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trip to Colorado {part 2}

Written by Joy
trip to Colorado {part 2}

I told about the first part of our trip on Monday. You can read part one here.

I had mentioned earlier that my husband had come in contact with poison ivy, as he was attempting to fix our water before we left.  Most people would be able to wash off and be okay after a brief contact with a poison ivy plant.  Not my husband.  He is highly allergic to that plant.  So much, that he normally needs to go to a doctor to get a steroid and antibiotic for it.  This would be a problem since we were moving cross country and needed to get on the road.  By the first night, his one arm was covered.  It was pretty nasty looking and caused him great discomfort.  By the next day, he was absolutely miserable.  We were putting over the counter itch medicine and several other ointments on it.  It didn’t get any better, just kept spreading and getting worse.

As this point, we were entering St. Louis, MO.  We had already traveled through parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.  It was nearing lunch time as we passed The Arch of St. Louis.  We stopped at a wonderful BBQ joint that had been on The Food Network.  Since we had 2 sick kids and my husband was not feeling well, we decided to head on to get as many miles as we could, towards our destination.  When you are traveling with 2 sick kids (in my van) and a husband/dad (in my son’s vehicle), it makes for a very long drive.

We finally made it to our destination for that evening in Independence, MO.  We were all tired and worn out from the drive.  We did take the kids to the pool to swim for about an hour, but then it was back to the room, baths and a little t.v. before bedtime.  Other than those who were sick, this was actually our less adventuress day.  I was very thankful for that.  We were able to eat breakfast at the hotel and then get on the road knowing that we would be leaving MO and entering Kansas.  We were leaving the city and was heading to the open road.

Things were going pretty well as we were driving along through the farm fields of Kansas.  We had just left a stop where we got gas and some goodies for the road trip.  We had to make a slight detour to an auto parts store for a gas cap.  My son’s was lost at the previous stop.  About 30 minutes or so had passed and a couple of my kids had to take a potty break.  Thankfully, there was a rest stop just ahead.  I had gotten out to take the two younger kids to the bathroom when my oldest daughter came running over.  Apparently the van had lost all of the water from its radiator.  Just when we thought things couldn’t get any worse.  Then it happens.  A fan on our van broke and in the process poked a hole in the radiator.  So we are sitting at a rest area in the middle of Kansas with it 90+ degrees, 2 sick kids, a hubby covered in poison ivy with a vehicle that won’t work.   Yeah, just when I think things couldn’t get any worse.  I sent out another prayer request plea to some friends and immediately pray myself and this is what comes to my mind:

Deuteronomy 31:6

6  Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

God knew what was going to happen and had everything under control.  You see, my husband can fix near about anything.  He has always worked on all of our vehicles.  In fact, he had replaced that radiator a couple of months ago.  We had also just left a town where there was an auto parts store, that just happened to of had a radiator to fit our van.  We were also at a rest area that had snack/drink machines and we had bottled water and snacks in the van.  This rest area also had picnic tables with covered shelters, underneath trees.  God had even blessed us with a nice breeze.

While the kids, our dog and I waited at one of the covered picnic tables, my husband and oldest son headed back to the auto parts store.  Which meant they had to go to the next exit, turn around and head back.  This took about an hour to do.  They finally made it back and within just a few minutes, had the new radiator on and we were once again on our way to Colorado.  With all the excitement that we had, we decided to find a hotel in Russell, KS and just get some rest.  It had been a long day, we still had sick kids and my husband was still not feeling well with the poison ivy spreading.

Thankfully we were 2/3 of the way to Colorado and there was an end in sight.  God was with us the whole way.  Stop by on Friday and see the ending of our cross country move.

 

2012, family, , , ,

the trip to Colorado (part 1)

Written by Joy
2 Comments
the trip to Colorado (part 1)

We had one adventurous trip to Colorado.  I thought I would share it with you, so you will see how God was with us the whole way.  This story is kind of long, so I will be splitting it up into several posts. 

 

Jeremiah 29:11

11  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

We have been in Colorado for 2 weeks now and I can tell you that it is only by the grace of God and many prayers that were lifted on our behalf, that we are here.  Our goal was to leave our  home in North Carolina was August 1st.  My husband didn’t have to be at work until August 6th, so that gave us plenty of time to even do a little site seeing on our way west.

August 1st approaches and we find ourselves a little behind schedule.  We still had to take the beds apart, pack a couple of dressers in the PODs, as well as the kitchen.  We had window a/c units and had taken them out.  It was 90+ degrees that day.  My husband, oldest daughter and myself missed breakfast because we were trying to get everything packed.  We figured we could pack quickly and get something to eat in the road.  By the time we got everything packed, it was around 1:00pm.  We were all hot, hungry and a little cranky.    So the first problem was being behind schedule and leaving about 5-6 hours later than we had planned.

Then the second problem happened.  As my husband was turning off the water at the main valve outside the house, the handle broke off in his hand.  Water started pouring out of the ground.  We went to our neighbor to see if we could find the other cut off valve, that was just up the hill.  My husband found it.  Along with a poison ivy plant. (more on that in a few).  My husband got the water cut off and our very gracious neighbor said he would fix the broke valve so we could get on the road.

As were were loading everyone up in the van, we had a dead battery.  Yes, someone {ahem, me} left the ignition on with the lights as we were trying to get the water fixed. So then we had to dig for the jumper cables in the bottom of the loaded van.  Remember, it is 90+ degrees, we have no air (van had dead battery and wouldn’t crank), and the vehicle is loaded down.  We finally (meaning husband and son), get the van cranked and we go to load up again, only for my husband to get extremely sick.  Why?  He got over heated trying to finish up last minute details.  It didn’t help that we hadn’t had breakfast or lunch yet.  He gets very sick.  He finally gets to where he is feeling better and we are able to get on the road.  It is already 2:00pm, by this time.  While everyone was a little discourage, I knew we would be okay.  This move was planned by God and He would continue to take care of us.

Not only did all of that happen, we were also dealing with two sick children.  Both of our daughters were sick with colds.  Our oldest was the worse of the two.  Her cough was horrible.  Our first destination for the evening was a hotel in Indiana, just across the border of Kentucky, where her best friend moved last year.  Our oldest daughter had plans of spending the night with her.   While she enjoyed the very short visit with her friend, she ended up throwing up most of the night.  So our plans of taking it easy the next day and visiting with the family, we decided to hit the road.  After I got some gatorade in her, she fell asleep very quickly.  It was at that time I sent out a prayer request to many friends.  By the many prayers being lifted for her and the grace of God, she woke up about an hour later feeling better.

Yes, we were off to a rough start, but God was with us.  He was watching out for us every step of the way.  He would continue to prove this over the next several days.

 

Join me on Wednesday for part 2.

2012, family, , , , ,

blessing bags and boxes

Written by Joy
blessing bags and boxes

As you know, moving can be rough one the family, especially the children.  There is so much to do, that sometimes the kids can get looked over when you start going through the belongings in the house.  I have 4 children and they are all at different stages on their lives at this moment.  Our oldest son is 19, oldest daughter 14 and then the youngest two are 6 and soon to be 8 in just a couple of weeks.  The oldest two do understand why we are moving and are handling things pretty well, considering.  However, the younger two kids are having a little more difficult time with the move.  They  do not understand why we have to leave our home, their friends and this area.  They have especially become a little clingy to things as we have been trying to purge and lighten the load before packing everything up.  This is how the blessings bags and boxes have come in handy!

So what is a blessings bag or box?  It is just a simple garbage bag or a cardboard box filled with items that we no longer need and want to bless others with.  My youngest daughter is a girly girl and loves her clothes.  However, we just had way too many of them.  Once I explained that we would be giving the clothes to other little girls in need, she had no problem with sharing her clothes.  The same happened with her shoes and toys.  Our youngest son would have given everything of his away if we had let him!

So far, the kids and I have given away 7 boxes of books, 6-7 bags of clothing, a box of shoes and a couple of boxes of toys.  We have felt good unloading the items we no longer need, in hopes of someone else possibly needing them for their children.  This has also been a good way to include the kids in the move.  It is tough to begin with, with so many changes going on, yet when you let them help, it helps them feel good about themselves.

How do you help your children with a major change in their life, like moving?  I would love for you to share your ideas with us.

2012, family, , , , ,

so thankful and blessed… #942-950

Written by Joy
so thankful and blessed… #942-950

As our official move date quickly approaches and we continue to purge and pack, I have been so thankful and blessed by the outpouring of love, support and help, as we prepare for the next step in our journey.  God has truly blessed us with so many wonderful friends.  From the offers of helping us pack, to the offers of play dates and sleepovers, to all the many prayers that they have lifted on our behalf.  I thank God daily for you all!  You have truly helped ease my mind and heart with all of your thoughtful offers.

Proverbs 20:6

6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
    but a faithful man who can find?

I have found many faithful friends and I just pray that I can return all of the love, help and support that has been given to our family.  Yes, I am thankful and blessed for you all.

942. friends who will pray with you and for you.

943. friends who offer to keep my kids for the day.

944. friends who have allowed my children to have a sleepover.

945. friends who have given us money/gift cards for our traveling.

946. friends who have given us cards, written with words of love and encouragement for our family.

947. the wonderful going away ice cream social that they church held for our family.

948. friends who come to say goodbye, but then stay and help me purge and pack.

949. friends who call to make sure you are doing okay.

950. friends who won’t say goodbye, but say, “Until we meet again!”

I would love for you to join me and the others linking up at A Holy Experience. We would love to see how God has blessed you and your family.

2012, multitude Mondays, , , , ,

saying goodbye is never easy…

Written by Joy
6 Comments

We moved to North Carolina just 7 1/2 short years ago.  In this time we added a 4th child, bought a house, graduated a son from high school and made many wonderful friends.  We helped organize a homeschool support group and joined an amazing church that has become like family to us.  Now it has come time for us to say goodbye and move on to a new season in our life.

Ecclesiastes 3

3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

The kids have been busy having play dates and sleepovers.  I have pretty much been a yes mom the whole month of July.  I have just wanted the kids to know that their friends do love them and will miss them.  It isn’t easy saying bye.  However, it is a part of life that we sometimes have to go through.  Change can be good, even if you don’t see it at the time.  The kids are having the biggest problem with this, especially the younger two.  They don’t understand why we have to move.  We just keep being upbeat and positive about all the new adventures that we will be having.

Saying goodbye has been hard for me, too.  I have come to love this area and the people in it.  Yes, I know that God has a plan for us.  It is meant for us to go to Colorado.  We will listen to Him and obey, no matter how hard it is.  God is in control and will take care of us.  In the mean time, I will cry when I give hugs and say goodbye. I will hold my kids, love on them and tell them that it is okay to be sad and okay to cry.

I will also tell the kids that God is holding them.  That it is important to listen to God and not only listen, but to obey Him.  God will send us new friends and new activities to do.  As long as we keep listening, obeying and glorifying Him, He will give us comfort and peace. I know that God has great plans for our family.  We may not know 100% sure what they are just yet, but we have our ears, minds and hearts opened, ready to do His will.

Jeremiah 29:11

11  For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

In the meantime, I am clinging to His holy words. We still have some purging and packing to do, but will be ready to pull out this next Wednesday morning.   So as our family takes this next step in our journey, please keep us in your prayers.  Prayers for peace, comfort and safe travels.  Blessings.

 

2012, family, , ,