Big Bone Lick State Park

Yes - there is such a place, but I am in KY - right?

Up northern KY about 20 minutes from Cinci there is a state park with this name. It is 6 miles off I-71 so we decided to go. Little did we know we weren't the only ones going to this park this weekend.

At the Big Bone Lick State Park - there was a Salt Lick Festival going on. I know the Azalea Corn Festival, the Strawberry Festival, and other ones - but come on - a Salt Lick festival - with parking dudes and cops?

Mom and I just drove by, took a picture, and turned around. I guess even people in really small towns need something to do on the weekends!

General Butler State Park

I will probably go back to this state park - but for now Mom and I just did a drive through on an absolutely gorgeous day.

This park is a resort park about an hour from the Ville. It has a lake, bball courts, tennis courts, hiking, cabins, conference center, falling leaves, etc. It was a nice curvy drive back to the conference center itself. It has an observation point as well which is very pretty looking down over what I would assume to be Kentucky River - but who knows?

Travels in KY - Natural Bridge State Park

Love signs in KY - point you right to where you need to go. On the other side of Winchester is the Mountain Pkwy - 30 miles to Natural Bridge. Red River Gorge had some wildfires that were filling the entire area with smoke (looked like fog). But Natural Bridge State Park was fully functioning. Got a great idea on which trails I wanted to go - a little over 5 all together - and 2.5 hours. The first 100 ft are straight up, then you bend, hop, climb, dip, raise your hands, turn side ways - all this to get to the top. Well marked trails. Pretty climb and great view. It was pretty busy up top but not that busy on the trail - so most people pay to ride the SkyLift (like Stone Mtn). But, I think half the fun (and burning calories and taking care of my body) comes in the hike. I took the Rock Garden trail back down and it was more steep then the way up and mostly rock. Not fun - but it got me down in time to grab some dinner and make it back for church. I'd go again - it was worth it, and under 2 hours to the ville.

White Hall

White Hall is a KY Historic Site of the home of Cassius Clay. It was run down - but then restored. It is right off the interstate in Winchester. Who knew they would grow tomatoes - so I picked 3: 2 I ate, and one was rotten so I threw it down.

Travels in KY - Pinnacles (near Berea)

I have gone to the small town of Berea several times since my friends Felicity and Kevin live there. This time, we finally hiked the Pinnacles. There are 2 hills (mtns for Floridians, speed bumps for mtn people). But, East Pinnacle is almost a mile up (4900 ft) and I don't know about West Pinnacle. It was very dry - but still very pretty. Coming down from the West Pinnacle it was pretty steep so I thought I would go down part of it on my backside - got a bruise on my arm to prove it. Dusty, thirsty (already drank one bottle of water), but the views were well worth that 2 hour walk! Thanks Felicity for the walking companion and then Papaleno's for dinner.

Fall Progressive Dinner

Tonight we had a small walking progressive dinner. It was so much fun. I got to hang out with two of the coolest couples I know here in Louisville. We are all around the same age, love to cook (well, the girls), love missions - with all of us being over seas - whether short term or longer term. We had great eats, different languages, the Word, and many laughs, shattered glass, and full bellies!

First stop was Laura and David Dawkins. Laura set the tone well with the Fall theme. She had made a great salad - with fall goodies on the table. We talked about their neighbor and my parents - what they did. Who knew genealogy could be such a stimulating conversation piece! David started out the night by reading a Psalm of Thanks! Such a great start to the evening. The picture I turned out at their apt came out blurry, so I went to their blog and got this picture! Laura is a great photographer!

Next stop was Bonnie and Justin Myers. Bonnie is a great cook and made a full T-day meal (almost). We had everything from chicken to stuffing, and all the vegetables! It was so yummy. We looked at picture, read from the Jesus Storybook Bible (great intro, and we each got one), talked about missions, and just enjoyed ourselves.

Last stop was my place. I had the dessert. Bonnie had the broken glass - hey, I got a clean floor out of the deal. I read a meditation from Paul David Tripp's new book.

Just a great evening. I love couples who teach me how to be a better wife, gives me glimpses of character traits in men that I would want for a husband. God - thank you for godly friends and couples who share life with me!

Things I Learned from Not Having Any Power

1. God is still God. I think through all of this, and my reading in Ephesians, Romans, and Worldliness by the Sov Grace guys, I've learned this very well this week. He has already provided me with everything I need in Christ. Not having power for 7 days will not change that fact. And, I rely way too heavily on media.
2. Community is very important. I've been in Louisville now a year and am very thankful for the community base that I have here. The Jones, Weldys, Lorrie, Myers, Lisa D, Brandi, other LEAD Staff, Tjaders, Tracy - and probably some I'm forgetting - all were a blessing to me during this time. Whether it was just a word, a "I've come to check up on you", a TV to watch the Gator game, banana bread, flashlight, a dark room to sleep in, play time with babies, free food - all these things are so important! :) Thank you!
3. God gets more glory when praise and thanks come from my mouth than grumbling and complaining. What good would it do me to complain anyway? And I was able to speak of God's goodness instead of my bothersome no electricity this week.
4. I am very thankful for electricity. This is definitely the longest I've been without it. My toothbrush (charged by electricity), my phone (I had to drive around town the first 2 days to charge it), my computer (it was dead after the first couple of hours), my fridge (I love to cook, my fridge will have to start all over tonight), hot water (to wash dishes or take a hot shower), reading at night (I'm thankful for the flashlight loaned to me by Jesse, but I'd much rather have real electricity to read, Dr. Horner would probably agree).
God is a good and faithful and giving God! There are so many throughout the Ike-zone that still do not have it - and I am a Child of God - chosen and adopted by Him - so I have no reason to complain!

Ike, Power, and More Important Things in Life!

Good morning from restored power land! There will not be any pictures attached to this blog link because my camera was pretty dead from my wknd travels, and I hadn't recharged it yet by the time the power went out on Sunday. So...here we go!
Sunday I was just chilling, went walking in Brown and Seneca Park, just turned on the Colts game. The wind was picking up from TS Ike and a cold front that was coming down from Chi-town. When the two collided, we got up to 80+ mph wind here in the Ville. Trees were down everywhere. My power flickered a couple of times, but then finally went out around 1.20pm on Sunday.
The only damage the seminary received in light of this was: shingles down, doors blown off, some tree limbs down (no big ones I know about on campus), some water damage in a basement (don't know how this happened when we didn't get any rain), and no power for almost 48 hours. God is so gracious to us - more on that later.
Sunday night we had free food in the cafeteria for all who lived on campus. It was very humbling to see our President, Deans, and VPs serving us hotdogs and ice cream. What an incredible team of guys God has assembled here at Southern! So thankful for our leadership!
Monday morning the housing team was helping a couple move to another apt - so Lisa and I (after walking around St. Matthews area looking at the damage and getting some exercise) prepared lunch for the moving crew. I have just decided with my back not to help move anymore - but do things I am good at. So, we emptied our fridges and picked up a few things at the neighborhood Walmart which had power - and coupled that with what Lorrie had already brought in. It was good and we got to use up some stuff before it went bad.
Monday afternoon for me cleaning (while I had daylight), running errands (or trying to) and going walking. Then I came back and served some pizza (more free food on behalf of the seminary) to students. Then we had so many left over, so Randy, Trey, and I drove through Village Manor (a half-seminary, half lower income housing unit just down the street) giving out free pizza. Many were so thankful to get free food as they had to through out their food in their fridges, wasting so much money). These three girls we stopped and gave pizza to said thank you because they had no food. We passed one of the women later and she again was so grateful for the free pizza. Gratitude is usually expressed more when you have nothing. I need to remember that lesson. Then we played Hearts - which Randy most decidedly won, I think - or was it Lorrie - either way - I won 2 rounds of War! Its that competitive nature! :) Then I read some by one of those little light sticks that you break and shake to activate!
This morning I slept in, cleaned some more, started to take a shower and thought twice. Just got ready to come serve lunch. Then - the power came back on. Praise Jesus!
Seriously, with people losing money in the stock market this weekend, people losing lives and their homes in places of TX and AR and even here, people losing so much food from their power not being on - I can't complain. I only complained about the healthiness of the food - and fruit appeared this morning. I was so thankful!
So - Just some random verses about this subject:
Ps 18.28 - For it is you who light my lamp, the Lord my God lightens the darkness.
Ps 112.4 - Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, He is gracious, merciful and righteous.
Ecc 11.7 - Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

So thankful for the Jones (where all my freezer food is), my car charger, Seminary leaders, free food at seminary, friends, and community!

Lake Malone State Park

After a full day of services at Cypress, I only had time to hit one state park this weekend. But, it was a pretty, quiet walk and adventuresome to say the least.Lake Malone is south of Central City off the WK Pkwy. It is well marked on how to get there and once inside it is also well-marked. I like that about a state park.

I'm thankful for the Boy Scouts who put up all these orange reflectors...but that is later. The trail runs right by Lake Malone. I loved the peaceful shore-lapping sounds of this lake, occasional motor of a boat or squeal of delight by a kid. The hike was a little more than a bargained for.

I was in flip-flops and dress pants, if that tells you anything. I'm glad I didn't change the pants because crossing through a field getting lost would have torn up my legs. And all I had to do was wash my feet when I got home. The terrain was very rocky (with giant rock walls in the woods beside the lake). Then there were times when it was very root-y - which means I had to jump over them or slide off them. It was fun though - about 1.5 miles in all.

At one point the trail ended and it said camping area - .5 miles across field. Well, that was all well and good - but the field was only foot-traveled about halfway through. So, I ended up there and headed back the way I came. I wasn't that adventurous. I'm thankful for the orange markers!

Peaceful drive, peaceful state park - not many people (I think I saw 2 other cars, but most people were on the lake).

Pennyrile Forest State Park (Princeton and KY Dam State Park too)

I am so thankful for cell phones and Mom who has internet at home! I kept going through these small towns in Central KY and wanted to stop...

So...I first went to Princeton, KY where they were having a carnival type thing. It was fun just to walk through - but so thankful that I live in a bigger city - I love these things - but don't want to be all that I look forward to all year.

Then I got off the WKParkway and made my way through Dawson Springs (home of Steve Beshear, the governor) to the Pennyrile Forest State Park. For things to do - this is definitely my favorite so far. I was only able (time wise and shoe wise) to his 2 of the smaller trails, but they have so many ranging from .10 miles to over 13. Great hiking and nature on the hikes. There was a lake, cliffs to look over (a wedding was going on, pretty setting), a pool, cottages, golf, etc. Definitely want to go back there sometime! The last picture is of the sandstone bluffs on the Indian trail that I thought were pretty.

The KY Dam Village State Park was fun to look at. It is in the Land Between the Lakes section of KY - so many state parks in this area. I just had time to get out and take some pictures. Again - water, one of my favorite things! That is the first picture posted.

Travels in KY - Paducah

Well, my Mom said I was in this city once before - on the back of a station wagon waiting for the ferry to cross the river. Well, the ferry no longer runs and I will remember this trip.

I was in Paducah for a KBC event...did my volunteering early in the morning - then began a sight seeing tour.

I went down to where the Ohio and TN rivers join - it was so pretty and quiet. I spent some time in the Word at a little table up on shore. I love water and quietness - so this was definitely a premier spot for me! Thank you God for leading me to this spot.

There was a walltowall history monument all along the river front. That was nice.

Then I found the Downtown Farmer's Market. I got pan pan squash, yellow pear tomatoes, corn, a fuji apple, a plum, tasted some great eggplant dip (and I don't even like eggplant) and a squash fritter. All were great. Yellow pear toms are my favorites - all of that for 4.65 - you gotta love farmer's markets!

Then I hit the road...

Daniel Boone Inspired Travel

Two more state parks in Kentucky, marked off my list. Both of these were more historic in nature.

Boone Station, the Daniel Boone settlement in Athens, KY, was my first stop. Met at my car by the park keep named Luther, who is 62 and has been there since 1991, I looked around at its beauty. There is only a few picnic tables and two barns on this property of more than 600 acres. And trees of course. Mr. Luther told me all about it and gave me a back way to get to my next state park (which he works during the winter that Boone Station is closed.

I loved this one because all I could hear was nature and sometimes the tractor that Mr. Luther rode. That was it. You can bring your own lunch and have a picnic, enjoy the quiet, and hardly see another person. There was one other couple who started the tree-lined trail before me.

This State Historic Site was settled by Boone in 1779 because he thought Boonesboro was getting too populated. So, he came west about 10 miles and got 600 acres, put up lean-tos, and camped there until spring - then he built his dwelling places. It is in Athens, KY, off 75 at Exit 104. just about 70 minutes from Louisville. Go east about 2 miles, turn left where you see the sign. When you dead end, take a right. Its easy and peaceful.

Then I took a back road up to the original Ft. Boonesboro during the Civil War. This is speculation and there are "discussions" on which fort is the real one. But, this one runs right along the Kentucky River, and it is gorgeous. So calm. Then I found the Ft. Boonesboro State Park. Has one little trail that heads up to the fort, mini-golf, a huge pool with slide, picnic areas, etc. This would be a great park for families with small kids.

Ft. Boonesboro is off exit 94 on 75, go east and follow signs. Maybe 90 minutes from door to door.

My next one I think will be White Hall near Lexington on the 16th. But, who knows, it may be another one - stay tuned.

Taylorsville Lake and Tom Sawyer

Here's the beginning of a new adventure!

Taylorsville Lake State Park: Only 40 minutes from Seminary. Pretty drive (once you get off the interstate). Reminds me of Marion and Lake County in FL. The lake is well marked of course. But, nothing else is. The lady at the campground registration wasn't that helpful. So, I walked about 20 feet and turned around. This would have been a good park to have someone else with to just explore off beaten paths...

Tom Sawyer: This one is in Louisville Metro. It wasn't as quite, but it was well-marked. It had everything from cornhole playgrounds, regular playgrounds, ball parks, soccer fields, a guy in an acrobatic plane, and a nature trail. I enjoyed that one.

Here are some pictures. Don't know which one is next - maybe some in Lexington since I'm going there in mid-August.

Winter Wonderland in March

Well, last weekend I was in 75 degree weather with clear blue skies and a slight breeze. This weekend, its 8 inches of snow and about 30. The joys of living in the slight north!

I am having to be productive in the house this weekend, but I did go outside and enjoy a jaunt around campus after it finally quit snowing. It snowed from Friday 7a till 4p and then picked up again at 8p and snowed hard till 12p today. This has been the most snow I've seen (other than skiing) since Jan 2000 in the blizzard in NC. 2 feet there!

So, here are some picks. I have two favorites: the little girl who was trying to climb the hill in the Valley of Decision (named due to so many marriage proposals that happen on the bridge) and then the one with the tree and the sun shining through the clouds. Dave, my neighbor, is being the man of his household and shoveling snow off his car! I tried to build a snowman, it was great snowman snow. But, my hands were so cold so by the time I got three balls put together and tried to pick them up - it didn't look like much, so I kicked it over. Oh, well.

Enjoy the pics! :)

Tornadoes

Storms - literal ones, not figurative, spiritual ones.
Ask anyone - I love storms! I love hurricans, thunder storms, lightning display shows, etc. To me, they represent the powerful display of God's mighty works and power of nature. He is the orchestrator of it all - the master conductor. I've seen such devestation of storms, but here and abroad. I know He is the One who oversees everything.
One thing I am not used to though is tornadoes. I remember maybe 2 tornadoes in all 31 years before moving to L-ville in September. I can't even count the number of thunderstorms and hurricanes. To me, those are more easily pinpointed - even if it is a 400 miles radius. You know its coming.
Last night I had five different tabs open on my internet explorer: facebook, yahoo, the Gator game live broadcast (but they just quit playing the entire second half), Fox News for Super Tuesday results, and the weather. We were under a tornado warning. It started about 11p - why this can't happen while its light outside is beyond me.
But, about 12:15a the sirens in St. Matthews (my part of L-ville) started going off. So, I just figured I would stay in my room - I know to get to a inner closet if I hear anything resembling a train. But, then got a call and said - hey, come join the party in the basement. So, I did.
Then it was over - the wind part. Then we were left with lightning and finally put me asleep around 130a.
Some people in this area weren't as fortunate and some areas in neighboring states weren't either. But, like I said, God is in charge. I was praying last night when I went to bed: God, I have no reason to fear, you are in charge, you made all of this, keep me safe, I dwell in safety in the shadow of your wings (Ps 91.1) - He is a good and protective God. Thank you Jesus.

Theology of Snow

I am at one of the largest SBC seminaries - so of course I have to have a "theology" about everything! But, I do think it is cool that God gives us minds and allows us to have a biblical worldview on things...

This is an email I sent out this morning...

Job 37.6
For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
Is 1:18
“Come now, let us reason[1] together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
No matter how long I live in the semi-north/north - I will never (Lord willing) lose the wonder of waking up to a white world! We were supposed to get a little bit of snow overnight, but it was definitely a good covering as you can see from some of the pictures.

I love waking up to a new fresh morning - you feel like you can start over - there is purity, cleanness, new beginning. I was walking through the quad this morning at 815 - usually pretty busy - so silent! It was so peaceful - I loved it! :)
Anyway, I love falling snow - I can just sit and stare it - never lose the wonder! :)

This was my response from my brother: (thanks for making me miss the water, bro!)

Get clean, start over, huh.
Well if I wanted to get clean and start over down in warm, balmy, breezy FL is jump in the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, or Manatee, Fanning, White, Crystal, or Wekiva springs. Better yet I could jump in our rivers, The Suwannee, St. Johns, Indian, or Banana river. I could get in our lakes like Parker, Eola, Minihaha, Hollingsworth, or Hunter (and that's not to mention the big ones). Finally, if all else fails I can do what I am going to do tonight and get in an OUTDOOR pool and jacuzzi.
You see I'm wondering if Jesus really does live up North because ya'll can only get clean and start over in the Winter but down here we can get clean all year long:)
Have fun in the snow. I'll be thinking about you while I'm in the jacuzzi tonight.

Enjoy the pictures! One is of the campus view out of my dining room window, one of a tree I really like, one of Boyce Library, and one of Alumni Chapel. I personally have to say Binkley is prettier! :)