We found the beach!

Today was a very lazy morning.  I just couldn't get up today and get going.  We watched t.v. all morning until I finally found the energy to get dressed.  I make myself take a shower and get out every day. Every person that I've talked to that has done this before said it is a MUST to do that.  So that is exactly what I do.

I had NO idea what we were going to do once we left today, but I did know we had to get out.  I take the shower time to get all of my crying out before I face the day.  So needless to say, the prayers were going up today for me to find something positive about today that would allow me to look forward to tomorrow.  It was raining again today, so the parks were out.  My spending cash is now gone so going to the mall was out too.  We did have laundry, a little cleaning, and grocery shopping to do so we would start with that first. 

We went downstairs to start laundry and every washer and dryer were empty.  I couldn't believe it.  So we put in both or our loads and headed to the grocery to get stuff for lunch.  When we got back we headed up to eat lunch and Natalie noticed that our rental car was here.  Rusty came home for lunch today.  Now that FOR SURE never happened in Houston.  It was so nice just to have time not answering questions, entertaining, or talking about why we need to be nice to each other for one hour.  The feeling I have right now reminds me ALOT of when you first have a baby and you are trying to figure out what the heck to do with it.  I know it sounds crazy, but that is how it feels.  The newness of what is going on and the unknown of what is to come is exactly the same.  So time for some trust and faith to kick in!

After Rusty left, the rain finally stopped so we decided to go out and see if we could find a park to play.  We asked many people if they knew where we could find a park and they told us about the one right down the road EVERY time. OK so that "park" had grass and benches..that's it! So, I began to try and explain to the next few people what we were talking about... I LOVE the looks that you get when they act like they know what you are talking about, but really they have NO idea.  Natalie even started to pick up on that one.  We walked away from one mom and Natalie said, "Mom, she had NO CLUE what we were asking about!"  I smiled at her and said NOPE!!!  So off we go to look anyway. 

We walked and walked until Denman started stopping and sitting down every three steps so I decided it might be time to head back.  Only... when we decided this.. I had NO idea where we were.  Oops!!  I don't know if you know this about me or not, but I HAVE NO SENSE OF DIRECTION!!!!  So, I get out my phone, which is a new UK phone BTW, and ask it where is THE SKENE HOUSE HOTEL?    It says....I'm sorry but I can't give you any directions in the UK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Seriously.....YOU ARE A UK PHONE!!!  So I say....why not????  Dear sweet Siri says, I have wondered that myself.  Now that made me AND Natalie laugh.  So I guess it was up to us to find our way back because I had yet to find a street map of the city of Aberdeen.  Everything is sooo secret and hidden here.  VERY DIFFERENT for us!!

So I take a look around and tried to find something that looked even a little familiar to me.  Yep... NOTHING!!  Now at this time I was OK, just a little frustrated that I didn't pay more attention to where I was going.  But then after time kept going by and the people around us got a little more edgy, I started to get anxious and nervous.  I took a deep breath and out loud prayed,

"Dear Lord Please help us find our way back to the hotel before it decides to rain again."

After that I just kept on walking.  And it was about three or four blocks that I looked up and saw a very tall pointed building.  I remembered Denman saying that building looks just like and ice cream cone.  I pointed to that building and asked Denman if it was the same building... HE YELLED, IT IS, IT IS, THE ICE CREAM CONE!  So funny.  Now this ice cream cone was about a mile away and it was by NO means a straight shot to get to it, but we began to find our way looking UP not DOWN.  We would keep checking to make sure we were getting closer to it as we kept walking.  Denman kept saying look up momma, there it is, I can see it! 

Oh and the tears just filled my eyes.  If we just look UP, we can see where we are suppose to be going.  I had looked down all morning so I am thankful for a little lesson in its time to LOOK UP not DOWN to see where we are headed.  I actually found a picture we took earlier this week of that ice cream cone building.  It is the tall one in the back.  Of course...I have NO idea what kind of building it is, but I will find out!  Wouldn't it be cool if it were a church. :)

                                           The building that helped us find our way back home! (left cone)

A verse that helped me through this one...
Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans, I have for you,  declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I was very frustrated today and could see lots of that frustration on Rusty during lunch today too.  Just a few stresses to share,  house in Houston is not sold yet and needs new carpet and paint to help with the sell,  house here is not ready yet, thought we were going to have to find a new hotel this weekend, no motivation to learn ANYTHING NEW today, having to read the bible on my phone because I can't find mine ANYWHERE, food is a HUGE issue because I don't know what anything is or taste like, and that is just the things that were getting me today.  But, when I read that verse I then began to think so different. 

See a thought that I fight by the minute here is... IT IS NOT ABOUT ME!!!  Because let me tell you if it were, we would NOT be here right now.  It is about what it is that we are suppose to do while we are here.  I then looked around and started to appreciate the fact that... Both of my kiddos are extremely happy and excited to take on each day. I had Rusty home every night in time for dinner and sometimes at lunch too. I have NEVER felt this close to God, and He is on my SPEED DIAL as far as praying goes. I was in a completely different country, and the minute we got lost Natalie said, "HOW WILL WE FIND OUR WAY BACK HOME!"  See home is not the house we are in, it is the place where we all are.  I totally get that now.  So many people have said that to me but it was today that I finally get what that means.  This is our home because we are all here and in this together.  Now THAT was something to be thankful for. 

Another verse that keeps popping up all over the place is...
Deuteronomy 31:8  "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you, Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

So no more doubting today.  Time to LOOK UP!  As we look up today we celebrated Skylar Carpenter's 17th birthday.  I got some cupcakes for the kiddos and we talked about that precious girl.  Natalie just kept wanting to know more and more about her as we enjoyed our cupcakes to celebrate this special day.  I really wish that I could have recorded this conversation because it was priceless.  Natalie finished up her cupcake and said, "WOW!!!  Skylar is soo lucky today."  I said, "Why do you say that Natalie?"  She said, "Because Jesus was at her party today and I bet that was the best present ever!"  I love how that sweet angel thinks!  I of course teared up again and said, "Yes it was!"  To my sweet Becky, ONE DAY CLOSER!

As I was trying to get my emotions back in order, in walks Rusty at 4:00.  CRAZINESS to see him home already.  He comes in saying...LET"S GO TO THE BEACH!  Now, remember it is about 45 outside and windy so no swimsuits here, but we bundled up and headed out.  Thank goodness I found my happy place by then because if I had my attitude from earlier Rusty would have taken them to the beach SOLO and I would have missed their precious smiles when they saw it for the first tims.  Natalie kept saying, This is the best day EVER!  I love how kids appreciate the little things in life.  We must learn from them.

Natalie and Denman at the beach in Aberdeen.

Did you know that this is the North Sea?  Gotta love it when I actually learn something from a visit.

Totally can't see a THING when the wind blows this hard. LOL

After the beach we found a place called Cadonas.  OH MY!!  I just found where we will be spending ALL of next week.  TONS of fun things for the kiddos to do.  They were super excited.  We spent the whole evening walking around and eating dinner there.  My gloomy day just turned into "The best day ever!"

They think they need to smile by ever plant. :)

Denman really wanted to climb this tree.  Gotta get this boy out more.

I just LOVED this picture of Natalie.  So grateful for this precious angel!

So when your day begins in darkness, LOOK UP and see the light that God has for you.  He is there and waiting for you to ask Him to make your day a better day!