I am tired.
TRIED, even.
Holly and I left town at 5:30 THIS MORNING, and headed up to Missouri to pick up Joshua. He had been at Camp Barnabas all week. Jim and I took him the morning after Logan's wedding, and today is the day we were picking him up!
Joshua has been going to this camp for 11 years! I've written about it before, here, here, here, here, and here.
I had been watching a line of severe weather yesterday. It looked like it was going to pass right over Camp. You cannot imagine the intense worry and fear over storms until you've been around a group of FRIENDS like the ones who attend Camp Barnabas. Just the ones who go to Therapeutic Recreation with Joshua get beside themselves when there's a storm.
I got up at 4 a.m. because I couldn't sleep. The first thing I did was check the weather. Didn't look good. I packed rain gear and a large towel and a blanket...and a life-jacket. The town where Camp Barnabas is located was under a flood warning. I didn't know if that meant the roads to get there were impassable or if it was just that the lakes and rivers were high. The life-jacket was for Joshua...just in case we got into a situation. I meant to grab a bike helmet for him to wear, just in case, but I forgot.
I'm weird, I know.
About an hour into the drive, Holly said, "I keep looking for the dark storm clouds, but I just don't see any." It was a beautiful day. Beautiful sky...beautiful sunrise.
We arrived at Camp and found Joshua's cabin. All of the FRIENDS in his cabin were waiting on their parents outside. He broke into a HUGE grin when he saw Holly and I walk up. He didn't want to stay for the little assembly they have before everyone leaves. He said that he was just ready to be HOME. And, honestly, that beautiful sky we were talking about a few minutes ago? Well, it wasn't looking so beautiful anymore...so we bought some t-shirts and piled in the car and headed home. After one wrong turn, we were headed in the right direction.
The weather was awful. Seriously, it is amazing how drastically things can change in an hour. I was wanting to stop for gas and to get the kids a quick lunch...and then try to beat the storm. It just seemed like the more I hurried, the more behind I got. Took the wrong exit and had to get back on the Interstate again. Finally got the right exit...got lunch...got gas...got on the road.
The weather was so scary. We saw a couple of wrecks and the traffic was backed up and going slowly for MILES. Then, just when I thought I could make some time, this 18 wheeler wouldn't get out of the fast lane. And it seemed like there was always a car in the right lane that made it impossible for me to go around him. This went on forever. Seriously. MILES AND MILES. I started feeling like maybe I shouldn't pass this truck. Like, maybe God was protecting us.
We ran into terrible weather and the wind was so strong. I had heard something on the radio about straight-line winds and possible tornadoes. I wondered what straight-line winds looked like because I could barely keep my car on the road.
As God would have it, for many miles I followed behind that big truck...and not only that, but God placed another 18 wheeler on my right side...in the slow-lane. I was trapped.
Or, WAS I?
About an hour from home, the truck in front of me pulled over to the right lane, and we finally drove out of the scary stuff.
Jim called and talked to Holly about what all was going on. Holly told me, "I've been thinking...if we hadn't gotten held up...taking the wrong turn, in the wreck traffic, behind that truck...we might've been in the middle of the storms" that toppled trees and cars and tore the roofs off of buildings in towns just ahead of us on the road.
So thankful for God's protection every day...but it was truly evident on our trip today.
Joshua has a couple of stories from Camp this year, and I will try to post them at a later date because I'm having a hard time keeping my eyes open tonight.
"He will cover you with His feathers..." Psalm 91:4
...finding joy in the UPside of DOWN...
Friday, June 6, 2014
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Cuttin' It Close...
I'm sure the random people who happen upon this blog might be reeeeeeeeal tired of all the wedding posts. I'd like to say, "I'm sorry," but...MY BABY GOT MARRIED...and I just have to record all the sights and sounds and ALL THE FEELINGS in case anyone in our family ever wants to read about it. I think this is the last one...maybe.
The other day we went to Little Rock to do some last minute wedding shopping...me, Joshua, Holly and Logan.
We drove by this hotel, and I said, "Logan, this is where you are staying on your wedding night. Look around. This area is familiar to you, so even if it's dark, you can find your way." I pointed out all the restaurants near-by and talked about other places they could go if they needed anything.
Holly said, "hey...isn't that the hotel where..."
I held up my hand and stopped her right there. I knew where she was going.
We have some sweet friends who have 4 children. Three girls and a young son. When one of the daughters reaches a certain age (I don't know the age), the Mom will take her and they will spend the weekend in LR, shopping, eating out and talking. They have some other special things planned for the weekend, but mainly it is the weekend when they have the "sex talk." The Mom talks to them about purity and God's plan for her daughter's life, and about guarding her heart and body and all of that. And they stay in this particular hotel.
Logan didn't know the story, so Holly was only too happy to fill him in.
WITH EMBELLISHMENT AND ADDED DRAMATIC EFFECT.
Holly said, "hey, Logan...are you going to have the "sex talk" with Morgan on Saturday night?"
Logan laughed and said, "as a matter of fact I am!"
And I'm driving...trying not to veer off the road.
Holly said, "well, I guess by your wedding night, it will kind-of be too late."
And Logan replied, "no...it won't be too late, but it will be cutting it close!"
"...rejoice in the wife of your youth." Proverbs 5:18
The other day we went to Little Rock to do some last minute wedding shopping...me, Joshua, Holly and Logan.
We drove by this hotel, and I said, "Logan, this is where you are staying on your wedding night. Look around. This area is familiar to you, so even if it's dark, you can find your way." I pointed out all the restaurants near-by and talked about other places they could go if they needed anything.
Holly said, "hey...isn't that the hotel where..."
I held up my hand and stopped her right there. I knew where she was going.
We have some sweet friends who have 4 children. Three girls and a young son. When one of the daughters reaches a certain age (I don't know the age), the Mom will take her and they will spend the weekend in LR, shopping, eating out and talking. They have some other special things planned for the weekend, but mainly it is the weekend when they have the "sex talk." The Mom talks to them about purity and God's plan for her daughter's life, and about guarding her heart and body and all of that. And they stay in this particular hotel.
Logan didn't know the story, so Holly was only too happy to fill him in.
WITH EMBELLISHMENT AND ADDED DRAMATIC EFFECT.
Holly said, "hey, Logan...are you going to have the "sex talk" with Morgan on Saturday night?"
Logan laughed and said, "as a matter of fact I am!"
And I'm driving...trying not to veer off the road.
Holly said, "well, I guess by your wedding night, it will kind-of be too late."
And Logan replied, "no...it won't be too late, but it will be cutting it close!"
"...rejoice in the wife of your youth." Proverbs 5:18
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Leavin' On a Jet Plane (with $20 in his pocket)!
When Logan and Morgan were trying to decide where to go on their honeymoon, they had a lot of ideas. I, of course, wanted them to stay in the US...just because neither one of them have had a ton of experience flying. And I thought that IF there was a problem and IF we had to get to them, how much easier it would be if they were in Florida. Or Colorado. Or even Hawaii.
They were so excited when they told us they found this great deal on GROUPON.
To the Dominican Republic.
I told Jim and that's how Jim died.
But, Logan paid for it himself and it was already a done deal, and they were beside themselves with excitement.
Because of this "great deal," they had to fly out of Nashville...which is about a 6 hour drive from Little Rock. And, because of this "great deal," their flight out of Nashville would be leaving at the crack of dark-thirty...which is great for young couples on their honeymoons. Except not.
Last week, I started asking Logan about this trip...was it "all-inclusive?" He said, "yes, ma'am!" So I asked him how much money he was planning to take. He looked at me and said, SLOWLY, "it's all inclusive...we don't need to bring any money."
Bless it.
My baby is going to a foreign country with no money.
All of a sudden he says, "OH YEAH! Morgan and I each need to bring $10. We have to get a special card to get into the country, and we each have to have a $10 bill."
My baby is going to a foreign country with twenty bucks.
I said, "Logan, I really think you need to bring some money." He was all, like, "why?" And I proceeded to list everything from trinkets...to a flight home...to an emergency. He just looked at me. I asked, "Logan, can you access your debit card while you're over there?" He shrugged and said, "I think." I asked, "okay...how much money is in your checking account."
"$109.00."
And that's how Jim died again.
My baby is going to a foreign country with twenty bucks and $109 in his checking account.
I again listed reasons he might need more money, so he agreed to transfer some from his savings. How much did he transfer, you ask? $300.
My baby is going to a foreign country with twenty bucks and $409 in his checking account.
Bless it.
We did help with their honeymoon and gave Logan some money and a Visa card...but everyone at the wedding who had heard this story...was giving him money right and left.
We know they made it to the DR safely. Probably won't hear from them all week. I know that God is there with them, just as He is here with me. I just want them home safe and sound...with great memories to treasure.
"The eyes of the LORD are in every place..." Proverbs 15:3
They were so excited when they told us they found this great deal on GROUPON.
To the Dominican Republic.
I told Jim and that's how Jim died.
But, Logan paid for it himself and it was already a done deal, and they were beside themselves with excitement.
Because of this "great deal," they had to fly out of Nashville...which is about a 6 hour drive from Little Rock. And, because of this "great deal," their flight out of Nashville would be leaving at the crack of dark-thirty...which is great for young couples on their honeymoons. Except not.
Last week, I started asking Logan about this trip...was it "all-inclusive?" He said, "yes, ma'am!" So I asked him how much money he was planning to take. He looked at me and said, SLOWLY, "it's all inclusive...we don't need to bring any money."
Bless it.
My baby is going to a foreign country with no money.
All of a sudden he says, "OH YEAH! Morgan and I each need to bring $10. We have to get a special card to get into the country, and we each have to have a $10 bill."
My baby is going to a foreign country with twenty bucks.
I said, "Logan, I really think you need to bring some money." He was all, like, "why?" And I proceeded to list everything from trinkets...to a flight home...to an emergency. He just looked at me. I asked, "Logan, can you access your debit card while you're over there?" He shrugged and said, "I think." I asked, "okay...how much money is in your checking account."
"$109.00."
And that's how Jim died again.
My baby is going to a foreign country with twenty bucks and $109 in his checking account.
I again listed reasons he might need more money, so he agreed to transfer some from his savings. How much did he transfer, you ask? $300.
My baby is going to a foreign country with twenty bucks and $409 in his checking account.
Bless it.
We did help with their honeymoon and gave Logan some money and a Visa card...but everyone at the wedding who had heard this story...was giving him money right and left.
We know they made it to the DR safely. Probably won't hear from them all week. I know that God is there with them, just as He is here with me. I just want them home safe and sound...with great memories to treasure.
"The eyes of the LORD are in every place..." Proverbs 15:3
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
First Dance and the Wedding Ring
After the wedding, we drove over to the reception, and it was beautiful. Seriously gorgeous. I felt happy. Relieved. Thankful.
Seeing all the ones who came to witness Logan and Morgan's Two-Become-One day was almost more than I could take. I looked around the room, and was overwhelmed by the graciousness of God.
We had friends there from college; a guy who was in OUR wedding; friends from when we lived in Little Rock...friends from when we lived in Searcy...friends from Bryant. Our family came from Texas and Oklahoma and Tennessee. All of them love us and love Logan.
Jim and I set out to try and speak to as many people as we could at the reception. The next thing I knew, Logan was standing beside me...reaching for my hand.
He had just danced with Morgan, and now he wanted to dance with me, while Morgan danced with her dad.
We had not talked about doing this. I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS!
And even tho I was pretty much a hot mess the entire time, it seemed like everyone wanted to take pictures of us.
And even tho I was so, so, so happy for Logan and Morgan, the dance about put me over the edge. Even the band members had their "bless her HEART" faces on, as they watched me while they sang.
I never wanted it to be about me, and yet...here I was...being the biggest cry-baby ever as I pressed my face into Logan's shoulder.
I looked down at Logan's hand in mine. I looked at the gold wedding band on his finger. It was Jim's. He wore it for the first 30 years of our marriage...getting it stretched out and re-sized periodically as his fingers changed. A few years ago, his Mom asked him if he might want to wear his Dad's ring. It was just sitting in the jewelry box. Jim's Dad's fingers have gotten huge over the years, and he just didn't see the need to wear his ring. He and Jim's mom are pretty much together all the time, and when people think of him...they think of her. They are like a "set."
Jim tried on his Dad's ring and it fit perfectly, and he's been wearing it ever since.
So, Logan mentioned that he might want to wear Jim's old wedding band. He tried it on and it fit perfectly.
As we danced, I looked at the ring. I remember the day I bought it. I remember where I bought it. It was not an expensive ring, even at the time...just a simple gold band. No engraving. No detail. No diamonds. Just what a college girl could afford.
We hadn't thought to have it polished for Logan before the wedding. It looked a little worse for wear. I could faintly see a few scratches on it. I thought...it's a lot like our lives...a little battered, a little scratched up...but it's still gold. It's still worth something to us.
I love that ring. I love the man I gave that ring to...34 years ago. And I love the son who is wearing it now.
"...they are no longer two but one..." Matthew 19:6
Seeing all the ones who came to witness Logan and Morgan's Two-Become-One day was almost more than I could take. I looked around the room, and was overwhelmed by the graciousness of God.
We had friends there from college; a guy who was in OUR wedding; friends from when we lived in Little Rock...friends from when we lived in Searcy...friends from Bryant. Our family came from Texas and Oklahoma and Tennessee. All of them love us and love Logan.
Jim and I set out to try and speak to as many people as we could at the reception. The next thing I knew, Logan was standing beside me...reaching for my hand.
He had just danced with Morgan, and now he wanted to dance with me, while Morgan danced with her dad.
We had not talked about doing this. I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS!
And even tho I was pretty much a hot mess the entire time, it seemed like everyone wanted to take pictures of us.
And even tho I was so, so, so happy for Logan and Morgan, the dance about put me over the edge. Even the band members had their "bless her HEART" faces on, as they watched me while they sang.
I never wanted it to be about me, and yet...here I was...being the biggest cry-baby ever as I pressed my face into Logan's shoulder.
I looked down at Logan's hand in mine. I looked at the gold wedding band on his finger. It was Jim's. He wore it for the first 30 years of our marriage...getting it stretched out and re-sized periodically as his fingers changed. A few years ago, his Mom asked him if he might want to wear his Dad's ring. It was just sitting in the jewelry box. Jim's Dad's fingers have gotten huge over the years, and he just didn't see the need to wear his ring. He and Jim's mom are pretty much together all the time, and when people think of him...they think of her. They are like a "set."
Jim tried on his Dad's ring and it fit perfectly, and he's been wearing it ever since.
So, Logan mentioned that he might want to wear Jim's old wedding band. He tried it on and it fit perfectly.
As we danced, I looked at the ring. I remember the day I bought it. I remember where I bought it. It was not an expensive ring, even at the time...just a simple gold band. No engraving. No detail. No diamonds. Just what a college girl could afford.
We hadn't thought to have it polished for Logan before the wedding. It looked a little worse for wear. I could faintly see a few scratches on it. I thought...it's a lot like our lives...a little battered, a little scratched up...but it's still gold. It's still worth something to us.
I love that ring. I love the man I gave that ring to...34 years ago. And I love the son who is wearing it now.
"...they are no longer two but one..." Matthew 19:6
Monday, June 2, 2014
The Hardest Day...The Best Day
First of all, let me make Logan's wedding all about me. (Sheesh)
Logan's wedding day was the hardest day...and the best day.
What is that saying, "a son is a son til he takes a wife; a daughter's a daughter all of her life?"
Truer words never spoken.
We spent Saturday getting ready for the big moment. I took Holly to the church early, so that she could get her hur did with the other bridesmaids. I brought food and snacks for the bridesmaids and the groomsmen...and I just hung out and tried to help as I could.
I was a mess of emotions. Ugh. I tried to joke around and hold it together, but it just wasn't happening. I was pretty mad at myself, but my little boy was getting married and what am I supposed to do about ALL THE FEELINGS?
Logan and Morgan were having their "first look" in the sanctuary before all the pictures started. There were about 4 sets of double doors, and each door had a window. And you just have to know that, at every window, there was a mom, sister, friend, cousin or bridesmaid...face pressed to the glass...trying to see this precious first moment.
It did not disappoint.
Everyone said they could tell Logan was teary, and it was soooo sweet. Logan had said that he was NOT going to be crying about any of it.
Oh, how quickly they fall!
All it took was a pretty, little, blonde-headed bride to throw everyone into an emotional tail-spin! They looked so sweet together! I just about died from the cuteness!
Annnnnnd back to me.
I could feel the emotion building, no matter how hard I tried to hold it back. We had been to a wedding 2 weeks ago where all the bridesmaids and the bride's sister and the bride's dad...ALL in tears coming down the aisle. I didn't want to be like that. Because I am really SO HAPPY for Logan and Morgan. But I was also so sad.
I can't even explain it. Moms and sons. That's all I can say.
Or maybe it's just me.
I've been the "other woman" in Logan's life for 5 1/2 years. You'd think I'd be okay with everything. AND I AM, I promise.
I made it down the aisle by biting my lip very hard. I can only hope the photographer captured THAT moment. Attractive. Except not.
The actual wedding ceremony was precious. I had been concerned, as the wedding got bigger and bigger, that the intimacy of the service would be lost. NOT IN THIS CASE. Not at all. Their college pastor from their college church performed the ceremony, and he did such a great job! They had done their premarital counseling with him, and he revealed some of the things they had said about each other...things they hadn't heard until then. It was really sweet.
And then it was done. And my baby was married. Five and a half years of dating and praying and planning and working for this day...and it was done.
Official.
Husband and wife.
What in the world?
"What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Matthew 19:6
Logan's wedding day was the hardest day...and the best day.
What is that saying, "a son is a son til he takes a wife; a daughter's a daughter all of her life?"
Truer words never spoken.
We spent Saturday getting ready for the big moment. I took Holly to the church early, so that she could get her hur did with the other bridesmaids. I brought food and snacks for the bridesmaids and the groomsmen...and I just hung out and tried to help as I could.
I was a mess of emotions. Ugh. I tried to joke around and hold it together, but it just wasn't happening. I was pretty mad at myself, but my little boy was getting married and what am I supposed to do about ALL THE FEELINGS?
Logan and Morgan were having their "first look" in the sanctuary before all the pictures started. There were about 4 sets of double doors, and each door had a window. And you just have to know that, at every window, there was a mom, sister, friend, cousin or bridesmaid...face pressed to the glass...trying to see this precious first moment.
It did not disappoint.
Everyone said they could tell Logan was teary, and it was soooo sweet. Logan had said that he was NOT going to be crying about any of it.
Oh, how quickly they fall!
All it took was a pretty, little, blonde-headed bride to throw everyone into an emotional tail-spin! They looked so sweet together! I just about died from the cuteness!
Annnnnnd back to me.
I could feel the emotion building, no matter how hard I tried to hold it back. We had been to a wedding 2 weeks ago where all the bridesmaids and the bride's sister and the bride's dad...ALL in tears coming down the aisle. I didn't want to be like that. Because I am really SO HAPPY for Logan and Morgan. But I was also so sad.
I can't even explain it. Moms and sons. That's all I can say.
Or maybe it's just me.
I've been the "other woman" in Logan's life for 5 1/2 years. You'd think I'd be okay with everything. AND I AM, I promise.
I made it down the aisle by biting my lip very hard. I can only hope the photographer captured THAT moment. Attractive. Except not.
The actual wedding ceremony was precious. I had been concerned, as the wedding got bigger and bigger, that the intimacy of the service would be lost. NOT IN THIS CASE. Not at all. Their college pastor from their college church performed the ceremony, and he did such a great job! They had done their premarital counseling with him, and he revealed some of the things they had said about each other...things they hadn't heard until then. It was really sweet.
And then it was done. And my baby was married. Five and a half years of dating and praying and planning and working for this day...and it was done.
Official.
Husband and wife.
What in the world?
"What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Matthew 19:6
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