It actually happened!   Yes, it did....I promise.  What, you say?  Those new blogs I was referring to in my last post.  They are both very bare bones yet, but go check them out....

Missions

 and

Grace and Mercy

 

 

....and share with us your thoughts!

Plans....

You know the old saying, make plans and the devil laughs at you....so true!  While we were traveling/living in the motorhome and volunteering we would often say that we didn't like to make too many plans, because God had a way of changing them.

Well, there is another plan in the works....one to create a new page (or pages) linked to our blog....one in which we provide a little more detail on the Kingdom work of which we are privileged to be a part.  When I ran across this quote by Ernest Meyers the other day it really hit home...

"Don't just count your years, make your years count."

 

We are endeavoring to do that, as both Willie and I have been involved in ministry but we haven't shared too much except on a one-on-one basis, and we'd like to share more, and with more of you, on a regular basis.

 

Willie is passionate about his work with Carpenters 4 Christ...his next mission venture with them will be in June....building a church in Kentucky (their original building burnt down in 2013).  I hope to do a post (along with LOTS of pictures) about the previous two builds (AL and IL) sometime in the near future. 

 

One of the ministries I have become involved with through AGAPE Women's Services is leading a  healing Bible study for post-abortive women (Surrendering the Secret).  There is such a great need and the shame and guilt are so great that it is difficult for many women to experience/accept the healing that can only come through God's grace and mercy.  One of the foundations for this type of ministry is that it is strictly confidential until such time as an individual woman decides to share, so I will never divulge anything that would break that confidence.  Rather, I will share what God is teaching me through this experience....and give Him the glory for what is accomplished!

 

Look for both of these in the near future.

 

In the meantime, some news to share.....

 

In addition to the engagement of Ted and Dawn (noted in a previous post), we have yet another engagement to announce....

 

 

Jennifer and Matthew Francis announced their engagement yesterday, and we will be happy to increase our family yet again! 

 

"Love God and love each other." 

 1 John 4:21

Dreamin'.....

Today I'm wistfully dreaming of blue skies, fluffy white clouds, white sand beaches, tropical waters and my toes in the sand.

Reality is more like this, tho'.....

...snow falling, wind blowing, bone-chilling temps.  Oh, well, I can dream, can't I?!

I will share some photos from our hikes earlier this fall....there will be no tropical waters, no white sand beaches, no toes in the sand, but there will be some blue skies, some fluffy white clouds, and some pretty waterfalls!

We ventured out one day for a trek down, and I do mean DOWN, to the Blue Hole....a beautiful spot, but one that is definitely a challenge to get to.  We had read that there were steps down to the waterfall....and yes, there are, if you count 18"+ high rough platforms as steps!  But it was definitely worth it....beautiful and peaceful.

A couple of weeks later we headed to Roan Mountain and a hike to Jane Bald....another steep hike (well, the last part, anyway).

 

The mountainsides were awash in the autumn colors....I remember how much my parents used to love to go the mountains when the leaves were changing....

 My favorite hiking buddy....he could look a little more thrilled, don't you think?!  LOL  I think he was fighting the sun in his eyes....at least that's what he said!

It was a good ending to a good day, and nice to look back on while trying to stay  warm!

The beginnings of an addiction?

Yes, I think we might have just seen the beginnings of an "addiction"...well, maybe more like a desire to repeat, not the exact experience, but the relaxation and enjoyment we experienced during this "adventure".  We left home VERY early in the morning...

for what would prove to be a VERY long trip, made even longer by the closing of I-95 and our detour that was made even longer by a bridge closing necessitating yet another detour (yep...added about 3 hours to our trip)

But we finally arrived in Ft. Lauderdale and checked into our home for the night....the Westin.  Let me just give a shout-out to the staff there....they knew we were tired after our long day and that there were several parties going on at the hotel that night, so they gave us a wonderful room in a quiet location....what a nice way to start our get-away!

The next morning we were greeted with a gorgeous sunrise, as if to say, "Welcome...you are going to have a wonderful time....just relax and enjoy."

And we did...starting the day off with a delicious brunch then heading for the pier.  On the drive over, I was struck by how beautiful the clouds were...what a work of art God creates on a minute-by-minute basis!



 And then there she was....our first glimpse of the Ruby Princess....

 .....and our cabin....

 ....complete with balcony.

 And then there was a quick tour of the ship....and, yes, they show movies all day....

There were a number of pools....





 ...and hot tubs...

 ...and photo ops all around!

 The Central Piazza, where lots of performers and other entertainment occurred....

Yes, everything was decorated for Christmas....

 

 

And then, we were headed out to sea...



Day One - At sea
 
On the schedule....relaxing on deck by one of the pools...

 Viewing some entertainment in the Piazza..

 Watching the sunset from our balcony...

And taking in the evening's entertainment in the theatre...a very funny comedian.

Day Two - Princess Cays, Bahamas

After we had a blast snorkeling....and seeing quite a few different varieties of fish (including angel fish and a school of tetra) "up close and personal", we decided it was time to do that relaxing thing for awhile....we think we like it!

 Time for a stroll along the beach....

These were not the same kinds of fish that we saw while snorkeling, but these were right up against the dock as we waited for the boat that would take us out for our cruise along the coastline of the island.

 And then it was time to head out in a MUCH smaller boat, for a much rougher, but enjoyable ride..

 How's this for private beach?!

 After a day in the sun, it is time for some relaxation of a different kind!

Another beautiful sunset.....

 ....the evening's entertainment....a magician....

 ...the emcee....

Time for a good night's sleep so we'll be ready for....

Day 3 - At sea....

And then, too soon, the cruise was over....

but we will be cruising again!