Vacation!

By Coleen Sevy -



 VACATION!

I didn't get to blog last week because....yes... you guessed it...Bret and I went on a vacation!

Not sure I want to admit this, but in 39 years of marriage we have never spent an entire week together without our children or family. It was a big step for me. Don't get me wrong, I love being with Bret. I just love sharing great times with those I love and everything we experienced I wanted to share with the kiddos. But the reality is that I will have memories to share, and they will have their own experiences on their own and with their children. This is both exciting and difficult to me. Exciting because of all the wonderful and different memories my kids will make and difficult because I can't be a part of each one of them. But not to worry. This is life and this was OUR vacation.

We went to upstate New York. Neither of us had ever been there before. It was breath taking! We began with a quick trip to Niagara Falls. We loved it! There was such majesty in the size and beauty of it all. We spent the rest of the week at historical sites preserved by The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints.

We went on tours and drove through the chaotic winding roads for hours admiring the wondrous countryside. The Finger Lakes were a special treat to explore, and although we would have liked to more, we were able to visit a place called Watkins Glen State Park. It was a crevasse with water flowing to Lake Seneca. Hundreds of stairs took you on a path into another world of hanging gardens and waterfalls. I have never seen anything like it.

 Watkins Glen


What I have Learned...

I have learned that going to historical sites helps to enhance the understanding about history. You can actually feel a spirit about what events happened in those very special places. I grew in understanding, in awareness, in gratitude and in humility as I learned of great men and women that sacrificed over and over because of their conviction to their faith and respect and honor of God. 

We enjoyed visiting other sites too, like James A Garfields home in Mentor Ohio. He was the 20th President of the United States. The last to be born in a log cabin and the first to have his mother present at his inauguration. He was assonated 6 months into his presidency. I learned that he was thirsty for knowledge and learning. He was a great orator and teacher. He ran the first official presidential campaign from his front porch. He was successful in many things and loved his family. He was a civil war hero and valued the rights of every man and woman regardless of race and color. He and his wife Lacretia, married out of somewhat of a convenient love, but their love story is deep and rich in the evidence that love can grow into much greater things when properly cared for and respect and honor given to one another.

Really, I can't say enough how much I would wish for everyone to vacation not only where you can rest, but where you can be enriched by what you see and experience. I came home wanting to be better, to be willing and ready for what God may want me to do. To continue my quest to find my lifes calling or to enrich the quest I am currently on. School will begin in just a couple weeks. I have started working with Bret more and will intern at his shop. Exciting days ahead!


What I have yet to learn...

How not to waste a minute of precious life. 


Spiritual Insights...

Psalms 150:6

"Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord..."

I have learned that in the sacrifice of giving up what I want or think I need, He gives me cause to sing in praise to Him for the much greater bounty and life experience he can provide for me. Sometimes it is after the rain, the trial, the drought or famine...but it is always there and we can praise him for it today and trust in His grace that it is sufficient in the now and in this precious journey called life.

Palmyra Temple

 Martin Harris Farm Location

 The Sacred Grove and Hill Cumorah sites

 Kirtland Temple

 Sunset on Lake Erie


Goals...

Get ready to go on business trips with Bret

Get my sleep routine back in sync

Read one more book before school starts

Touch up the paint in the house

 

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