Considering the Last Week of Vacation

Joined at the Hip

The last week seems to be a blur.  We are now back in hot, humid Florida.  The travel day was filled with way too much whining and crying.  Seems to put a damper on a good vacation.  Returning also means a return to my responsibilities- first of which is finding a way to support my family.  Yes, puts a damper on the whole thing.  But let’s ponder more interesting things!

Here are the “highlights”.

Monday night I learned that a church has begun checking references.  This is great news!  The result of the process is not certain, but the process has begun and maybe that will result in something really positive.

Tuesday we missed Tropical Storm Fay.  Our home got plenty of rain, but we did not experience the flooding many other communities in Florida and elsewhere did.  Better than that, CavWife and I stole away for a lunch alone.  A quiet lunch!  No crying, complaining etc.  We enjoyed each other’s company and talked about a few things- including my impressions of Job this time through (2nd time in a year).

CavWife

Wednesday we went to the beach in Minerva.  It was COLD on that beach, barely in the 60’s.  This can happen in the Adirondacks.  We coped with humor while the kids played in the sand & on the slides.  CavWife left early to head to NJ for a doctor’s appointment.  She stayed the night with her friend who runs his own salon while I dealt with kids.  That is here new hairstyle.  Ain’t she pretty?

Friday was the big day.  It was much warmer when we returned to Minerva.  Our group of 3 families and their 11 kids was going to be joined by another of CavWife’s sisters, her husband and 3 kids.  I cooked dogs on the grill for lunch.  Before dinner, CavWife’s remaining sister and husband showed up from NJ.  We all had a huge meal together of some tasty ribs.  With this many people, and kids running around, it quickly feels like a church picnic.

What Sanding Does to You

Saturday was a workday on her brother’s new home on the family compound/colony/community whatever you want to call it.  The family bought 66 acres back in 2001.  Her parents live in the big farmhouse.  One sister had a home built in 2003(?), her aunt had a log home built shortly thereafter.  One of her brothers moved up from Ohio and has been building for the last year.  They are in the home stretch.  I spent my day sanding the spackle on the walls to get it ready for priming.  Lots of us were doing that.  2 brothers-in-law purchased and hung all the interior doors.  We got plenty of work done.

For dinner we went to her sister’s house for burgers.  After putting the kids away for the night, we listened to stories from missions trips to Russia and Mississippi taken by family members this summer.

Sunday we went to church, and hear reports on those same trips.

Adirondack Summer Gear

Monday was too cold for our annual trip to the Enchanted Icicle, I mean Forest.  We went to a local trail and had a short hike to a river to play on the rocks (adults) and water (kids).  I tried to revive my river running skills.  I had fun crossing the river to look at the small run of rapids from both perspectives.  CavGirl had her first try at river running, at a snail’s pace.  She slipped a few times, once landing in water up past her knees.  She was a bit scared.  I was just glad her ankle didn’t get injured.  The other kids got a good scare when some of the older boys emerged from wading with leeches on them.  Thankfully they had not been bitten, but they sure were scared.

Tuesday we hit the local beach.  Not too bad weather-wise and the kids had fun.  Back at the house, we enjoyed a quiet afternoon in the warm sun reading.  We also had a dicussion on the fuller biblical picture of the gospel, including justice as well as conversion as a part of the restoration Jesus bring.  Lest my sister-in-law think I’m so smart and original, I pointed her to a bunch of Tim Keller sermons.  Then it was one last meal with the clan as I cooked some chicken sausages with cheese, and brats, on the grill.  CavWife’s friend Wendy, who went to China with her, was there as well.  CavGirl said, “I want to stay here.  Mima and Pop-Pop can take care of me.”  That night was filled with packing our bags for the long trip back to Florida.