GETTING THINGS IN ORDER

This time next Wednesday, we should be arrived at Chip's, back at his home after hearing his preach, and getting ready for bed! Going to see Chip for a couple of days is the first leg of our big trip. We enjoy going up to hear our son preach in his Wednesday night student service where he is now preaching in the book of Esther. We are able to keep up week-by-week via his ministry blog and his sermons posted there, but it is always a blessing to hear Chip preach in person, and we look forward to that blessing on the 24th.

There is one caveat to my growing excitement about our trip: I really will miss home. Not our house (bricks, walls, windows, yard, etc) but home: the people who make this place our home. The number one folks I'll miss while cruising for 14 days are my kids: Chip as well as Brian, Amy, and our grandkids. We don't see Brian, Amy, and the kids THAT often during a week's time but we know they are there... doing okay... and knowing we are here to be a help in any way which might arise... well, that is our heart's joy. I'll miss them!!!

Also, we'll miss our church and our friends. We won't be able to attend OUR church for the three Sundays we will be away. We know we can worship God together just the two of us, but we love our church and our friends. We will miss the preaching, the singing, and the fellowship. Maybe we can find some BELIEVERS on the ship and have a worship service with them. Otherwise, we pray that the Lord will use us as missionaries on this trip and will give us opportunities to share the GOSPEL with others.

We spent today, one week from leaving, getting our trip clothes together. Some needed mending. Check! Some needed washing. Check! Some needed ironing (yes, I have to pack them ironed... dumb, I know!) Check! How are we able to start packing this early? It's summer clothes that will be needed in Hawaii and believe you me, we are still wearing our warm winter duds here. Nope, we aren't sweating the packing thing. "WE" have learned on our previous cruises that "I" take at least twice too many clothes; so this time, I really am cutting way back. It's a 14-night cruise BUT we will have a full laundromat down the hall from our stateroom. We can wash if we need to. Flying dictates that we can't take everything but the kitchen sink. I will do fine with less. Here is what I have washed, ironed, and folded to take. (NOTE: I have to add my formal clothes for the formal dinners, 3 skirts and tops, plus a two-piece dress. These are not pictured here.)



We have purchased our prescription meds, OTC meds, and DRAMAMINE for the trip. I still have a few toiletries to pick up and then we're done BUYING. We are really getting everything in good order.... (We even have a will in the making~~ just in case!)

Now it's just my heart that I have to get in order. The fact of leaving loved ones behind. How I wish that Amy and her family, Chip, our siblings and in-laws, and so many dear friends could be going, too. But you know... even us retired folks need a "get-away" for just the two of us. Richard and I look forward to sharing this experience together. Making another memory to cherish. The Lord will see after my loved ones... which is truly what He does every day anyway....

The 2-1/2 weeks will fly by and we'll be back home before I know it!!