Our spring break was great!  The kids had a good time, and DH and I had a much needed break from the daily grind. 

Our first stop was Arkansas.  This was our first time really visiting LR since we moved to TN last summer.  Sarah went to a birthday party on Saturday, then we spent the night and visited our old congregation on Sunday.  It was good coming back.  In some ways, I felt at home, and in others, I felt like a visitor.  I know that sounds strange, but it’s true.  I felt at home in the sense that everything was the same… people surrounded us with hugs and warm greetings... people even sat in the same seats.  Many of the kids have grown taller, and people marveled at how tall Sarah and Camille have gotten.  I felt like a visitor because my mind wandered to the happenings at our current congregation.  I missed our exciting study of Ecclesiastes in Sunday School and our sermon series on the Beatitudes in worship. 

A year ago, I never would have guessed that the relationships I had at my LR congregation would end with our move to TN.  I truly thought those friendships were lasting.  Turns out, despite constant effort on my part, those friendships didn’t go beyond the county line.  Many times, I wonder why and am hurt by it.  I know the distance, in and of itself, cannot be the reason, because my closest friends are both out of state and that hasn’t affected our relationship one bit.  Perhaps the friendships in LR were not as they appeared to be.  Maybe they were only surface-deep to them, when I thought them to be much deeper.  I’m disappointed a little bit, but yet, I'm learning to accept things as they really are.  There just comes a time when you stop trying to cultivate a friendship and let it go…because you can’t do it by yourself.  I’m just so thankful for those close friends I do have, my closest earthly friend – my DH, and most of all my “bestest” friend of all – Jesus Christ.

After Sunday's worship and lunch, our next stop was Independence, MO.  I never knew there was so much history in the KC area!  There were museums galore, monuments, and historic homes… a homeschooler’s dream!!  We visited he Harry S. Truman Presidential Library first (fantastic!), saw many of the beautiful fountains KC has to offer, walked around the Country Club Plaza, visited the beautiful Union Station and Crown Center, swam at the hotel, ate the delicious KC barbecue, did LOTS of sight-seeing, shopped at Legends, and much more.  We had a wonderful time and, quite surprisingly, didn’t want to leave after 5 nights there.  Usually, we’re ready to leave after 3 nights or so.  In fact, we didn’t get to see many sites that we wanted to, so we’ll just have to go back, won’t we? 

Here are a few pictures from our trip:

Art Museum lawn

One of the many fountains of Kansas City

Amazing KC barbecue eaten here!

A Very Interesting Presidency

Ice Cream, Anyone?

Science City - Union Station

More Science City... This was not easy to erect

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Posted by mijubrifarms

You got some great shots of KC. Sounds like it was a well needed vacation. Sorry that the friendships in LR weren't as strong as when you left them. I understand your pain. Sometimes it's distance, but I have two friends of 25 years and one of 35 years and they all live on the otherside of the country. Then there are the ones who moved to another congregation in town, and they never call me up -- sometimes you just have to let it go. Chin up -- there's always nuts like me that you've never even met.
Julie

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Posted by floridasunsets

I loved the ice cream cone!! And was that an actual smile on the teenager hiding behind dad??? Yeah!! Lol! Looks like the trip was fun in spite of the thoughts that plagued the visit to LR. However, I do understand your feelings. I think sometimes our friendships that are forged because of proximity alone fade in order to make way for new ones. And as we move, we change. It used to bother me when friendships fell away just because someone moved, but since our last move to Florida, I understand that God has used that to close the gaps within my own house. My husband is my best friend now. I couldn't have said that 10 years ago.
Hope you are recovering well from your vacation!
Betty

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Posted by sahmto4orMore

Whew! I'm finally caught up on your life.
It was great to see a family photo, but it looked like your hubby was about to be speared by the statue.

I'm glad you all loved KC and had a good trip.

Happy Belated to your sweet girl.

tracy

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