A Pod, Packing, and Picnics

We came home from Joe Pool Lake this morning. What a beautiful weekend! 

We enjoyed helping Jenna and Jared pack up. This is the view looking into a pod they rented. (This did not hold everything.) 

Their dog wasn't quite sure what was going on. His bed kept getting moved from one room to another all weekend.

We enjoyed visiting and having fun during the moving process. We had a few fast food picnics on their living room floor; I love picnics regardless of where they are. 

Saturday night we had a cookout at the lake. The weather was spectacular for one.

We went to church yesterday morning and heard a great message. Then we all had much earned naps after lunch.  

Now they just need to find a house!

Camping, Packing, and Relaxing

We are at Joe Pool Lake this weekend. What a difference in the camping weather this weekend! It is absolutely beautiful. The sun is out, and the lake is up from all the rain. We love this place!

We are here to help Jared and Jenna move out of their house. They got an offer within 12 hours of the house being on the market. So everything was put in high gear. The last two nights we have had fast food picnics on their living room floor. Today brings another beautiful day. We will be taking things to storage and to Jared's mom's house. Tonight, we are planning a nice dinner somewhere and a bit of relaxation.

(All this packing makes me a little dizzy thinking about how much stuff Rick and I have. Sure glad we aren't the ones having to pack it all up!)

Clutter

 Here’s a great quote from last week’s lesson out of Priscilla Shirer’s study called “Breathe” regarding clutter.

“The Sabbath principle is not limited to our calendars and schedules. It also applies to the spaces in which we live, work and play. Our tendency toward too-full lives often expresses itself most tangibly in our over-crowded closets, unmanageable table surfaces and cluttered desks as we cram them full of far more than we need. Even our children fall prey to the chaos of overcrowded living as their toy boxes and bookshelves overflow with more than they could ever manage. In the meantime they sit, chin in hand, complaining of their boredom.”

I have been working on this idea of clutter in my house now for some time. It may not actually be too noticeable to my family YET. But one day it will!

One day......

Bloomin'

These are in my front and side flower beds. Jerry planted them in November. I love them. They just seem to smile at everyone as they drive in!

Living Large in Small Spaces

Rick and I have been at Lake Ray Roberts in the 5th wheel since Thursday. Although it's been cloudy the whole time, it certainly hasn't been bothering us. I've been catching up on some magazine reading while he has been watching some movie classics. We have to go home today. But our good news is we are back in it again this Thursday.

The Sound of Music

This week I watched Diane Sawyer's special on the 50th anniversary of the Sound of Music.

I remember when our brother (who was no longer at home) called Mother and told her she had to take Marilyn and me to see it. So Mother and Aunt Bonnie took us to Dallas to see it.

I can't even begin to guess how many times I have watched this movie throughout the years.

I will admit I cried tonight as Diane Sawyer and the 20/20 staff recreated the wedding scene in the church with Julie Andrews. That music and the walk down the aisle gets me every time!!

Several good points to remember from the movie:

1. Listen to what God puts in my heart.

2. Climb every mountain.

3. Count my blessings (my favorite things!)

4. Music is a gift.

Bless my homeland forever!

Sunrise!

God gave us another beautiful example of His handiwork this week.

Our New Priscilla Shirer Study

This week our ladies' group will begin a new spring study here at the house. We will be doing "Breathe" by Priscilla Shirer. It's about making/taking time for sabbath. I am excited to begin a new study with our great group of ladies as we reinforce the need to set aside the activities, busyness, and demands of our lives in exchange for time with God. 

Here's to the solution for the chaos of our lives! 

Also this is coming up:

AWAKEN: AN EVENING WITH PRISCILLA SHIRER

March 24, 2015

• Location: Concord Church - Dallas, TX
• 6808 Pastor Bailey Drive
  Dallas, TX 75237

Favorite Wedding Pics

Jenna and Jared have now been married over three months. A FEW of my favorite pics including a couple from their "first look" selection.....

Arizona Highlights

Day 1 

*Arrived in Phoenix (after a short diversion to Tucson because of fog and low fuel)

*Papago Park

*Heritage Square Historic Park

*Short drive to Scottsdale

*Toured Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home "Taliesin West"

*Camel Back Mountain

Day 2

*Drove Red Rock Scenic Byway (Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, Cathedral Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross)

*Toured Montezuma Castle

*Sedona Trolley Ride

Day 3

*Pink Jeep Tour to see the Sedona Red Rocks up close and personal

*Drove to Flagstaff

Day 4

*Desert View Drive

*Drove to the Grand Canyon (recent snow)

*Drove back down to Prescott

*Route 66 

Day 5

*Drove back to Phoenix

*Toured Wrigley Mansion

*Flew back to DFW by way of San Diego

Road Trippin'

Marilyn, Cheyrl, and I left this past Tuesday morning for Phoenix. The only reservations we had were our flights and a rental car. We have learned not to worry too much about hotel reservations because we never know "exactly" where we will be at nightfall. 

This was Cheyrl's first trip after her wreck in July. We thank God for his mercies and protection over our friend, traveling buddy, and sis in Christ. There was a point in time when we didn't know if she would ever be able to travel with us again.

Up next......highlights of the trip.