Island Oasis, Grand Island, NE

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be at a water park without any other people??? We went to Island Oasis Water Park in Grand Island, NE. It was opening day and the crowd was, well, shall I say, sparse. As you can see from the pictures, there are no people. WHERE DID EVERYBODY GO??? It was still fun and we had a nice relaxing afternoon after lots of drive time.

Tomorrow: Drive Scenic Route 2 through Nebraska to Wall, South Dakota.

Gateway to the West

We finally got loaded up and ready to head out on our journey west. We didn't get but 1/2 mile down the road and the bottom fell out of the sky. We were pounded with hugh hail and heavy rain. So much so that we had to pull over for a moment until the hail let up. What a way to start a trip!!!

We chose a place to stay for the night in East St. Louis. We called on the way and we were glad to hear they had available sites. It was getting late and we were getting tired. When we arrived at the campground, we had second thoughts and just turned around in the parking lot. CREEPY!!!

So, we finally found a KOA in Granite City. Much safer, cleaner and in a better part of town.

The next morning we got up and found this great jumping pillow on the playground. It was a ton o fun!!!

It seemed appropriate that our first stop on our westward journey should be the Gateway to the West, the St. Louis Arch. It was spectacular. Chris, Jordan and Karis rode the tram to the top.

After the Arch, 400 miles to go. Destination: Nebraska City. Campground: Victorian Acres.

The Beast

I'd like to introduce to you "The Beast". We call her the Beast because, well, look at her. She's huge, loud, rough, and, as you might guess consumes a ton of gas. But, we all here at the Weaver household, love her because she takes us places. She has taken us to Kentucky, Washington DC, Maryland, all over Virginia, Alabama and Florida. Now, we are looking forward to her taking us to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Yes, that's 1800 miles, one way.

We'll keep you posted along the way. Hopefully, The Beast will be good to us and get us there and back safely and with maybe a dollar or two left in our pockets???

A Happy Birthday song

Chris' birthday was last week.  As he walked in the door from work, Karis came in to greet him with a birthday song.  First, you must visualize how she looked.  She had on a red football jersey with a red ball cap on turned around backward.  She walked up to him, without saying hello but just started singing.

Happy Birthday to you, cha cha cha

Happy Birthday to you, cha cha cha

Happy Birthday dear daddy,

Happy Birthday to you... YO.

As she said "yo", she made the "rock on" sign with her fingers.

Where does she come up with this stuff?????

GOTCHA DAY

Gotcha Day is a pretty special day in our house.  It is the day we celebrate the day that a Chinese official put a precious little girl in our arms and we announced to her... "we Gotcha forever".  We became her forever family on December 10, 2002.  

Every year we celebrate this day with the Medonis family.  Their little girl was in the same group of kids and in the same orphanage as Karis.  We traveled with them to China and share a special bond with them because of this experience.  

I thank God Almighty for His blessing of Karis.  He chose her for us and us for her.    He is definitely in the adoption business, both in human families and His spiritual family.  I am glad He adopted me too.

Record of Sins

Did you know that if the Lord kept a record of sin no one could stand?  (Ps. 130:3) This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible.  I fall so short everyday and my sins are many.  I cannot reach the "perfection" requirement.  I am grateful My Savior does not keep a record of my shortcomings and out and out sins. 

It confounds me that some teachers teach that all our sins are stored up (at least the ones we have not asked specific forgiveness) for us to answer for one day even in heaven.  In my Beth Moore study (Stepping Up) this week, she addresses this issue.  She says "Imagine what heaven would be like if, when you get there, God raises the door on your storage unit of sin and brings out one memento after another representing each sin.  For me, that would not be heaven.  It would be a descent into hell."  And it would for me too.  Romans 8:1 promises that there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ.   Jesus promised to take our sins away but of course we still experience earthly consequences and discipline for them.

Colossians 2:13-15:  When you WERE DEAD in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us ALL our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

Isn't that the best news you have heard all day,...no, all week,...no, EVER.  That, my friends, is GRACE.  A sweet, sweet word.  Because of His grace, He forgave ALL our sins, not just a few of them, not just the ones before today, not just the ones we remembered and asked forgiveness.....no, ALL of them, past, present and future.  PRAISE GOD.

Ps. 32:1-2:  How happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How happy is the man the Lord does not charge with sin, and in whose spirit is no deceit.

And if we have been on the receiving end of  such an incredible gift of grace, shouldn't we willingly, quickly and happily extend that grace to those around us, and do that "when they are still in their sin"?

Where have you been????

I know I haven't posted in a long time so that lends the question, "Where have you been"? Well,the answer is simple,  very busy with the kids and home school.  We haven't really had anything specific that has been happening, just your typical school days and weekends full of fall chores.  

We do not typically take a fall break but last week we did take a couple of days off.  Chris and I enjoyed some time together without our kiddos for a few nights.  We went to Cages Bend campground in Gallatin, TN.  Fall camping is fantastic.  Since we were so close to Gallatin and Hendersonville, we hit a couple of movies and did some early Christmas shopping.  Christmas shopping is one thing my man loves to do for his kids.  Sometimes he enjoys it too much and therefore, spends too much.  BUT, the weather, company, movies and shopping were all wonderful.  We took advantage of our time without the kids to see a movie called "Fireproof", starring Kirk Cameron.  You remember him...the Growing Pains kid.  He did a fabulous job.  The movie shows the difference in a worldly marriage and a godly marriage.   This movie will not win any awards but those who see it will hopefully be rewarded.  

Please don't think I have abandoned you.  I will post again soon.  Thanks.  Have a wonderful fall day.