Tag: vacation

Sunshine State

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!! I have a couple quick minutes here before me and Maryanne go off to meet Mom for lunch(her work break!). I’m definitely a little more awake than the last time I posted here a few days ago…it definitely helps that it’s not almost midnight! We’ve been staying up late pretty much every night I’ve been here, but that is entirely proper and not a bad thing at all! Last night(Christmas night!) following our epic dinner of burgers, oven-roasted potatoes, asparagus and the remnants of the sweet red wine…we watched another episode of Jack as we enjoyed ice cream(with Dad’s honey-based chocolate sauce!)…then even though I think we meant to get ready for bed after that, we got distracted watching a 60 Minutes feature on Hamilton and I of course couldn’t say no to that. Hearing Miranda talk about his emotions and inspiration behind writing the musical – and seeing clips of it! – was well worth staying up a little later! Then…did we go to bed? Nah. Me and Dad and Maryanne stayed up even later watching the end of the Broncos/Chiefs game! Good times.

And I probably should describe more of Christmas day, but I shall not now. It was indeed sad that Laura and Caisson couldn’t be with us…we missed them dearly. But thank God for the miracles of technology – namely, the cellular phone – that enabled us to chat to Laura anyway!!

Now – I need to fly off to meet Mom…and then shortly I shall literally fly off to Houston. Sad day. I always get a little depressed on my leaving day, especially as I know not when I shall return. But now, I simply thank my God for giving me such precious times here in Florida with my wonderful most favorite family in the world…being here and having such lovely times talking with Dad and Mom and Maryanne…I cannot express all that is in my heart. And even above that joy…the peace and love that fills my heart as I think on the gift of God to me. The precious gift of salvation – eternal peace and unbounded joy and unsought for love and bliss indescribable. Oh Lord my God, I love you so – my light, my song, my salvation. Be near to me, God I pray – let me ne’er forget all You have done for me. My words are feeble, my eyes dim, yet I shall offer all I have in worship to my God.

What more can I say? Peace and love, dear friends.

Wonderful Life

James HoganLeave a comment

Evening, friends. And…Merry-almost-Christmas!!!!! It’s 18 minutes away and I really should be asleep by now!! But I can’t help it – must write a few words, especially as I haven’t posted anything this whole holiday thus far!! I could write so much about how delightfully relaxing this past week has been, here with the family…but I shall refrain. Just know it’s been lovely. And tonight – oh what a perfect Christmas Eve night. Begun by a perfect dinner(Mom’s fettucine alfredo, salad, shrimp, and red wine….), after doing dishes, we(Mom, Dad, Maryanne and I – oh how I miss Laura, but she and Caisson are with his family…) continued by opening a few gifts and then reading the story of Christmas – God becoming man.. for us!!! Truly the most wonderful story ever told. We then proceeded on our annual Christmas walk. Went outside, and walked around the block and looked at all the Christmas lights and gazed up at the stars shining bright in the night sky. It was beautiful. Soon enough, we made it back to our house and we got down to watching another episode of Jack(…I mean, 24!! We’re continuing our grand tradition of watching 24 over Christmas break…season 6 currently) along with cherry pie. Once that was done(the episode and the pie!), we watched the end of It’s A Wonderful Life together and I just soaked in the beauty of the moment….

And so – yes, I have described much of the fun things we did tonight(and the food we enjoyed!!!), but the best part was just talking and laughing and discussing life and love and God Himself with my dear, dear family. Oh how deeply am I blessed. All my thanksgiving and praise to God most high. Forever and always.

Merry Christmas Eve, my most loved friends. Tonight, rest in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ and be full of joy and peace as you think on the mercies of God. Oh! How good it is to be near God.

Trembling

James HoganLeave a comment

And so shall I post once more?? Thought it was best that I let the last two song-heavy updates stand on their own. I also should probably zoom off soon, since I’ve spent quite long enough here at Starbucks! But I still have a little coffee in my cup, so I shall write a little more. Pardon the spaciness of my thoughts…I’m in an intriguingly odd mood lately. Odd as in I’ve spent time in several different countries in the last few days…and this time has left me abundantly encouraged and oh so thankful and I really do not think I can quite put my thoughts to page. But…I shall try, at least a little bit. This morning, me and Julie went to Dish Society for breakfast…because I was craving their food partially, but really so Julie and I could catch up and I could tell her a least a bit of my last week in Scotland. Despite all my many tangents, I think she got a good overview of my adventures! Can I capture that here? Maybe.

Anyways. Today is my first full day back in America for over a week. Yesterday afternoon, my plane touched down in Houston and I was once again in my home country. And how was I feeling? Bittersweet. For truly, it is good to be back here and be able to call Dad and family again on phone and see all my Houston friends again(Reliant K and Switchfoot concert tonight with Peter, et al!). But after such a beautiful week with my friends in Scotland…I must admit to a bit of sadness after leaving them (again!).

Oh this is a nightmare – I have no idea how to properly chronicle this past week…and I may admit defeat and try again tomorrow or Monday. I think I shall just thank the Lord my God for giving me this holiday and blessing it in such a way that I had prayed for but wasn’t quite sure would happen. Being with my dear friends again(Chris, Jo, Joel, Laura, John, Ruth, Jackie, Graham, Tineke, Mark, Rosemary…and more!!) was amazing and I realized I am blessed far beyond I deserve with such good and precious friends. Even after being gone three years, I can still talk and laugh and deeply connect with them. But more than just the fun times with friends(and it was indeed fun!!), I relished the chance to commune with my God. I set aside particular times to get alone with my Father God and these times were blessed be Him, of this I testify! As I walked the cliff side path south of Stonehaven on Monday afternoon and felt the sea spray on my face and looked out and watched the sea meet the sky in a beautiful embrace of grey and blue and white and saw the grass dance in the cold sweet breezes and as I sat upon a rock on the seashore and gazed upon the horizon and thought upon the fact that God has called me His true son and placed His hand upon me in perfect love and as I closed my eyes and prayed to Him, I felt at peace. There are so many things in our lives that we feel ill equipped to handle and so many futures we desire were our own and so many trials and tribulations we wish were not our own! And so to realise that God knows us, heart and soul and eyes brimming with tears and passions…this is gloriously precious. And to remember that God loves us His children with an unending and all encompassing love…this is beautifully divine. And so as I sit here in Starbucks, recalling this past week, how God blessed me with such a time of communion with my God…I rejoice. I sing. My meditations this day are full of the glories of the Lord. My heart this day is a-tremble with the thoughts of my Father. My eyes this day are bright with the passions of my God. Let us pour out our souls before the Lord our God, all ye nations -let us rejoice and sing to Him this day He has made! Amen and amen.

A Philosopher

James HoganLeave a comment

So, per popular demand(if one person constitutes popularity, that is – *bows to Noemi*), I shall write a quick update here…

And where is here? Well, I just happen to be at a burger place in the Houston airport. And I just happen to be heading over Scotland way in…oh about two hours!!! I simply cannot describe the anticipation that fills my heart and I don’t have time to tell of all the people I’m longing to see again….but it shall be grand and simply glorious. Oh what a gift God my Father has granted me, to be able to go to Scotland and see so many dear, dear friends!!!

And now, my turkey burger and fries are here…so this short update shall conclude.

Love you all. Always.

And I See the Sun!

James HoganLeave a comment

So I may have just done something rash.

I purchased tickets for a holiday to Aberdeen this September. Should I have?? Maybe not, but well…I really craved a decent holiday in some far off country among dear friends. And I have not seen my friends in Aberdeen in far too long. So. It is time to return. Maybe I shall rue this decision in the next few days, but I don’t think so. I see the friends the Almighty God has blessed me with and I wish to see their faces again. Oh how lovely will it be to talk with all of them face to face!! Chris and Jo, Rose, John, Ruth, Graham and Tineke, Joel…and so so many others I won’t mention here now. I’m really rather excited just now – it has been too long Scotland. And I planned it well enough that I will celebrate my three-year anniversary of leaving Scotland…in Scotland. September 11th, 2013. And it is now 2016. How the years do tick by, methodically and unhindered by any desire on our parts for time to stand still. There’s only one person who’s ever gotten God to stop time, and my name is not Joshua!! But before I start rambling further…maybe I should sign off and walk off into the bright Texas sun. Thinking of a chicken/broccoli/mushroom stir fry dinner for tonight. Yes? Yes.

Also, I lied. I do sort of want to keep rambling. Been thinking about my walk with God lately, and how precious it is to know Him, deeply and intimately. Too often do we talk of the externals in our life, of our living situation, our delicious home cooked meals, our fun adventures around town, our pleasant diversions. And none of these things are bad in and of themselves, I think we can agree. But in the end of all things, are we letting ourselves be too diverted by the things of this world? Possibly. I know I fall into the trap of living in the world without remembering often enough that I am not of this world. And so do we get swept up by the torrents of the Charybdis of this life in the flesh. Let us remember that the pleasant things of this world are just that – of this world. And that our true joy should come from the knowledge that we are known by God and part of His family. Let us utterly delight in the communion we have with God through the indwelling of His Spirit in us. Imagine that – God’s Spirit – in us! What foolishness it sounds. Yet most profoundly and shockingly true!! And so I urge you all, my most dear and gentle readers, to think on the simple wonder and grave truth of God’s hand upon us as we walk through this earthly life. The sirens of earthly delight wail on every side, yet plug your ears to their call and remember the most pure and heavenly music that is God’s covenant with us. Think on that far country where all songs rise to the One who sits on the throne. Meditate on the delightfully sweet fruit of communing with Christ our Saviour. Fall on your knees and pray to the Lord and blissfully think on who God is. Sweetly rest and delight in this God. The God. My Lord and my God.

And let the homeward call of the Spirit ever resound in your hearts.

Peace, my friends. Peace and love. Always.

Connections

James HoganLeave a comment

Advantages to missing my flight to Aberdeen:
1) I get to sit in glamorous Schiphol for five hours.
2) I get to leisurely enjoy my mocha from Starbucks.
3) Phone is now fully charged!
4) A shocking mid-trip LJ entry!!
5) Indulging my love of people watching.

Disadvantages:
1) I get to spend far too much time in Amsterdam(I am seriously considering a souvenir here at Schiphol to commemorate my many hours spent here thus far…)
2) I miss my long-anticipated Lairhillock dinner with John.
3) I don’t get to Aberdeen until 10pm tonight!
4) I now won’t see Chris and Jo until Saturday!!
5) Starbucks for dinner? (Not sure what this is, advantage or disadvantage)

And a little more seriously – writing this on my phone is excruciatingly slow, so not many more words. Except, as I sit here in Amsterdam and reflect on my adventures so far – Anna and Balazs are now married – all glory to God!! What a wondrously beautiful wedding!!! – I can only think on how blessed am I to be granted this gift to see so many of my dear friends. Truly I am blessed. And so how can I complain or fret over silly travel delays? Truly am I blessed.

And now, the journey continues.

Valley Falls

James HoganLeave a comment

Good evening, one and all!! Once again, I write on a Monday evening as my dinner bakes in the oven. And so once again, I don’t have long to write. But I thought I’d put down a few words, because a few are better than none, are they not? Not necessarily of course, because if the few words lack purpose, no words may actually be preferable. But now as I write myself into some sort of convoluted knot, it may be best if I stop prefacing my few words and actually write them. Ahem.

This evening I am quite tired, but it is that good kind of weariness. That weariness of flesh and bones that bespeak a good and wonderful past few days. Because these past few days, I spent in Florida with most dear friends! On July 4th, I flew in to Tampa. After renting a car and having a most awesome roast beef hash lunch with Dad, I drove up to Gainesville. Gainesville, where I spent four years of my life, yet so little time since. And so I had decided it was time for a proper time with people in Gainesville – and so it was. I stayed with Rob and Laurie – who else?! – and we had a time of excellence indeed. We talked and laughed and ate and talked and drank mugs of delicious coffee and talked and played some epic board games and talked yet some more. And of course, more awesome things took place than I can describe at the moment(awesome fun with Lebos! Lunch and sweetness with Maryanne!! Maryanne made her speciality lunch of fresh mozzarella/tomato/basil sandwiches. And we got to sit and eat and be together. And it was marvelous. Disc golf with Deanna! Reunions and worship at Creekside!! Perfect dinner of Ledo’s pizza with Mom and Dad!! And of course, little sleep was had this whole weekend. Yet, while I am now quite weary in my flesh, my spirit and my soul are refreshed. Just being with so many people who love me and love God. Being surrounded by those whom God has blessed me in this life. Being reminded of the goodness of my Lord. How can I ever doubt? Never. Never. And so now as I really must end this before I over-cook my dinner, I simply want to say one more thing. I have been given much. I have been given everything.

Now my friends – farewell! I love you all so – grace and peace.

Romano

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Monday, my friends!! I’m about to eat a delicious lasagna dinner with a bit of salad on the side – but thought I’d just state that time in Boston with the gang was truly awesome. Much fun was had – walking through the old cobbled streets, exploring the city where the American Revolution was born…biking along the coast of Cape Cod…playing games and being goofy and laughing almost too much!…but mostly, just enjoying all being together. Maryanne, Laura, Megan, Robbie…you are awesome, my friends.

Now, I’m going to start in on my dinner. Peace, one and all!

Where is thy sting

James HoganLeave a comment

Just a very few words, my friends!

I’m sitting here on my couch in Houston, just newly arrived back in town. A pizza is in the oven for a quite late(but needed!) dinner. And the battle of Helm’s Deep is raging on my TV screen. A perfect end to a perfect weekend. I’ve been in Tampa all weekend long(arrived home about midnight on Thursday!), but as is typical, no time for writing the whole weekend due to the many moments of awesomeness contained therein. Rays game! Watching Divergent with Maryanne and Laura! Best New York Pizza with Mom! Lunch with Dad! Apple pie and chocolate cake and lots of talking and lots of late-night-youtube-watching with Maryanne and Laura(A Very Potter Musical!!) Seeing dear Steve and Vickie and having at least a few minutes with them this afternoon! And of course, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ this morning at Hope Bible Church with the family. And this is really what I’d like to talk more about(if my dinner was not about to come out of the oven in two minutes), because truly – how good it was and is to be reminded that no matter what fun things there are in this world(and we should not be ashamed to enjoy them!), we should be having our greatest joy and highest hope in the love and salvation and glory and wonder of Jesus Christ. We should yearn to be with Christ above any other. We should long for Christ more than anything else on this earth. This night as I walked back to my apartment, I looked up and even through the haze of the city sky, I saw the stars. Yet even their beauty pales in comparison to the glories of Jesus our Lord. There is no more perfect beauty than to know and be known by Christ our God. And that, my friends, is all I have to say tonight.

Sleep well and be at peace.

Softly dreaming

James HoganLeave a comment

So should I be in bed right now? Well, yes. Actually, I am sort of in bed already now, since my bed is the couch and I am sitting on it! But while my eyelids are drooping and my thoughts are fading…I still feel I must write a few words. And so I will be uncharacteristically brief, but wanted to write one last post from Florida before I fly back to Scotland tomorrow.

This trip has been most glorious – although it’s flown past far too quickly for my liking! Nevertheless, I have been oh so blessed these past days…from my times of joy with my family and friends to a pretty sweet weekend past in Gainesville(where I spent time with some of the best friends known to mankind…maybe later I’ll write more on this, but just know that hanging out with Rob, Laurie, Dan and Betsy is pretty much the best thing ever. Just saying. Talking and talking and praying and being together…epic. I can’t really think of a better word right now. Maybe I’m just tired. Or maybe there just isn’t one. Nonetheless, I should probably close this parentheses) But yeah, Gainesville was awesome(also may have included some sweet disc golfing with Dan, Rob, Laura and George…as well as quality time back at the Lebos – one of my favorite families ever!!)

And then driving back home with Laura this afternoon, with the beautifully thunderous rain pounding down on the windshield and the windswept trees of central Florida shadowing our path…I just couldn’t help but thank our God for his goodness to me. Always.

And then being with my family tonight – eating dinner and talking and being encouraged by the best parents in the universe and then watching some classic 24(3 episodes was not enough!)…capped by reading a few Psalms together. Love it.

And since this post has been characteristically not brief…I’ll close.

Time for some sleep. And then one more day here in Florida. Here at home.

Love longs to leave one last encore-
Songs spill across the sun spun night,
Crystal chandelier, caressing sight.
And stars named
and blessed
with light.