Stress, stress, and more stress!

"You're going to do what? Back down this narrow, curving road? Are you crazy?" I threw these three questions Hunter's way while clinging desperately to the armrests in my seat in our RV, our house on wheels that was perched on a narrow blacktop half-way up a rather steep hill on the grounds of Kentucky Mountain Bible College.
Let me backup a bit in this story so you can have a better view of the situation. Three days previously we had been basking in 85 degree Florida sunshine enjoying time with Tommy. On March 29th, we packed "the gear" and headed north anticipating a pleasant 2 1/2 day drive to Kentucky where we planned to spend most of March volunteering at a Bible College. The first day out was nice but hard rain, heavy traffic, and fog made the second day long and headache producing for both of us. As the third day dawned with more rain and eventually light snow we were a bit disappointed but undaunted as to our final goal-reaching the College and getting settled in for the month. As we approached the driveway for the college we peered up at a winding road that seemed to go nowhere. OK, it takes a certain measure of faith when you are MMAP missionaries and we knew this was one of those times so off we roared up and around the corner arriving at an open area of blacktop where we stopped to ask for directions. We were told there were several places we could choose to park. From previous experience Hunter has learned to check out all possibilities on foot rather that actually drive the rig. While I waited inside the cab off he went with the coordinator to scope out the plots. After a considerable amount of time he returned looking rather concerned. "The college has only grass sites and they are marginal at best.", he reported. But not wanting to "give up yet" he decided to try one recommended, up one of their many winding driveways. (It is not called Kentucky MOUNTAIN Bible College for nothing!) Half-way up we realized there were large tree branches hanging too low which if we continued would slice off our air conditioners. Move to the right, on the grass, and avoid them was the suggestion. Do we dare try? You can guess the results since we weigh 50,000 pounds and the weather had been nothing but rain for days. In we sank! We would still be there if it were not for the incline. Hunter quickly, before the mud sucked us in to our axles, let out the brake and gunned it so we rolled backwards enough to get back on the blacktop. It is at this moment that he said we were going to have to back down the hill.
You already read my retort! Yet there was no other choice so slowly backward we went guided by Hunter's excellent driving skills and the multitude of angels I asked God to provide! At one point Hunter wanted to get out and examine the situation and as he began leaving his seat our vehicle began to roll backward, since he had forgotten to put on the emergency brake. Up to this point I was silent, whispering Phil. 4:6 "Be not anxious.." over and over again. But when we began to "free roll" I freaked! Thankfully Hunter has quick reflexes which he used to good measure and slammed on the brake before we hit a tree or worse. Slowly and eventually we managed to turn the RV around facing the exit and you guessed it, we exited! This is one project we will not participate in now or ever. We ended up in a hotel parking lot, which did have an RV hookup for two nights. With no project this month, even though the weather up north is not balmy we are headed to Iowa and a camping space that is level and solid! God is stretching and growing me through our retirement years in ways I don't always like but He continues to prove Himself faithful!!

Florida and Friends

For the past 2 weeks Hunter and I have had the joy of "entertaining" two close friends from Germany-Klaus and Rita Brechtel. Although our "home" became a bit crowded we had so much fun! Together we visited Silver Springs, John F. Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, Salvador Dali art museum in St. Petersburg, Everglades National Park, The north Keys, and Sanibel Island-a whirlwind view of highlights in the state of Florida. In addition, we feasted on local cuisine and played cards well into the night proving that neither time apart nor distance squelch the fire of a lifelong friendship!















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a few more photos...

Wonderful memories! Hope to return soon!

Bonaire

Hunter and I, along with two wonderful friends, spent the last week in February exploring this tropical oasis. We ate delicious food in town, traveled through a VERY RUSTIC national park, played cards, but mostly enjoyed some super shore scuba diving.

Bonaire is a small island located in the southern Caribbean, just north of Venezuela, known for its pioneering role in the preservation of nature, in particular the preservation of the marine environment, and for its excellent scuba diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing, among other things.
Many descriptions and slogans have been written about Bonaire: Best Kept Secret, Unhurried, Unspoiled, Unforgettable; Diver's Paradise; and the list goes on... The fact is that all these statements are true, and then some. Another truth is the statistic that over 55% of arrivals on Bonaire are repeat visitors!
First timers generally have heard about the climate, the water, the sun and what there is to do. When asked, repeat visitors generally say that they did not have enough time to do all they wanted to on their first visit. If it is the third or fourth trip, the answer is basically the same but with this addition "It is the warmth and friendliness of the people" that keeps visitors returning year after year.

Hunter and I definitely plan to return in the future, mainly because of the ability to walk to the shore with dive gear in tow and simply jump in, paddle a few yards and descend to a colorful, fish populated reef below-no boat ride necessary. For someone who gets motion sick on the tilting boat deck shore diving is a dream-no dramamine required!!

Family is SO important!

Recently I returned from a four day visit with my mom, two of her sister-in-laws, and several male and female cousins. What a joy to reminisce, laughing over "old" memories, and sharing life's highs and lows. God's design for the family structure is incredibly perfect. I feel extremely blessed with my family and pray you also do too. Take some time today to thank our heavenly Father for the creation of family and your part in it!

"Missing" but moving on

Laughter still echoes in my ears while twinkling eyes and adorable smiles burn in my memory. Oh, I miss them-those three rambunctious grandsons tossing balls in the air, reading stories on my lap, playing duck, duck goose. When will I get to hug them again? Aiden in May and Christian and Logan in September-too far away for sure but that is reality and I must adjust.
The RV moves on from North Carolina to Bonifay, Florida to another three week missionary volunteer project where we will make new friends and share new experiences while serving the Lord in whatever capacity He so directs.
Why He chooses to use the few “skills” of a lowly retired couple, sinners saved by grace, is beyond our understanding but we are thankful and enjoy His unconditional love daily!

Out of the mouths of babes.....

I have had the priviledge of spending several weeks helping Rebecca with her boys (Christian and Logan), while she has prepared for their move to Italy. When you spend quality time with your grandchildren you often have the opportunity to hear the most wonderful "words". Following are four such occasions that I don't want to forget.

1.One morning I took Christian, who is 3 and Logan, who is 1 1/2, to an indoor play area. Christian wanted to ride on a particular toy which was being occupied by a little girl. I explained he would have to wait his turn so he quietly sat on a chair then looked up at me with a serious expression and said: "This is patience, Nani." (Wow-if only more adults would learn that concept!)

2. On another morning's outing I took the boys to a mall that featured a play area with climbing toys. It was already populated by a large group of pre-school children. Christian wanted to play with the kids so started following a little girl around. She quickly turned around and quite abruply yelled "NO" in his face. He quietly walked over to me, with his big blue-green eyes filling with tears, and said: "I am going to look for someone nice to play with because I am a nice boy!" (Of course, I agreed!)

3. Almost every night I lay in bed for a few minutes with Christian and tell him Bible stories and we sing songs together. One night I was singing the song, "Jesus Loves the Little Children". The second verse says that Jesus died for all the children. While I was singing it Christian interrupted me to state that "Jesus died on the cross". The third verse says that Jesus lives for all the children. He interrupted me again to state that "Jesus went to heaven and when I die I'm going to go to heaven to be with him". Then he asked, "Right? Nani" (Seminary theology from a three year old!)

4. The last day in Columbus Rebecca, Steve, the boys and myself were staying at a hotel in order to clean the house and because all of their belongings had been packed, shipped, and on their way to Italy. I was babysitting the boys for a time so Rebecca and Steve could complete the house details. The boys and I had just run the halls, rode on luggage carts, climbed stairs, and jumped on beds for an hour. I said it was time for a snack break. We sat on the floor with paper towels as plates and three baby carrots each to eat. As I began munching on my first carrot, Logan looked up at me, put his two little hands together and said (at 18 months old) "Amen" (A lesson well taught-thank God for everything at all times-even three little baby carrots!)