Zoo Trip

Yesterday Perry had the day off from work, so we decide to explore Louisville. It is a 90 minute drive. We headed to the zoo first. Just as we pulled in, the raining started pouring down. People were running out the exit to their cars. I told Perry that I had umbrellas, he chose the animal print one.  :) It rained for about 5 minutes and then stopped. So glad we stayed. It is a great zoo. It will be beautiful in the spring with all the plants are in bloom. Of course, my favorite part was the flamingos. So I have to share:

I am always amazed when I see flamingos. God created this creature with the ability to lay its head on its back. It's neck can twist and turn and bend in such graceful ways. Wow!

However I really loved this goofy looking camel too.

We also went to the seminary to see the campus. We know a young couple who live there as he is finishing his degree. His wife was in my junior high SS class. And he played baseball with Troy while they were in junior high. Their families are still in California. We had them meet us at Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. I love this couple and the way God is preparing them for His service. It also made me miss our sons and their wives and girlfriends. I'm happy that we spent the time together and it makes me so thankful for the people who reach out to our sons as we are far away. God showed me another reason yesterday why He re-planted us here. Thank you, God!

A Treat

Today I went downtown to the Kentucky University Arboretum to walk around. It is the greatest place. The sun was shining and the wind was blowing. Yes, everything is dead but just being outside was wonderful. There is a 2 - mile trail around the area. There are lots of signs that tell all about the plants and where in Kentucky you can find them. As I was walking the trial, I asked God to show me a red cardinal. I had seen one when we first got here but didn't have my camera. And He is so faithful! I got my treat! Enjoy!



This is only the third time I have seen one.




It was singing the sweetest tune.



There are lots of these rock walls around here.



Went for a drive

We got an early start on the apt. Perry and I finished emptying the boxes in the living room. We took more stuff to Goodwill and the dumpster. So, we now have a larger living room. We walked over to the mall and did two indoor laps. We hadn't done that in awhile and we sure are feeling it. But it feels so good after you get done.

 

We went for a drive so I could show Perry places I had found this week. We went to the Shaker village. We didn't go in but now we know where it is located. However, Tasha and Marcie will need to bring a bucket! It is a curvy road and it overlooks the Kentucky river. We saw some beautiful icicles and I had to stop and take pictures. Some of them were over ten feet tall. It remind me of stalagmites you see in caves.

Perry asked me today why I was so excited aobut showing him around. I thought about it and the only answer I could give was that I have found a place to call home. I could have fought God and hated it. But I am so thankful for a new adventure that I just love it here! I am feeling comfortable with the area and I can find things to do and things to see; so its a good thing! We also found the local baseball stadium and located other places that we can explore later. In all, it was a really pleasant day in the sun!

Re-planted by God

 

 

I have been asked to post pictures of the apt and area. So today I went for a drive and took lots of pictures. As you can tell it snowed here again. Of course I love it but the locals are really hating it. It is all mushy and wet but to me it is beautiful. I drove out Hwy 68 which goes to the country. At the end I found a great train bridge. Along the way, for as far as you could see, were black fences and farms. There were horses and cows in the fields and really cool old barns. I wouldn't want the job of painting those fences but they are great to look at! I thought today was beautiful but I can't wait until spring when it will be all green out there. There is a Shaker village farther down the road. I want to visit there soon as well. Our family loved the Shaker village in Mass. so I am excited to visit this one. So here some pics of the country and our apt.


 

Our door is on the bottom

 

Sunroom attached to living room



  

Dining room right inside front door

 

Spare room is the holding tank for now



 
 

Master room has 3 closets so I gave Perry 2 and I took the walk-in in spare room



Kitchen with laundry room



I will be adding stools soon

A full pantry in kitchen

  

Guest bath and mine



 

  



Master bedroom right off the sunroom





















Good Day

    Yesterday I finished unpacking the boxes, I piled stuff that needed to go to the trash and Goodwill. Then I happened to look out the window. It was snowing pretty steady. I thought it would probably stop soon so I waited. Well, it snowed all night. This morning I had a list of things to get done. I was determined that I could do this if my sister in CT could.

   I now know that you need an ice scrapper thingy. I started the car and waited. I will need to learn to allow time to defrost. After 15 minutes, I still couldn't see out the windows. I remembered that I had bought a wooden flat spatula, so I went and got it. It worked, well kinda! So I headed downtown on icy roads. This is totally new to me. In Kabul, we had snow but we had drivers.

   I found the driver license place. It is not the DMV like in CA. I was in and out in twenty minutes with a KY license in hand. It is made right there. I'm impressed. But the best part was that right next door was the downtown library. I figured that I needed a library card too. WOW! This place is amazing. It has its own coffee shop, art gallery and 4 floors of books. I limited myself to 3 books and made myself leave. But I will be back!

   So I'm official, I have a KY driver license and a library card. I didn't realize how easy this move would be for me. My sister has a friend here and I have a friend from Kabul here. Both of these ladies have gone out of their way to let me know where things are and where I can get things. I just started praising God today that He had prepared me for this place ahead of time. This may sound funny but I really missed lunch meat these past two years. Today while I was eating a bologna sandwich, I thanked Him for giving me back the little things that I have missed. I could have gone without them if I could have stayed in Kabul for longer. But you know He knows even the smallest things that are special to you.

  

Follow Along

    Many family members and friends have asked us to let them know what is next in our lives. So I wanted to share the many blessings that God has showered upon us.
     Two years ago, Perry and I followed the call by God. We offered ourselves to go anywhere He wanted us to go. What an adventure we had in Afghanistan! We loved it there. We made it home and found that developing relationships with others was a gift from God. As many of you know, we had planned to be there for 5 to 7 years. God had other plans for us. We came back so I could get healthy. God has healed me.
     So, what now? We spent 4 1/2 months in Bakersfield wondering what was next. It gave us time with family that we had missed so much. We have been blessed with two granddaughters that we just can't get enough of. It gave us time to really seek where God wanted us next. We fleeced God and agreed to go anywhere He wanted to take us.

     We have been re-planted in Lexington, KY. After a very long truck trip across the country, we are settling in. Yes, it is very different here. But when you know that you have followed His call, it is right. I will keep you updated as we continue to seek the work that He wants us to do.