Much needed Rest

Today marked our last day in the bay area and a day for our legs to be rejuvenated. If we did anything right during this trip it has been the way we planned our rest days. Today consisted primarily of sleeping, reading, and cruising around San Francisco (by car.) Unlike most days that start with the rising sun, today started around 10am. Slowly but surely we arose from our slumber and made our way to the showers. After a long period of procrastination, picture posting, and being lazy, we decided our two objectives for the day would be to find the Full House house and get us some In N Out burger.

So apparently the Full House house is only like 3 blocks from where we are staying. So we set out to find these infamous houses. After a few too many minutes of driving and a little bit of frustration with one way streets and poor directions, we gave up on the houses. As it turns out we were very close. The thing about the houses is that there really is nothing significant about the houses. They show up on the opening song but the actual filming obviously take place elsewhere. Long story short it would have been nice to stop by the see Danny Tanner and the gang but we'll just have to wait until another day.

So after a feeble attempt to find In N Out Burger last night and more recently the Full House house, we were bound and determined to get us some In N Out. This time we actually did find our delightful eatery but not quite in the way we expected. Going based of the directions we had from the house, it should have only been 3 miles away. Clearly we dont have a good understanding of this city because that 3 miles took us to the exact place where we spent most of the day yesterday. None the less the burgers, fries, and shakes were absolutely fantastic.

The last event of the day before a quiet, uneventful evening was the culmination of the Eastern Conference Finals. Pope took us down to a really cool pub right down the street from where he lives to watch the game and get some more food. This place was packed. From wall to wall, people were standing. As it turns out, not only were the Cavs getting a beatdown from the Magic, but the 1st game of the Stanley Cup playoffs were taking place. Now I'll admit that I dont have the best attention span in the world but this was just too difficult for me. With 15 TV's all around, my main focus trying to be on the basketball game, and listening to the sound of the hockey game, I was simply confused. In the end, it turned out to be a great atmosphere to watch both games and I had a chance to thoroughly enjoy Dwight Howard being a man among boys against the Cavs.

As far as our adventures, thats really where it ends today. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow as we head to Redwood National Park. We are all pretty excited to get back on the road and continue with our journey. Its hard to believe we are now 2 weeks in but we have all had an incredible experience thus far and have learned so much.

Quote of the day: “I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.” - Roasalia De Castro

Food for thought: How do we become who we want to become? How does God’s plan in our life truly take shape? Am I really who I want to be? What shapes my life? Where do I go from here? Am I making an impact in the lives of others? These questions have swirled in my head each day as this trip continues to wind on. One of the primary reasons I wanted to take this trip was to have time away from the stresses of life to simply reflect, learn, and connect with not only the world around me but the world inside me.

These questions that I continue to wrestle with are questions I believe take a lifetime to figure out and questions that many people unfortunately never answer for themselves. As we travel down our paths in life, we are pulled, pushed, and influenced in all different directions. In today's world, what is right is openly challenged by what feels good, and what is easy.

Throughout this trip and as I continue through my journey of life, it becomes ever more clear to me that in order to fully become the person God wants us to be and truly fulfill our purpose in life, it is imperative that we surround ourselves with things and people that will build us up, support us, and spur us on. The world will continually to push us to conform and give in to temptation but God has a different way, a better way. I encourage each of us to ask the tough questions, to really look inside ourselves, and to truly seek positive influences. They are out there if we seek them. Develop positive, accountable relationships, make the tough decisions, and stand for what is right, not what is pleasurable or easy. Many walk the easy road in life, but those who stand for what is right, wrestle with the tough questions, and sincerely seek God's purpose in their lives find a life of abundance. Let us live that life of abundance. In the words of words of Switchfoot "this is your life, are you who you want to be?"

Later Days,

Bretteron