As a follow-up to earlier post I did today…
The secret to the Memorial Box is that it is compromised of both big things and little things….all testimony to God’s faithfulness in our lives….
Like this past summer. I whispered to the Lord that I was exhausted. I had been kicked by the horse and in the hospital twice. I was in a serious bike accident and developed cellutitus (very painful). When I whispered to the Lord I merely said, “Could you provide a rest?” I went about life.
About 6 weeks after whispering that one little prayer God did something really, really huge. My mom had been given a week long Alaskan cruise with two friends. At the very last minute one of the people my mom had chosen had been unable to go. Dw and I and the kids were driving to Denver for a parenting class for Jubilee and I mentioned to Dw that the spot was open. He jumped on it!! “Go Linny!” Before long he had the kids chanting, “Do it! Do it! Do it!” I had never before been gone from them just for fun. Ministry yes. Reckless abandon – not so much.
I said I didn’t have my passport with me, nor did I have any clothes and besides the cruise left in 3 days and we were headed to Denver. Within hours my passport was being flown to Denver, along with a suitcase of clothes compliments of our Autumn who works for the airlines. I had a flight booked, all expenses paid and I did not look back.
I wrote a crazy post about what exactly a Mom of Many does on a cruise when she is all alone… and yes, many of you laughed and loved it!! You can read it if you want…I titled it “Breakin’ All My Own Rules” – and you can read it here. It was wonderful, restful and completely refreshing. Little did I know that our home would be destroyed by fire in just a few months….but the Lord did, and He provided a little vacation for this very tired mommy. That would be why a book mark that says “Alaska!” was in our Memorial Box.
Actually since I had some true confessions over the week-end….well here’s another one…..I talked to the cruise line agent yesterday and just asked “What if I wanted to do another Alaskan cruise this late summer/fall?” She gave me some prices – and although I’m not organizing a trip yet…I’m just wondering if there’s anybody out there who just might want to join me?? *Not even really kidding.* =)
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Please excuse me while I go pack for an ALASKAN CRUISE! Let me know when it’s booked, and I’m not even really kidding!
Hugs~
Tina
PANT PANT PANT!!!! OH MY! How I would love to join you!
Did you see this??
http://tinyurl.com/dnebok
Scroll down for the incredible ports of call along Alaska’s inside passage.
We went to Alaska, and I told myself… “Self, you WILL be back”! There are unbelievable deals out there for these cruises.
Linny, is this to be a all womens trip?????
I just told Rach that I would volunteer to watch Itty Bit if that’s the case, so She could go…..
Thank you for sharing the Lord’s amazing provisions in your life. It is good to praise Him and encourage the body with stories of His faithfulness and goodness. You have inspired our family to start a memorial box (found a perfect one at a garage sale a couple of weeks ago). In the past we have just journaled and looked back at it on Thanksgiving, but I love how tangible this is for the kids and they are so excited. We are a forgetful people, and just like the Israelites, we must make a memorial, lest we forget what the Lord has done! I can’t wait to blog about this.
That all may know Him,
Joy
My sweet husband and kids would also say, “Do it! Do it! Do it!”
I’d LOVE to go on a cruise with you.
Laurel
Don’t forget about me!!!! Love you@!
We serve a mighty and awesome God! Your life stories are a testimony to His greatness and sovereignty and I thank you for sharing them. I’m blessed to read about your life. It reminds me that He didn’t ever promise us a carefree life, only that He would be there at all times. I pray for God’s protection over your family now and for a long period of peace and rest to rebuild your home and your hearts. God bless you richly.
Love in Jesus,
Amy from Atlanta
I just mentally packed my bags.
Yep…let’s go! Can it be somewhere warm though??
The photos are beautiful! THAT is the hand and artistry of God. Linny, would you please consider putting together a detailed “tip sheet” for those of us going to Uganda. I’ve got so many questions I don’t know where to start. Here are a few: What’s the airport like, what should I pack, internet service, details on getting the baby’s physical, avoiding last minute “snafus” at the embassy and airport, etc . I know you have the overview but something more specific for those who are actually traveling there would be a wonderful tool.
Love and blessings,
Teresa
Oh, this has been a dream of mine! Alaska via a cruise ship! Let’s go!
Ha! You know you are going to have to book the entire ship, don’t you?! You will have at least 100 responses I’m sure! I wish I could go soo much. But late summer, early fall is when we are expecting to go to China! When are you going to China?
I was thinking the same thing…a whole ship just for us! What an adventure that would be!
Oh, I would love to throw caution to the wind and go on a cruise with y’all. It would be a blast I’m sure. However, just don’t know what God has planned with the Uganda trip! Praying and anxious to find out! 🙂
Hugs,
Robin
um, please sign me up for the mommy cruise???? My kids will be chanting DO IT too. (hubby will be but he will have a slightly pained expression because he knows what work it will be. ) 😉 I can’ imagine anything more needed than a cruise for MOMS!
It’s one trip hubby and I will make some day. A close friend has gone several times and loved it each time. You go friend and have a wonderful time.
I would be VERY interested in an Alaskan cruise if in the summer! Husbands welcome?? Mine is a teacher/coach so summer is best! How fun!
Same question here… are Mr. Daddy’s allowed? Cuz I think mine would really really love it. He might get kicked off for fishing from the stateroom balcony, but…
Linny. OK so first as an Alaskan I laughed so hard when you mentioned needing your passport. I know you might have meant for Canada but so many people think you need a passport to come to Alaska. Teasingly I say “hello we are part of the US”. Second I say come on. If you come past the inside passage say to Seward or Whittier then PLEASE LET ME KNOW and I will come meet you! That would be such a treat.
Jan in Alaska.
PS My favorite time here is the fall!
Sounds like a blast! I’ve always wanted to see Alaska via cruise. Let’s all go for it!
okay, now there are TWO cruises i would LOVE to go on that are both being hosted by my blog friends. to share that with my husband would result in either a) me being carted off by men in white coats or b) divorce papers.
i would hope sometime that my husband (who is a sweet believer) could come to grips with the fact that technology is and can be God-honoring and Kingdom building. that it is not always TMI and self-seeking.
and thirdly, it could get me fired, because i work for him and if he only knew the time i spend blog-stalking (and praying) he would blanche. (and then probably explode)
oh well, good thing i work parttime!
so i would love to go, and i guess i could begin praying about it. because our God is bigger than any phobias/misunderstanding about technology, right?
OH WOW! Sign me up! It will have to be a SERIOUS miracle that will make it possible but I KNOW that is POSSIBLE!!!
Please be praying for a few other serious miracles here in Ohio. We are at a crossroads and waiting to hear which way to go. A house we really wanted last fall (with 5 bedrooms) is back on the market. It’s still out of our reach by just a breath and we need a car.
If you only knew how audacious these requests are right now you would laugh! I really need to start my blog…. Sheri
Uh … YA! I think that would be blast! My kids would hardly let me leave without them though. They talk about your kids as if they have been close friends their whole lives!
Blessings, Lisa C.
So funny, my Mom just told me Sat. that my parents were planning to go on the Alaskan Cruise either July or August. They are waiting for us to get back from Colombia. She told me this in the same conversation time that I was telling her about your family. That would be amazing!
I read your blog but often dont comment. I am sorry for that. I want you to know that you and your wonderful family have an open invite to Alaska anytime…we love it here and love to share our home!
God Bless you all
Kathy T
Anchorage