I have saved a pamphlet for several years now of a 'get away'
place located on hwy 1 in Big Sur, California. My thinking, at the time I received this pamphlet in the mail, as requested by me, was far different than my thinking is today. See, when I
tucked it away in my drawer, I thought it could be a place that my husband and I could celebrate our 10th
wedding anniversary this coming November.
But, it was January, of this year that fate changed the course,
for “Post Ranch Inn”. The pamphlet was never thought about again, until now.
While sitting in the 'toilet' closet, yes, toilet, I looked down
and saw the pamphlet in my stash of reading material. I opened it up again, and began to see
something throughout it that I did not see several years back. I was only smitten by the photographs..(they still smote me, actually)
The italicized advertisement quotes from
the Post Ranch, seemed to convey something a little ironic, as to where I am today. My heart was directed differently, as I read through the
pamphlet again, as if it was the first time I saw it....but this time, there was a different pull, though I know my husband and I could thoroughly enjoy a weekend in the lap of luxury.......but tough to do when feelings are diverse. Below is a touch of the words I read.
“If you have ever dreamed of sleeping on a cloud this may be
as close as you can get.” Brilliant magazine.
“Pulse-quickening views, absolute privacy and a Zen-like
harmony with the divine surroundings make lovers' hearts leap.”
USA Today.
As I read the words that could steal anyone's heart and capture a
moment of escape for the powerful sense of retreat, I began
to reflect on where my heart has been since January, with this particular invitation, which changed the direction of my thinking for 6 months now..
The invitation was this: In August, I am leading a team of women to
INDIA to assist in guiding a Women's conference to the indigenous
women of small villages. Their pamphlet, which grabbed my heart strings,
did not display anything quite appealing as “Post Ranch Inn" on highway 1, but
rather it spoke to me in this tone; “A silent but very positive revolution is going
on in India, with a movement called Women with a mission”.
And, I
said yes, to this invitation, and with the approval of my husband, Post Ranch Inn became the vague applause of something that might never happen, and it's just OK .
Also, in October, for 15 days, I will be in Nepalgung, Nepal (the
'Armpit' as the locals call it) to celebrate in the 10th
anniversary of the Mission work where my sister Rhonda and her
husband David have helped to establish churches and encourage
leaders for Christ all through a couple who prayed for 8 years to God, for help.
My sisters first over seas journey to Nepal took place during the introduction and courtship and marriage to my husband Charlie. I married him
6 weeks after the set up. My sister was in Nepal for 3 months and during her trip and my courtship, all the
shenanigan's of plans for the 'instant' wedding were taking place
without her. Charlie and I didn't wait to unite in marriage before she came home....merely because we were ready to move forward, almost immediately after our first date, which was day two after we met.
I was also afraid my sister would have talked me out of marriage.....after all, she is my sis, shouldn't she question me?!
My sweet sister cried as
life began to change for both her and I. I had a sense of certainty that she would one day understand, though I could not explain it at the time. It has come full circle.
“One of the Top Spas in North, America.” Travel +
Leisure.
Post Ranch Inn
I love my husband, my dog, my house, life and the beauty of America and all
that surrounds my life, and how very blessed I have been to live
right where I know God has placed me. Strangely, I have always had a love and
sense of desire for California. I am not sure why exactly, but I just like it. Every single time I have visited, I dreamed of its beauty and its song..
But, never did I imagine going to Nepal,
much less INDIA. But, much like my 6 week courtship to my husband, 10
years ago, I am never really surprised at what comes into my life.
The accommodations where I will visit, late summer and fall will
be nothing compared to the scenes that surround BIG SUR. However, the pulling of
my heart strings for the brochure that captivated my heart were more dominate than the power of luxurious
consumption. (do not get me wrong...I think it's much needed for most
and well deserved!) I could feel the same pull, for India,
just as I did when I accepted Charlie's proposal for marriage. "Lets do this." I thought.
Over the last 10 years, my sis has began to see
exactly what I knew I could not explain. But as
her heart grew for Nepal, my heart grew for serving my husband faithfully and also for ministry toward women. I learned daily about marriage-ministry and missions, and they all have their challenges. But, a heart united towards a new adventure toward love, becomes a team. It's a Spirit of love for the
unknown and the unreached and through it, becomes a change.....and that change happened in me.
I began to support my sis, never ever
assuming I would travel to the other side of the World. My husband
would just smile as I read each and every Newsletter she would write,
after 17 ventures to her new found home.
With the compelling words written on the India brochure, and
comparing the years and years of photo's and scripts of a newsletter
written monthly by my sister, I took a
gulp of tears when I held “Post Ranch Inns” pamphlet, because I
knew that over time, my heart was in fact in contrast with my previous ambitions.
I do not know what is waiting for me, with all the THOUSANDS of
DOLLARS I have raised in support from others to SEND ME to the other
side of the World, but I feel the impact of this journey will change
my life as well as the lives of others. This is my hope. This is my
desire. This is my enchantment.
India Gospel League You said Go ministries
The italicized ad in the "Post Ranch Inn" pamphlet jolted me with these words:
“Everything is in perfect harmony with nature. Fusing glass,
stone, slate, indigenous woods, posh yet rustic with endless views of
mountains, redwoods, and sky. -Conde Nast Travelers Gold List
No, that is not the destination I will travel to, and I may not ever get to experience such beauty, conducive to my pleasure. But I do recognize certain traits between the two and I will assume, diversity will be the
common factor, as I choose Missions this time versus "Post Ranch Inn.".
With God, everything is in perfect harmony. Fusing glass could
only mean the looking glass that reflects our resemblance of hope
through the written Word of God. HE is the Stone....He is the
Rock and that is where I stand. 'Indigenous' is a word used in
the brochure about the women of India. I know that they are hidden
from us, here in America, like the beauty we must go in search of, in
order to find. Much like the wonders of the woods that bare
no resemblance of home, I go. Rustic will be the entire
adventure while traversing through the city of Bangalore and through
the rough roads of India and Nepal, but I will remember to see the
trees for the forest which I will be endlessly viewing, during
this eventful and exciting journey. The only 'magical' thing about
taking a risk to visit someplace unfamiliar, like India and Nepal, is
to assume that all secluded much like Post Ranch Inn, is pretty much
just a LEAP of faith.
