Jun. 9, 2009

Learning to give thanks in all circumstances....

Stranded in Shreveport, LA Isn’t it funny how unexpected interruptions can sometimes bless you in the midst of a stressful situation? As we headed east from spending the last few months in Texas, our truck overheated on the Texas/Louisiana border. I mean literally on the border. The truck and the camper were on the LA side and the van with the kids and I were on the TX side. God in His providence had provided a pullover area at just the right time. After much waiting for help to arrive, we drove to the nearest motel and Greg drove back to the stranded truck and camper. After all, it is very difficult to find a tow truck able to tow a truck and a 5th wheel late on a Sunday night. Fortunately we were eventually able to obtain someone to help us and he towed it to the motel, since the dealership was closed at midnight.  Now this meager motel was nothing to write home about, but, praise God, my kids were such troopers saying things like “it's not so bad” “at least they had a room available etc.” And it was true. While it was definitely not up to preferred standards, it was clean and provided necessities..a bar of soap, clean towels and toilet paper..what more do you need? The six of us managed to fall into an exhausted sleep in two full size beds (not queen size and yes no one complained..that is truly a miracle!)  The next morning Greg had the truck towed yet again where it was finally repaired after a couple of days. What was so revealing to me was how God blessed us in the midst of it. Since we were stuck in Shreveport, LA, we all piled into the van and discovered a charming city. We had a fun time visiting Sci-Port, Louisiana’s Science Museum with our science museum membership, which had lots of fun hands on activities to do, plus we meandered around in shops at the Boardwalk across the way. We enjoyed eating out a couple of nights in a row. My family blessed me another day with a few stolen hours at a lovely art museum called the R.W.Norton Gallery, located there in Shreveport . For some strange reason, the kids preferred to revisit the science museum from the day before rather than roam hallways of artwork.  Imagine that, kids preferring to play instead. This art museum was filled with an eclectic assortment from  favorites like Mary Cassatt and Auguste Rodin to major “Western” icons Frederic Remington and Charles Marion Russell. It just did wonders for my soul! I love being reminded of God’s wonderful handiwork in so many different ways.  Even the grounds surrounding the museum were beautifully landscaped along meandering walkways. Sigh…isn’t that just like God to bless you when you least expect it. Greg and the kids picked me up later and we went to the fountains where the two younger ones laughed with delight as they ran through a forest of jumping geysers. Ah....to be young again. We never did find an affordable restaurant for famous Louisiana cooking where we were at but we had such a good time just being together and not being able to school or work or even do laundry. Greg’s cracked rib got a few extra days to heal as well.   After three nights,(we were able upgrade to two rooms for the remaining two nights), we were finally on our way. After a couple more vehicle/rv “challenges”, shall we say, we eventually made it to South Carolina where Greg’s nephew, Nick, was getting married. We met up with aunts and uncles and cousins, played on the beach, ate good food and had great fun dancing at the wedding. Seeing Aunt Lori, the mother of the groom, rock out made an especially happy memory. Here's a picture of the happy newlyweds Since then the past couple of weeks have been spent finishing up school, becoming acclimated to a new town, and swimming in the pool everyday it isn’t raining. Summer is here. We spent the weekend in Charlotte, NC (4 hours north) visiting our dear friends, the Hueys. They spoiled us rotten with food and fellowship and we loved every moment of it. Our girls decided to stay on a couple of days visiting with them. We will pick them up on our upcoming trip North to visit lots of family. What a blessed and happy time we had visiting them. Such a special special family! Here's a photo of our Charlotte friends: Once again I am so grateful for the little life lessons God is teaching all of us along the way: To be grateful in all  circumstances,  to trust His Heart and to seize life’s precious moments. Honestly, in the heat of a challenge, I don't immediately respond well, but I am so grateful to see how God's hand is there all along (whether I realize it at the time or not!) How great is our God! Until next time, Be Blessed!

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