Taking a Trip!!!

Last week was a very busy week for me. Lots of preparing food, shopping for warm clothes,  packing clothes, cleaning the house, school,and some more shopping for some warm clothes.

 It was very hectic and busy, but I didn't mind because I was getting ready for our FAMILY VACATION!!!

Friday afternoon, My Man...AJ...and the rest of us loaded into the van...headed down the street, turned around  because I forgot something...did this twice, but we finally made it off the road

First night we drove to Satsuma, Alabama. Kids got a new toothbrush for the trip, they were really excited!...Here is Zechariah with his new train brush...
                                           



It was a late night, but the next morning we all were anxious to get up. We were on a mission.

With little giggles in the back, some playing animals...                            


                                                              Some "reading" books...

                                                                   Sleepy ones...

                                                     ... gazing  at my handsome husband...

                                                    and others were  making funny faces...
                                        


it was a nice ride to our first planned stop.

Montgomery, Alabama to see my sweet god-daughter, Alyssa. She recently moved there from down south in sunny Florida where I grew up. She is now going to a small college and I wanted to stop by and see her and her dorm and hear all about how she likes living up there.

It was a short visit but we enjoyed seeing her room as well as having lunch with some of her other family that was in town.  
                               

After lunch, we headed to a little oasis in the middle of the city where they showed us the project they are working on for the city. It's a garden with fresh produce. The kids enjoyed picking cucumbers, carrots, squash, and tasting fresh okra.

                                               

                                       While others were more interested in the trains going by.

                                                

                      After lunch, it was back on the road again. We crossed state line into Georgia...

                                          



                                                         and drove through downtown Atlanta...
                                           

  This place is CRAZY with traffic!!!  I tried taking pictures of the traffic but they all turned out blurry from the fast furry of it all!

Seeing all of the lights from the cars hurrying down the road reminded me of the Bible verse "Go to the Ant thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise" (Proverbs 6:6) It was very busy. I love how the Lord gently reminds be I need to be more busy and less idle.

Our next stop for the night was Taylors, South Carolina. We wanted to make sure we had a sound church to go to on Sunday. We attended Grace Baptist Church. I especially enjoyed Sunday school. The teacher taught about being a peacemaker in the church, and not a strife maker.

Service ended and we loaded up again. We wanted to get on the road to head to the church we wanted to attend that night.

But on the way, we decided to stop and take a little break and let some energy out. We all had had fun...
                                                    
                                                                       Running...

                                                                 playing ball,

                                                  looking at God's beautiful flowers,

                                                             finding "cool" sticks...

                                                            playing in the fallen leaves...

                                       

                                                                   climbing trees...
  

                                                        



                                         and Kaylyn acting like she was a tree losing leaves.

 Time passed and we needed to head to church.

We stopped in Melbane, North Carolina at Grace Reformed Baptist Church.

It was a very good message from 1 Thessalonians about love. There was much said, I was convicted in areas, but I was left with a question that I have been meditating on...Am I characterized by love? Do I show Christ's love to others? Oh how I fail, but my desire is to honor the Lord and grow more in this area.

After church, we headed to Richmond, Virginia for our next stop.
Crossing into Virginia was especially exciting because this was the first time the kids have been to this state!
                                       

 We were all hollering with joy!

 By this time, the weather has dropped at least 20 degrees. We went from sunny, warm Texas to "I think I'm gonna die it's so cold!"

This morning we woke up to freezing weather. Brrr!!! But hey, I won't complain, God gave the cold weather, I will be thankful. It's a great time to snuggle with My Man and the children.

Our drive today was beautiful. We were able to enjoy some of the fall colors our great God created. Even though it was at the tails end. I sat amazed looking at His creations. He has so blessed us in spite of our sin. We don't deserve to see or have anything pleasant due to our sin.

                             
                             
                                 
                                 


It has been some very late nights, and getting up early these past few days, the kids are tired, we are tired, but we have each been having a good time.

Today we saw some great places, but you'll have to wait to see where we are at! It's late, and I'm headed to bed to snuggle with AJ and pray. It's my favorite time of the "day". It's quite, dark, time with my Lord to pray for others. If I know you...be assured I have prayed for you these last couple of days or will be in the upcoming days.

                                                 Good night friends, until next time...