The Reason I Came

Joy in the Journey - Day 9 (June 8, 2012) 

     Today was a good reminder of the reason for starting this journey - time with my family, this time with Beth. We made a Trader Joe's run and ate a fabulous Basil Pesto Pizza at California Pizza Kitchen. The distance and time to TJ's is about a third of what it was back in the Cities. Every trip follows a different route, offering views of more things to see and do in the days ahead. Beth is an adventurer, too, so using her greater knowledge of what should happen, we tried an entirely new route back to my place, successfully I might add. 
      Success on such forays into the unknown is not assured here. Because many roads are labeled NE or NW or SE or SW, you might assume that there is a grid somewhere, but you would essentially be wrong. Once upon a time, in somebody's mind, perhaps a grid existed, but geography, time, growth and community pride have made the grid virtually useless. First you must know the reference for those directions , and that differs in each community. Knowing the city or unincorporated area you live in also seems to be a logical first step. Interestingly, so far my computer address has shown me in Lawrenceville, Suwanee, and Duluth. Technically, I guess I live in an unincorporated area which has been attached to Lawrenceville for postal purposes. 
      To those of us from the Midwest, that underlying grid implies straight lines and corners. Virtually, nothing here is on the grid, but rather algebraically speaking it is on an infinite set of slopes. Two different streets can cross each other more than once, rather like a meandering stream. If that isn't enough confusion, street names change en route. On another foray yesterday, I got more than a little confused as I set off on Duluth Highway, arrived in the actual town of Lawrenceville only to discover that I was no longer on Duluth Highway, nor did my objective, Lawrenceville Highway exist on a street sign. Apparently both change names to local streets in town. I guess the highway numbers might be important to learn. Therein lies a sample of a phenomenon that happens frequently around here, roads changing names, usually at major intersections. The easiest one is Bethesda Church Road turning into Bethesda School Road, but most of the rest have no relationship, you just have to learn it. For example, Pleasant Hill Road, an interstate exit becomes Lester and Beaver Ruin Road becomes Killian Hills Road. This will no doubt be my brain exercise for the next few months.
     Of course, I am supposed to be unpacking not gallivanting. However, the stalemate in the pantry closet makes it a challenge to want to unpack boxes for the kitchen. I think I have a solution to my storage problem, but it will have to wait until the washer and dryer are set up. It would appear that the Lord intends to keep working on my patience. Of course, I wanted to get the kitchen done first, so now flexibility is being tested as well. 
     An adventure is a growing experience; thank you, Lord, for the challenges that make me grow, wherein lies much joy.