Family Vacation (Without ALL the family)

Kline Clan

Norris Lake, TN 2013 Family Vacation

I'm not exactly sure how I can surround myself with 22 people and still feel so lonely...
What is a family vacation without Tom...a partial family vacation?
Tom wasn't the only family member not there, which did help ease the pain, but there is no remedy for earthly (temporary) separation.  It makes me think of the lost people (those who haven't placed their trust in Christ) of this world who have no hope of reuniting with their loved ones.  What a joy and privilege to know God has planned and provided for us (those who have fully put our trust in Him) an eternal home where we will never be separated from God or our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ! This is the hope that gets me through each day...my eternal home, with my heavenly Father, where no sickness, pain or separation will ever reach me...hard to fathom!
Back to vacation:
What an amazing family I have been blessed with...special memories abound:
-choosing to remember the fun Tom had on his last boat ride
-choosing joy instead of sorrow as the family bowed to pray
-choosing to be happy because I know Tom would want me to be
-choosing "roommates" (nieces) instead of a room to myself
-choosing games that don't require a "partner" unless I was asked to be a "partner"
-choosing to eat at the end of the table & not being the "odd girl out"
-choosing to be thankful when it would be easy not to be
Life is full of choices...I struggle...
THANK YOU to my family for continuing to bear with me through the struggles I face!
I love you all dearly...

Two very special reasons to vacation with family...

Annie Grace (8 mo.) & Declan John (19 mo.)

Two more reasons why we'll be going again next year...

Lauren & Brittany both due in November!

Cousins!

The "Younger Generation" Table...

Missing: Andrew, Erin, Nathan, Aubrey, Tim & Travis...

Sarah & Annie Grace

Zac masters the grill...BBQ Brisket

Matt loves his mama...

walking me back up the stairs after a family game night on the dock!

(He's becoming just like his dad...a gentleman!)

My precious family

"All Because Two People Fell In Love"

 After a week at Norris Lake my parents continued north to Ohio for another week.  They left this morning to return to Florida...I will miss them greatly.

I can't count the number of times I've sat down to write this blog and then been called to another task.

My heart has been heavy this week...I'm on my knees in prayer for sweet people who are hurting...

Janet...who met Jesus in heaven today...praying for the Rettstatt family...

Judy...who is faithfully caring for her terminally ill husband...

Laura...who needs Jesus' daily strength as she starts chemo...

Pops...trusting Jesus for unknown to us, but known to God health issues...

 

"O God,

Early in the morning do I cry unto Thee,

Help me to pray,

And to think only of Thee.

I cannot pray alone.

In me there is darkness,

But with Thee there is light.

I am lonely, but Thou leavest me not.

I am restless, but with Thee there is peace.

In me there is bitterness, but with Thee there is patience.

Thy ways are past understanding,

but Thou knowest the way for me.

O Heavenly Father,

I praise and thank Thee for the peace of the night.

I praise and thank Thee for this new day.

I praise and thank Thee for all Thy goodness

and faithfulness throughout my life.

Thou hast granted me many blessings.

Now let me accept tribulation from Thy hand.

Thou will not lay on me more than I can bear.

Thou makest all things work together for good for Thy children."

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer in prison

(thank you, Dorothy)

 

Chris Houts completed 180 miles biking in Pelatonia to raise money for cancer research.

Pelatonia weekend was August 10-11 & I'm so thankful I was able to see Chris cross the finish line!

It's still so hard to believe that Chris road in Tom's honor last year and now my honor this year!

Chris, Vickie, Erinn & Wes

I can't thank these dear people enough for their love and support!

 Lisa & Ginny

Duck Dynasty Premiere Party!

Ginny, Tom, Wes, Mike, Dennis, Donna & Lisa

(Wendy, not pictured)

Ginny & Emily saying "See you at Thanksgiving!"

Thursday I had the privilege to ride along with Ginny and Emily to Youngstown.  Emily flew back to Coastal Carolina on Allegiant Air, which flies out of Youngstown.  After seeing Emily off we had the day ahead of us to explore, shop and eat!  What a fun day we had...

Good Bye Emily...we miss you!

We stopped at Ginny's parents & went to the Blueberry Festival!

Ginny's mom, Karen

What a fun day...thanks, Ginny!

A beautiful day with beautiful settings for a reunion...

Sunday I went with my parents to a family reunion in Richfield, Ohio

After an amazing potluck lunch and wonderful fellowship, we drove over to the nearby cemetery where my mom's grandparents, aunts & uncles are buried...

My mom's grandparents...my great grandparents...

My grandmother was the youngest of five children...Laura, Jeanette, James, Ruth & Lucy

My great aunt Laura...

My great aunt Jeanette...

My great aunt Ruth...

 My great uncle James & my grandmother are buried in different towns.

As I stood and fondly reminisced about my great aunts, I was struck by the thought of my great nieces and nephews standing over my gravestone one day.  Will their memories of me will be fond?

Will they remember me as loving Jesus and others more than myself?

A visit to a cemetery will bring life, as short as it is, into perspective.

We hurried back to Columbus to the "Park of Roses" for an outdoor concert...

Servin' Quartet & Anita Peterfish

What a blessing to join together and praise the name of  Jesus in song!

Zac & Sarah

Papa & Granny...taking time to smell the roses!

Thank You Ginny Englehart...your kindness never ceases to amaze me!

A beach souvenir & zucchini bread!