Thankful for Ken -Part 7

 In the previous blogs I have written about Ken, I mentioned some of the travel that we have done.  I also shared about Ken's trip to Japan.  I have kept a pretty accurate "vacation journal" and there are 47 entries over the 48 years that Ken and I were together.  That seems like an "annual" vacation, but in reality, there were many years when our kids were young that we did not take vacations.  We simply did not have the money to make trips.  During those years, I did take the kids to my mom's almost every August, but Ken did not come with us.  And these family visits are not included in the count of "vacations".  

Our first real family vacation was in 1987 when we traveled to Minnesota with the kids and went to my family lake home with my mom.  As a side trip, we went to Itasca State Park and saw the headwaters of the Mississippi  River.  Doug was finally doing better physically and we had a really great time.  The interesting part of this trip was that Ken rode his motorcycle to Lake Maud and the kids and I took the train to my mom's house and then drove with her to the lake.  

Ken took several motorcycle vacations without us during those years, including several trips to various motorcycle races that included tent camping.  He also took a couple of driving trips by himself - one to "Four Corners" and one to Denver.  At the time I was working and using all of my vacation time for Doug's illness' and doctor visits and to visit with my mom.  

Our first BIG family vacation was in 1993 when we took the kids to California.  We went to LA and did Disneyland and also went to San Diego to the Zoo.  Ken was able to piggyback this trip to a work trip and it was so much fun. 

The next year we took the kids to Florida.  We did the Disney World experience that included staying on the Disney property.  We had a really amazing 4 days there that included visiting 4 parks.  

After Disney we took the kids to Cocoa Beach.  It was our first ever time at this location and we loved it.  Doug spent hours in the water on a Boogie Board.  We also took the kids to the NASA Space Center and they were not impressed.  Needless to say, Ken and I were very disappointed at their lack of enthusiasm about all things space.  

We then drove to the Gulf side of Florida and stayed at St Pete's Beach.  Ken really wanted to take the kids to Nokomis on this trip, but we just didn't have time.  That was one of Ken's biggest regrets.  For all the times that we went to Florida we only took two trips to Florida with the kids.  And this was the closest we ever got to bringing them to see Casey Key.  He always regretted never experiencing his favorite spot with the kids.  That is one more reason that we really need to plan our family time to honor Ken and spread his ashes at that spot.  ALL of us!  

I think that has been on my mind so much over the last three months.  I have been so aware of all the things that we hold as "regrets".  I have began to think about my own regrets and make a plan to settle these things!  Some things you just can't go back and fix.  But, just as in this case, Ken could have been clear about his feelings on this, and I am sure that the kids would have done their best to help him satisfy this strong desire.  

Webster's defines regret at "feelings of sadness and disappointment over a missed opportunity". I really like that.  It is especially difficult when you have a regret and there is no way to fix it.  When the opportunity is lost forever.  I have come to realize that regret is the biggest part of grief.  Each of the regrets that I have that include Ken can never be changed.  I often find myself saying "I really regret that......."  As I have been working through these feelings, I have been able to let go of many of these regrets and also begun to separate the regrets into those that I will never be able to fix and those that I can make right in the future.  And that process has brought me a great deal of peace.  Most of that process is about forgiveness,  Being able to forgive others and yourself either for things done or not done.  Such a good exercise. And in my experience, we just hold on to regrets instead of taking care of things.  

I hope this is an encouragement to all of you to stop and think about these things.  Those little niggling things that you regret.  Remember that in some cases, you just need to forgive to not have these regrets hiding somewhere, waiting to resurface.  The amount of peace and joy that comes from this process is worth it.  

Forgiveness is such an amazing thing.  When you forgive someone else, you really free yourself!   We are told in the Lord's prayer to forgive others as we have been forgiven.  And we have been forgiven with no strings attached.  Freely, unconditionally, without any action on our part.  So my prayer is that as you think about regrets, you freely give forgiveness.  To yourself and to others.  And in doing that, you will find freedom and love and peace and joy.  

Jesus, thank you so much for reminding me of your unbelievable forgiveness - when I sure didn't deserve it.  Holy Spirit, bring to our minds those deeply hidden regrets that are weighing down our spirits.  Give us all courage and boldness to face these regrets and to walk through the process to find the deepest places of your love for us.  Thank you Jesus for being with me as I navigate this grief process.  Help us all to keep our eyes on you Jesus and to feel your love for us.  Amen

January travel to (slightly) warmer places...

Sometimes those last minute trips just work out.  This was one of those times!  We got an incredible deal on some air fare and decided to leave snowy, cold Chicago and travel to warm, sunny Florida.  Well, it was certainly warmer - but it was COLD for Florida.   We saw more than a few winter coats walking the streets!  One weatherman actually said that they might break some records with low temperatures in the 30's.    We did escape the first real snowstorm of the season, with more than 6 inches of snow and really cold temperatures.  That brought a smile to Ken's face!

We started our trip with a visit to Ken's sisters.  It was wonderful to see them since we have not seen them for several years.  We had time to visit and also time to explore around Marco Island and see some amazing sunsets.

We moved on to Miami Beach. We took the Tamiami Trail which takes you through the Everglades.  It was worth the small amount of extra time for the drive with a view.   Ken has always wanted to photograph the Art Deco area of Miami Beach.  Little did we know, the weekend we decided to visit was the "Art Deco Festival" weekend!  Even though it was chilly, the beach was amazing.

We ate at lots of outdoor cafes and walked and walked and walked. We had one day of rain but we managed to still enjoy ourselves.  We never made it into the Atlantic Ocean - it was just very cold, but we enjoyed walking the beach.  It was a nice few days, but it was very crowded.  I don't think I would ever go back, however Ken said he would!

Leaving Miami, we drove up to Venice, Florida taking mostly the back roads.  We saw lots of interesting fields of crops - some we never could identify.  It sort of looked like clumps of really tall plants with some grain looking things of the top?  And there were lots of Orange Groves filled with soon to be harvested oranges.  Also lots of cows and horses.  It was a nice change from traveling the interstate.  

The beaches of Venice and Nokomis are Ken's favorite part of Florida.  He spent lots of time here from the time he was really small, when his grandparents retired to Nokomis.  Ken remembers the area when it was much less crowded and much less developed.  Most of Casey Key is covered with houses now.  And the entire area is built up.  From the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico, we walked the beaches!

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 We took time to drive by the house that Ken's grandparents owned in Nokomis.  I am sure that the current owners wondered why we were driving by slowly and stopping for pictures.

Vacations are interesting. You can visit brand new locations or revisit areas that hold fond memories.  The one thing that you can not control is the weather.  You can always expect that you will have some bad weather.  For us, it was bitter sweet visiting Marco since Ken's dad has died.  We had many good memories of visiting him each year that he lived there.  While it was fun visiting Miami Beach for the first time, it is also nice to RE-VISIT beaches that have been a part of family pictures for years and years.  We have a picture of Ken on Nokomis beach when he was only a couple years old. While it was nice to see Grandma and Grandpa Bakers house, it was certainly a reminder of the passage of time.  

Reflecting on the last week, I am missing my own siblings.  I am also thinking about visiting some of my childhood favorite places.  I guess that means Ken and I will have to plan a trip to South Dakota and Minnesota sometime in the future!

Being by water is for sure my happy place.  And we have certainly been by water on this trip. Usually I am able to spend time just reading, praying and listening.  This trip has been a bit different and I haven't really had that time.  But the one thing that has been coming to mind, over and over, is that I need to do a better job putting words onto a page in this blog.  It is already the 21st of January and this is my first blog of the year.  I will be making time to share more regularly so hopefully I will   get inspiration for the time ahead.   For now, I am just very thankful for this time away and for the warmer weather.  It has felt like such a blessing to be here.

Some things I have learned on this trip...

*Sometimes the cheapest rental car is not the fastest!  But I am thankful for the car!

*Hotels in Miami don't have heat in their rooms?  At least they provided small heaters!

*Always make sure you get breakfast with your hotel room.. There was  a small bakery close by!

*January is cold in Florida.  But the water is still beautiful!

*Don't take a room facing a pool and bar in Miami! However it was nice to have a covered patio in the rain!

*Earplugs don't drown out the very loud music at 3am!  The hotel comped our room night!

Jesus, I know that you are always with me.  Thank you for reminding me that your love surrounds and protects us.  Holy Spirit, help us all to appreciate times away from our regular routines.  Jesus help us all to step away from our day to day things and to spend time with you even when we are at home. Thank you for memories and reminders of the past and also for those new experiences that become treasured memories.  And thank you for helping me see the bright side of some odd travel experiences.   Amen

End of a great vacation........

 I actually missed a day of blogging yesterday... it was a very busy day.  We went back to New York City...lower Manhattan... and we went to the 9/11 Museum.  I could most likely do an entire week or more about all that we saw and experienced there.  Most of the museum you are not allowed to take photos, so that explains one reason why I didn't blog last night.  Plus, it was more of an emotional thing.... I needed some time to let everything sink in.  I know that it has been almost 14 years since that event, and it has been easy to put it out of my mind.  But as you walk through the timeline of the events, it all comes flooding back in your mind.  I actually saw....LIVE...on the Today Show, the first plane hit the tower.  I just happened to be getting coffee in the kitchen of the church I worked at and the Elder Daycare center that shared our space had the TV on.  It was so frightening... we thought it was an accident at first.  But then as the coverage continued, it became clear it was something else entirely.  It was eerie to walk on that spot.  The museum is actually constructed BELOW those memorial pools I blogged about yesterday.  There is a room with floor to ceiling (VERY TALL CEILING) pictures of each of the people who died in this tragedy.  In another room, there is a constant recording by family members about the family member they lost, with videos.  It went on and on.  Through a time table of events, the search and hope for rescue (only 14 people were found alive) and then the terrible task of cleanup.  There was a burned and crumbled fire truck.....   There was one display that I stood in front of for a long time.  It was a map of the United States showing the airline traffic at 8:53am and then at 9:31am.  There were no planes in the air after that over the United States.  Ken and I remember how odd it was to not have planes flying over us.  And this was such a visual of the impact of that day on so many people. The museum did exactly what it was supposed to do.  It made me remember.

Yesterday we also went back to Trinity Church and actually walked through the cemetery and inside the church.  It was a great place to be, after spending several hours at the 9/11 memorial and museum.

I could have spent hours in the cemetery just reading the tombstones.  I can tell that I haven't spent much time in the East.  I am just not used to things being so OLD!  I saw more than one from the 1760's.  It certainly helped me get my focus back and to see Jesus on the throne, reigning over it all.  I loved one tombstone I saw that read, "Here lies Elizabeth, awaiting her glorious rising with Jesus".  Yes, it was exactly what I needed at exactly the right time!

We also went to Federal Hall and Wall Street.  We ate New York Pizza for lunch.  And Ken walked 1/2 way across the Brooklyn Bridge!  I waited in the shade at the City Hall Park.  It was 91 and very humid.  I wanted to protect my feet, but alas, I got another blister...this time on my heel!  (I think my new socks may have something to do with this).  We finished off the day having dinner at Tops Diner, which is supposed to be the best diner in New Jersey!  It was really good food and Ken splurged on an amazing desert..the first of the vacation!

Today was our last day in New York.  We realized that you just can not do it all in one trip, so we scaled back our plans.  We took the train to 33rd St this morning and saw Time Square.  Good Morning America was filming some kind of Army presentation (we never did figure out what it was exactly but there were soldiers all around).  We saw bagpipers and then this band played the National Anthem.  It was pretty amazing to be in Time Square for something like that, especially after the 9/11 museum!

We walked on Broadway and saw Macy's flagship store. They have a sign that says "World's Largest Store" and we thought it was just some kind of slogan.  But when you walk and walk and walk and it is still the Macy's store, yes it IS possible that it is the biggest.  And then we walked to Ken's happy place.......B & H Camera!

His camera actually came from this store (shipped to us, of course).  And he had never actually been inside of this store.  To quote Ken, "This is sort of like a super mega big Best Buy, with a whole floor of Camera stuff"!  He was certainly happy.  We actually got out of the store only spending $36, which is quite amazing.  

From there we walked to the Empire State Building.  We decided NOT to take the tour to the top.  Instead we had a really nice lunch in a pub in the building.  We took an early train back to our Hotel.

A bonus shot of us on the train.  It was a good decision to leave and start our trip home.  We drove 4 hours and shortened our trip tomorrow to just 8 hours.  

It has been an amazing week.  We have seen so much and covered so much ground.  I know that I have walked more miles in this week than I have walked in months!  Both of our destinations had so much history.... so many things to see.....so much to take in.  One thing is certain, we will need to go back again.  And mostly again.  

We have been so blessed on this trip.  Our travel has been good.  All of our activities have been outside and we have not had any rain.  We knew that we would be walking so we bought rain gear and never opened it!  (We did have one evening/night of rain in DC but nothing during the day!).  Our hotels have been just great.  We met so many really helpful people.  All of our train/subway trips went smoothly and we never got lost!  And every time I have felt my perspective shifting, or felt the ground a bit shaky, or been overwhelmed by what my eyes have seen, Jesus has always been there to bring me back to exactly where I need to be.  Yes, what a blessing.  

Jesus, thank you for time away from our routines.  Thank you for museums that preserve the past so that we do not forget our triumphs and our sorrows or our mistakes.  Thank you for your guidance and wisdom so that we do not repeat the mistakes of previous generations.  Help us to leave a legacy filled with you Jesus, for the generations to come.  Amen

Four year flashback

So today I was thinking about this new "app" that shows you flashbacks for past years.  I have not yet gotten that app, but when I was in a store today, a sales person was showing someone a picture from her phone on that app.  So when I got home, I did a little looking back myself, and realized that 4 years ago today (2010) Ken and I were just beginning one of our longest vacations ever!  I think I would have to say that this 2010 vacation was one of my all time favorite vacations.  This was our first "real" day of that vacation.  On the previous day we had traveled for 15 hours.  This was a long awaited day at Blackwater River State Park in Alabama, near to the Florida border.  We had tried to kayak at this location on a different trip, but it was 32 degrees and snowing on that day.  On this day in 2010 it was beautiful.  The water is really black appearing, caused by a mineral in the soil, but crystal clear.  The sand is the white sand just like the beaches of Pensacola.  For the first hour we were there it was wonderful and we had a quiet paddle.  Until about 9:00am.  Suddenly, it was just a sea of people along the entire stretch of the river.  And there were swimmers and floats and it was just crazy.  This was all caused by the oil spill that had closed all the ocean beaches in Pensacola and the surrounding area.  So everyone was at the Park to swim!  We were glad to be out of there by 10:00am. 

But the rest of this trip was amazing.  We traveled 3860 miles on this trip.  Illinois to Alabama to the Gulf coast of Florida, to Marco Island Florida, to the Atlantic side of Florida.  From there we traveled to Washington DC and then made our way home.  It was 16 days and lots of time in the car, but still really a great time. 

I guess I am spending time flashing back to 2010 vacation is because our vacation this year did not turn out exactly as I planned, and I still feel like I need a vacation!  Isn't it silly how we all seem to need these vacations?  I think it is because we don't have enough rest in our day to day life.  We don't celebrate the Sabbath rest.  Our weekends are so filled with all of the "stuff" that we need to get done, because our work week is so busy.  And just as I have discovered this week (and wrote about yesterday), we don't sit and wait in silence.   And now that I am without a job, this seems really silly.  I have plenty of time, but it is not the same as being away on a vacation.

So, while I still would like to have another vacation to look forward to, I will practice more waiting and more rest.  And deep breathe and relax.  All the while I will be remembering to turn my focus onto Jesus.  And yes, I will also be remembering the relaxing time paddling on that river. 

Jesus, thank you for all the ways you have provided for Ken and I over the past years.  Thank you for vacations and travel and kayaks and beaches and exploring.  Especially thank you for pictures and memories that can remind us of peace and rest.  Holy Spirit, remind us to stop and rest and turn our focus onto you.  Change our perspective to heavenly things!   Amen

Memories of a long ago vacation....

So I spent a bit of time tonight making the final hotel reservations for our upcoming vacation.  I was thinking about some of the great vacations that Ken and I have taken.  And the photos above are one of my favorite memories.  This trip to Florida was in April 2006.  It was the first time that we had used these new kayaks.  These really amazing, inflatable kayaks each pack in their own "suitcase".  We drove to Florida on this trip, but on future trips, we checked these as luggage on our flights! (Of course this was before the checked bag charges!).  We are still using these same kayaks - yes that is 9 years later!  We have had some wonderful times and seen some amazing things from these kayaks! 

We just decided NOT to take our kayaks on this trip.  Part of the reason is that we are going into Canada and really don't want the hassle crossing the border.  Part of our vacation plan DOES include (weather permitting) a canoe trip down a river in Pennsylvania.  I have never been canoeing, so I am hoping that the river is neither too high or too low for us to enjoy this activity.  We may also get to go tube riding down the same river!  Another activity that I have always wanted to do.  Lets face it, lazy rivers at water parks are not the same as being in a tube on an actual river! 

I can't help but blog again (since I know I have most likely mentioned it a time or two) about my change of heart regarding these kayaks.  I was not very thrilled when Ken suggested that we try kayaking.  It just wasn't something I was really interested in doing.  We found a really inexpensive inflatable "double" kayak and tried that out.  It was miserable!  You could not steer it at all and it was very hard work to paddle.  So we ditched that and then found some cheap inflatable kayaks.  We used those most of 2005 and did have some great times on local rivers.  But we were constantly getting leaks and they didn't feel very safe.  Ken did the research and found these Advanced Elements kayaks on line.  I was not so sure that I really wanted to invest the money in these (boy was that silly!).  But Ken did a bit of arm twisting and I finally agreed.  We ordered them directly from the company in California.  We were a bit surprised when we found out that we had to license them, and then to find out that we had to pay "vehicle sales tax" before we could GET that license!  We have had hours and hours of adventure and fun, along with some good exercise and time outdoors, thanks to these kayaks. 

Here's the thought for the day.  How many really good things have we missed out on, simply because we did not let ourselves be pushed out of our comfort zone?  I've been thinking a lot about this in the last couple of weeks.  I for one, get very comfortable and then get lazy and don't really want things to change very much.  I'm always a bit wary of new things and new ideas.  This whole kayak thing is a reminder to me that I need to take those chances and try new things!  Even at my age! 

On Sunday night at a wonderful worship gathering, several people spoke encouraging prophetic words over me.  It was so good to sit and be bathed in the messages and let the Holy Spirit speak the words into my spirit.   It seems that this is a new season for me, and a time for stepping out and trying new things.  So I am thankful that the Holy Spirit has been reminding me of this kayak story.  It may be outside of my comfort zone, and it may make me feel a bit unsettled and wary, but I will be courageous and take a deep breath and step out into those new things that Jesus has ahead for me!  

Jesus, thank you that you use every part of our life to speak to us - even our vacations and even kayaks!  Thank you Holy Spirit for speaking through those wonderful people on Sunday evening and filling my spirit with your encouragement and love.  Help us all to be willing to be shaken and pressed to move into new things that may well be huge blessings for us.  Jesus thank you for Ken and his persistence to encourage me to try new things.  Amen

Thinking warm thoughts.....

Like so many people I have been thinking about vacation!  This winter of snow, ice, freezing cold followed by more snow and days and days of subzero - AGAIN has made most of us, well TIRED OF WINTER!  Ken and I have not arrived at any decision regarding where or when or how we are going on vacation.

With this reminder of last years wonderful, warm, oceanfront trip, today I spent some time looking at lots of different options. We have not been able to decide where, when or how we will go on vacation.  We have even been considering an all inclusive vacation of some kind.  So I spent some time researching different destinations and various ways to get there.  For the past several years we have taken driving vacations.  As a matter of fact, in 2010 we drove 3850 miles on our vacation!  Today I was checking airfares and car rentals and hotel rates.  After hours of frustration and no decisions made, I shut off the computer. 

I was thinking of an important truth.  It doesn't matter how you get there, its the destination that counts!  Gwen and I were just talking about this!  It really doesn't matter if you have a "natural" delivery or a cesarean delivery - what matters is a healthy baby.  And when considering a vacation, it really doesn't matter how you get there, whether by car or plane, its all about the final destination!  Now, granted, there are positives and negatives to each of these examples.  Considering the vacation... last year we drove in some of the most horrible stormy weather that I have ever experienced.  And we have seen our share of traffic jams and road construction. And we have driven some VERY LONG days.   But on the positive side, we can take anything that we want that fits in the car.  We can change our plans and come and go as we please.  We can take a different route and travel when we want.  Considering the air travel, you get to that destination much more quickly - usually in just a matter of hours.  You really get to enjoy every bit of your vacation.  There is no thought of that long car drive home.  However, there are delays and even cancellations.  And there is no changing your plans (at least not without paying fees).  And then there are the security checks and baggage fees.  And the car rental. 

So I know that the most important thing right now is to decide on the destination.  How we will get there is yet to be determined.  Yes, I think this will change how I view many things.  I will be spending more time thinking about the end rather than the process.  Sometimes the process is long and difficult.  Sometimes the process is a short easy road.  Again, it is the destination that really matters.  I will be spending less time thinking about my ongoing path to the destiny that Jesus has for me and more time thinking about what that destiny is.  I am really not in control of the process anyway, so fretting about it doesn't make much sense.  I will just keep my eyes on the prize.  And that includes thinking about a warm, sunny day sitting on the beach, with the waves lapping at my feet!

Jesus, thank you for helping me to understand more clearly, how important it is to let go of the worry about the day to day.  Thank you for reminding me that your destiny is the most important thing I can think about.  Holy Spirit, guide and direct us as we make vacation plans.  Help us all to look at the end result, rather than the process.  Thank you for the reminder that there are many roads that lead to the same end.  Amen.

In celebration of Lake Maud

You know how sometimes you get blindsided by something?  Something that you KNEW but you just hadn't really processed?  Well, I had one of those moments today. 

The picture above is one of my favorites.  I am actually the baby, sitting on my mom's lap (and sort of blocked by the salt and pepper shakers). This picture was taken in the summer of 1955.  I know the date because of my age!  I am not yet 1.   Left to right in the picture is my sister Karen, brother Jerry, then brother Greg, my mom and I and on the end, my sister Julie.  One of the reasons I love this picture SOOOOOO much is that it was taken "at the Lake" - Lake Maud, Minnesota.  The cabin you see in the background was built by my dad.  Every board, every nail was put there by him.  When my dad returned from serving in World War II, my parents began to think about having a place to vacation.  My mom often said that they knew they could not afford to go away for vacations, but having a cabin seemed like an option.  I  heard the story about my uncles (who lived in that area)  bringing my dad to the farmer who had decided to begin to sell lots on the lake on his property.  And how my dad walked through the woods to find just the perfect lot.  And it certainly was a choice lot on that lake.  My mom and dad purchased that lot in 1950 but it took them 3 years to pay off the lot so that they could begin building. The first part of the cabin was started in 1953 and completed in 1954.  The first picture of the cabin with the family standing by it, was taken in late August of 1954.  My mom is hiding in the very back of that picture because she didn't want to be "seen", as pregnant as she was! I was born on September 6th.  I know I have seen that picture, but I don't have it.  Since I was not "in" it, I am sure one of my siblings has that photo.  That explains why the above picture is so special to me.  I think it is the first photo of me at the Lake. 

That cabin was really my "home".  It was a constant in my life that included many moves.  The Lake - the cabin - was always there.  There were so many family gatherings, so many reunions, so much fun.  My dad loved being there.  There was always a project or two that needed fixing or something to be built.  I don't think I can recall a summer without a project until the very end of my dad's life.  And even then, when he was in a wheelchair, he had visions of what needed to be done.  Over the years there were rooms added.  And I remember when we got running water.  And then the next year HOT water in the kitchen sink! (So you didn't have to heat water to wash the dishes).  It wasn't until I was married that there was "indoor plumbing" - a bathroom.  Otherwise it was the outhouse.  This was a cabin. Not a lake home.  Small and crowded but wonderful.  I can still smell the aroma of wet tennis shoes drying out on a kerosene stove.  I remember the year that my dad put the knotty pine paneling in the living room. It was one of the hottest summers we had ever had.   My dad sweated his way through that project.  Yep, this was where so many of my family memories were made.  One of the last major projects on the house was a screened in porch.  That porch was amazing.  The hours that we sat out there, after dark and just talked.  And laughed. 

But life happens.  My siblings and I all grew up and had families and work and responsibilities. Many of us moved far away.  And the cabin sat empty for long stretches.  Even after my dad died, my mom continued to go to the Lake. Thanks to my brother Jerry, she went until the very end of her life.  Then my brothers continued to use the cabin for a couple of weeks each year.  Well today I found out that the cabin has been sold.  I am glad that my brothers are not worried about the maintenance and upkeep anymore.  But I admit I got a little chocked up hearing that it was no longer in our family.  And I felt a little blindsided by this news.  I don't know why.  I knew that my brothers were talking about selling and even my mom had been suggesting the sale before her death.  But I guess the reality just hit me.  So I felt a little blind-sided.

It has been good for me tonight to remember.  To think about and hold on to the memories of the cabin on Lake Maud.  And to celebrate my family. So once again, I am so thankful for pictures and treasured memories. I am especially grateful for the vision that my dad and mom had of the kind of place that the Lake became for us.  You know that God is in those kind of decisions.  For almost 60 years our family was blessed with this gathering place.  Yahweh, thank you for your destiny for my family that included Lake Maud.  I pray that the new owners of this wonderful little cabin find not only love, joy and peace there, but also you Yahweh.  Thank you for my family.