Larry and I were able to spend a few days in California, just the two of us. It is the first time we have been away without a child, or 2, or 13 with us. 

. 

This picture was taken at Huntington Beach, The sun warmed our faces, the spray from the ocean waves misted the air, the salty smell beckoned us to come closer, and the birds running up and down the edge of the waves made us laugh. The thundrous crashing of the waves interrupted our conversation every few seconds, but we didn't mind. We scooped up handfuls of shells, marveling at the swirl of colors, the heavy texture of some, the frail and broken texture of another. Larry stood in the water, just watching wave after wave roll in. I opted for the hand dip in the ocean, just to say I touched the Pacific. 

We were both reminded of the verses in Job 38 that say: 

8“Or who shut in the sea with doors

when it burst out from the womb,
9when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
11and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

"Thus far you shall come, and no farther". Over and over as we watched the waves over and over, we were reminded of the greatness of God, the infinite nature of God, the magnitude of this world and how small it is compared to God. 

As for the rest of our trip, we spent a day at Knotts Berry Farm riding the roller coasters, went to the Santa Monica Pier (and rode the roller coaster), had dinner at sunset on the beach, walked through beautiful gardens, drove up the coast, and spent time talking, praying, and reconnecting.