Maiden Voyage

This past week my husband took vacation days off work to spend time with us, me and him alone and to go camping.  Our maiden voyage of the USS "G" camper.  

Monday started with excited packing of the camper while Mr. G did  tests on all of the electrical systems, camper brakes and hook ups.  After 45 minutes of working on things, he got it all hooked together, showered and finished gathering the jeans he wanted to take (I didn't know which ones were his preference, so he told me to not worry about it.)  I got the kids, dogs and everything else ready to go and in the vehicle waiting for Mr. G who wanted to clean up before we left.  

We went through Smethport, Port Allegheny, Roulette and Coudersport to our destination. We went up and down some pretty big inclines until we arrived at Potter County Family Campground.  This campground is at the Allegheny Summit at 2,424 ft above sea level.  I know it isn't the Rocky Mountains by any stretch of the imagination, but it is still absolutely beautiful!  

This was our campsite once my beloved parked the camper.  We got everything situated and ready for good times.  We got in to the vehicle to go get something, Mr. G put his foot in the brake and the pedal went all the way to the floor.  We didn't have any brakes!!!!  We got out and looked on the ground in front of the vehicle thinking it was radiator fluid (that it had a hole in it), but it wasn't.  Brake fluid had sprayed everywhere!

Here is Mr. G beginning to take everything apart to look inside where he found a bigger problem than he would have liked, but so very thankful that it decided to not burst until we backed the camper in to the space.  God is so good!  He answered our prayers for safe journeys!

Mr. Frustrated at the moment.  It was definitely NOT in his plan to work on the brakes during his mini vacation!  Whew!  

BUT!!!  

We had friends who lived close by who helped us through all this predicament.  What a blessing Lisa and Dale were to us!  We'd planned to have them over for s'mores and fun that evening, then off to their house for more fun the following day, so we just altered things a little.

The kids and I made hot dogs over the fire.

Beautiful daughter making hot dogs.

Daddy...diligently working on figuring out the problem.

(As it turns out, the brake line that went clear underneath a few things had ruptured.  The next day he ended up replacing it with regular brake hose and it worked well.  God was so gracious to us!  We didn't have cell phone service, it was raining, so Dale come up to get us, then went with Mr. G to get parts for the vehicle, work on the brakes, then came back to their house.  What a wonderful answer to prayer!  I'd prayed for them to be done before 5PM and they pulled in to the driveway around 4:10!!!)

Oldest son, DA doing what he likes to best when camping--roasting hot dogs.  

All but 2 of the kids walking/running/hiking around.

Lisa and the other missing 2 children from the picture above.

He was so excited about getting to go through this tube!  Such cuteness!

Lisa's husband, Dale and their beautiful daughter working on her crossed stitch.

Lisa's 2 oldest boys, then my youngest son JL on the right.

Another of Lisa's beautiful daughters...blurry, but that's ok.  She doesn't like getting her picture taken.

My daughter, HJ, making moose ears behind Dale.  Must be a fun thing to do, huh?!  LOL

More horsing around.  

Watching everyone play computer games while it rained.  I tried snapping this picture just a few seconds before when Lisa's youngest boy was sitting on JL's lap snuggling while they watched, but he hopped down really quick!  

The men got back, Mr. G showered and they both got something to eat.  Mr. G fell asleep in the recliner--something I'm sure he thought he'd NEVER do with 10 children playing around him!  LOL

After he woke we had Lisa's wonderful Split Pea Soup, we brought pasta salad and my daughter made No Bake Coconut Macaroon Bars that fell apart, so we sprinkled it over some ice cream.  Darn!  LOL

We walked around while the kids rode bikes and generally had a blast playing since the rain cleared up.  After returning we visited on the porch a little while until the kids returned from riding so we could go sing.

What a wonderful time we had inside having a wonderful hymn sing, praising God for His goodness toward each one of us.  

After we were done singing, we needed to head out because it was getting late.

This morning, my beloved told me that he was going to take me to a yarn shop in Coudersport.

Just so we could look at all the beautiful yarns and crafty things they had to offer.

We waited until opening time, but no one came to open the door.  *sniff*  *sniff*  I guess we'll have to go back some time?!

Yes, this is what my hair looks like after the heat and humidity rises & camping!  LOL   But, sitting next to my beloved was wonderful nonetheless.

Handsome young man.

One picture and it really shows their personalities!

We love old buildings and architecture.

We love quaint old towns!

So here we are, home at last.   Dinner has been consumed, laundry is going and we're relaxing and beginning to think of our next camping trip.  It was a lovely trip, in spite of the brake issues.  God was gracious and kind walking with us each step of the way.  

We were so blessed! 

Graduation

Although I do not have a graduate this year, I will have one next year.  This year, however, as a "Junior Mom", it is our privilege to serve the graduating seniors and their families for the graduation reception.  This is our first year of ever being a part of or taking part in graduation.  I don't know the schedule of events during the ceremony because I've never been to a graduation.  All that said, I'm greatly relying on a dear lady from our home school group whose son is graduating this year.  She's given me tips, hints and suggestions from her experience last year to help.  What a blessing!

With all of this graduation reception preparation, it is thrusting my mind and thoughts, whether I like it or not--on the inevitability of my oldest son's graduation next year.  I didn't want to think about it just yet, although we've worked toward that goal for years.  Right now I feel as if I'm in the thick of the school days' lessons up to my eyeballs to just keep things moving along.  How can it be that in just one year I will have a graduate myself?

It is a bittersweet realization.  It seems so very close, but yet so very far away still.  But, in the blink of an eye, it will be done.   Then he will be off to college for his first year.  Then it will be my daughter's turn, and my youngest.  I'm thankful for this time with my children.  What a blessing from God!  In the same token, with each step, the bittersweetness fills me.

I remember when...


Now the thoughts, preparations, and plans for the next season of our lives not just begin--but continue with greater clarity of mind, knowing the target for our arrows is for the glory of God.

Disjointed Post with Pictures

Just the beginning of his seasonal trimming.  He's happy to get his hair cut.  LOL

This is my concerned Mom face....referring to the next picture....

He's looking up wild boar hunting for his birthday this year.

Rustie's "flat top"  

HJ decided to french braid my hair this morning, so I asked her to drape it.  She took it a little further with tucking it and adding a flower.  =0)

Happy doggie.  I know he doesn't look like it in these pictures, but without all the hair he's much happier in the summer time.  

He looks like a different dog with just his undercoat showing.  He's half husky, so the color you see during the winter that has grown back is much darker.   He really is happy about his hair trimmings.  Honest!  LOL  This is the face he makes when someone is scratching his back.  LOL  

As of Late...

Proverbs 1:2-9  

"To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,  (3)  to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;  (4)  to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth--  (5)  Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,  (6)  to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.  (7)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.  (8)  Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,  (9)  for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck."

I love to learn. My learning since college has taken such unforeseen twists and turns and I've ended up teaching knitting and crocheting to some young ladies the past 2 years.  What a lovely time I've had!  

Job 28:28  

And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"

I've learned so very much in college, but honestly, I've learned more useful true to life skills by studying books, reading articles, and watching videos to learn what I wanted to know.   I enjoyed college, but I truly was "forced" in to taking classes with professors I did not like.  When the only professor available is that "one" professor, and you want to graduate at a certain time, you have to do what you have to do.  I took the class and received a B by just barely getting by, but only because I had to.  No, I did not work to the best of my ability, I shamefully admit.  However, the way around dealing with professors who do not have one's own interest at heart is to attempt something else.

I've found that self directed education is a wonderful tool.  If you've seen the book list along the left side of my blog, you'll see that there is a huge list of books with a variety of topics ranging from gardening to education and marriage to spiritual growth.  On my life's path, these are topics that have come to my attention that I need to study.  It is only with conviction of heart and soul that I currently study the topics along the side.  Once things become needful, it's time to gain knowledge and understanding. 

Proverbs 3:5-6  

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  (6)  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

I've looked in to returning to college to finish my degree.  I've gathered my transcripts, searched out reciprocal teaching laws for the state certifications, searched out costs of colleges in Georgia, Liberty University for online courses as well as a local University.  I've prayed and sought out counsel from my dear husband.  Now I'm letting it be for a while.  If the Lord so desires for me to finish my degree, then He will make it abundantly clear, providing for the way.  If not, then I will take that as a closed door and that the Lord has something else in store for me.  

Plans for my husband's retirement are in full swing and finishing my degree is but a small part, if the Lord so desires.  If it isn't His will, then he will open a door to go a different direction.  It's always His way of doing things, I've found.  His way always turns out to be the best way.  The hardest part is the waiting.

In reading the most recent Above Rubies Magazine, I found an article titled "Success Without College" that looked intriguing.  There is a book recommendation called Chucking College by Melanie Ellison.  I'm getting ready to read the excerpt and discuss it's merits with my hubby.  I haven't read the whole article yet, but I will read it this evening.  If you've read it already, please feel free to post your thoughts in the comments!