Jun
26
Remind me the next time I leave my house on the hottest day in the history of the universe not to turn our A/C off just to save $4. I’m about ready to hyper-ventilate. I thought I was going to melt to death earlier today at the zoo, and now I’m thinking asphyxiation is the way I’m gonna go.
Gasp. Gasp. Gulp.
Anyway. I’m just going to pretend I’m on an African safari and thank the Lord that there aren’t any mosquitos. (There aren’t any exotic animals either–giraffes!–but I’m just going to focus on the mosquitos.)
I lost the blog post I wrote for yesterday. I have no idea what happened to it. It was pretty lame. You didn’t miss anything.
So, it’s 1:30 a.m. and we got home from Chicago sometime after midnight. Have I mentioned that Gabe is my hero? H is also for hero. I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay him for all he’s done to make this Zoo Thing possible. (I think he’s secretly making a list.)
We had a great two days. Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan Wednesday.
I. Kissed. A. Giraffe.
Stayed with Jason and Laura Wednesday night. More on that soon. And whoa–Laura already wrote a post about our visit! With pictures! Take a peek.
Brookfield Zoo for a few hours this morning. Awesome zoo.
Lincoln Park Zoo in downtown Chicago this afternoon. Gorgeous.
Chick-Fil-A for supper. It has been so long. H is for hungry. And then happy.
Drove a few more hours and then home stifling home. I’m thinking of staying up until 3:00 a.m. or as long as it takes for the cool air to waft up to our bedroom.
A gal in one of the toll booths today was blaring “Beat It.” We found out an hour later at Chick-Fil-A about Michael Jackson. Does anyone else have trouble processing celebrity deaths? Like you kind of know them but not really at all? Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon. I always wonder where they stood with the Lord and if anyone ever told them about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Fame and fortune is sadly pointless without the hope of Christ.
Speaking of the hope of Christ, you’ve got to read this post by David Wenzel (my friend Kristen’s brother-in-law who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 27). The post is entitled I May (or May Not) Have 10 Years to Live. Powerful, powerful stuff. It could change your life.
Gabe and I sketched out a rough plan for our Final Zoo Trip in the van this morning. (Have I mentioned that we did Zoo #40–F-O-R-T-Y!!–today?) It’s a little on the insane side, but um, yeah. We’re going to give it a whirl. July 10-24. 11 zoos. 1 Sea World. 15 days. A gazillion billion miles.
I have a lot of praying to do.
And my goodness, you have so many better things you could be doing with your Friday. I remember Beth Moore (in her Daniel Bible study) telling a story about her daughter Melissa watching some pointless TV show and after it was over saying, “I’m dumber now.”
Feel free to say that after reading this post.
Have a great weekend, friends!
Happy 5th Anniversary to my sister Bethany and her hubby Stewart! Stew is in Cambodia this week, so Bethy is celebrating with little Isabelle, the product of their love. 
Love you guys!!
Dumber? Never. More appreciative (for AC!), more excited (you. kissed. a. giraffe?!), more thankful (the Tavianos are home safe and sound), and more amazed (11+ zoos – 15 days – WOW) – absolutely!
zoo 40 – how cool (hot) to see the desire God put in your heart, to glorify Him…..become a reality….and all the touches of animals but more so all the touches of Him to you through people, through His provisions…and from Him to others through each one, Nina, Ava, Livi, Gabe & YOU…all, all, the individual touches…PTL !
You just made me hungry for Chik-fil-a at 8am. Thanks, Marla.
Glad the trip went well…I can’t believe you’re almost done!
We miss you all already!!!! Gabe says you must come back and take naps with us again!!!
This may sound random, but you have computers in your house, right? I have always heard that you should never let your house get hotter than 85 degrees because it can damage your electronics. That’s why we don’t turn off our AC when we leave for trips…we just turn it up. But maybe when you said “hot” you didn’t mean boiling hot like it is down here. (I’m a Texas girl, but even I can’t handle 104 on a regular basis!)
No! NOT DUMBER. Don’t you say that.
It’s blazing, insanely hot here, too. We are supposed to get a “cool front” on Sunday that will drop our highs back down into the low 90s. I’ll take it.
I am glad you loved Chicago’s zoos! As a Chicagoian I love taking my son there as well. I am looking forward to your book.
40 zoo’s? That is amazing you are almost done and from what I read God has provided all the way. Amazing.
We feel your pain with the heat. It has been almost unbearable! We are going to the San Diego zoo next week and will let all the animals know that they need to have their A game on!
Thanks for the shout out! Mom bought me a calling card so I’ve been able to talk to Stew everyday since Wednesday night! Only 4 more days!!!
Are you going to Mom and Dad’s before Julie’s reception?