Boston, Massachusetts

4 o'clock in the morning I rolled out of bed, heavy eyed and half awake, and thus began one of the most special weeks I will ever enjoy. Hurriedly getting ready and looking around to make sure that I had remembered every last important item, Daddy, Mommy, and I left accompanied by a small, brave band of well wishers (i.e. Leisel, Lynnae, and Cosette) who were willing to brave the wee hours of the morning.

The airport was bustling, despite the early hour and we arrived at security behind a line that stretched the entire length of the hallway. Thankfully, they had the early Independence Day crowds down to a science and the line moved fairly quickly. A short wait at the gate, a hurried boarding of the plane, and Daddy and I were off to Boston.

For those of you that don't know, Daddy had planned several months before to take me on a trip to Boston to a conference celebrating the 500th anniversary of John Calvin (the official birthday date is July 10th, but, oh well, when its been 500 years, a few days early doesn't really make that much of a difference). The conference was hosted by Vision Forum and, since the Reformation is one of my favorite times in history, I had looked forward to this time with great anticipation.

After a brief layover (literally one of those land and run to the next gate ones) in Sacramento, we boarded our long flight to Boston. Daddy slept for most of the time and I read. We arrived at 5 o'clock in the evening (Boston time).

Picking up our luggage we hurried out to catch a taxi that would take us to our hotel. Within minutes we had thrown our luggage in the back and climbed into the taxi. If every you have ridden in a big city taxi, you know what it is like. Careening down the road, dodging cars, avoiding imminent collisions, and going full speed ahead through one of the longest tunnels I have ever been in. You just sit still, look calm, and try to remind yourself that these guys drive all day long and they must surely know what they are doing.

The Park Plaza Hotel, where we stayed, far exceeded my expectations in terms of grandeur and style. It is a beautiful and elegant building. Our room was perfect and we had a great view out our window of more hotel rooms a few yards from ours.

Our first evening was spent in finding something to eat for dinner, picking up some bagels for breakfast, and ironing out the clothes that had gotten wrinkled on the journey. We were able to get a good rest that night so that we could start the day fresh.

After the girls came home from Williamsburg and complained about the horrible humidity, we were looking forward with a certain amount of dread to the hot, humid weather of Boston, but as it turned out, it rained for the first 2 days. We even had to buy an umbrella which we haven't owned for years (even though we live in Washington). The rain was perfect, especially if the choice was between that and humid weather. A beautiful hazy fog hovered above the city and the impressive high rises rose and up disappeared in the ethereal mist.



We took a morning walk down to the Boston Commons where the lush green grass was spread like a carpet for several acres, where shade trees lent an inviting protection from well, the rain. Standing beside the large, clear lake that stood in the center of the park, we gazed out at the ducks while a swan with a tall, arched neck floated by almost within reach of my arm. The scene is almost fairylike there. The quiet that reigns is in sharp contrast to the busy street sounds of Boston.

Our first history tour met by the Paul Revere statue. Our speakers were Pastor Brown and Pastor Davies and they spoke about the Calvinistic preachers who spoke in Boston: George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, Cotton and Increase Mather. Our tour ended by the gravestones of the Mather family in an old cemetery. It was a very inspiring time.

That afternoon the conference began with an introduction by Doug Philips. It was a delightful beginning for a wonderful few days.