NO PHOTOS today....none that is, unless you want to see my face contorted by pain! Yup, I was awakened this morning by intense pain behind my right shoulder blade....and took 10 minutes to get out of bed! Very shortly after that we headed out to the emergency room.....and about six hours and a number of tests later, I was on my way home. Due to some risk factors, and the fact that I had experienced nausea, dizziness, tingling in my face and arms, etc., they wanted to definitively rule out any heart or lung issues (apparently I hyper-ventilated because it hurt too much to breathe deeply). Praise the Lord, all of the tests came back negative, so after some cautionary notes, they let me go home. Apparently it is some musculo-skeletal issue....so now we will have to address that and find out what is causing the problem. I must admit, I was scared this morning, and spent quite a bit of time praying....Praise God, the prayer that it wasn't a heart attack or pulmonary embolism was answered! I now have two lidocaine patches on my shoulder blade area, and am off to take a Darvocet....and hopefully have a peaceful night's sleep. I would appreciate your prayers....and I know that God has everything in His powerful and steadfast hand.

Last week was a busy week....not only was it the last week on our project here at Doe River Gorge in Elizabethton, TN, we crammed a lot of activities in along with our work! On Tuesday, our group traveled to Jonesboro, TN, home of the International Storytelling Center. Since the "season" was not officially opened, we experienced storytelling in a quaint little coffee shop called "The Cranberry Thistle." As you can see, we were in a lot of discomfort (??!) while we listened to several different "tellers".....
....and the cranberry scones were yumtidelicious! It was a neat experience, and Jonesboro is one of those little towns that just begs to be explored....so a couple of us are going back on Tuesday to do a little of that exploring and have lunch. Should be another fun experience!

On Thursday, we took a train ride up the gorge.....what a beautiful day, and the scenery was even better. Mark, the train "conductor" (for lack of a better word),
shared a wealth of knowledge about the origins of the railroad here and pointed out a lot of scenic high points.....too many to share with you here, but here is just a sample of some of that beauty that God has created. (Will post more photos later.)

Friday was designated as the day that Lee, Esther, Willie and I were going to walk to the trestle bridge and back.....well, we started out great, but about two-thirds of the way there, Esther and I decided it was time to head back to the campground. Lee came along (to serve as our protector?), and Willie continued on....and on....and on! He went past the first trestle, past the second trestle.....well, actually he said it was a good thing I didn't see him as he picked his way around the trestles....might have had heart failure! He finally made it into a little wide spot in the road called Blevins....one of the goals he set for himself since we have been here. Even tho' we didn't make it all the way, I still took lots of pictures along the way!

(MY mountain man!)

This is just one of the many beautiful rapids on this stretch of the Doe River.

Willie wasn't too excited about our plans for Saturday night....traveling to Hiltons, VA and watching the show at the Carter Fold....bluegrass music is not our favorite, but we decided we wanted to experience the happenings at the Carter Fold! We knew that the bluegrass band from ETSU (East Tennessee State University) was going to be performing....WOW....did they ever perform! Several of the members were super talented....the guitarist and the banjo player, just to name a couple. We had thought we would probably leave early, but stayed until the very end....they were awesome, and we had a great time. (Oh, except for the driver that was going 10 mph when the speed limit was 40 mph....on a two-lane road with virtually no passing zones!) Everyone there seemed to be having a wonderful time, and the floor in front of the stage was usually full of cloggers....and anyone else who wanted to get up and dance!

Now it's time to start packing up and thinking about moving on to our next project....Horton Haven, TN (southeast of Franklin). It will be nice to be close enough to visit with Mom and Dad....and Jon....on the weekends. But before then there is a lot to be done (cleaning, packing, exploring)....I'll share more in the next few days. In the meantime, I'll also be getting to work on some LFI (Loaves and Fishes International, Inc.) business.....why don't you check out the website and see how God is using just ordinary people to do His work? If you'd like more information, just leave me a comment, and I will be glad to get back with you......there are a lot of exciting things starting to happen!

Until next time, have a blessed day, and may you be a blessing!

OUR DAY started out with a stop at Sycamore Shoals State Park....we thought they were having a plant sale. Weeell...not quite! It was a plant auction....landscaping plants. Not something we need much of since we live "on the road"! So with our good friends, Lee and Esther, we headed up to Roan Mountain....to see what we could see.

What we saw was a forest of rhododendron....unfortunately for us, they were nowhere ready to bloom. We also saw some beautiful vistas.....look at those Blue Ridge Mountains....reminds me of the many trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway as a child.

This section of the Parkway was difficult to complete....it actually "hangs" on the side of the mountain (this photo was taken from quite a distance, and you can see the telltale blue haze so common in this area of mountains).
We also made a stop at the Cone Memorial Park, which includes this beautiful old home housing an arts and crafts boutique with some unique items....a little (?) out of our price range (a pottery oil decanter was selling for $50).
After a loooong and enjoyable day, it is time to say goodnight, and may God bless each one who visits this page! We certainly feel blessed, and know that He is directing our steps.

Oooops! Forgot to upload the photos....better later than never, I guess!




A friend just remarked to me that God is an awesome artist.....I concur!

What an absolutely gorgeous day God has given us! Not a cloud in the sky, warm temps, and his beautiful mountains for us to enjoy....what a gift....and one I needed so badly.

My friend Esther and I started the day out scrapbooking, so Willie took off on an adventure of his own....hiking the rail bed, taking along his fishing and goldpanning gear....guess he wanted to be prepared.

Well, the beautiful weather kept beckoning so Esther and I packed up our scrapbooking and, along with her husband Lee, we set out for a casual walk down to the river. Our casual walk turned into more of a hike as we kept going further and further....climbing over rocks and trees to get our next view of the fast-moving and ever-changing river.

These are just a few of the beautiful vistas we encountered on our trek....can't wait to go again!

Yesterday was a special day in the lives of my parents....their 65th wedding anniversary! They would be spending this in a quite different setting from their 60th (when we had a surprise celebration for them and family came from near and far). This celebration took place in the nursing home where they are presently living. I was disappointed that I wouldn't be able to be there and help make this a special day....so after a couple of phone calls.....well, it is just amazing what God can do!

Dad called me last night to share how special their celebratory dinner was.....the conference room had been decorated, flowers were there, and a special candlelit dinner of fish and shrimp, along with potatoes and green beans, was served to them by a couple of very special staff.....followed by strawberry shortcake! There was a card signed by many of the residents, and the flowers I had requested were there! My brother and his wife stopped by with gifts....all in all, Dad said it made them both feel very special....a perfect gift on a special day.

(Photo was taken in February when Willie and I took them out to Red Lobster.)

HAPPY 65th ANNIVERSARY
to my Dad and Mom,
EUEL and DOROTHY FOX

Easter Sunday did NOT dawn with clear skies and a beautiful sunrise in this part of TN....but nevertheless the SON has risen, and I was awestruck by the beauty in the mist hanging over the mountains.....
There is so much beauty in our world, and I suppose we all take it for granted at some point in our lives....more often than not, I suspect.
But just like the mist, God's love comes rollin' on in and overwhelms us with the beauty of His love and what He did for each of us.....I am so grateful for a God that is ever present....not only on the beautiful sunny days, but on those days when the skies (and our lives) are overcast. He is still there....and always will be!

We are starting our second week here at Doe River Gorge .....the guys are continuing to work in the gazepees, and the women will be doing a variety of chores from laundry to cleaning to helping with a mailing to landscaping....well, landscaping it it ever stops raining!

Our tentative plans for the summer never did materialize, and once again, God has made it evident that all things happen in His time! We are now signed up for three more SOWERs projects in TN (May-July) so that we can be within easy driving distance of my mom and dad. A trip to Va Beach is planned for August, and then it will be on down to Gulfport, MS to help out Janelle for a few months. Life is busy and ever changing, which makes God's unchanging love even more mind-blowing!

Have a blessed week, and rejoice in the risen Savior!!

Now that the snow is gone and the sun is shining there is still work to be done...the men have been designing and building prototypes for several different additions to the infamous gazepees (aka BeeGees, jeepnees, beatniks....or whatever else comes to mind when one of the guys can't remember what they are called)! Some of the men LOOK like they might be working.....
.........while others seem to be doing the real thing! (Not true....they were all working.....we just pulled them away from their REAL work so we could get a group photo!)

There are lots of wonderful places to walk here, and as we set out for our walk today these grasses caught my eye....not quite the showy blooms of spring, but beautiful in their own way.
The Tweetsie railroad used to come through this area, and the campground has actually rebuilt a portion of the track and runs a narrow gauge train a short distance up into the gorge. We have been promised a ride next week....can't wait....a couple of tunnels and a trestle bridge should all make for some scenic sights! Today we walked a short distance along the tracks, and tho' it is pretty now, I can't wait for the rhododendron to bloom....WOW!

One of the things that has always intrigued me about the landscape of TN is the varied rock formations.....I love seeing all the different layers....this photo was taken as we were nearing the entrance to the first tunnel....and this one as we were coming out of the tunnel back into the campground.
God's hand is truly evident here....not only in the natural beauty that is so abundant but in the way He has orchestrated the realization of the vision that drives this facility and its staff. There are so many wonderful examples of how He has provided miracles on an almost daily basis....I keep going back to Willie's favorite Rich Mullins' song....."Our God is an awesome God..."

SnowIT'S CALLED "DOGWOOD WINTER"....and, boy, does it ever feel like winter! We awoke to a dusting of snow on the ground, and the snow showers continued intermittently all day. After our work cleaning the office kitchen area, Esther and I took a walk....thought I'd share some of the sights with you.

Entrance to Doe River Gorge

View from the road leading into the Gorge....

Loved the contrast of the spring flowers and the skim of snow!

One of the sights that captured my attention on the walk down to the river..

And when Willie and I took a short drive a little further up the mountain, we were delighted with this sight.....baby Christmas trees all decked out in snow.....how appropriate! But in April?

Now we will have to wait and see what tomorrow brings....more snow scenes or a return to the warmer temps that make those spring beauties ? Check back tomorrow!

Thursday morning...bright (?) and early (definitely).... found us on the road headed towards Pigeon Forge and a visit with friends Tom and Betty (next door neighbors at the campground in Bowling Green where we spent last summer). They are working at Dollywood this summer in one of the diners and having a blast! The weather wasn't exactly pleasant, but we made the trip safely and uneventfully (always our prayer)...well, if you don't count a couple of heartstopping moments in the traffic in Pigeon Forge! Is school still not in session....or is it still spring break for some? Whatever the case, we were astounded at the heavy traffic there on a weekday during the school year.

We had a great visit with Tom and Betty, and since Tom's birthday had been the previous day, they included us in their celebration and treated us to a night out at the Dixie Stampede! What fun!
After a windy night we hooked up and headed out....this time our destination was our next project....Doe River Gorge in Elizabethton, TN (south of Bristol). We arrived in the early afternoon and were so excited to see our friends, Lee and Esther! It has been amazing how we have traveled parallel roads in our personal lives this past year.....
There are seven SOWER couples here this month, along with a SOWER on assignment....and as always, there is lots of work to be done. (This is our new home for the month....this photo was taken as we were getting ready to head out on a walking tour of the facility.)
Just a quick view over some of the property.....can't wait to see it in all of its spring glory!
I'll leave you with this one....I think Willie is contemplating that gold panning he wants to do in the Doe River. Only problem is, he'll either be jostling for space with Lee, the fly fisherman, or dozing off in the peaceful surroundings!

I pray that this week will be filled with opportunities to share God's love, and that we will be vessels available to be used by Him? What is your prayer?

SPRING....in Talladega is a beeeeautiful sight! On the short walk to my duties in the office each day I loved watching the tulips burst into bloom....first one....then another....then a third....and so on and so on.
The cherry and dogwood trees almost seemed to be in a competition with each other....seeing who could produce the most blooms and be the showiest....and the beautiful pansies and other flowering plants didn't hurt the picture, either....
The dogwoods weren't even showing much beyond tiny bud nubs when we first arrived, but look at them now! Of course, I do have a soft spot for dogwoods....they ARE the state tree of Virginia!
One thing for sure, I have never seen so many wild dogwoods blooming in the forest.....at times it looked like a sea of white....we have really enjoyed this ever-changing masterpiece that God is painting!
And there are other beauties to see in "these here parts"....my long-time friend Athena, and her two very active and precious little ones, Lydia and Luke. Of course, I'd say they qualify as springtime beauties, too!
We had a great time visiting with them in their home....it was sooo good to see Athena after so many years.....and to meet her little ones (who look just their daddy Eric). Thanks, Athena, for a great evening....you are as beautiful and sweet as ever, and we love you!

This is the Lord's Day....let's spend it in seeking time with Him, thanking Him for all the wonders He has created and praising Him for who He is!!!

Time to update once again......but as always, I'm a day (or week) late, and often more than a dollar short! But here goes anyway, with some photos of some of the beautiful spring sights in and around the Talladega area.

When we are in a forested area, Willie LOVES to get out and go exploring in the woods. On the day this particular photo was taken, he had gone over into Clay County, AL to pursue one of his new hobbies...gold-panning. No, he didn't find any gold, but he sure did have a wonderful time....and the sights were worth their weight in gold.
On several occasion when we made the drive from Talladega to Birmingham to attend the Church at Brook Hills, we passed the signs pointing out that we were missing a covered bridge. Well, I have always loved a picturesque covered bridge, so on our last Sunday there, we took the side ride and followed the signs. Well, sorta....we followed the one and only sign, and then dug out the trusty Gazeteer, and found our way. Yes, it was a picturesque covered bridge, but they were charging $4.00 per person to go down to the bridge.....we thought this photo from the side of the road would suffice....at least for this time!

Tomorrow I'll put up some photos of the beautiful spring blossoms we saw emerge on an almost daily basis....spring in Talladega......aaaaaaaahhhhhh! Spring is always such a reminder of the new birth we have in Christ....as He takes something that is dead and brings it to life....and in such a beautiful way!