Am I Living a Life of Adventure?

The Crime Of Living Cautiously: Hearing God's Call To Adventure by Luci Shaw

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read this book because I feel like I DO live my life cautiously, and wanted to see what Luci Shaw had to say. It didn't hurt that she is one of the featured speakers at Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin College this year. I liked how each chapter began with a quote and ended with reflective questions. In Chapter 7 (The Risky Adventure of the Unknown) she quotes poet Mary Oliver: "Listen, are you breathing just a little, and calling it a life?" Doesn't that just give you pause? Is this what I'm doing, cheating God of a life fully surrendered to Him because I'm a chicken? This paragraph ends with this thought:

"We need God to confound us with a mission larger than we are, so that we can call on Him for what we need and don't have."

I liked that. I need to listen more for God's call to adventure and listen to Him. I loved the ending thought from the last chapter:

"The cliff edge of our anxiety about the future may indicate that God is calling us to a new and different level of faith. When we walk, praying for guidance, to the edge of all the light we have and breathlessly take that first step into the foggy mystery of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen: either God will provide us with something rock-solid to land on and stand on, or He will teach us how to fly."

Here's to flying!

View all my reviews >>

The White House and Capitol Buildings

Do you know that verse in the Bible where it says that God has prepared good deeds for us to perform ahead of time? I felt like I was the recipient of those good deeds on Wednesday when the car died on me. Ron was in the condo napping with his phone turned off, and I was stranded in the parking lot of Big Giant. I walked over to Auto Advantage and they lugged their battery tester over to Big Giant and tested the battery – which was good, but low on charge. Then they lugged over a battery to charge it up but that didn’t do anything. The gentleman that was helping thought it was the starter – so now what!!? I asked if he knew of a place that did good work but was reasonable and he immediately dialed Woody at Don’s Sunoco. They towed the car over (dropping me off at the condo on the way) and told me it would be done by the morning for sure, pretty iffy for getting done that afternoon. I called Rep. Hoekstra’s office where they graciously changed our tour to Thursday. Probably no more than an hour later Don’s called and they had the car done! They drove over to the condo to drop off the car and we drove Woody back to Don’s. Everything worked out so nicely. We had decided to just be lazy so I read “The Help” (very good), Ron napped, and then we went to dinner at Brio’s in Tyson’s corner (one of the 11 largest malls in US). Very good food and service, and I totally enjoyed my Crème Brulee Trio and Ron enjoyed one of the biggest pieces of chocolate cake ever!

Thursday morning we headed out to Old Ebbitt Grill in downtown DC. Ebbitt’s has been there 100+ years, and we thoroughly enjoyed our breakfasts (Egg Strata and Frittata) and yes, then we fell for dessert at breakfast (pecan pie a la mode and Chocolate Brownie Cappucino which was HUGE). Ebbitt’s is a beautiful old building and I thank my sister and Daniela from Pete Hoekstra’s office for recommending it.

After breakfast we headed out to the White House. First we stopped at the Visitor’s Center, which was okay, but I think we both felt we could have skipped it. Then we joined the other tourists to view the South view (Rose Garden and where Air Force One lands). Of course, we are barred out. I bet when Washington lived there you could have walked right up and knocked on the door. It doesn’t seem right to me that the House we help pay for doesn’t allow you in. We walked around and viewed the front as well. There were a few protester’s, but mostly just us tourists. From the White House we metro’d to the Rayborn Building to pick up our Capitol tour tickets from Pete Hoekstra’s Office. While I was removing my belt (I was tired of removing this by the end of the day, but it kept setting off the alarm), I noticed a sign for DIBELS pointing to the left. Somehow I had not expected to run into that while in DC – no protesters that I could see though.

The capitol tour was interesting. Our guide was very knowledgeable and took us through the history of the paintings and statues. Our government sure likes to spend a lot of money on these buildings and statues. We’re talking big bucks with marble floors, bronze statues, chandeliers, etc. Given this economy and the trouble our country is in I have to wonder about the wisdom of it. The Library of Congress was in the millions of dollars and they built that during the depression. It seems like the dollars we spend on these buildings could be better invested in people. I love seeing them, and seeing the history of the country, but I wonder if these monuments are just to make us feel important and show our success to other people/countries. Maybe we need to be more humble and frugal, and use these dollars to build up people instead of monuments.

After touring the capitol we sat in the House Gallery for a while. They were voting while we were there. It was driving Ron crazy because it just looked so chaotic and disorganized down there. Everyone was chatting people up in between the votes, and when the chairman would say what they were voting for and how long they would vote people just kept talking. Ron thought it was disrespectful, and he was disappointed we didn’t get to see a debate. After the house we went over to the Senate side. Hmmm. . . no-one was there. Eventually a few of the Senator’s walked in. This was actually fun for me because there were some young people (high school, college freshman?) there. When the Senator’s walked in they got so excited. Look! Is that Joe Biden?! (It wasn’t) We did get to see Joe Lieberman, John McCain, John Kerry, Debbie Stabenaw, Carl Levin and others. The kids were a riot. Ron hated to leave because it seemed like things were going to start happening, but we were meeting our niece for dinner so we had to go.

We enjoyed delicious pizza at Matchbox Pizza (Capitol Hill location) – Chicken Pesto and Sausage with sun dried tomatoes, and molten cake for dessert. We do love our desserts! Then off to view the monuments at night which was very nice.

We’re on our way home right now (I’m typing this in the car). We’ve decided you have to spend like a month in DC to see everything. I didn’t even get into any art museums and I had hoped to see some original Whistler’s art. Didn’t get to view the Smithsonian Castle, Spy Museum. I guess we’ll have to come back some day!

Library of Congress and Arlington

Today we toured the Library of Congress and visited Arlington National Cemetary. The Library of Congress is an absolutely beautiful building. The government spent millions of dollars on it. I'm not sure what I think of that. All these memorials and buildings, built with millions of dollars . . . seems like perhaps it would have been more beneficial to us as a nation to have those dollars invested in people. Libraries are important though - I myself couldn't live without one. There is a quote from Jefferson saying "I could not live without books", and I must say I can relate to that. It is ironic that we started the tour with a very nice video that stressed over and over again that this was OUR library, and then we couldn't even go in the reading room, which was a deep disappointment to me. Evidently over the years, those that were using the room for research were disturbed by the presence of the tours. However, times are achanging, and now most people get their research from the Library via the internet. There were only 2 people in there while we were touring so I think they need to change the rule! You can go in if you get a pass, which takes about 15 minutes, but you have to be prepared to say what you will research. Once inside you get assigned to a table and then your research is brought to you. I just wanted to sit in there for maybe 5 minutes and absorb the ambiance. I mean, you couldn't even take pictures and had to view the room through a glass enclosure!

Arlington Cemetary and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Arlington Cemetery is so vast. You know going in that it is big, but it's hard to comprehend the size of it once you're there. It is a beautiful and peaceful place. The birds that hang out there have a beautiful song. So many lives sacrificed. One thing I didn't know was that wives can be buried with their husbands at Arlington. I don't know if I would want my son or daughter buried there. I know they would be in heaven, but I think I would want to be able to visit the gravesite. We had beautiful weather for our visit, sunny and high 60s or low 70s. We also visited the Robert E. Lee memorial which is on the hill above the cemetery. He is the only person who fought against the United States for whom a memorial has been given. The house (memorial) actually belonged to Curtis Washington and was captured during the war by Lee and his soldiers.

We shared the viewing of the changing of the guard with veterans from World War II. They all wore caps saying John Hancock Memorial Flight. Their hats had pins on them with a picture of Elizabeth Dole's brother. One of the volunteers traveling with them told us that Elizabeth sponsored the trip. Their presence made the changing of the guard more meaningful for us.

The Monuments of Washington DC

Well, we began our day by figuring out the Metro system with the help of the very nice station attendants. I tell you what, I really felt like a country bumpkin. When you live in a small town, even the metro is an adventure. We now have our smart pass, and one day under our belt, so perhaps we'll become more cosmopolitan - who knows! The weather was sunny and clear for our first day in the city. The wind, however, was quite cold. Fortunately it became more tolerable after noon.

Upon exiting the metro the first thing we saw was the Washington Monument. It really is an elegant piece of architecture. This is a great time to be here because we didn't have a crowd of people. We walked right up to get tickets for the ride without waiting in line, although we did have to come back at 1:30 for the ride to the top. It was nice to just meander around the monument without being jostled or feeling like you keeping other people from getting their chance to enjoy the view.


We then went to the World War II memorial. It is also so striking. When you think of the men and women who gave their lives it gives you pause. War is a terrible thing, but having gone from the memorials of our founding fathers to the Holocaust Memorial in the afternoon . . . let's just say it is difficult to comprehend such evil, and we can be thankful for the men and women who fought against it.



The Lincoln Memorial was next. What a time in our history that was. Family members fighting against each other. Each side thinking they were in the right. Having such passion about a circumstance or a cause to turn you against the people you love--how can I understand that? I always wonder if Lincoln was a lonely man, I think I would be if I was him. I would be agonizing about my decisions, and wondering who I could really trust and count on to be my friend. Yet he stayed to the course that he considered right and true. He was a true man of integrity.


Korean War Memorial next. I was struck here especially by how quiet and respectful people were in this area. I really felt like people were treating it like a sacred place. The way the statues are positioned, half in the shadows, half in the sun, made me feel the tentativeness the soliders might have felt as they walked through the war zone.


Vietnam Wall. What a long wall, and ever so many names. I was brought to tears by a woman and man taking a rubbing of the name of someone they loved from the wall. This is all they have left - a name on a wall. I don't think I can understand the depth of their sorrow and regret.


Holocaust Museum. This is out of the depth of my understanding. How did this little man, who I think looked just like a crazy man while he talked, rise to such power? How did people, who I'm sure must have been people just like you and me, become messengers of evil? It should scare us half to death, because that same capacity for evil is in you and me. The same self-preservation that made them turn their eyes away is in us. Don't we just need good people in the world? People of integrity and who want to shine the light on the darkness. We need to do what is right from the smallest things to the biggest things. I was amazed at the end, first of all at the survival of the human body - skeletons were walking clothed with the most minimum amount of human skin. Second, one of the films showed all these really healthy looking children walking out of a camp, and I couldn't understand it. These were the twins that were used for experimentation. Healthy bodies, but who knows how their spirits were crushed. But then third, that there were rescuers! Brave men and women who did what they could to save the jews, some dying for their efforts. But it just lifted my spirits to see these good people, and I hope that I would have been one of them.

We arrived at our condo in Falls Church,VA today. This is the 3rd time we have have used Vacation Rental by Owner. We've been pretty pleased with the results. We're paying $100 a night, plus a cleaning fee, and have all the amenities, including a washer and dryer in our unit. We can catch a bus to the metro just around the corner, or drive to the metro station within 5 minutes - we are very close to DC. I'm looking forward to getting into the city tomorrow and viewing the monuments. This will be even more fun since I just finished "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown, and will hopefully be able to separate fact from fiction! I am not a huge Dan Brown fan, but really liked this book. His theology leaves a little to be desired, but I cannot write anymore without spoiling your reading pleasure!

The Risk of Relinquishment

It's a good title isn't it? I wish I could take credit for it, but, the credit goes to Luci Shaw, the author of The Crime of Living Cautiously: Hearing God's Call to Adventure. Relinquishment is the theme of a chapter of the book. It's been rolling around in my head for a while, due to this excerpt:

Emptying the Vessel:

I have learned from New Testament Greek studies that "to empty oneself," as used in this passage, has the sense not merely of a vessel being poured out but of a waterfall that continually spills itself over a cliff edge. Jesus continues to pour himself out for us in love, day by day. His once-in-a-lifetime act of dying for us, a historical event, is being reenacted in a different form, in an ongoing relationship of giving and loving.

When I first read this I just felt tired. I don't think I am alone in feeling like all I do is pour myself out for others every day. Don't think I don't know how whiney and selfish that sounds. However, I think that women, especially, are always pouring themselves out for friends, family and coworkers in all sorts of ways. It just gets tiring sometimes, doesn't it? To think of pouring yourself out like a waterfall, well, that's just plain exhausting. And, excuse me, when is it my turn to be poured out for? (I am most tempted to take out this whole paragraph because in print it sounds even more whiney and selfish!)

This passage has stuck with me, and as I've been reflecting on it, the picture it makes has become more and more beautiful to me. Picture a waterfall in your mind. It doesn't matter whether it's a big or small one, the principal is the same. Whether it's a forceful flow, or a steady drip, the waterfall influences the ground on which it lands. It takes a landscape, and turns it into something else. It breaks down stone, it washes away dirt, it makes a curve where it was straight, or a drop where it was level. These changes don't happen instantly, but over time, the waterfall keeps up it's persistent presence. Even the sound of a waterfall is always there, whether it's a roar, or a plop, plop, plop--it's constant.

Now picture love as that waterfall. You have to stop and really think about this--what happens when you choose love, constantly. When you choose to serve when you feel like being selfish, when you choose to love even when you're feeling angry, when you choose to love, even when you don't feel love. Love has the same power as a waterfall. Love makes a hard heart soft, love makes the unwelcome feel welcome, love restores what was broken, love sets free what was bound. Like the waterfall, persistent love has the power to change a person, a circumstance, a heart. God's love in us, (which is thankfully powered by the Holy Spirit) makes us like the waterfall. It's impossible for me to express constant love without Him.

You know, I make so many mistakes every day. I don't choose not to show love, but something ugly just pops out of me. It comforts me to know that even though that happens, I can still go back and choose love. I can say, I'm so sorry, that's not how I want to be. It's encouraging to know that over time, love will still do it's work.

My son had a sign on his computer for the longest time: Love Wins. I like that. Love Wins.