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!

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.