Friday, May 16, 2008

Day Four and Day Five

Day Four was all about relaxing. We hung out at my sister-in-law's home for the whole day. The older children explored the Nebraska countryside by walking the country roads, laying in grassy fields, watching corn being planted, and flattening pennies on railroad tracks. North Platte has the largest railroad changing yards in the country. Over 100 trains go through it daily and all carrying coal. That is something we just do not see on the West Coast since there are no coal minds or coal burning facilities.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous. I enjoyed a walk around the neighborhood and a drive around the older part of town. All in all the day was filled with great fellowship, wonderful food, and new memories.
We found out that the van would be up and running by noon on Thursday. I was kind of hoping for nine in the morning but they were still waiting for parts. So, Goose and I took my sister-in-law's van and drove the three hours west to North Platte to pick up the van and trailer. By 1pm we were back on the road and headed back east to pick up Brown Sugar and Lil' Cowboy who had stayed with Eric's family. The three older girls had left early that morning to get to Peoria so that they could attend a baseball game with the rest of the families of our Presbytery.
Goose and I drove from York, NE through Iowa and into Peoria, IL finally arriving at about 2am. We actually would have arrived earlier but we were missing a few instructions on how to get to their house. So, after almost two hours of driving around Peoria we finally got someone on the phone that could help us get the info that we needed.
A lot of miles were driven on Day Five so my children all went to the wildlife preserve without me. And, this is where I leave off for the time being...on the McDonald's porch enjoying the pond, the breeze, the horse grazing on the other side of the pond, and the birds singing. I feel very fortunate and yet very undeserving.
Tonight we enjoy the ordination of the new elders to our Presbytery. Dr. RC Sproul Jr will be giving the sermon. Then, it is a wonderful dinner and old world dance after. The girls are all dressing up in their regency dresses and the boys are doning their best. I will write later about and hopefully post some great pictures. ~Lazyd

12 comments:

CristyLynn said...

So glad you made it safely! All those miles...
I hope that you are able to rest and enjoy yourself. We're praying for you!

The Slawsons

kristi said...

Thanks for the updates! It's so great to know you made it in safely. I look forward to seeing more of your trip!!!! God bless - kristi gregg

godlover said...

Well, God was faithful and He answered my prayers for your safety on the trip back. Now I just have to worry about your trip home. Hope you all have a blast! What is a regency dress? Guess I'm showing my ignorance here. RC Sproul wrote a great series about holiness is this the same RC Sproul or his son? Or have I gotten him mixed up with someone else in my boggy brain? I took and enjoyed several taped classes on holiness by him. This would had been back in about 1989 or 1990.

Consider yourselves blessed to have escaped the heat of California. We had a high of 109 last time I looked. It gets this hot and we don't do anything but veg or I can be on my computer because the cooler blows "through" me to the rest of the house, so I stay nice and cool here.

Left-overs for dinner (nuked not baked because of not wanting to heat the house up).

Now enjoy yourself, you deserve it and hopefully all your rough spots with the car and trailer have been smoothed out for clear sailing for the rest of the trip.

Unknown said...

I came across your blog through a comment you left on Jospehine's (dixiecajuns) blog. I honestly do not know her either, but was led to her by a friend of mine who heard about her tragedy.

I must be honest and tell you that I have just spent about 3 hours reading your blog posts beginning in January of this year. What an amazing journey you have traveled in this short time since your dear husband went home to be with Jesus!

Your amazing faith in God is such an inspiration. Your willingness to share your deep, private emotions shows the way that God works even in deepest valleys of our lives. Your blog has challeged me to be a more devoted wife & a more compassionate mother. But most of all, it has inspired me to cultivate a deeper, more focused relationship with my Savior. Thank you for allowing God to use you in such an awesome way.

My prayers are with you and your family as you finish your trip. May God continue to keep you.

Laurie in Ca. said...

Hey Heather,

Wow, I finally found your "May" posts here. It was stuck on April forever and I had to go on a hunt. Don't know why yours doesn't automatically kick to the next month for me. Hmmmm. I am amazed at your travels right now and bet your booty I am praying for safe travels for you. BRAVE WOMAN, this is what you are. I hope it is a most wonderful time for you and the kids.
Love, Laurie in So. Ca.

Christy said...

Sounds like you're having a great time in spite of the difficulties! R.C. Jr. was supposed to speak at our homeschool conference a year ago, but he ended up not making it... we were very disappointed. The dance sounds like so much fun.
Christine

Basnight said...

Whew! You made it! I have to admit I was up in the wee hours a few days ago praying for your safety. What a huge undertaking! I'm sure the kids are having a great time and this will yield many wonderful memories for your family. We can't wait to have you back though.
~Amy

Ingrid's Organic Body Care said...

Praying for your trip, family unity and of course child training. We are thanking the Lord that you didn't need a transmission and later that night we read your post and realized things had changed. Praying for the unexpected finances that came up.

Esmeralda said...

Heather just to let you know you were in my prayers this morning.

'I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant Heather and her 6 children according to the riches of His glory to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man'

Ephesians 3: 14-16

Liz, UK

monica said...

Heather,

God uses every little dip in the road as a time to draw us closer to Him. What a fun trip you are all having making new memories. We are praying for your safety and for fellowship within your family and church family. You are right in seeing the Lord as your husband and the father of your children for now. He will always be that and even though we long for a man that we can physically see and touch there will never be a better husband or father than our Heavenly Father. He alone sustains, strengthens and comforts us. Glad to hear you talking with your blessings about attitude and the contents of the heart. What is in the heart will come out of the mouth, and our children are an instant reflection of our own attitudes as parents. Keep up the good work mama. We are praying for you all and are sending our love.

In Him,

Monica and Xavier

Unknown said...

Hi Heather,
You don't know me but I saw your post on Josephine's blog the other day and the Lord has put you on my heart the past few days and this morning the Lord really had me pray for you- he said to just rest in Him, he is your strength, he is your comfort he is YOUR husband. Don't fret my daughter, he said he will fill the void and the emptiness and he will take the heaviness you carry. I don't know if this speaks to you, but I know the Lord feels your pain. He will carry you and your children, he is there as their loving Father.
I know sometimes we don't understand the "WHY" of things that happen to good people but the Lord knows it all, Jeremiah 29:11 and he is there for you. I will keep praying for you and your beautiful children. (((hugs)))

http://ourdowlinghome.blogspot.com
godsgirlnga@yahoo.com

Daniel's Helpmeet said...

We are so glad that you arrived safely! It was such a blessing to finally meet your family IRL!