Somehow it seems like the day has been going by and I haven't found the time to post what I'd like to on here. So I decided to just start with a few pictures. Sometimes it seems like so much content is crammed into so little time, it feels like quite a task to recap it. It makes me realize how efficient God is, and how inter-connected and amazing His plans for us are.
We had been feeling for a while that it was time to do a little traveling, visiting friends and family and also maybe take the girls to the ocean... somewhere. We thought maybe in February, but it came and went with lots of snow, and colder temps. than normal in the southern regions. Finally Abe said (on March 5), "How about we head out March 11?"
I felt a bit of pressure... being in the middle of an unusual sewing spree... I wanted to finish the dresses I had started, to take along, sort everyone's clothes, leave the house spic and span, clean the van, clean the garage, lose at least ten pounds, think of thoughtful gifts for the ones we were visiting, and in general, feel on top of it all, organized and successful.
Somehow I knew I had to let go... it wasn't going to happen that way... and that I needed to be OK with feeling UNDONE.
By the way, I've never liked Florida that much, dreaded the thought of such a long drive, didn't feel it was essential to my happiness to go, etc. Are you getting the picture here? I was pretty sure that this trip was going to be a "journey", one where God was going to delve into my heart in a deeper way and hopefully rid me of some more of my own ways, that surely aren't as lovely as His.
Well, we packed up, armed ourselves with munchies for the road, the van halfway clean, but OK. The house was left in normal mode, which means some rooms were vacuumed, floors not washed, island countertop not cleared off, bed made with clean sheets, not ideal, but also do-able. We had a lovely drive to Mt. Crawford, Virginia. Found out having a GPS added some fun to the travel, checking our elevation etc. We ended up going a shorter, car-sick potential kind of road and it was so worth it!!! Breathtaking scenery even in in this dull winter time mode we are in. No one hurled and we arrived at our friends in good time.
We enjoyed seeing where they live. They used to live here in Ohio and moved away almost 3 years ago. Our children have grown up together and are all pals.
Left to right in this picture is:
Wynonah & Damaris (9), Brianna & Chloe(5), Shawn (reading), Patrick (3) on his lap, Robert & Hadassah (7)
The girls all slept in one room, no problems. We parents stayed up late, visiting. The next day, after being well fed twice, we headed out for North Carolina, where Abe's family lives. Somehow we get home and I find out I didn't get any pictures taken while we were there, which is typical for me.
Abe's Dad was actually on a job in PA, so we missed seeing him. Of course, his mom and sisters fed us well, gave us their beds, and made us welcome. We were there from Friday evening till Monday morning.
I have to get supper going and want to get some bread started yet, so I need to wait till next time to continue with details...
We had been feeling for a while that it was time to do a little traveling, visiting friends and family and also maybe take the girls to the ocean... somewhere. We thought maybe in February, but it came and went with lots of snow, and colder temps. than normal in the southern regions. Finally Abe said (on March 5), "How about we head out March 11?"
I felt a bit of pressure... being in the middle of an unusual sewing spree... I wanted to finish the dresses I had started, to take along, sort everyone's clothes, leave the house spic and span, clean the van, clean the garage, lose at least ten pounds, think of thoughtful gifts for the ones we were visiting, and in general, feel on top of it all, organized and successful.
Somehow I knew I had to let go... it wasn't going to happen that way... and that I needed to be OK with feeling UNDONE.
By the way, I've never liked Florida that much, dreaded the thought of such a long drive, didn't feel it was essential to my happiness to go, etc. Are you getting the picture here? I was pretty sure that this trip was going to be a "journey", one where God was going to delve into my heart in a deeper way and hopefully rid me of some more of my own ways, that surely aren't as lovely as His.
Well, we packed up, armed ourselves with munchies for the road, the van halfway clean, but OK. The house was left in normal mode, which means some rooms were vacuumed, floors not washed, island countertop not cleared off, bed made with clean sheets, not ideal, but also do-able. We had a lovely drive to Mt. Crawford, Virginia. Found out having a GPS added some fun to the travel, checking our elevation etc. We ended up going a shorter, car-sick potential kind of road and it was so worth it!!! Breathtaking scenery even in in this dull winter time mode we are in. No one hurled and we arrived at our friends in good time.
We enjoyed seeing where they live. They used to live here in Ohio and moved away almost 3 years ago. Our children have grown up together and are all pals.
Left to right in this picture is:
Wynonah & Damaris (9), Brianna & Chloe(5), Shawn (reading), Patrick (3) on his lap, Robert & Hadassah (7)
The girls all slept in one room, no problems. We parents stayed up late, visiting. The next day, after being well fed twice, we headed out for North Carolina, where Abe's family lives. Somehow we get home and I find out I didn't get any pictures taken while we were there, which is typical for me.
Abe's Dad was actually on a job in PA, so we missed seeing him. Of course, his mom and sisters fed us well, gave us their beds, and made us welcome. We were there from Friday evening till Monday morning.
I have to get supper going and want to get some bread started yet, so I need to wait till next time to continue with details...
