Well, if you are one of the lucky ones who was a part of a summer camp growing up you may remember the fun little "song" by this title? I do, anyway...we did stay in a cabin in the woods, it wasn't too little, but just about the right size to hang out in all week. Larry found out about the cabin from another pastor. This couple has felt that since they are blessed that they in turn want to do something to bless those in ministry. They own this cabin near Jamestown, Tennessee that they provide for those in ministry to have as a place of retreat. We were able to stay for a week for free. We just had to bring our own food. Pretty much everything you need is provided. We had an amazing time relaxing, reading, hiking, playing with Maria...it was just what we needed.
We did have a bit of excitement one night. It was blowing and a bit rainy, and the lights went out. We were out in the extra room playing a board game so we wouldn't wake Maria who was already asleep in the loft. It was PITCH black...and we had to make our way back into the main part of the cabin to get to the matches and candle we had
happened to see that day. We at least were able to open the car door and use that light to help us see our way back in. When we got in and were lighting candles it started to get very windy and started raining. Then a extremely loud noise sounded, scaring us and waking Maria. It sounded like glass broke somewhere, but we never did find anything that it could have been, must have been a very loud branch snapping, since there were several on the roof the next morning, that we could hear all night lond scrapping and moving with the wind! Well, since the only heat was electric it didn't take too long till it started to get a bit chilly. The owners of the cabin, who live just a mile away, came to check on us and let us know we could come to their place if we got too cold. They had a fireplace and a generator they could turn on if the outage lasted much longer. Well, we were optimistic since it had surged back on several times, but alas, it was a very false hope. When I got up a couple times with Maria it was still out and getting colder inside! Maria shortly moved into our bed to stay warm, and we had all the blankets available layered on us. The next morning when the owners came again the temperature read 55 degrees....fine while bundled in bed, but not once you got up! So we decided to head over to their place and spent a couple hours there. We had breakfast, visited and then the power decided to come back on...over 12 hours later! We can't say it was an uneventful time, but no harm done!
If you know of a person in ministry who would enjoy this type of vacation (hopefully, minus the very chilly evening!) we encourage you to pass along this information. Here is a link to the website with contact information and pictures.
Pastor's retreat cabin
Just a few minites hike from the cabin was this lovely waterfall...it was very peaceful and nice there.
We did quite a bit of hiking on what are really horse trails...we
were in Tennessee horse country! This was Maria's first encounter with a horse, and it was a pretty friendly one! She wasn't sure what to make of it, but didn't seem too scared.
Gee, isn't this a thrilling hike Maria??
After dinner Maria was hamming it up...making all sorts of faces and just being goofy...we think she enjoyed all the attention that she was getting all week from mom and dad.
Maria enjoyed her sink baths and was even trying to get a taste of the bubbles, which explains the bubble beard!
For some reason Maria was having the best time with this wet washcloth! Isn't is amazing what things can entertain a child...who needs store bought toys!
On the morning before we left during breakfast we were treated to a visit from three deer that were having their breakfast too. It was awesome to watch them feel so comfortable being so close to the house.
We have plenty to praise God for; the generosity of others to make our vacation so wonderful!
Note: sorry this post should have been up a week ago....but we had an unexpected trip back to my home...my grandfather was very sick, and we needed to get back to see him. He is doing better, but not out of the woods yet. He is 93, and even a little thing can be major for him now. Please pray for him and my grandmother.
Maria and I hope you had a great day...and felt loved by someone...if not, consider yourself kissed...well, Maria is puckered up, ready for her smooch (she actually has been giving kisses lately...if you can call the slobbery open mouth things kisses)
Larry started my Valentine's Day last night with a big peanut butter cup on the kitchen table from the Albanese Chocolate Factory...they are based near Merrillville, but they have an ice cream shop in town, where they also sell their famous chocolates and gummi things.
Then on my bed I had another bag, chocolate covered caramel corn, 
then this morning in my sock drawer I had chocolate covered peanuts,
then in the bathroom by my makeup chocolate covered pretzels,
and finally in the kitchen near the cake mix I was going to bake today for Larry (there is a picture of that too), chocolate covered almonds...
I kept waiting to find chocolate in more hidden places, but alas it had to end sooner or later! Then he brought me home some beautiful flowers too! It was a wonderful day.
We have plenty to praise God for; His LOVE!
We have plenty to praise God for; a shelter to keep us warm during the very cold days we have had. (-3 when we got up this morning!)
