Los Angeles, we spent a few nights along the coast, then traveled to Bakersfield, where most of my family live. We stayed overnight with my sister and brother-in-law and the next morning drove northeast to Springville, a small town nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This was the country we called home for 30 years before moving to a busy suburb of Detroit.

     Driving through town on the way to visit friends who live near the Sequoia National Forest brought back many wonderful memories. It was a cool, beautiful morning. The four of us sat outside on the patio eating warm peanut butter cookies and drinking fresh coffee, while Al and I soaked in the familiar sights and smells of the Sierra foothills that we have missed since moving.

     Our friends, Larry and Barb, had made a birdhouse tree on one side of their garage by nailing up a long slice of trunk from a pine tree, then attaching several symmetric pine branches. Barb hung many unique birdhouses including one shaped like an outhouse, from the branches.

     “My garage just needed something!” she said. As we were admiring their handiwork, a small wren flew to the outhouse and disappeared inside to sit on her nest!

     The hours went by too quickly as they seemed to do throughout the trip; and soon we were back on the highway down to Porterville for a meeting with our former pastor. That turned out to be a good time of sharing, catching up on happenings and praying together. We also planned to return on Sunday and attend church there. However, since he and his family were going to be out of town, we were happy to be able to see him during the week.

     Both Wednesday and Thursday nights were spent in Porterville with two families that we’ve known from school teaching and attending church. Al and I watched all of their kids grow up over the years, attending tennis matches and many other special occasions. Needless to say those families have become near and dear to our hearts. What fun we had reconnecting with them and other friends in Porterville.

     One change in plans occurred on Thursday, the day Al and I were hoping to drive up to Sequoia National Park. Because it was raining hard when we got up Thursday morning with possible road closures in the mountains, we decided to do some errands in Porterville instead.

     When the rain stopped around noon, it was nice enough for an impromptu picnic lunch at a popular site above Springville overlooking the Tule River. There was a loud roar as the Tule, swollen by all of the rain, tumbled over granite boulders on its way down the canyon to the valley below. It was a welcome sound to our ears indeed! Water...an answer to prayer by the people who inhabit this very dry area of California.

     Saturday was a beautiful day for a baby shower to celebrate the first child of a nephew and his wife. However the outdoor worship service planned for Sunday at our former church had to be held in the sanctuary due to intermittent rain. Later that afternoon, it turned into a downpour, with hail bouncing off the car as we headed back to Bakersfield for final “good-byes” with family before going home.

     Funny, we expected warmer weather and got a big surprise! Regardless of the unpredictable weather though, our hearts were full of joy by the wonderful hospitality and warm welcome we received everywhere we went. Many thanks to all of our hosts and hostesses, to friends and family who reached out to us with so much love...and great food! And many thanks to God for each of his amazing children.

*Philippians 1:3 NIV