When dreams become reality…
Monday morning we left for our family trip to Atlanta at 9:00 am. Our departure time was supposed to be at 7:00 am, but I had left some prescriptions at the pharmacy I had neglected to pick up. Bryan prayed as we pulled out of the driveway on our way to our first stop.
We had one more stop after the pharmacy. Sadie our labradoodle was staying with some dear friends and we had to deposit her to the “dude ranch”. Of course she is going to have a ball and be spoiled rotten when we get her home. I do miss her though. I say God gives us dogs to show us unconditional love, Sadie is always happy to see me and love on me no matter how long I have been away from her.
Bryan rode in the back seat on our way to deliver Sadie, so he could set up the DVD system for the boys. It sure makes a 7 hr. road trip go much faster. Thank goodness for Blockbuster and Megan for taking the boys on Sunday night!
We had a great trip and made it to Atlanta in good time. I had found our hotel online and it was newly renovated. I had done my homework through numerous websites including AAA, but when we checked in our room was dirty. Housekeeping was gone for the day and the hotel was completely booked. They had another hotel nearby and were sending us there to stay the night for free and then bringing us back the next night. We load back in the car and go over to the other hotel. I checked in and went to check on our room before we all traipsed into the room. I couldn’t believe my eyes, this room was dirty too, their housekeeping was gone and they were booked. I was through with either of these hotels and we were off to find another hotel.
In the parking lot of the first hotel, Bryan opened his laptop and we began looking for hotels. It is difficult to find a hotel that accommodates a family of 5. The boys put in a movie to pass the time. Most of the hotels we called or checked online were booked, finally we found a hotel with a penthouse suite. It could accommodate our family and was non smoking which is a must with a child with allergies and asthma. The hotel was completely booked except this suite so we quickly booked it and we were off to find our new place with the help of the iPhone. (Thanks Matthew)
When we arrived at the hotel the movie the boys had started when our search had begun was now ending. Not too bad from no hotel room to a great place in 2 hours. We checked in and decided we should find something to eat since it was now 9:00 pm. Everyone was in such a good mood even though it had been a long day. We sat at dinner and laughed and laughed.
We all fell into our clean beds at the end of our long day. Thank goodness for clean rooms.
While my husband was in big church sharing his heart on “New Beginnings”, I was down the hall starting my new beginning. I cannot say enough how wonderful my assistant Cheryll was yesterday. She guided me through every twist and turn.
Volunteers stepped up yesterday and went the extra mile to help me out. I am thankful to Pastor Rodney for those he recruited and trained. Yesterday would have been difficult without all those who served . I am so glad I am a part of such an awesome family.
I am excited about where God is taking me and children’s ministry. Here we go.
Do you remember when summer came and you could sleep until 11:00 am, spend a lazy day in your pj’s and do absolutely nothing? Yesterday, I did all of the above. I felt like a kid again in summer without any responsibilities.
I can’t remember the last time my body didn’t wake up before 6:00 am with at least 10 ideas floating around in my head waiting for me to grab one to ponder. Most mornings I am already awake before my alarm clock begins to chime, and have already worked through one or two ideas.
Around 3:00 pm I decided it was time to take a shower and get out of my comfy pj’s. We were going to a concert at Airlie Gardens with Don, Abbye, Reagan and Terri. I had to make a picnic dinner and be ready to leave by 5:00 pm, so I better get a move on.
Grilled chicken, pesto, baby spinach, provolone cheese, and roasted red peppers on ciabata bread sandwiches, kettle chips, salad, chocolate cake and ice cold water were the items in our picnic basket. Eric Flore says I have a Yogi Bear picnic basket. Target clearance in case you were wondering.
So, off to Airlie we go with our picnic basket and lawn chairs. We parked the car at the Galleria and waited for the trolley. Bryan, myself, the boys, and Terri loaded the trolley with our driver “Sweet Corn” to take us to Airlie Gardens.
Don, Abbye and Reagan had picked us out a nice spot at Airlie Gardens and we set up our chairs. The band was already playing. I sat back in my chair and began to eat from the spread, as the breeze blew through my hair. It was summertime.
The boys were glad their Mimi and Papaw would be able to attend the annual McGee 4th of July picnic and fireworks show. Bryan and the boys had made a fireworks run on Saturday, while I finished up some last minute cleaning and shopping. Mimi and Papaw arrived at 6:00 pm and we were so excited.
Sunday brought new responsibility for me, as Pastor Ron announced I would be taking the leadership role of Children’s Ministry at The ROCK. My two year journey on staff has been ever changing, and it is changing again. I trust God with my life.
Wednesday was amazing. Friends, family and neighbors came over to celebrate freedom with us. I had a great time playing with the kids and even had fun with some bubbles.
I love being with people and watching their faces when they are having a good time. I stood back and observed some talking, playing games, and eating. Everyone was smiling.
Sometimes in the day to day of life’s chores, life becomes a chore. Maybe it is because we focus on the negative things that are going on around us and forget about the wonderful things God is doing in our lives.
Several years ago, I realized that watching the news brought undo stress to me and because I had small children in the house I chose to keep the TV turned off during that time. I was amazed at how changing what I allowed into my eyes and ears really affected my outlook. I read the news and kept up with current events, but I didn’t get a blow by blow of the list of crimes and all the gruesome details.
Pollyanna is one of my favorite movies because she befriends everyone in the town, even the people in the town no one likes, and changes their perspective. She goes around playing “The Glad Game” and encourages even the grouchiest person to play. She encourages people to find the good in a situation and not the bad. She spreads her kind words and encouragement to the whole town.
Find something positive out of everyday play “The Glad Game”. Share this game with your family, co-workers, neighbors, and friends.
