WOW - Where have we been? What have we been doing? ~~ Part 1

It's a cold, wet, rainy day here in the Ozarks and so I thought I would write a blog post or two.  Then I looked at the date of the last time I made a post...could not believe it has been over two months since I updated what The Wandering Workentins have been up to.  So I have decided to do a series of blog posts with pictures and comments to share what we have been doing.

First off, we are still at Branson View Campground working as the managers and enjoying every day.  The Lord has blessed us with to free or very cheap tickets to many shows in the area and we have met many people who have visited us here in the campground.  So without further ado...let's get to the pictures...

July 12 to 25, 2012

Taking a drive to Hollister, MO.  This is a lookout just off the highway.  That is Branson behind us with a section of either Table Rock or Taney-Como Lake.  Just beautiful scenery.

 Sunday, July 15th we went to An Old Fashioned Gospel Sing at the Imax Theater.

What a joy to sit with others singing many old hymns.

 

 Going for a drive one evening after work.

We chuckled when we saw this sign as we remembered going to Big Al's in Blaine, WA. 

If one of our Blaine friends can show to this Al of Big Al's that would be great and give him greetings from us, that would be great!

 Love the mountain passes all around us.

 A mom and her son selling watermelons on the side of the road.  We stopped and bought one for $7 ~ it was delicious and cheaper than any we had found in the local stores here.

One evening we got free tickets to see the Haygood's at the RFD TV Theater.

These were taken in the Lobby.

 Roy Rogers & Bullet done in flowers/seeds from the Rose Parade 1/1/12

 Trigger immortalized...such a beauty.

 Bullet.

 Another floral picture from the Rose Parade 1/1/12

 A picture of Dale Evans with her horse.

 Ron wishing for one of these!

 Picture of one of the floats in the Rose Parade 1/1/12

Have been trying to cook healthy meals: fruit salad, coleslaw, radishes, corn-on-the-cob with  meatloaf:)

One of Ron's favorite meals.

Well that's it for now.

A Time for Everything

Slept just over 3 and a half hours last night, waking at 1:25 a.m.  After tossing and turning for almost two hours I finally decided to get up and start my day.  Read my emails and scrolled through Facebook ~ found quite a few friends who were also unable to sleep and who were up early and beginning their days.

First up for me was to make a "Ali's Daily To Do List"...so much easier for me to stay on task when I have a list where I can check things off.  Here's a peak at my new list - (the 1 after each number is really a square on my actual list so I can check it when it is completed.  I have it done in 3 columns = 3 days.

Ali’s Daily To Do List

Date: ________________________________

1.  1Get up at 5:00 a.m.

2. 1 Have my quiet time with the Lord, journal my prayer time.

3. 1 Do my Slim in 6 DVD

4. 1 Shower & have a great day at work!

5. 1 Drink a Smoothie for breakfast

6. 1 Limit my time on the computer

7. 1 Work on one craft project

8. 1 Make healthy food choices

9. 1Write in my Gratitude Journal

10. 1 Make a delicious dinner for myself & hubby

11.  1___________________________________

12. 1 ___________________________________

13. 1 ___________________________________

14. 1 ___________________________________

15. 1 ___________________________________

16. 1 ___________________________________

17. 1 ___________________________________

18. 1 ___________________________________

19. 1___________________________________

20. 1 ___________________________________

it has 10 things that have to be done each day and 10 lines to add additional things that may need to get done that day.  I printed up two sheets/6 days worth.  Additionally on my day for today is to do laundry :) & go to Silver Dollar City for the evening concert.  I made it a template so if you would like a copy to make your own Daily To Do List just let me know and I will send it to you.

So this morning I grabbed my first bottle of water, 23.7 oz - need to drink 3 to 4 of these each day.  And then picked up my Bible, journal & devotional book.  Once again I had to chuckle with how God encourages me with his sense of humor...my scripture reading from the Old Testament today was Ecclesiastes 3.  See last night I made a decision that I need to get back on the healthy track, get back to losing weight, eating healthy meals and making my time with the Lord to be a meaningful time not just something I could check off my To Do List.

Vs 1 ~ There is a time for everything!!  Today is the day for me to start to get healthy!!  I am 54 years old, the age my sister, Kathy was when she died of a massive heart attack and I have too much to live for - my life with my hubby, with my son's, with my daughters-in-love and our grandchildren!!!  Friends to see, family to visit with and this wonderful country to travel around.  It is time for me to get healthy!!

Vs 6 ~ A time to lose!!  Okay, I don't think God was specifically telling us to lose weight but just maybe today he was telling me ~ it is time to lose that weight sweet daughter of mine!!!  At least that is how it read to me this morning!!

Vs 13 ~ Enjoy the good of all that God has given me (which I had also just read from the book "Almost Amish" where the character Julie realized that she could enjoy the daily responsibilities in her life like making a shoo-fly pie).  That I need to find JOY in everything I do!!

And then in my New Testament reading I Cor. 8 where God tells us not to have idols in our lives, not to put those idols before Him.  What I heard was "Don't let food or my goal of losing weight become my main focus.  But I need to keep my focus on the Lord and he will help me reach my goals, the desires of my heart."

Completing my devotions this morning I was also reminded to seek God, ask for His help, He wants us to be successful and wants to give us the desires of our heart.  So in my prayer time I laid it on the line...telling God one of my biggest struggles is making healthy food choices and so I asked Him to help me in making those good choices today.  And putting it out there to Him and writing it out in my prayer journal and reflecting on it again now as I write...I know the Lord will help me ~ I just have to remember to ask Him for that help and then follow His leading in my life.  And then I gave thanks (I don't think we do that often enough) for the many blessings I have in my life: the anticipation of a new grandson due 1/4/13 but who will probably arrive in late December, for a job that lets me have fun while doing it ~ so often it doesn't feel like work, it is fun to help others have a great vacation whether it is for one night or a week or two, and for the reflecting I did yesterday while writing an email to a special person in my life on my life today, how healthy I am emotionally and spiritually and how I now can keep those wild horses corralled so not to live in chaos every day, every hour, every minute of my life.  And also thanked him for little Andrew Christopher who was born this week weighing in at 3 lbs 11 oz, 13" long - who was delivered safe and is growing every day and will soon be able to go home with his momma, Stephanie & daddy, Matt and oh, so many more things to be thankful for!!

Have a great day ~ it is TIME for me to some exercises and get the blood pumping in my body!!!  On to a more healthy me!!!

My Chat with God this Morning

Busyness has seemed to be my life lately.  I have been dealing with a sore back ~ was a bit too zealous with a new exercise and getting healthy routine.  Then I got an ingrown toenail...do you know how hard it is to walk with a very sore toe.  And I have allowed the computer to become my idol.  On the computer in the mornings, on the computer throughout the day, and then 2 or even 4 hours in the evening ~~~  yeah, a bit too much.

Had some different dreams last night.  Can't remember all of them but little snippets (I like that word this morning ~ more about this in a bit).

1.  Offered to buy a group of young people lunch and what was supposed to be simple hot dogs and burgers turned into a fiasco, with a ton of dirty dishes and no one willing to help me clean it up.  Woke up thinking ~ I need to think things through completely before committing to do it; make sure I have a plan that is possible to follow through on.

 2.  Was visiting with a friend and she asked me where something that I promised to do was?  I remember looking at her and saying "Oh, I got busy doing this and that."  She looked at me and said "you promised."  I woke up thinking...I keep saying I am going to do this for, and this for and even this for...and yet I am allowing computer time to rule my life. 

See the theme going on here.  And then I got up and began my normal day.  I always start with writing out what I/we did the day before and then read in my Bible and Guideposts devotional.  And boy did the Lord talk to me this morning:

Snippets from my devotion this morning:

From Job 37:14 "Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God."

A young man asks God "Why didn't you give the things I asked?" God replied "I could have BUT I wanted to make you happy ." Remember God wants the best for us. Trust Him with your whole heart ~ He is the original heart surgeon.

Faithfulness means continuing quietly with the job we have been given in the situation where we have been placed...a lot of the road to heaven has to be traveled at thirty miles per hour, not speeding by at 150 miles per hour. ~ Evelyn Underhill KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!

Love these reminders this morning to BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD!!

I needed these reminders this morning, they went right along with my thoughts after waking from a couple of dreams in the night.

So I had a little chat with God this morning, rather he had a chat with me :)  And I have decided I need to make some changes in my evenings as I spending way too much time on the computer and not enough time BEING with my hubby,  working on projects (cross-stitch, crochet, writing) or keeping our home clean, enjoyable and a fun place to relax. 

So my new tentative schedule is this:  AND YES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ME HOW I AM DOING WITH IT!!!

Up, drink a bottle of water
Have my quiet time w/the Lord
Do my scheduled exercise for the day ~ Slim in 6, Stretching, Yoga w/Dr. Marian, Wii Country Dancing or Wii Sports.  These exercise routines are from 20 to 60 minutes and need to be a part of daily routine
Shower, Breakfast and go to work

Lunch - and computer time :)

Dinner ~ continuing to work on making healthy dinners and not going out to eat too often (big fail this week as we went out to lunch 2 days in a row :( )

Evenings will be spending time chatting with Ron, cross-stitching, crocheting, going to different activities
and then doing a quick clean-up before heading to bed.

Using my two days a week I am off (Tuesday's and Saturday's) to spend some scheduled time writing.  I take pictures and think of things to blog about and yet don't take the time to write them.  I also want to get back to writing my book about healing from abuse and trusting and allowing God to heal.

Thank you Lord for speaking to me through my dreams, through your word this morning, in my prayer time and thank you for this  new day to start again on being who YOU want me to be.

And God is Faithful

Overslept this morning so decided no walk before work but instead to read God's word this morning.  And God is faithful to meet me right where I am.

From my devotional this morning "God's Little Devotional Bible" I am reminded that "the Christian faith imparts meaning to life.  A living faith that is centered in God as revealed in Christ takes our chaotic, disorganized selves, with their crude jumble of pleasures and pains, and knits them together into a steadiness and joy that can endure anything with God.

Trust God today to turn your brokenness into something of beauty and value."

As I cried out to God last night when I went to sleep just mumbling over and over "please send me a friend, please send me a friend" amidst my tears I heard this voice say - "You need to be a friend too.   Nurture the friends you do have, share the love that overflows in your heart with those you know whether near or far."    I slept well last night, almost too well as I woke up an hour later than planned.  I need to remember to turn the alarm back on on Sunday nights.  (I turn it off on Saturday night so we can sleep a little later on Sundays).  I woke feeling refreshed.  Ready to start my day.

Made coffee for Ron.  I usually wait for him to make it and then remembered a little comment he made to me the other day.  "Sometimes it would be nice if you (Ali) made the morning coffee."  Not a hard thing to do, something a friend would do for a friend ~ make them a fresh cup of coffee to start their morning.

And then I read my devotion -  and heard God say...you can make it through this, you have faced much bigger obstacles and challenges in life.  Remember to have a friend you need to be a friend ~ a reminder from what was in my thoughts as I fell asleep last night.

And then realized I may have overslept for a reason - my chest area, rib cage is very tight this morning, kind of achy and walking up the hills in this campground may not be a good thing for me today.  I will walk on the treadmill in the office this morning instead.  And why have I not thought of that before - the treadmill is here, a really nice one with all sorts of buttons - I can use that :)  still go for a walk outside each day and maybe Ron would join me if I did a walk in the evenings instead of at the crack of dawn when he is still sleeping. 

Well it is time to get on with my day.  Just wanted to share my devotion from this morning.  Hope whoever is reading this has a great day and remember God will supply all your needs!!

A Hard Place to Be In

Today as I was sitting in the worship service I missed my Northwood family terribly.  I kept looking around the room wondering if any of them would become a friend of mine.  Talked to one person and then made our way out.

Then went to work and worked for four hours.  Checked in two new guests ~ a good thing as our guest occupancy was very low this week. 

Ron went to hear the Bacon family in a Gospel Show at Grand Country.  After he got back and I was off work we decided to go for a drive.  We drove around the area, went to Crane, Galena and then decided it was time to head back toward the campground.  Told Maggie, our GPS to take us home the shortest route ~ 26.4 miles.  We drove down some winding roads, up some hills, saw pretty valley's, some quirky colored homes, some beautiful brick homes, cows, cows, and more cows and green trees & bushes.  It was beautiful.

And then I said to Ron "What would you say if I wanted to go home (meaning WA/OR)?"  He didn't say anything for a minute and then he asked "When?"  I told him I didn't know, I just know I need to go home.  I miss having friends.  I love Ron more than anything and told him that.  But just being with him is not enough.  I need to be around friends, I need to have coffee with friends, I need to worship our Lord with friends and not just in a room full of strangers. 

And then more silence.  And tears were running down my cheeks.  I know Ron wants to continue to travel around the US, see more of this beautiful land we live in, see friends and family who live in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and I want those things too but I need friends along the way. 

Branson is a beautiful place and like our jobs and enjoy the perks of free shows and am loving the weather even on super hot days.  We enjoy going swimming in our pool.  We enjoy seeing new areas around Branson but something is missing...friends.  Someone to go shopping with, people to have dinner with, go swimming with, worship together with, friends.

After grabbing a hamburger for dinner and stopping to pick up  some bananas, radishes and cheese & lunch meat we headed for home.  Ron was pretty quiet.  I asked him what he was thinking - he said he knows I need more than just him and he feels bad that I am feeling so alone right now.  He asked me again when did I want to go home...and I said just some day.  I love you (Ron) and want to be with you as you fulfill your dreams of traveling around the US.  And I know in a couple of days I will be back to my happy go lucky self enjoying our lifestyle and where we are. 

Once home I walked into the rig and into the bathroom (where I do lots of talking to God) and asked Him to please send me a friend or two here in Branson.  And I know He will...maybe not tomorrow but one day.  And in the meantime we will continue to try churches till we find "the one," continue to chat with friends on Facebook, via the telephone and email.  And I will continue to pray to my Lord and know that he will supply all my needs.  I know this and believe it with all my heart. 

And I know tomorrow is a new day and after a great night's sleep I will feel better and so I close just asking you to say a prayer for God to bring a friend into my life while we are here in Branson.

Tuesday Night Drive

Tuesday night we went to Landry's Seafood Restaurant in Branson.  We got there in time for happy hour so Ron had a beer and I had a gold margarita and we shared three appetizers: crab balls, onion strings, calamari and spinach, artichoke & crab dip w/tortilla chips.  And me without my camera ~ take it from me it was pretty tasty and was only $26 for the drinks, food and tip so not too bad. 

And then we went for a drive ~ looking for gas stations/restaurants that have those motel coupon books (looking for ways to advertise Branson View Campground.  Didn't find any but what  a nice drive. 

First I commented to Ron that wasn't the sun beautiful and that's all it took and Ron was off to find the spot.  And we found it, it was a dead end into someone's driveway so I took a quick pic:

The sun going down on the horizon.  This was taken through two trees in someone's yard that we pulled into that we thought was a road :)

As Ron was driving I was looking/reading signs and saw this sign for Sycamore Log Church and that sounded interesting.  So off we turned and drove down just over 2 1/2 miles and this is what we found:

Sycamore Log Church ~ built in the late 1920's by the community and the Jones' family.

Little picnic area across from the church.

Other than the electric meter and lights it is just as it was built all those years ago.

Another view of the front of the church.

Not a very clear picture but it was made as a memorial to the founding family and there is pencil drawing also in the plaque.

We couldn't figure out how to turn the lights on so we were pleasantly surprised what pictures we got with the flash.  The pulpit was made from a tree stump that was cut down in 1933.

A stove to heat the building.

The piano with lots of flowers.

Looking from the pulpit out the door.

Another view of the front of the church.

And this was taken standing at the door looking in.  Was pleasantly surprised with all the colors!

And then we continued on our drive, having no idea where we would end up and we both laughed when Ron said "I hope it doesn't dead end somewhere:)"

The road narrowed to less than one lane and just as we started under the tressel a car came roaring up so Ron backed up so she could get through!  So glad she didn't hit us head on.

Beautiful view!

Coming up on another corner.

Looking down over a creek bed.

Looking the other direction.

A peaceful place to sit and relax.

Told each other this is definitely a place we would like to come back and walk/hike around ~ now only if we can find it again.

Looking over a meadow and the horizon.  Such beautiful colors.

One of many large homes we drove past.

This is looking at the campground from the business across the street.  Ron has worked hard getting all those lights to be working ~ and many guests have commented how nice it looks especially in the late evenings.

And that was our night ~ sure hope you enjoyed traveling along with us.

I'm so Happy and Here's the Reason Why

The little song: "I’m so happy and here’s the reason why"  has been running through my mind for most of the last week.  And this morning, it was there again as I began my devotion.





I’m so happy and here’s the reason why;Jesus took my burden all away.
Now, I’m singing as the days go by;  Jesus took my burden all away.
Once my heart was heavy with a load of sin; Jesus took the load and gave me peace within  (my heart and)
Now I’m singing as the days go by; Jesus took my burdens all away.

Last night when I went to bed I could not seem to shut my brain down and it was late - after 11:00 p.m.  I laid in bed and prayed for those who came to mind: Jarrett & Chelsea, Peyton & Conner as they mourn the loss of their little Trek Atlas.  As they step forward in continuing to live and yet missing Trek so much.  For Lauren who's little baby Elijah drowned just over a week ago and who's husband sits in jail being charged with murder and for the four little girls she is trying to love on, take care of and yet deal with the harsh realities of the today.  For my Aunt Joan who has recently been diagnosed with cancer as she awaits treatment.  And for Uncle Don as he stands by her in love and support.  And for our Northwood family heading into a busy time with VBS on the horizon along with fundraising for the Tanzania missions trip next summer.  For our boys: Jamie & Suzanne waiting on word on a house they are trying to buy, for them to have patience with all the request of the bank.  For  Brandon & Danalyn as they prepare to leave on vacation to Michigan today.  For safety as well as little one's who are cooperative and don't get overly tired.  And giving thanks for a hubby who loves me more than words can express.  For all the ways he blesses me each day with his funny homemade songs, fixing me a nice ice cold beverage when it is 104' outside and it is still already 8:30 p.m. and does not seem to be cooling off.  And thanks for new friends and old who love on me/us and encourage us each and every day.  And asking the Lord to help me wake early so I can get all that needs to be done before it is again 103' outside.  And drifting off and sleeping all night long and not waking up till 6:24 a.m.  And waking feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.


And this morning in His word in my devotions: to prepare Him room in our hearts and what that means:  to discard the unsightly, value the good, clean the dirty, tend the true, bring in the fresh and make room for a guest (from Guideposts Daily Planner 2012).  And what jumped out at me: tend the true ~ and what a reminder I needed as once again we find ourselves dealing with the Texas Workforce Center as BOD Pres. Marti O'Hare has once again appealed the decision on Ron's unemployment benefits and once again we pray for the truth to remain and God's mercy to be on us.


And from 1 Chronicles 28:20:  Be strong and of good courage and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed for the Lord God will be with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. - be strong and of good courage, He will not leave you or forsake you.  Thank you Lord for the minder that you are with us each day and we just need to trust in you.


And from Daily Guideposts 2012 ~ Judges 19:6  Be content...and let thine heart be merry. ~~ A reminder I may not like the situation we find ourselves in but God is with us/me and I can be content and have a happy heart knowing that Jesus is with me every step of the way.


Thank you Jesus for the jobs you have provided, for all the wonderful benefits of that job: seeing shows we never could have afforded, meeting such wonderful and friendly people and allowing us to help them have a nice and fun vacation.  For our health, though at times I wonder and worry where the money will come from for things like a new artificial eye ~ yes it is getting to be that time once again.  For providing food and fresh vegetables from strangers who pass through our lives and for the love of so many You have blessed us with both near and far.  Lord help me to remember to count my blessings and name them one by one....wonder just how many I could write down ~ maybe a new type of list is to be made, not what needs to be done but all the blessings of Your love on us.  Amen.