The Wilds, day 1

I can hardly believe it's January 4th and here I am once more at The Wilds for the annual music conference. Where does the time go? That saying that time flies faster the older you get scares me because if it's this fast at 24 how fast will it be at 44? 64?

Saturday morning very early Erin & Angie met at my house to take off on the first leg of our journey, a 13ish hour drive to Atlanta. Our first excitement was when we piled all our bags around my 1999 Chevy Lumina and realized this was going to be a VERY TIGHT squeeze. I had been worried that would happen because I knew full well how much luggage girls tend to take and we were packing for a week of frigid temperatures along with bedding and towels. When we discussed if it was even possible Erin felt pretty sure we could make four girls work in the car although I was thinking three was going to push it. Where there's a will there's a way though and we began stuffing bags and cramming things in just as well as we could. When we climbed in the car with our stuff piled all around we had to laugh because there was really only enough room for us to climb in, hold our breath and slam the door shut. There were many strange looks from other drivers on the road and especially when we fall climb out of the car at gas stations and such.

It was relatively an uneventful car trip to Atlanta as we did not get lost as in previous years. Haley was driving and did happen to turn the wrong way on one road but I pulled out my phone, opened up the GPS and navigated us straight to the James's house. Yay us!!! The James gave us a wonderful welcome as they always do and we all stayed up to chat awhile. I fell asleep at about 2 AM and didn't even realize it until Erin woke me up the next morning when my alarm went off. Mrs. James left us careful instructions on exactly how to get to the church and we had no problem getting there either. This is all very comforting to me as I was just a bit nervous at taking this trip without Jonathan who usually is the one to tell us where to go. After a very good sermon we all went back to the James house for a very delicious lunch. I love the James because they cook very similarly to the way we do at home. When we could eat no more we sang around the piano a little as is our tradition and then visited before the others headed back to church.

At this point we had discovered that while we had packed very warm things for Houston winters, the rest of the country is apparently in the grips of the most arctic blast I've ever seen. In Atlanta the highs were in the low 30s and the lows at night were around 18. We were all soooo cold and new it was supposed to be even colder at The Wilds so it was decided we should make a trip to a few stores and try to locate a few more pairs of tights to wear under our skirts. I even wore some under my jeans and it helped a lot to add that extra layer!! By the time we were done at Ross & Walmart church was over and we met a group at McDonald's before going back to the James house for the night. Joey came over for awhile afterwards and we had a fun time.

This morning we got up intent on repacking the car so that we had a little more room to breathe. We all attempted to repack our own individual bags so that they were more compressed and felt like we had done the best we could. Mr. James and Daniel helped us pack things back into the car and although we got more in the trunk it didn't seem like we had that much more room in the car. Erin seems to think there was a bit more leg room but it sure still looked full to me. After lunch at Chick-fil-a with Joey & Charissa we were off again. Thankfully the drive from Atlanta to The Wilds feels like nothing at 3 1/2 hours compared to the day before!

As we made the turn onto 178 and began the actual driving into the mountains I started noticing some white chunks along the side of the road. I asked Erin if she thought those looked like chunks of ice and she agreed that they did. We thought perhaps they fell from higher up somewhere because there really didn’t seem to be any other ice anywhere. At some point we rounded one of the curves and saw icicles hanging from the side of the mountain. A little further on and we saw a white patch of snow. We got all excited until we looked on the other side and discovered the entire side of the mountain was covered with it! I found a little drive to pull off on and we all got out to take a picture. The rest of the drive was amazing as there was snow everywhere, on roofs of houses and drifts along the side of the road. To these native Texan girls it was quite the thrill!! When we finally pulled into The Wilds there was not quite as much white everywhere but the forecast is flurries possible every day this week so we are very hopeful.

When we checked in they told us we were in duplex number 52 and he showed us how it was at the back of the line. After driving back we realized he wasn’t kidding—it is the last row of duplexes at the very back of the camp and in the very end of the row on the second story. We decided it serves us right for waiting until the last minute to register. On the plus side these are apparently brand new duplexes and the fixtures, paint and beds look brand new. The heater also works very well which we are very grateful for!!

Dinner tonight was chicken parmesan which is a new dish I don’t remember having here before. Our speaker for this week is Dr. Jim Binney and I am already sure I will want a copy of the messages. Tonight he talked a bit about how when we say “I know God has forgiven me but I just can’t forgive myself” it shows a very flawed view because if God can forgive us but we can’t forgive ourselves that means we think we have a higher standard than God. I had never thought of it this way and it hit me like a ton of bricks. He also gave teasers about some of the other topics this week such as more on confessing sins vs asking forgiveness and I can’t wait to hear more.

We are taking pictures and I will add them later. For now there are a few on Facebook that Erin has posted. I'm excited about what God has for us this week and will share more later. Here's hoping we don't freeze to death tonight!! :)

Romans 8:24-28

One of Pappaw's favorite passages of scripture was Romans 8 and subsequently is becoming very special to me. In honor of him I wanted to post one of my favorite sections. The picture below is the last one we had of all the grandkids and Mamma & Pappaw (taken at Christmas 2008).

Romans 8:24-28

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Final update on Pappaw

Early on Saturday morning, December 26th, 2009, God lifted the burden of pain and suffering and welcomed Donard into his loving presence. While we miss him intensely, it is comforting to know he is worshipping the Savior with family and friends who have gone before. Each one of us who have trusted Christ as Lord and Savior can look forward to being reunited again one day with Donard for eternity in our heavenly home.
We are forever grateful for every expression of love throughout Donard’s illness and especially for your faithful prayers for Donard and now for the family.

In Christ,

Rose Ann for the family

　
"This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;

Great is Thy faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:21-23

True Love Waits

The other day at Mardel's I found some of the True Love Waits rings and realized that it was exactly what I've been looking for without even knowing I was looking! I had heard of the idea in the past and seen pictures of the rings but it never really occurred to me to get one. More recently though I'd been wanting a symbol to remind myself of my faith that God has me exactly where He wants me.

The traditional meaning of the phrase has been centered around moral purity but for me personally it was much more than that. It's also about waiting for that perfect one God has for me and not just the first nice Christian guy that comes along. But as I thought of this I thought of other applications in the lives of friends and family members. What if you found your true love...but it has been lost along the way and you must wait for God to bring it back? This is also not an easy thing to wait for and many along the way encourage you to give it up. But true love waits.

Waiting seems to be a constant classroom God has me in. I guess I haven't learned patience yet because it seems every time I turn around He's telling me to wait for something. Waiting for people, waiting for answers... Do you know how many times the theme of waiting on God is in the Bible? I think of Joseph and how much of his life he was waiting on God--in the pit his brothers threw him, in slavery to Potifar, in prison. I think of Abraham waiting for God's promised son, Jacob waiting for Rachel, David waiting to be king...and many others. Over and over again people waiting for God to work in impossible situations that sometimes they tried to change on their own and failed. But you know what? God makes beautiful promises for those who do wait on Him. Isaiah 40:31 says "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 30:18 tells us "blessed are all they that wait for Him."

So I wait, and wait, and wait some more. And I look at this ring and I don't just think of the one out there somewhere I'm waiting for but I think of others I know who are waiting in various ways. I think of how God waits for each of us to receive the gift of Love He gave us on Christmas. I think of waiting for Christ to return for His bride. I think my new favorite verse is Psalm 130:5--"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope." Instead of looking at my ring as waiting for someone, I am waiting for the Lord to do great and marvelous things for me and for the ones I love.

There's a song that has been especially meaningful to me lately in regards to waiting. It's called "Time In Between" by Francesca Battistelli.

You were there when your Father said
Let there be light
You obeyed when He whispered
Son, You have to leave tonight
To spend nine months in a mothers womb
Three days in a borrowed tomb

But it’s the time in between
That brings me to my knees
Knowing you came for me
And all that I can't be
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank You for the time in between

Don't take much for this crazy world
To rob me of my peace
And the enemy of my soul
Says You’re holding out on me
So I stand here lifting empty hands
For you to fill me up again

But it’s the time in between
That I fall down to my knees
Waiting on what You'll bring
And the things that I can't see
I know my song’s incomplete
Still I'll sing in the time in between

So many ways
Your love has saved the day
And I'm grateful for them all

But it’s the time in between
The middle of two thieves
That says everything
It’s the reason I believe
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank you for the time in between
Oh Lord, I thank you for the time in between

Pappaw & Granny

Donard’s pain was mostly under control shortly after Thanksgiving for a couple weeks but now appears to be stepping up another notch. While sleep has consumed about 18+ hours daily, he has been able to wake up for short periods during the day and for about 4 hours every evening to have supper and visit with us. This pattern will be interrupted for a week or so while his body adjusts to additional medication to meet the new pain level. Specific answers to prayer have been encouraging: Breathing treatments have proven to be helpful, and swallowing difficulties have lessened some, at least temporarily. God’s intervention in these areas definitely lowered our stress levels, for which we are especially grateful.

Please forgive an additional update here, but for those who know my mom, here is a bit of news about her. She had three seizures on December 12 and 13, but thankfully she was not alone and did not fall. Even though I was with her when the third seizure happened, she suffered a hairline fracture of her left arm (apparently because of her osteoporosis). A definite sign that she is on the mend is that she is beginning to want to get up and walk around again, keeping the caregivers on their toes. For anyone that wants to drop by The Hampton with a treat, she loves McDonald’s chocolate chip cookies. :)

Thank you for your many expressions of love and especially for your continued prayers for Donard and the family. Our prayer is that you will have a very blessed Christmas and New Year and that each of us will know and trust Jesus more every day. He alone is the reason for the season.

Rose Ann for the family

"This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;

Great is Thy faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:21-23

time flies when you're really busy

It seems like it's been a long time since I blogged anything significant other than Pappaw reports. It certainly isn't because nothing has happened! It's more likely just that I've been so very busy. At the end of August I became a nanny to Kennedy (5) and Garrison (3).



They are great kids and I've really enjoyed being paid to have fun with them! We've had our ups and downs getting to know each other but I think we are finally becoming friends. Garrison who hasn't really reciprocated my hugs not only gave me one on my last day before Christmas vacation but even gave me a big kiss (unprompted!). :) It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!!

Between all of my jobs (Bazaarvoice & nannying mostly) I'm now working 40-50 hours a week which is definitely a culture shock for a homeschooler who has worked almost exclusively from home the last two years. Yikes! The first couple of weeks were very hard as I adjusted to the new schedule which included leaving my house at 7 AM four days a week and not getting home until 7 PM most nights. I finally settled into somewhat of a routine but it's definitely been a challenge.

The other big change has been Pappaw becoming bedridden. He has a hospital bed in the livingroom and enjoys visitors when possible. We've tried to spend some time over there but with our ever increasing busyness it has been hard to carve out time for anything extra. I unfortunately fail at being a good granddaughter these days and visiting all my ill grandparents regularly. Some wonderful friends helped come and sing for him one night and despite being heavily medicated that night I think he did enjoy it. We hope to do it again very soon.

Really though the biggest struggle for me lately has been the really overwhelming mountain of things that scream for my attention and the complete feeling of helplessness in keeping up with it all. It seems like the harder I try the further behind I get. Time management was not my strong suit in the past and now that it is non-optional I've found myself very easily discouraged. A week ago was especially bad because Joanna was very late getting home which put me even later getting to my home and for nearly a week all I had time for was to bring my things in from the car and grab some dinner before devotions and bedtime were upon me. I am learning a little bit at a time to do little things that help me keep from falling so desperately behind...simple things like every time I'm in the bathroom choosing one type of thing to do like gather all the toothbrushes and put them away or pick up the dirty towels. Unfortunately there was no hope at all for my bedroom which was drowning me in unfiled papers and baskets of laundry. This extra long holiday vacation is being super helpful for catching up on those things though and hopefully I will be able to maintain it to a point that I won't fall so far behind. It really just has been a nonstop stream of activity since I started working and my room was already a nightmare. I do not know how moms with full time careers besides their kids do it!!

One thing I've noticed about being so busy is that time seems to really go by quickly. I feel like I have that watch from the story and that I'm somehow speeding up time because every time I think about it the time seems to just go by faster. I can hardly believe Christmas is already here. As I put up the lights up outside and shivered in the very definitely wintry weather it seemed almost unreal. I'm not finding the Christmas "mood" coming very easily this year, I just feel almost indifferent. I want to be in the Christmas mood but somehow it eludes me. Every time I try to play my Christmas music in the car or as I work it just doesn't feel right and I switch back to my normal stuff. I've been Christmas shopping and bought some gifts I'm super excited about giving and yet it still doesn't feel like Christmas. It feels as if Christmas will just fly right by and I won't have even had the chance to enjoy it at all.

Well one thing I will say about my new schedule is that I finally do want to go to bed at decent hours again!! My body tells me it's after 11 PM despite the fact I haven't had to get up early this week. I think the chiropractor said that's a good thing, 10 PM - 6 AM is when we get the best sleep. I'd prefer that number to end up a bit closer to 8 or 9 AM myself. ;) And now that I have an entire book typed up I believe I can post this and feel accomplished. Writing is something I do miss at times and this seems to be my only outlet for it.

In case I don't get around to posting again before then, have a merry Christmas. :)

Prayer update

Increasing pain has necessitated stronger meds and, as a result, increased sleep. Breathing problems and difficulty swallowing have recently compounded significantly. Please continue to pray for God's presence to be evident, for strength to finish the course, and for His perfect peace.

Rose Ann for the family

"This I recall to my mind; therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23