One Trip Leads to Another!

Three Blessings...

Matt, Sarah & Zac

Zac & Sarah enjoying coffee & devotions at Lakeside!

What an encouragement to know Chris Houts will be riding in Pelatonia again this year,

not only in Tom's memory BUT now riding in my honor too!

Chris, Vickie and I enjoyed sweet fellowship over Graeter's Ice Cream...

"thank you" Chris & Vickie for your continued love, support and prayers!

This limo was outside of Orange Leaf when Ginny & I got frozen yogurt!

I'm fighting like a girl!

The precious "Gilmer Clan" who graciously allowed me in on their family vacation!

back row:  Carylee, Justin (Carylee's nephew), Jenny (Justin's bride), Melanie (Carylee's sister)

front row:  Baby Joey (Carylee's great-nephew), Cary & Don (Carylee's parents)

What fun to enjoy beach time with them!

Great Aunt "Key" meets Joey for the first time!

Our Beach House

Joey's Beach Bungalow

My sweet friend and travel companion...Carylee!

Lisa & Patty

Ginny Englehart's extended family was at the beach (Sunset Beach) just south of where we were...

So I went on Wednesday to spend the day with them...this is Ginny's cousin, Patty whose husband went home to heaven last August...we connected right away...understanding each others pain...

no vacation will ever be the same without our husbands...

Flying home...

This picture was an awesome reminder that God's love is always shining on me,

just because I see clouds doesn't mean He isn't there!

Matt & Liz

Beulah Beach had a 5k run last Saturday that Matt & Liz ran together!

Sunday was the start of Bible Mission Conference at Beulah Beach...

Sandi Patty was the guest performer Sunday evening...

I stopped at my Aunt Joanne & Uncle Jim's on the way to Beulah Beach...

Uncle Jim & Aunt "J" joined me for dinner & concert!

Beulah Dinner: 1/2 baked chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, roll & watermelon

Uncle Jim, Matt, Lisa & Aunt "J"

Sandi belts it out...she shook Matt's hand just after I snapped this picture!

Matt & his mama...

Sandi started the concert with "He Cares for Me"...I started the concert in tears!

She ended the concert with "We Shall Behold Him"...I ended the concert in tears...

just imagining Tom beholding Him!

Somewhere in the middle of the concert she sang "This Little Light of Mine"...

One of Tom's "famous" songs with our children...he had a special version...

"Let it shine in Tokoyo..."

Matt shared with me at that point that he played "sleep monster" with the children in childcare that day!  Tom 'created' the "sleep monster" game...always a hit with our children & spoken about at Tom's Celebration of Life Service by Sarah!

After the concert I went home with Uncle Jim & Aunt "J" and spent the night at their home.

These beautiful fresh-cut flowers were at my bedside!

Aunt "J" made a delicious breakfast mini quiche!

"Thank You" Uncle Jim & Aunt Joanne for serving & loving me...I am blessed!

Lisa & Aunt Margaret

On my way back to Columbus I stopped in Mansfield to visit my dad's sister, Margaret!

What fun to catch up with her and her grandson, Danny.

Continued "THANKS" to my anonymous friend who graciously gives!

and

To the WCS students who never cease praying & sending the most beautiful cards!

 

"Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,

For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.
I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.
He will send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches him who tramples upon me.
God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.

Psalm 57:1-3

Catching Up

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

"The secret way to heal a broken heart is to let love leak out like an ocean

through all the cracks."

-Ann Voskamp

 

"He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds."

Psalm 147:3



"The best way to tend to your open wounds is to open your arms.

Out-loving is the only ointment that healed anything.

When you have Jesus on the inside, you’re never on the outside.

In name of Jesus who broke His heart to heal ours…"

-Ann Voskamp

 

My life is full...this is good...it means I feel GREAT!  I've received emails wondering why I haven't posted in so long...am I okay?  YES...I'm home from two weeks in Florida (Healing balm of God's Word with the salt, sand and ocean) with my parents...two weeks of rest and relaxation.  Now I'm preparing for my next trip!  But, before I tell you about that...let me back up and recall this past month in pictures:

Matthew & Me

What an awesome trip I had going to Beulah Beach with my dear friend Carylee!  We went to visit our children (Morgan & Matt) who are serving as camp counselors at this amazing camp on Lake Erie's shoreline!

Matt's "Group" of Young Men 



Carylee & Me...Western Night Hoedown

Lake Erie Sunset

Now off to Florida...



Enjoying my parents pool!

Florida Sunset with Dad & Mom

"but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice

piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents;

for this is acceptable in the sight of God."

I Timothy 5:4

Meeting Linda Heiman at The Soda Shoppe!

Dinner at Darryl's with (almost) all my parents friends!

Dale, Tim, Bob, Maryann, Barbie, Jane, Me, Mom, Mary, Tim, Dad & Wyatt

Love these people!

Fourth of July Fun with the Homoelle's

Ready for Beach Fireworks...

Colleen, Bethany & Courtney

Venice Fireworks were GREAT!

Papa & Granny

Anniversary Roses from Dad!

Mary, Mom & Me on our fun adventure to Jody's on Palm Island!

Getting Ready to Ride Over on the Ferry

Jody & Dizzy pick us up from the ferry in "Gumby"

Relaxing in Jeff & Jody's pool after an amazing day on Palm Island Beach

"Thank You" Jody for a wonderful day...

I am blessed by knowing you and look forward to my next adventure to Palm Island Paradise!

You are a gracious hostess and the day was a highlight of my trip!

Our beach "cabana boy"

It's not an "official" vacation without a trip to Nokomis Groves for Ice Cream!

 A short drive to Sarasota for dinner at Owen's Fish Camp...delicious fun!

Mom, Dad, Wyatt & Mary

My dinner "date"!

Life Size Elephants in the Historical District of Sarasota!

Dad enjoys a hammock at Saint Armands Circle

My traveling companions...Suzanne, Colleen & Linda!

Home again:

"You water its furrows abundantly,

You settle its ridges,

You soften it with showers,

You bless its growth.

You have crowned the year with Your bounty,

And Your paths drip with fatness.

The pastures of the wilderness drip,

And the hills gird themselves with rejoicing."

Psalm 65:10-12

My Garden Bounty

My Garden Dinner...

Fried Green Tomatoes, Crookneck Squash & Cucumbers!

July 13, 2013...Braden's Graduation Party!

The best "Host & Hostess"

Mike & Cheryl

Enjoying "grand-parenting"...

Terry, Kelly & Annie Grace

Aunt Aubrey & Annie Grace

Cassidy Joy

Lauren

The newlyweds...Andrew & Erin

Uncle Jim & Aunt "J"

Cheryl's sweet parents...Mary & Chuck

Some of my favorite people...Sarah & Zac

 

A new addition to Zac & Sarah...2013 Chevy Silverado!

 

More favorites...Matt & Liz

Matt & his mama...

(Morgan...how did I end up without a picture of you?...so sad)

I'm looking forward to another adventure...going to the beach (Ocean Isle) with Carylee.  We fly out on Sunday (7/21) to be with her parents, sister & family!  I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be with these dear people, to be well enough to go and for friends who are keeping me on my toes!  Last Sunday at our church's baptism service I had the pleasure of chatting with a dear widow (Judy Burgess whose husband went home to the Lord 4 years ago)...she gave me some advice..."stay busy"...I guess that's what I'm doing!  I will only be home for a short while after Ocean Isle and then onto Norris Lake, TN for our family vacation.  Please pray for me as I wrap my mind around a "family" vacation without Tom.  I told Sarah, "what's a family vacation/pictures without your dad?"...just doesn't seem right, but I know God will be right beside me (us) through these bittersweet times.

"Thank You" to my anonymous friend!

 

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow,

nor reap nor gather into barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not worth much more than they?"

Matthew 6:26

"Thank You" Karen Brown...love my bird...reminding me of my worth in Christ!

 

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

 

I meet with my cardiologist tomorrow, Thursday 7/18...as well as I have felt, I still think I need some medication adjustments.  Thank you again for all who love, pray and support me and my family.  I am blessed.