Knowing that my real plan for the day was to clean my house, get laundry done and do some catching up for work, I send a quick text to my fantastic friend Shelly-Belly and let her know I have no definitive plans for the weekend which prompts her to call me and announce she is at a flea market but free for the day. This causes us to realize that we should spend the day together so we devise a quick hiking scenario for Front Royal, VA and Shenandoah National Park. My face quickly turns from sadness to cheeriness. My gloomy outlook on my day became a bright and sunny outlook. As I opened my curtains, the sun opened me eyes and showed me that I really needed to be outside. Cleaning could wait.

We packed the dogs into the car and headed off on our journey of relaxation and adventure. The drive to Front Royal was uneventful aside from a short stint of ridiculous traffic on I-66 but the beauty of God's green earth was all around us and becoming more appealing the further from DC we got. The trees were in full effect, the sun was shining, the clouds were puffy and the sky was blue. I knew God had a plan for us today and it included a day of blissful rejuvenation.

Upon arrival in Front Royal, Michele & I went to Soul Mountain, a place I've been many times, and we had a fantastic lunch outside with the dogs sitting at our feet. Everyone walking by was so friendly, saying hi and petting the dogs, it felt like we were back in the 1950's. Small town mentality is just so positive and smiley. The restaurant was full and the wait staff was slow today but we were on the no-plan plan and were not in any hurry to get moving. We stopped by the local Daily Grind and got coffee and set off for Shenandoah National Park.

There are not words to describe the beauty of this park. The hills and valleys, the lusciously-filled forests, so green and captivating. Slow 'Sunday driving' and just taking in all the views was part of the no-plan plan. Instead of figuring out where we were going, we felt like God needed to lead us to a place to hike. At the same time we pointed to a quiet spot we could park and walk into the woods. Not 10 minutes into the walk did we come across huge stones overlooking the whole valley. Sitting on top of these stones with the dogs was a little piece of heaven. The peace and quiet, the views, the sun and clouds, the obvious love from our animals, the friendship... God. Everything was right with the world at that moment. Everything was perfect. No worry, no stress, nothing. Bliss.

Hiking for another 30-45 minutes, we found our way back to the car with tired dogs and relaxed glances at each other. I had been tweeting about our little trip and received a message from a good friend of ours, Raelinn, telling us we should come by for dinner with the dogs. We found our way to her place and had a fantastic dinner with wine, grilled chicken and interesting conversation on the huge porch of her beautiful house. Nestled into the woods in the peace and quiet, we found just the perfect end to our day.

On our way home tonight, we found the Christian station and were belting out uplifting music all the way home. The unending love He showed us all day allowed us to just revel in His peace. He knows just what we need but we have to let Him lead us to it. I know this is true about so many things in my life. I need His peace and His comfort, not the physical comfort of anyone else. I need Him and should call on Him when I need it. He never said he wouldn't allow things to happen in our lives but He did tell us that when we needed it, we'd be held. Today, He proved that He would hold me by placing a strong woman in my life who would allow me a little bit closer and just enjoy an incredible day.

Cheers to the no-plan plan and the rest of this incredible weekend of God-filled love.