Monrovia

Sitting in the family room on a quiet Saturday morning before Christmas, listening to carols on the radio with Duff Murphy, sipping coffee, eating banana pancakes, looking forward to this afternoon when gardener would come and help me plant the bulbs for next spring's bloom, waiting for Tim to come back so we can go for dinner with friends, granola baking in the oven, washer and dryer humming in the background, I am full of thanksgiving.

Went to Starbucks to get my Saturday coffee and was delighted, again, to find this little town of Monrovia just the way I wanted it. I told Tim even before we started looking for houses, that I knew we would be living in Monrovia. Like how He had led me in the past, I had that strange feeling that I was being led to Monrovia and He was going to unfold His plan for me there. Like how some 30 plus years ago He gave me the image of the Los Angeles city hall that I couldn't seem to get rid of but kept seeing it with my mind's eye. Little did I know that would be where I got married and raised my family. Like how He showed me an image of me with only Lydia, when I was pregnant with Joshua and Caleb; little did I know after carrying them full term that I would lose them 19 hours after giving birth. Only then did it make sense why I was not able to picture myself with a newborn baby. He was preparing me for the loss. For all the important decisions in my life, this is how He has led me. With an image. It's like I could almost see into the future He had planned for me.

Driving back from Starbucks, I saw the Monrovia mountains. This picturesque little town of Monrovia is going to be my home for the rest of my life. The mountains stand there, witnessing His faithfulness to me. I looked around me, and almost everything I would need was in the neighborhood: Trader Joes, Target, (yay for Target) Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, the post office, Ralphs, Fresh and Easy... even the Armstrong nursery!!

This afternoon Antonio will help me plant more than 200 bulbs. When next April rolls around, Tim and I will be married and we will have a colorful garden to celebrated the Spring of our life together as husband and wife. Two sinners saved by His grace, continue to experience His love while we learn to love each other.

Went to Disney Concert Hall with Tim for the Chanticleer Christmas concert two days ago. We ate dinner at the concert hall cafe and played in the gift shop. I looked at him and wondered how this all would have just happened.

The Saturday morning Opera Show is playing Madame Butterfly. My heart swells with emotions. Madame Butterfly always reminds me of Dad. I will always remember that moment years ago when I went to their then San Gabriel home to visit, and found him lying on the bed, with his walkman resting on his tummy, earphone plugged in, and he was listening to the Madame Butterfly CD, again. In many ways, Tim is like Dad. Romantic. Loving. And loves a good story.

May the Lord continue to be the story teller of our life.