Putting the pieces together: Lego land

“I can’t go with you?” Soft and low my son's hurt voice left me aching. Adam dropped the small Lego piece he fidgeted with into the enormous bucket. Silence.

My insides groaned for my bad mommy decision. In June, as a teacher, I would lead a European tour with students, including my own daughter, for 11 days. Adam was left out because of age restrictions. Left behind and left out. My son.

I had to turn this around. The visit to Rome, London and Paris, had wounded us and we hadn’t even left America yet. I decided to include Adam on a dream trip.

“Where would you go if you could go anywhere?” I bit my lower lip, scarcely breathing, for fear of his honest reply.

His head popped up and the gloom vanished. “Legoland,” then he added, “with Jessica, too. All of us, it will be fun!”

My heart flip-flopped. All three of us. Wow. Why didn’t I think of that? Jesus, you handpicked Europe for us, why not Legoland too? The bubbling of hope set me to planning and looking at the calendar. It also brought me to my knees.

Raising two children on one salary had been possible only by faith in God. Through the years, irregular child support took its toll on me. I hired attorneys. Eventually, I filed bankruptcy. Better financial boundaries helped me tithe and this eventually changed our opportunities. My faith was about to exceed my planning.

Just before summer, God purposed for me to leave teaching. I questioned God.
Not signing my teaching contract frightened me, but eventually I followed God’s prompts.
In addition, I kept the Lego Land vision alive and officially marked the date, October 23rd, on the kitchen calendar.

The European trip was a hit, and Adam bonded with relatives back in Texas.
Summer flew. Our finances offered no extras. Yet, that fall, the children enjoyed unhurried drives to school, with a calm, happy mom. Often, our errands included Tiger, our shedding Golden Retriever.

Extra pampering for the kids became routine- things like cookies and muffins after school. Before, as a teacher, I required about an hour afterschool of “down time” to detoxify my mind. Now in the afternoons, I indulged in listening to my own children. On weekends, friends came over to hang out, swim or spend the night. Healing began.

The official departure date and time for Legoland loomed. October 23rd, scribbled on the Beth More study guide Believing God now became the official date for confirmed flights, hotel stays and car rentals. While planning we discovered discounts. Together, our three “GO” cards allowed for free admission to Legoland and tons of other discounts and freebies. Gleefully, we checked out sites online for possible itineraries. Maybe surf lessons? Go-carts, bicycle rides along the ocean front, and a safari zoo. We dreamed together, as we counted down the days to our special family trip. Everyone had a top ten list of places to go on our vacation.

Without warning, some regular finances did not deposit into our bank account. I dreaded checking the bank’s website. I prayed for faith to surface.

Though our departure date was a week away, I stopped dreaming aloud. Adam asked me specific details about the trip. My evasive answers dodged his questions. Finally, I consulted God about how to handle the apparent defeat staring me down. With less than twenty dollars in the bank, I refused to admit defeat.

At breakfast my son asked, “Mom it’s next week. Are we really going?”

Guide me, Father.

My eyes met his gaze. “I am praying for it, but the truth is I don’t know yet, except that I am praying. And, you can pray too.”

He joined me. That night I had an idea. Even if I could not go, the kids deserved the vacation.
“Hey, guys,” I called the kids. “It doesn’t look good – there are only a few days left before the flight leaves. Do you really want to go?”

“How can we still go?” Jessica asked.

“Well, I can ask your dad …would you be willing? If he is available, then everything is already covered, except food expenses.” With their approval, I turned to go outside to make the difficult phone call. No good. He already had plans. I continued praying.

Miraculously, our finances arrived two days prior to the trip.

“Remember- we are eating at McDonalds, no gourmet room service” I warned them. My voice drowned in their chattering sea of excitement. What time to set the alarms, and what to pack…
On our flight, I pulled out Believing God. I stared at the question mark by today’s actual date and flight number. Stunned. God had answered my prayer last spring. I recalled the doubts and fears: what if I couldn’t pull it off and they were disappointed?

The jet touched land. Bent on adventure and sights, we searched the bay for a fun tour. Within minutes we climbed aboard the USS Midway and listened to Sailors War Stories. Navigating through California with maps became challenging. We journeyed through lush valleys for the Safari Zoo, quickly mastering U-turns and recomputations.

We located Torrey Pines, right after our first McCafe. Afterwards, the ocean lured us and we jumped into cold, salty, waves. Collecting seashells and watching surfers in wet suits allowed time to dream. A talented guitarist played melodies under the stars in Old Town.

Finally: Legoland. Free to wander on a gorgeous sunny day, we arrived as it opened. With confident, unhurried strides, Adam’s peaceful, mature demeanor spoke to my heart. He had grown. Competing for digital accuracy we built robots. Adam’s robot raced to second place.
Later he shared-“I thought there would be Legos everywhere.”

What imagination! Ah, my boy.

Another surprise awaited me. Due to complications, the airlines extended our stay. At the yachting resort, we swam then phoned room service. We devoured our chef-prepared meals.

Nothing compared to Legoland. Not even Paris.