We Are All God's Family

The Patterson 5 travelled to DC today for a mini field trip! We decided we would only try to do two sites so as not to over whelm the kiddos! My oldest son right away was amazed by the hoards of people that were there. We explained to them that they would see people from many places and hear languages they have not heard before. Mr P and I love to people watch but we did not encourage this behavior to our children as we thought they might go on to stare and perhaps even point-which would be embarrassing!

We parked at the end of the mall. I giggled as my younger son asked if we were going shopping. I too had mistaken the mall for a place to shop about 12 years ago on my first DC trip. We visited the Museum of Natural History first. We only made it through a handful of exhibits. The boys especially enjoyed the dinosaurs, mammals and insects. My youngest seemed to enjoy it all and sang "Angels Watching Over Me" sometimes loudly throughout part of the museum- the other parts were regaled with "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands".

We walked on to the Lincoln Memorial, stopping along the way to dip our feet in a cool fountain!

We stopped and read the Gettysburg address and were thankful for a President who helped us hold true to equality for all peoples.

The walk back to the van was a long one. Long walks seem to spur on deep thoughts from our middle son. He picked up on a conversation from almost two weeks ago about a serious subject of death (see Hiking With My Boys) He picked up on it like there had been no time in between. Out of the blue he said, "Well what about when a baby dies only a few seconds after being born -how did the baby do God's purpose." I answered as best I could since there are so many hard questions I just do not have the answer for. I told him I believe we are all connected and our lives are all intertwined. We each help each other complete our purpose for God. I shared that perhaps my purpose in this world my simply be to be their mom and teach them about God so that they will be properly equipped for their lives and their purpose. I suggested the baby's short life could have been so the parents of that child could help others with loss or to promote the sanctity and beauty of life. I think my answer was too wordy as by the time I finished they were on to another topic.

Nearly back to the van we saw a carousel and just had to ride!

As we were driving away by the capitol building we noticed an out door concert going on. The sign read One big family under God. It was a group promoting world peace. It made me think again how even though we did not know any of the peoples around us they are all God's and He wants us all to be His children. Our lives are intertwined and everything we do affects others.

Dear God,
Thank you for our country and the many freedoms we have that I know I have often taken for granted. I am especially thankful for the freedom we have to worship You openly. As we travelled home we passed Arlington cemetery-I am thankful for these solders who gave their lives for others, following the example of Jesus. Please comfort their families with the hope they will see them again in heaven. In Jesus Name, Amen.