Get-A-Way

The Get-A-Way... Owned by the Gardner family, is a place of many memories for many people. It's where my brother-in-law taught my sister how to drive stick shift. The first place I ever climbed down a cliff (actually slid pulling Garvin along with me because he wouldn't let go of my hand). It was a nice view at the bottom, but we went down so that meant we had to go back up. This was the place where we rode in the back of a horse trailer for a hayride! Where we girls decided to see if there really was a bull in with all the other cows. Dumb. Where Laura V, Jessica Carr and I decided to brave the pitch darkness and go for a walk. Laura twisted her ankle in that darkness, Jess and I had to nearly carry Laura back to the cabin.
I would love to say how many acres the get-a-way consists of but....I virtually have no idea. Lots of land...a cabin, cows, and the famous pine tree. My memories of the get-a-way are mainly of church and youth group functions. We laughed, goofed off, and even cried together. Hayrides at the get-a-way were never boring. If older adults were on the ride...they were soon being worrisome about our safety. Someone was always jumping out from behind a tree and attempting to pull another someone off the wagon. If a Gardner was driving...it was never boring. I remember sliding down a hill...Aaron had the brakes on but we were still moving...and everyone's body weight was pushing me closer and closer to the front edge of the wagon. Took two guys holding on to me in order to keep me on the wagon.
I remember one night we had a youth get-together the weekend after closing a youth revival. We built a bonfire with the purpose of getting rid of items that were getting in the way of us being completely sold out to God. We threw clothes, c.d.'s and books in. It was a wonderful night of surrender and worship to God!
This past Saturday, the Westport Wesleyan Church had thier Fall church gathering at the get-a-way. I managed to tag along and enjoyed remembering all the fun times we had there. Thank you entire Gardner family for sharing this beautiful place with so many people through the years!


The lane going into the get-a-way



When I was a kid.....we used these outhouses. They have been upgraded to ones made of metal.



Continuance of the lane...



Bekah was trying to be so brave on the "big round bales"...this is as far as she got!



Bekah and I taking a self pic!



Jimmy's daughter (not Miley, the other one...can't remember her name) and Elizabeth.



So Pretty!



So....on the hayride now. A Gardner is driving...needless to say....notice we are in the creek. A couple two/three times, the creek was about 2 inches from the bottom of the wagon.



Yes, we drove over that.



The waterfalls...pretty but made my pics blurry.



Fuzzy again...



The little kids under the falls....trying not to get wet.

Dead in my tracks...

Last night I was thinking about a few of my friends who I grew up with. They were raised in conservative churches, yet they have chosen to follow different paths. A few of them have chosen to separate themselves from church altogether. It can be discouraging at times just thinking about how many of my friends are not living for God. I get frustrated with them..."they know better than to live like this"...I say. It is easy to feel very disappointed by their actions and lives. Then it hits me....I have let them down in an even bigger way. I do not pray for my friends like I should. I have no right to be judgmental. My only right it to faithfully pray for them. Who am I to look at their lives and criticize? I know for a fact that I have disappointed God throughout my life... Where would I be without the prayers of family and friends? My goal is to love and to pray for my friends...not to be their critic. If I do my part and pray for them, God will be faithful to convict. When He wants to use me as His tool...I will have an open heart to speak His Love.

I heard the following two songs on the radio a few weeks ago. They both have meant a lot to me.

Among The Thirsty - I'd Need A Savior

How many names can I use to explain the love of my Jesus,
the life that he gave and so many times will I praise you today.
I lift up my life ‘cause you’re always the same
And my offering to you I bring

Chorus:
Your name is Jesus. Your name is Jesus.
You’re the Wonderful, Counselor, my Friend.
You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.

How many songs can I sing to proclaim your wondrous love and beauty so great?
What would I say if you brought down the rain and everyday
I walk through the pain my heart would still say…

Chorus:
You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.
I’d need a Savior
I need you, Savior

Glory to God – Steve Fee

Before the world was made, before you spoke it to be
You were the King of Kings, yeah you were, yeah you were
And now you’re reigning still, Enthroned above all things
Angels and saints cry out, We join them as we sing

Chorus:
Glory to God, Glory to God
Glory to God, Forever (2x’s)

Verse 2:
Creator God you gave me breath so I could praise
Your great and matchless name, all my days, all my days
So let my whole life be a blazing offering
A life that shouts and sings the greatness of the King

Bridge:
Take my life and let it be
All for you and for your glory
Take my life and let it be yours (x2) We sing… (back to chorus)