Visit with the Zaklan’s – pt 3

The next day, we decided to go for a hike to Grotto Falls – only to find that it was closed. Plan B we decided to go up to Clingman’s Dome – only to find that it was closed. Plan C we decided to hike into Laurel Falls and then do the Cade’s Cove loop again. The hike is only 1.3 miles each way, and this time of year was very crowded. We enjoyed cooling off a bit in the water. The rocks were slippery and we watched several people take some tumbles.

 

Teresa and me in front of a small part of Laurel Falls.

Kurtz family photo op. Rob and Teresa photo op.

After our hike, we drove back to the visitor’s center, had a tailgate lunch and headed out in the back of truck again. This time, John drove and Teresa and I got to sit in the back. Again, the kids loved it.

We saw a few bear – this shot is of a young one. We saw a few wild turkey and quite a few deer.

I know this isn’t a great shot, but I was trying to take it on the move :) It is a pileated woodpecker! We have them on our property, but I have never seen one. They have a very cool sound and I had heard it the day before so I was excited to actually see one.

After our Cade’s Cove tour, we headed back to downtown Gatlinburg and spent some time walking the streets. It was rather hot, so we ducked into several stores to enjoy some a/c.

Cousins having fun with the phone booth. Gatlinburg has gorgeous flowers everywhere! They really do it right.

This gray heron (I think that is what it is) was actually in downtown Gatlinburg wading in the river. Isn’t he majestic?

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Speaking of wildlife, this morning on my walk with the dogs, I saw a bobcat!! It was a very quick glimpse because it was moving very fast. The dogs shuffled it out of the woods very near to where I was walking. Needless to say, I scooped up Neli so that she wouldn’t be a snack.

Visit with the Zaklan’s – pt 2

While in Gatlinburg, we enjoyed the Smoky Mountain National Park. We drove out to Cade’s Cove (a scenic loop where you can often see wildlife). On the way there, we traditionally stop at a bend in the river to stretch our legs and skip some rocks.

 

Luke and Savannah are great buds. Hadden and Ethan are, too.

This time, we had an added twist to our usual fun stop. There was a person there who had an inner tube with a bottom in it. He offered it to us to enjoy going down the rapids with the kids. He assured us that we wouldn’t get wet and that it was impossible to tip it over. John, Savannah and I went first (Hadden declined). It was fun, although we did get a little wet from the splashing.

 

Teresa and her boys went next. The picture below is of her second trip. Her first trip was with John, Luke and Ethan. Let’s just say that they proved the whole “impossible to tip” thing wrong. I’m not sure how quickly Luke or Ethan will sign up for river rafting again, but John and Teresa went for another run. They were troopers!

  

Almost all of us at the entry to the park.

Tailgating prior to doing Cade’s Cove loop. We saw several deer – this one is a little buck – look closely for the velvet on his horns.

Since we all couldn’t fit in one vehicle and the max speed through the loop is 20 mph, we loaded everyone into the back of the truck. This was one of the highlights for the kids – they loved it. Thankfully, the weather cooperated, too.

Incredible scenery throughout the loop.

 

After we got back to the visitor center, we divided up. Some went to the Arts and Crafts loop, and others were planning to head up to Clingman’s Dome. It started to rain, so those going to the dome just returned to the cabin instead. These beautiful hydrangeas were near some of the stores. The shoe pile kind of speaks for itself :)

From a suggestion …

After posting this story, a friend suggested framing the $1 bills. I loved the idea, happened to have 2 frames available, so we did! Here is the finished result.

I had some cute paper to use, printed out Matthew 25:37-40 and then taped the $1 to it. I also printed out the blog post on a separate piece of paper and tucked it in behind so they would always remember the story behind the $1.

Matthew 25:37-40

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Visit with the Zaklans – part 1

There’s just nothing like visitors – especially when they are family. We had a blast with my sister and her family last week. They came and stayed a couple of days with us here in Alabama and then we all headed up together to Gatlinburg, TN area for the weekend. We just kind of relaxed and laid low while in Alabama – they had travelled a long distance and we felt that they needed some down time. We had fun playing ping-pong, wii, and the kids just had a blast period.

One day, we did venture out to the Bass Pro shop near us. We had never been, so we enjoyed our first visit there. The kids enjoyed the aquarium, many stuffed animals (the taxidermy kind) and the little class and small scavenger hunt that they participated in.

  

We also got to meet Clay Dyer (you’ve got to watch the video below – amazing story) and he was gracious enough to let us snap a picture with the kids. Funny thing – I had just been telling Teresa about his video a few hours earlier.

On our way to Gatlinburg (well, Pigeon Forge to be exact – that was where our cabin was located), we stopped at Noccalula falls.

Great times, great family, great friends! They are now on their return trip to Idaho – praying for safety for them and continued fun through the miles :)

Visitors are coming!

I can hardly wait - my sister and her family are coming for a visit this week!!! Whoo hoo!!

Proverbs 25:25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.

You just never know …

I want to remember this event that happened to us a few weeks ago, so I am going to share it here.

After a Wednesday night service at church, the kids and I went to the grocery store. It was a pretty uneventful shopping trip until we arrived at the checkout counter. There were two other people in line in front of us so I pushed the buggy (cart for those not from the south :) into line and waited. As we stood there, there was a man at the front of the line who dropped some change. Before I had a chance to stop her, Savannah leapt forward, scooped up the coins and offered them back to the man. I think it was just 2 pennies, but she knew they belonged to him and wanted to help him out. It all happened so quickly, I didn’t have a chance to stop her. I would have preferred she just stand back by me and allow him to pick up his own coins because his appearance wasn’t very inviting. He was disheveled and dirty, probably from a hard day’s work, but he just didn’t appear like someone I would want my daughter to talk with.

He seemed very kind, thanked Savannah, and then offered her the pennies “one for you, one for your brother”, as he had looked back in the line to see Hadden and I standing there. I smiled a thanks and he went on his way. I proceeded to pay for my things and head out to the truck to head home. I got the kids settled in first and then started to load my groceries. Out of the corner of my eye came a small pickup truck that was just as disheveled and dirty as the man had been approaching where I was unloading. The same man from the store held two $1 bills out the window and said “I want your children to have these – they were so sweet to me”. Everything in me wanted to refuse with thoughts of  "surely he needs this money more than I do”. But at that moment, the Lord spoke to me to take the offered money. I obeyed and thanked the man for his kindness to my children. I said “May the Lord bless you” and he drove away.

On the ride home, we had the neatest conversation about what had just happened. The kids couldn’t understand why that man would do that – why he would give them each a dollar. I told them that “you just never know” where a person has been or what God is doing in their lives. Savannah’s kindness to him touched that man and he had responded. We prayed for him and whatever circumstances that he was in and that the Lord would truly bless him and help him. How cool of God to work out the circumstances in such a way that everyone walked away feeling blessed.

My kids treasure those $1 bills – each has it in a special place separate from their other bills. I think it is a good reminder to all of us – for them, to remember a God who blesses them for their kindnesses (even when they weren’t expecting it) and for me to stay out of the way and let God work. We would have missed it, if I had stopped Savannah, or if I had refused to take the offered money. Because “you just never know …”

For His Glory!

Have you ever been in a tough set of circumstances or a situation that you wish you didn't have to go through? You just wish you could close your eyes, blink, and when you open your eyes, all will be well again? You wonder "how did I ever get here?" What if it's even worse - what if you feel like the Lord actually led you there? Then what?

How do you react in these kinds of places? Are you angry? Complaining? Frustrated? Fearful? Do you try to find your own way out ... to "fix" it? Or are you faith”full” knowing that since God brought you there, He would also bring you through?

Have I got something for you! In reading Exodus 14 a couple of weeks ago with our kids for school, I saw something so amazing - you'll have to read it for yourself to see it, too. I believe very strongly that God's Word speaks for itself, so I'm going to put it in its entirety at the bottom of the post (in the NIV translation).  These verses have special significance to me because these are “repeat” verses – I have been here before with the Lord. This time, however, He revealed some additional points that I think are so cool and encouraging.

First of all, a little background information about this section of scripture - this is the point in the Israelite’s history where they have been enslaved to the Egyptians for a long time. Moses was selected to bring them out of Egypt and after a long while (10 plagues, etc), Pharaoh finally granted them permission to leave Egypt to worship the one true God. Using Moses, God led them out of Egypt and towards the promised land. God led them along the desert road, towards the Red Sea, even though it was a longer distance. He knew that if they faced adversity, they would want to return to Egypt. Interestingly enough, He knew they were going to face adversity and even more, He set it in motion to happen. For.His.glory.

From Exodus 14:1-14, here are some of my thoughts:
1. The LORD led them to that place and knew they would be faced with adversity. (v.1-4)

This was the new thing that jumped out at me. He actually very specifically led them to this very place knowing that He was going to harden Pharaoh’s heart and have him pursue them. They were going to be trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army following them. Remember, He led them the long way around – He also led them into a trap (or at least they may have felt that way).

2. He set the whole thing up for His glory! (v. 4)

Very important to remember – it is ALL about Him. It is His’ story – we get to be a part of it, but it is ultimately about Him. Even in the midst of tough circumstances, it is good to remember that He is working – He has not forgotten you – He is still there. Dare I say, sometimes the tough circumstances are even about Him? He wants a greater good to come about, He has a reason and a purpose even when we can’t or don’t see it. 

3. He hardened the heart of Pharaoh. (v. 4, v. 8)

Again, He set the adversity in motion for the Israelite’s. He is the One who caused the Egyptians to follow after the Israelites. For His Glory! So, in our lives, sometimes He allows the tough things to happen to us. And sometimes … He may even put them there … for His purposes.

4. The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the LORD. (v. 10)

I do like that the Israelites first response was to seek the LORD. However, their second thought was not …

5. They complained and whined and bellyached. (v.11-12)

I honestly can’t be too hard on them, though. How often is this my very response to problems of any kind? Complaining, whining and bellyaching.

6. Do not be afraid. Stand firm. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. (v. 13-14)

And Oh Yes! This was the verse for me. Even though they whined and complained, the LORD still came to their rescue. He is also the One who will fight for you! Stand firm and watch – you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. So even though it is about Him and for His glory, He certainly doesn’t leave us on our own to battle. “¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still”

Oh, how I hope that came across as I intended – to be encouraging and hopeful. Even though the circumstances may be the worst imaginable, that He is with us through them and He is the One who will carry you through.

Here is the excerpt from Exodus 14:1-14:

¹ Then the LORD said to Moses, ² "Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. ³ Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.' ⁴ And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So the Israelites did this.

⁵ When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!" ⁶ So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. ⁷ He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. ⁸ The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. ⁹ The Egyptians—all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.

¹⁰ As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD.

¹¹ They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? ¹² Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

¹³ Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."