Laguna Sunset

The Westphal Family

February 6, 2022

Well hey there. It's been a minute! I don't suppose I need to explain my absence, I've just been living life and taking pictures and here I am to share this lovely day with you.

Not gonna lie, this was one of the best days of my life.

It was very simple, honestly nothing super huge happened. But it was a lot of magical little moments I had prayed over, prayed for. And I watched them unfold and be answered and it was beautiful. The sun shining on the palm trees will always put me in a good mood. But it was my head leaning back on the car ride, talking with a cousin I've missed connecting with. It was walking to church and the warm smiles, cooing babies and beautiful worship in a still place. The sunshine on the folding chairs and foliage in that secret garden they call their church home is incomparable.

It was sneaking away for girl chats and uplifting each other. I was delightfully stolen by said cousin for a sweet hour before we met up altogether for lunch and I was returned :). It was walking around Orange Circle and just the sweetness and peace that emulates from that place. It was exotic lunches and the generosity of others, sharing smiles and sitting on the lawn by the fountain in the epicenter of town. (Even if someone ruined it for me by bringing their pet snake to slither around haha.) Sometimes such beauty causes my heart to ache. In a good way, like when your muscles are sore after doing some good/hard work. I appreciate the moment so much, and try not to dwell on the return date home.

But what I want to remember most was hearing the lullaby quietly from across the house, as sweet Allie sings her baby to sleep. Yes, stillness and peace, contentment - these are the themes of that home.

We drove to Laguna, one of the most beautiful places on this earth to me, and Bobby and Allie suffered me to take their photos :). ( I know: who says that? But it's a good adjective.) Baby was very into the seagulls, so Allie waltzed him around while Bob and I just sat side by side and watched the sun set.

The drive home was Taylor Swift and deep conversations. I was asked thought-provoking questions that lead to sweet encouragement and admonishing. We went to the store and I was taught how to pick the perfect tomato or bag of ice. I sipped on white wine and Bobby gave me a cooking lesson, that I will cherish forever.

So altogether, where it may not mean much to some people, it meant the world to me. Connection with my people, my family, who share my blood and history is important to me. Memories, laughter, warmth. Beauty. Stillness. Gathering. It was the time of my life and I am inspired to live like that. To get out and live life more instead of letting it just happen to you. Go create memories. Talk, gather, be generous and buy someone lunch. Ask them life-giving questions. Teach them something new, let them love you. Do something just to bring someone else joy. You'll find your own joy there. More of what matters, less of what doesn't. More of Jesus, less of what doesn't serve you by not leading you to Life. You'll discover Jesus only makes you more of who you truly are, He brings out the real you. More beautiful, more delightful, more wise than you could ever hope to be on your own. To God be the glory!

Lastly this leads to my point: Be happy! Let yourself appreciate where you are. (Don't get caught up in the "it's not all about being happy" and "it's JOY not happiness!" blah blah blah.) As Christians, we ought to be the happiest people alive, don't you think? Rejoice! With thankful hearts *insert hearts :). I know life is hard and sad at times, I know sweet friend. But please don't live there. Thankful hearts have way less room to worry. And we ought not worry. Don't strive, don't worry; let your spirit rest and smell the flowers for a moment. I say this because this is what I've learned, so I'm passing it on. You don't have to fly down to California to do this. Show up for your life. And enjoy the blessing that it is :).

*Off soap box.

K here's some pictures: