DAY 10: Santa Fe to Wichita Falls.

Dang.  It was a long day.  All I wanted to do was get to Austin.

All day, I thought, "Oh, I can make it...I'll push on and head down to Austin today."  By the time 9:00pm rolled around and I had been up since 3:15 at the monastery, I decided to be wise and stay in Wichita Falls.  I wasn't THAT tired, but it seemed to be the best idea.

The Blazer passed the 80,000 mark today.  So, of course, I got out and jumped on the side of the road, between Cline's Corner, NM and Santa Fe, NM.  That was fun.  Don't worry, I was safe, only one car passed me going 90 miles an hour.  No worries.

I seriously thought I was in Texas before I was today.  The mapquest map I had just had the start and end points, and I could not find my AAA map, so I just went with the flow.  Once I got to the "WELCOME TO TEXAS!" sign, I came to my senses, got a big smile, and took a little snapshot.  Definitely put on some Texas country on my iPod today.  Mmm.  Just to prepare.

Good to talk with the parents, CA, Don, Nick, and Tyler today, briefly! 

I think today, Texas became a reality.  My summer, once again, became a reality.  My love for Covenant and the folks there, a reality.  It's going to be a stretching and great summer, filled with struggle and growth.  I am excited for it.  My prayer today: Lord, make me a pastor.  I think that will be my prayer each day.  I am excited to see what God is going to do.

Wichita Falls, TX.  So near to Oklahoma, the are is called Texoma.  Sigh.  I could take it or leave it.  :)

SONGS OF THE DAY:
    ::I'm Ready...Tracy Chapman
    ::Inside...Neah Lee
    ::Sense...Pete Yorn
    ::What Wondrous Love is This?...Fernando Ortega
    ::That's Right (You're Not From Texas)...Lyle Lovett
    ::Wide Open Spaces...Dixie Chicks
    ::40 Acres...Caedmon's Call
    ::In The Palm of Your Hand...Allison Krauss

By early afternoon on Sunday, I'll be in Austin!  The journey is coming to a close!  It will be busy, as I have to settle into the house, be in the 6:30 service, help in the graduating Senior Celebration, and all that.  No worries.  I am excited to look into the faces of friends at Covenant, to give and get big hugs.

Oh!  I will put some monastery thoughts down in the days to come, OK?  I'll keep blogging (when I have the time), even after the trip, so you keep checking in. 

Much love,
Josh

Comments

[Hannah]

Joshy, I checked out your pics - you are such a Texan sometimes! I have a friend who grew up in Clyde, where you stopped at the DQ - funny, huh! See you soon, Hanny

[Dave B.]

Dear Josh,

Please to note that your beautiful mug is plastered on the front of Covenant Presbyterian Church's homepage, in the lower left hand corner of the little tic-tac-toe thing they've got going on there. Just thought I would share. Look out, folks: he's a handsome devil.

[steph]

a lovely prayer, josh. and a lovely sunset picture as well. peace to you - hope you're safely in austin now.

[Mary Blacklock]

Josh, just looking at the pics you took upon entering Texas makes me remember the feelings upon my own return to Texas. Defiantly missed Sonic up in Princeton (especially last summer when all I ever wanted to quench my thirst was a Cherry Limeade Slush). Although if I had a digital camera I would have also taken pictures of all the Mexican food restaurants... Anyway, I'll be about 4/5 hours from ya and making trips to Austin so we should hangout.