Wonderful time away... making memories and remembering

On Friday Ken and I went with Gwen and Tim and the kids to an indoor water park/hotel.  We have visited this park several times in the past (we skipped last year, thanks to Anna!).  This year we had connected rooms, which was such a blessing.  We had a great "room service" dinner together and then Ken and I and Gwen took the older three kids for a swim.  Anna was ready for bed, so Tim stayed in the room and put her down for the night.  After an hour or so of swimming the kids could hardly keep their eyes open.  So we returned to our rooms.  Zeke wanted to go to bed right away.  Lia and Ellie wanted some time to play games with the adults!  So we played several rounds of "Frozen Spot It" and also "I Spy Bingo".  After several games, Ellie was ready for bed.  So, off she went.  Gwen and I decided to teach Lia how to play Yahtzee.   Let me tell you about our family tradition of Yahtzee playing.  I can't remember how long ago Yahtzee made it's first appearance at our family kitchen table.  But one thing is for sure, it was a LONG time ago.  And it was my mom that made Yahtzee such a tradition for us.  Grandma Nona LOVED Yahtzee.  My mom and I played so many games of Yahtzee that I could not even begin to imagine what the total number would be! We played so many games that we actually both had more than one "perfect card"! (Is you are not a Yahtzee player, let me just tell you that this is not easy to do.  Since the game is mostly chance - with a bit of skill thrown in - this is really amazing).  Anytime that I was with my mom, it included games and games of Yahtzee.  We once made an "emergency run" late at night to a 24 hour store to purchase more Yahtzee pads when we ran out.  Both Gwen and Doug (and Ken) will tell you that they often went to sleep to the sounds of the dice hitting the table and laughter filling the air.   Since my mom died in 2011, I don't think I have played one game of Yahtzee..... until last night.

Gwen and Tim brought the Yahtzee game to the hotel.  They had pulled it off of their "game shelf" and the dust on the box was evidence of the number of years that the box had sat, unopened.   When Gwen opened the box, this was on the top....

This is Grandma Nona's score sheet from 2003, when she visited Gwen and Tim and stayed at their house.  Gwen had purchased this game especially for Grandma's visit.  Both Gwen and I recognized her handwriting immediately.  It was a bittersweet moment for us, holding this score sheet in our hand.  Isn't that silly?  You know, this was almost more important to me than finding a letter she might have written.  That score sheet represented so much more for me.  It was a reminder of those wonderful times with my mom.  It was a wonderful Valentine for me.  Lia played her first game of Yahtzee and beat both Gwen and me! During the game we had a chance to tell Lia many wonderful stories from years ago.  Grandma Nona would be so proud.  

This morning the kids got their own Valentines from their mommy and daddy.  And they loved the singing card and the great books that they got.  Don't you just love this picture of all four kids cuddled together?  

We had a great day today, spending hours and hours in the water.  Anna took a long nap in the stroller and both Zeke and Lia conquered the "Big Slide",  riding down on a tube!  Yes, it was a day of making new memories. Ellie and I got to spend some time by ourselves in the Hot Tub (we bent the rules just a bit since you need to be 6 to use it.  Ellie turns 6 in two weeks).  It was fun to have some one on one conversation with her.  By the time we headed home, everyone was tired, but very happy.  

The last several months have really brought to the surface for me, how important family is.  I can assure you that this weekend was the best valentine that I could ever receive.  Surround by the ones you love and filled with joy, laughter and fun.  

And here is the icing on the cake for me.  While riding along on the Lazy River during one of the many trips we took around that track, Gwen and Anna came up behind me on their tube.  Gwen pointed out that Anna was calling for "Grandma!"  And she loudly called out "Grandma" and gave me that killer smile.  Honestly, there is nothing better than that.  

Jesus, thank you so much for your great love for us.  Holy Spirit, thank you for family and fun.  As we know your love, we share that love with those around us.  What an amazing gift you give us.  Jesus, help us all to stop and draw up closer to you, and feel that love.   Thank you for signs of love from the past and new memories made and shared.  Amen

Step on the supersonic highway.......

I don't quite understand it, but here I am with another dream!  I believe that there must be something that I need to hear and take in to my spirit.  Since I am not hearing while awake, Jesus has decided to show me in my sleep! 

 

So this morning I woke up, thinking about something that looked a lot like this picture!  I confess, the only place I have seen something like this is in Terminal 1 at Ohare airport - the famous people movers!  In my experience with those, they are not very effective since most people walk rather than stand still.  In any case, that is my only frame of reference for what I saw.  In my dream I saw a moving walkway that was quite narrow and seemed to be moving very fast. There were people standing along the walkway.  It was as if they were waiting for the parade to pass by.  Suddenly a few people came into view on the walkway.  They seemed to be totally unaware of the crowds watching them. They sped by me so fast that I could not focus on them.  I did notice that there were men and women and they were of all different ages.  After one group passed by, there seemed to be a lull when there was no one on the walkway.  I watched as several groups of people passed on the walkway.  Then suddenly I was ON that walkway!  I had the feeling that I was flying.  As a matter of fact I could feel the wind in my face.  I realized that while I had thought the walkway was flat, it was in fact traveling up and down.  I also could not see anything on the sides of the walkway.  The strange thing was that I felt totally stable.  I was not afraid of falling at all.  It was an amazing ride. 

 

Today I was reflecting on this very strange dream.  I wrote down how I was feeling when I woke up from this dream.  First it was GOOD!  I was having so much fun - and I don't like amusement park rides. Second, I felt totally safe and at peace.  Third, I was totally unaware of anyone else around me.  It simply didn't matter who was watching me or who was with me on the walkway.  Fourth, I felt exhilarated and full of life.  It was like being charged up!  Fifth, and most importantly, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. 

 

There is so much here that I will be gaining insights in the days ahead.  Jesus wants to bless us and bring us to places of great fun and enjoyment.  When you are in the correct place, you are not doing anything!  Exactly like the walkway.  Jesus is responsible to take us to the places that we need to be.  And when we are on the way to that place, we need to be "blind" to the people around us.  How many times have I not gone somewhere or done something or said something, because I was afraid of what people would think?  Far too often.  On this supersonic walkway, I couldn't even see the people!   Amazing!  And I was standing strong, firmly planted in the foundation - Jesus the rock!  Even in the ups and downs and twists and turns, I was standing and at peace.  Yep, I want to be on that walkway!

 

Jesus, thank you for showing me your plan to take me where you want me to go.  Thank you for this dream of your high speed highway.  Help me to willingly step on to that walkway.  Jesus help us to all keep our eyes on you and let you take us along on this amazing ride.  Thank you for reminding me that YOU are in the process of moving me along, giving me your peace, and giving me joy in the journey.  Holy Spirit, draw all those reading this blog to step onto that walkway.  Thank you for amazing dreams and visions and continued revelation.