South Carolina~ Revisiting Old & New

Breakfast in Charleston

"Old" Friends are the best!  A refreshing 3 days with Gene & Bonnie Ward in Lexington.  I love that you can always pick up where you left off, 5 years prior!  Lots of chatter, laughter, and stories of God's miracles in our lives.  Bill and I took a side trip to Columbia International University (aka Columbia Bible College) to see the campus developments.  I have been back to a few alumni weekends over the years, but Bill had not seen many of the new buildings and changes.  Grateful for both the solid Biblical foundation I received and the long lasting Godly friendships made, during the 4 years I spent here.
 

Our last side-trip, to Charleston, was pretty amazing.  They are also re-couping from the hurricane, so Bill had fun "interviewing" any construction guys we happened upon.  He loves to hear what the plans are and how they will accomplish it.  We headed to Charles Towne Landing to see the first Carolina settlement, then a carriage ride around the city with a fantastic guide, then a 4 mile walk along the battery- with lots of photos of ante-bellum mansions (built pre-Civil War), and finally a trip to Boone Hall to view a working plantation.  #newmemories  #rebuilding

 


 

 



 

Musings in Virginia....

I have been sitting in Romans 11 and 12 on this trip and this thought keeps running through my mind from 11:22: “Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God..” I understand that Paul is discussing how we (Gentiles) were invited (grafted) in to the family of faith after many of the Jews rejected Jesus; so God pruned them-“ruthless severity”.  So many of us have been through pruning, whether it be through physical health issues, broken relationships, financial struggles, outright disobedience, etc—and we have often been left mulling over where God was in all of it.  Was He pruning, punishing?  Eventually in my life, when I got to the other side of the difficulty, I could see the “gentle kindness” that had not been evident in the middle of the distress.

However, my broader application of this is an observation of how it pertains to relationships; specifically on this trip- my relationship with my spouse!! I have come to see that each of us exhibits “gentle kindness” in many situations, but when fatigue, anger, judging, and expectations get in the way; that “ruthless severity” crowds in.  It usually sneaks in as blame, frustration, crabbiness –and of course, opening our mouths when we should not!! I am very aware that this is not a perfect application, because God’s ruthless severity is for our good – and our ruthless severity has no good when directed at each other!  But it has made me better able to overlook those deficiencies and realize that the gentle kindness will return—the ruthless severity is just a “bump in the road” on this journey!

In an even broader overview – this election year is a perfect example of allowing “ruthless severity” to dictate rather than “gentle kindness”; not only in the candidates' treatment of one another but in the general public’s outrage directed at any opposing views.  I am desiring to allow the Holy Spirit to show up more in my relationships to family and friends, as evidenced by gentle kindness.  I truly believe it matters the most in dealing with this broken world.  In the spirit of being teachable, would you let me know if I am missing the mark?

"THE EVENT" in Virginia~~

Yes, one of our major goals on this trip was to get to the Virginia Beach area where Bill and I met 44 years ago.  My college roommate, Marlene, sent her fiance (Paul Wenzel) with me to Triple R Ranch (Chesapeake) to work on staff for the summer...and prayed that I would find "the one"!!. ..I had my eye on two other possibilities before Bill caught my eye!!  It's good that God had it straightened out, because Marlene's prayers were a little confused with my flip-flopping!
  



 

So -- we landed in Virginia Beach for 3 days in an oceanfront hotel room and 80 degrees!  So perfect for a celebration on October 20th.  The water was warmer than Lake Michigan, so we took a dip--but mostly sat on the beach and enjoyed the beautiful day.  Also had time for biking and trying out a local mexican dive that was pretty incredible, as well as a more upscale spot on the boardwalk for our anniversary dinner.  Sunrises. Full moon. Lovely. Blessed.

The finale in Virginia was a trip to Chesapeake's Outer Banks, near the North Carolina border. We had planned to wander the camp to see the changes there since our days in the summers of '72 and '73.  We had both served as counselors the first summer, then came back as "the engaged couple" after college graduations~ Bill as program director, and me as Head Girls' Counselor.  What we didn't plan on this trip was Hurricane Matthew --so we ended up volunteering in the clean-up.  What a great way to give back.  Bill got his fix doing some demo-ing and drywalling in the barn area --watch out Chip Gaines! And I cleaned the lodge and washed windows, then added a little JoAnna Gaines autumn decor on the mantel.  Such a fun day before we hit the road to South Carolina.

Colonial Williamsburg & Jamestowne

We have been amazed at the perfect weather that God has given on this trip.  These 2 days spent wandering a bit and resting at a great RV resort (American Heritage-about 8 miles north of Williamsburg) were absolutely gorgeous.

Colonial Williamsburg:



 

So glad I caught this shot of Bill "peeking" into a closed building~
very typical when he sees old abandoned homes or new construction!

Historic Jamestowne:

Trees keep giving us a little color, not fully though.

  

On the Road Again....

Literally “hit the trail” for the wilderness~ Shenandoah National Park, no electricity and no cell service for 3 days!  As Bill commented on the first night here, “this is the life”.  He loves the rustic, quiet of camping, and I need some city historical spots~ so we are doing a little of both!  And both of us loving the diversity!

We had ADVENTURE:  an unexpected bear cub!

We had EXERCISE: one 5 mile excursion & one 4 mile on "medium difficulty" trails, so THEY said!

We had amazing FOOD:  planned by Mar, prepared by Bill

We had REST: extra naps (see below!)

We had RENEWAL:  prayer walking is the best

God is rejuvenating, refreshing, restoring….Amen & Amen

    

   

 

DC ~~Part 3

The platform in the front is normally used for services
however this photo shows how there is more beyond the platform.

Lunch in the very cute cafe there.

Open City Cafe

A view from the 7th floor observatory- note the Washington Monument.

After our wonderful Airbnb stay - and a fantastic breakfast (homemade waffles w/ fresh fruit, french pressed coffee and sausage) prepared by Chef John; we headed to the Washington National Cathedral, in the NW area of DC.  At first we were disappointed that the morning tour was cancelled for special services by children from the Maryland area Episcopal churches ~ but we managed to get a substitute tour of the crypt areas (lower level) and the 4 chapels under the main sanctuary.  So informative-it made me appreciate some of the differences between the "higher order" liturgical denominations and what I have been used to.

As we approached the side entrance,
still repairing the damage done by the 2011 earthquake.

These schoolgirls could have been from the mid century era.