Don't Mess With Texas: Part One

Sunday, May 17th was travel to Texas day. The kids were excited, the car was packed with snacks, books, and movies and we were ready for our long drive. The kids were great! Our first stop inside Texas was the Welcome Center where we grabbed stickers and travel guides. It took a little while to explain to Alora that just because we were in Texas did not mean that we had arrived at our destination. Texas is a big state! I took this picture when we were finally leaving I-20. We were so happy to, after 11 hours, turn onto another interstate!

After traveling all day long we finally arrived at the Clark's house around 9pm.

When we lived in Texas, Joe and Didi Clark were members of our church, Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Keller. Didi and Joe volunteered their home in Keller for many of our youth activities. Didi took me to my very first tea room. In the last 6 or 7 years, they were able to build a new home in Gainesville, TX, that they generously use to house friends and family who need a retreat. Let me just tell you, it is quite a retreat. They were so kind to allow us to come and stay in their beautiful home.

On Tuesday, we spent the entire day at the house goofing off with great friends Jason and Jennifer and their beautiful daughter Hannah and with Joe and Didi. Joey and Jason have been best friends since college and Jennifer is Joe and Didi's daughter. Without giving you the long story, you can probably piece together that Jason met Jennifer while we were all in Texas at seminary and while Joey and I were working in youth ministry at Mt. Gilead. Needless to say, we left Texas and Jason stayed! Ahhh....love! It was great to catch up with them in person instead of in blog world and over the phone!

We swam in the hot tub and pool located inside the house.

Mr. Joe took the kids on a ride through the back yard, 200 acres of land, on his MULE.

We played Foosball!

Andrew put together a puzzle.

We watched movies with Mr. Joe in the theater room while having popcorn and drinks just like t in a big theater. Mr. Joe even played a cartoon before the main feature because he said that cartoons always came before the movie when he was a kid.

Hannah is so precious.

We loved swinging in the back yard.

Most importantly, we enjoyed each others company.

During the three night stay, we were absolutely spoiled rotten! We ate delicious breakfast burritos and cinnamon yummy casserole. We ate bumbleberrys with ice cream, and had grilled out burgers and brats. We played and played and talked and talked. It was a great retreat for us and most importantly the fellowship was so sweet. Thank you Joe and Didi for your generous hospitality.