Good Monday morning! I am greeting you from Clemson, SC, where we made it after leaving around 6:30 last night. It was a long weekend getting everything out of the house and saying goodbye. Many tears were shed, but many prayers were shared as we all know that God is directing our paths.
Our goal today is Harrisonburg, VA, so we can have a less hectic drive, but won't be too far from Baltimore as we hit the road tomorrow.
I might be able to get some pictures downloaded on my computer since we'll be stopping at a decent hour, so hopefully I'll get some up soon.
Have a great day and we'll update as we can!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
In Case I Don't See You
Good Saturday morning! Yes, it's been a while, but this will be a short entry. I have awakened in our Kennesaw home for the last time and there is much to do so we can hopefully have everything completely out by the end of the day. Tiffany and I were in Athens last weekend for a wedding and after sending her back to Boston on Monday, I've been here as the final work has been done. Hamp flew in Thursday and thanks to some wonderful (but probably very tired) friends, we got a lot done yesterday. We have piles for a storage unit, the stuff going to Baltimore with us, Goodwill and the dump. A word of advice - take a couple of hours once a month and keep life current regarding your "stuff". If nothing else, your children will thank you someday. And when they return from college each year, have them go through what they've brought back right then because "later" never comes.
No pictures for now and no time to reflect on the finality of leaving our house of fifteen years. Home really is where your heart is, but there are serious roots dug in and it's hard to pull them up. There have been a few tears, but mostly I'm just ready to have this move behind us.
Thanks for all prayers offered on our behalf and don't stop. There's lots of family traveling and moving still ahead for the summer. I actually will be back in Kennesaw in less than two weeks for the beginning of a two wedding visit. So to tweak the line in The Truman Show, in case I don't see you before we leave this weekend, good morning, good afternoon, and goodbye....but I'll be back!
No pictures for now and no time to reflect on the finality of leaving our house of fifteen years. Home really is where your heart is, but there are serious roots dug in and it's hard to pull them up. There have been a few tears, but mostly I'm just ready to have this move behind us.
Thanks for all prayers offered on our behalf and don't stop. There's lots of family traveling and moving still ahead for the summer. I actually will be back in Kennesaw in less than two weeks for the beginning of a two wedding visit. So to tweak the line in The Truman Show, in case I don't see you before we leave this weekend, good morning, good afternoon, and goodbye....but I'll be back!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Greetings from GA!
Happy Friday everyone! Yes, I know it's been a while since my last post, but in the last two days I have driven from Baltimore to Charlotte to Atlanta to Kennesaw to Athens, where I currently am. Tiffany and I are in town for a wedding that she's doing the flowers for. After putting her on a plane Monday morning, I will spend next week at our house working on the final packing and sorting. Hamp will fly in on Thursday and then we'll load a truck and drive from the house for the last time sometime on Sunday probably.
I did want to share a couple of pictures with you from our sunrise Easter service in Baltimore. Once I was actually outside and dressed warmly, it wasn't so bad being up that early or feeling quite that chilly. I get the whole symbolic reason for having a celebration service at that time of day, but if we're going to insist of being outside at sunrise on Easter, I'm thinking that we need to be in Israel where it's warmer. Just a thought.......
This was the scene that greeted us as we walked to our car. Not a bad way to start the day, is it?
If you look closely at this picture, you'll see what's probably Venus, or the Morning Star, which I thought was an appropriate sight for Easter morning.
We met in a public amphitheater that's across the street from the Irish pub where we have Saturday afternoon services. We ate breakfast together first and then Ellis encouraged us for a few minutes from scripture. The sun looked really cool just coming up and I confess I wandered a bit to capture a couple of shots of the area as the service was getting started.
As I mentioned in the last post, the last couple of weeks have been difficult again for me emotionally. The drive to GA gave me some time to reflect and while I know this will be an ongoing process for a while, I think I'm closer to accepting that "it is what it is". If you've been around me much in the last two years, you've heard me say this a lot, but it's actually a very profound statement in its simplicity. I miss a lot of my old life and am still grieving aspects of it. But there are some exciting things going on for me and Hamp in Baltimore and in our kids' lives as well. Things don't look like I thought they would at this stage in our lives, but again, it is what it is. And because I believe that God loves me and has my best in mind, then I have to choose to believe whether what comes into my life is from His hands of love or not. Some days that's harder than others, but ultimately I believe that.
As I've whined about the city of Baltimore in the last couple of weeks, I became aware that God is indeed everywhere. He knew I needed reminders for my ambivalent self and I thought I'd share a couple of those with you. Whether it's in His creation,
musical expressions of His love,
or a young child publicly expressing his desire to follow His Savior through baptism,
He continues to show me His faithfulness and for that I am grateful.
I did want to share a couple of pictures with you from our sunrise Easter service in Baltimore. Once I was actually outside and dressed warmly, it wasn't so bad being up that early or feeling quite that chilly. I get the whole symbolic reason for having a celebration service at that time of day, but if we're going to insist of being outside at sunrise on Easter, I'm thinking that we need to be in Israel where it's warmer. Just a thought.......
This was the scene that greeted us as we walked to our car. Not a bad way to start the day, is it?
If you look closely at this picture, you'll see what's probably Venus, or the Morning Star, which I thought was an appropriate sight for Easter morning.
We met in a public amphitheater that's across the street from the Irish pub where we have Saturday afternoon services. We ate breakfast together first and then Ellis encouraged us for a few minutes from scripture. The sun looked really cool just coming up and I confess I wandered a bit to capture a couple of shots of the area as the service was getting started.
As I mentioned in the last post, the last couple of weeks have been difficult again for me emotionally. The drive to GA gave me some time to reflect and while I know this will be an ongoing process for a while, I think I'm closer to accepting that "it is what it is". If you've been around me much in the last two years, you've heard me say this a lot, but it's actually a very profound statement in its simplicity. I miss a lot of my old life and am still grieving aspects of it. But there are some exciting things going on for me and Hamp in Baltimore and in our kids' lives as well. Things don't look like I thought they would at this stage in our lives, but again, it is what it is. And because I believe that God loves me and has my best in mind, then I have to choose to believe whether what comes into my life is from His hands of love or not. Some days that's harder than others, but ultimately I believe that.
As I've whined about the city of Baltimore in the last couple of weeks, I became aware that God is indeed everywhere. He knew I needed reminders for my ambivalent self and I thought I'd share a couple of those with you. Whether it's in His creation,
musical expressions of His love,
or a young child publicly expressing his desire to follow His Savior through baptism,
He continues to show me His faithfulness and for that I am grateful.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Yay for Friends!
So sorry for the delay in writing. Since the Webb's left, it's been very busy and a very difficult time for me emotionally. Those two combined facts have kept the creative juices a bit sluggish. I did want to share a couple of pictures from their time here and then I will call it a night. There's much to catch up on so I will post again tomorrow to do that.
We didn't eat any blue crabs which Maryland is known for, but did have some yummy seafood while they were here.
We walked around Fells Point which is the area we live in by the harbor on a beautiful spring day.
I'm still struggling with not having "normal" things I'm used to like parking spaces when you drive somewhere or grassy yards, etc. When I saw this sign in the midst of the gorgeous cherry tree blossoms, I figured God was telling me to quit whining and start living. :)
We had fun walking, taking pictures, and eating our way down the streets and just being outside in the awesome weather...which has currently disappeared.
Just in case any of you still wonder whatever happened with the wireless issues in our apartment, I don't really know how to answer that. Johnny spent some time with the computers and actually had wireless working for a bit. We took a picture to prove it to you!
However...for reasons unknown to many people much smarter than myself, the connection won't last and so I keep my laptop on the desk with wires plugged into it in order to get internet and to be able to print things, and try to remember to be thankful that I can do even that. Maybe someday. But we are very grateful for caring, technically talented friends who have given it a try.
It's way past time for bed! I have some cool sunrise Easter pictures to share with you so check back tomorrow. Night, night!
We didn't eat any blue crabs which Maryland is known for, but did have some yummy seafood while they were here.
We walked around Fells Point which is the area we live in by the harbor on a beautiful spring day.
I'm still struggling with not having "normal" things I'm used to like parking spaces when you drive somewhere or grassy yards, etc. When I saw this sign in the midst of the gorgeous cherry tree blossoms, I figured God was telling me to quit whining and start living. :)
We had fun walking, taking pictures, and eating our way down the streets and just being outside in the awesome weather...which has currently disappeared.
Just in case any of you still wonder whatever happened with the wireless issues in our apartment, I don't really know how to answer that. Johnny spent some time with the computers and actually had wireless working for a bit. We took a picture to prove it to you!
However...for reasons unknown to many people much smarter than myself, the connection won't last and so I keep my laptop on the desk with wires plugged into it in order to get internet and to be able to print things, and try to remember to be thankful that I can do even that. Maybe someday. But we are very grateful for caring, technically talented friends who have given it a try.
It's way past time for bed! I have some cool sunrise Easter pictures to share with you so check back tomorrow. Night, night!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Opening Day!!
Good Sunday evening to all! We've had a great weekend visit with Johnny and Debbie and I'll get pictures up in the next day or so. For now, I just had to say, "Yay, for Opening Day"!! As I type this, the Braves are beating last year's World Series Champions, the Philadelphia Phillies, on national television. It will be interesting to see how things are looking in 5 months.
But for now, spring is in the air (at least for a few more hours), the grass is green, and the Braves are playing baseball again. I'll let John Fogarty close us out tonight with one of the greatest songs ever written. Have a good beginning to your week and go Braves!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Reconnected
Good Wednesday evening to you! We are now back in the 21st century with our Comcast services restored. It turns out that our apartment had been disconnected at the box which apparently happens a lot at the end of the month as people move out. I realized how ridiculous this whole process has become when I opened the door to let the technician in and he said, "Oh, hi". Turns out he was one of the many who had already been dispatched to attempt to resolve the wireless connection problem (which still remains one of life's greatest mysteries...or at least downtown Baltimore's). I have conceded defeat and am perfectly happy to just plug in a wire to my laptop, but we have one last friend coming to visit soon who wants to take on this challenge. Not to minimize his capability, but let's just say I'm not disconnecting the wire just yet.
As promised, here are some pictures from our weekend in Florida with Michael. As anticipated, the weather was amazingly warm and beautiful.
On Thursday, we went to Bay Hill Country Club where the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament was being held and helped Tiger Woods begin his amazing comeback.
Having never been to a golf tournament before, I took my camera and was clicking away when one of the workers told me that if security saw me they would confiscate it. I thought that was very nice of him to warn me and this picture of Tiger stretching before his next shot was the last one I got. It was a great experience and since it was just the first day, the crowds weren't bad and we were able to see him up close several times.
Michael and Hamp went back on Friday to watch the second round and I stayed at the hotel and read by the pool and enjoyed the warmth. When they got back, the guys joined me for a while before we went out to celebrate Michael's birthday. I think he was talking to Tiffany who was one of many that called to wish him a happy day.
On Saturday, we went to the Braves Spring Training game and watched them get beat by the Yankees. Somehow in that setting, the final score doesn't matter as much. There's just something fresh about baseball in the early spring when all teams are still equal and most of the players are playing for the sheer love of the game.
Don Sutton is back as one of the Braves announcers after Skip Caray passed away last year and Pete Van Wieren retired. While they can never be replaced, having a familiar voice back in the booth will help ease their loss.
Chipper Jones started at third base and I would like to go on record as saying that it's about time the Braves got something right by renewing his contract so he will be able to retire in a few years as a lifelong Braves player.
Brian McCann started the game as catcher, but was hit by a foul tip and had to leave. He's regarded as one of the best in the game now and it will be fun to see what kind of season he has.
I have to add this one of Glenn Hubbard who played second base for the Braves when our kids were little. He's a great Christian guy who still works for the Braves as the infield coach and has always been a fan favorite.
For true baseball fans, I'll throw in this picture of Derek Jeter who is the shortstop for the Yankees. He's a great player and leader in baseball and while I will never like the Yankees, I do respect the role he has had in the sport.
To end our time in Orlando, we got to meet Will and Jenn and Baby K for dinner and catch up a little with them. They are much loved "kids" of ours and one of the draws for Tiffany and Nikki as they move there this summer.
And what about the house, you ask? The offer we received while in Florida held together and we have officially sold it! Obviously, we are very thankful with the market being what it is right now. But I have to tell you that even though I'm now living in Baltimore, this makes the move seem more final somehow and I've had a tough couple of days. We have a lot to do in the next three weeks including a wedding in Athens that Tiffany and I were already coming back for. At least I'm not bored! I came across a quote by Helen Keller the other day that pretty much sums up life for us right now: "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing".
As promised, here are some pictures from our weekend in Florida with Michael. As anticipated, the weather was amazingly warm and beautiful.
On Thursday, we went to Bay Hill Country Club where the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament was being held and helped Tiger Woods begin his amazing comeback.
Having never been to a golf tournament before, I took my camera and was clicking away when one of the workers told me that if security saw me they would confiscate it. I thought that was very nice of him to warn me and this picture of Tiger stretching before his next shot was the last one I got. It was a great experience and since it was just the first day, the crowds weren't bad and we were able to see him up close several times.
Michael and Hamp went back on Friday to watch the second round and I stayed at the hotel and read by the pool and enjoyed the warmth. When they got back, the guys joined me for a while before we went out to celebrate Michael's birthday. I think he was talking to Tiffany who was one of many that called to wish him a happy day.
On Saturday, we went to the Braves Spring Training game and watched them get beat by the Yankees. Somehow in that setting, the final score doesn't matter as much. There's just something fresh about baseball in the early spring when all teams are still equal and most of the players are playing for the sheer love of the game.
Don Sutton is back as one of the Braves announcers after Skip Caray passed away last year and Pete Van Wieren retired. While they can never be replaced, having a familiar voice back in the booth will help ease their loss.
Chipper Jones started at third base and I would like to go on record as saying that it's about time the Braves got something right by renewing his contract so he will be able to retire in a few years as a lifelong Braves player.
Brian McCann started the game as catcher, but was hit by a foul tip and had to leave. He's regarded as one of the best in the game now and it will be fun to see what kind of season he has.
I have to add this one of Glenn Hubbard who played second base for the Braves when our kids were little. He's a great Christian guy who still works for the Braves as the infield coach and has always been a fan favorite.
For true baseball fans, I'll throw in this picture of Derek Jeter who is the shortstop for the Yankees. He's a great player and leader in baseball and while I will never like the Yankees, I do respect the role he has had in the sport.
To end our time in Orlando, we got to meet Will and Jenn and Baby K for dinner and catch up a little with them. They are much loved "kids" of ours and one of the draws for Tiffany and Nikki as they move there this summer.
And what about the house, you ask? The offer we received while in Florida held together and we have officially sold it! Obviously, we are very thankful with the market being what it is right now. But I have to tell you that even though I'm now living in Baltimore, this makes the move seem more final somehow and I've had a tough couple of days. We have a lot to do in the next three weeks including a wedding in Athens that Tiffany and I were already coming back for. At least I'm not bored! I came across a quote by Helen Keller the other day that pretty much sums up life for us right now: "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing".
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