Little Tool: For a few years, at random and sometimes specific times, I will pull this little tool out to see what I hear and notice. I did this, this past week, and I realized I really miss my sister. We are going to plan a get together. I call it: Inventory

• What’s right?
• Wrong, missing?
• What’s confusing?
• Name the challenges you are facing?

It’s simple. Sit down with pen and paper. Ask the question and listen. Write the answers.

Little Trip: My girl Jen and I took a little road trip.

We have over the last several years enjoyed going on road trips to random places. This time we went to the Northwest corner of Iowa and crossed over into South Dakota.

We like to stop at roadside historical markers, random eateries, and parks with beautiful spaces. We had a couple places we set as destinations: The Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend and Sioux Falls, DS park called Falls Park. Other than those who places we just made decisions to go left or right, stop, turn around, and see whatever we see. It’s a bit of an adventure. We hit 4 states. Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Travelling like this opens us up opportunities to be surprised. Plus, a bonus, it works in patience, grace, and contentment on the part of your soul that freaks out when things don’t go as planned, the food’s not great, it’s a little boring, and having feelings that are less than awesome. We learn to just be there and be with each other.

The Grotto was awesome: It took some 91 years to build.

The stations of the cross (a set of pictures depicting the arrest and crucifixion of Christ) were astonishingly beautiful mosaics.

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The surprise of the day was the church St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church next to the Grotto that we didn’t know we could go into. The gift shop guy told us we could and that there was a little Christmas Grotto inside to see.

It was so beautiful. And yes, I did sing in there. We were alone for a few minutes. lol

Something Catholic churches do so well is make their buildings so beautiful, peaceful, and ornate. The stained glass was awesome.

Also they were giving out free books called The Eucharist is really Jesus. If anyone ever wanted to understand what the Catholics believe about the bread and the wine it is a good read, we started reading it in our evenings. It spurred good conversation and thought. We don’t watch tv on road trips. We “together!” It’s better. We think.

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The Falls in South Dakota were beautiful to see but the surprise of the day was by far St Joseph’s Cathedral! This building set atop the hill overlooking the entire valley. We just had to go in. So we checked to see if the doors were open.

IT WAS OPEN! And it was astonishing!

Those columns are marble, and I couldn’t even get my arms nearly around half of them. They were massive. This place had a serenity in it.

Cathedrals are not only architectural wonders of religious history but also significant landmarks in global history. These magnificent structures, both inside and out, offer glimpses into the past, cultural heritage, and artistic inspiration.

Quote:

These places make me think of the 121st Psalm .

I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
³ He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.
⁴ Indeed, the Protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.
⁵ The Lord protects you;
the Lord is a shelter right by your side.^[a]
6 The sun will not strike you by day
or the moon by night.
⁷ The Lord will protect you from all harm;
he will protect your life.
⁸ The Lord will protect your coming and going
both now and forever.

Psalm 121

Thanks for Listening,

Starla