Travel – Page 2 – RefreshHer

Yikes! I haven’t stopped to share about my weekend in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan almost two weeks ago! Let’s fix that today! I’ll share some of the highlights of that great time with some really special ladies!

I went to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to speak for their “Ladies Day.” Traveling and speaking is never anything I ever sought out to do. The Lord has put this privilege before me, and I have loved it so much. I always learn far more than anyone I speak to! For that reason alone, I am so thankful to my God! But I would never/ could never travel if I didn’t have the support, encouragement and prayers of my husband. He cheers me on every step of the way. The picture below was on our way to the airport when we stopped to have lunch before he dropped me off. What a man I am blessed with!

Michigan 1.jpg — It’s all about the People!

My friend, Kellie traveled with me and she was such a blessing. It’s lots more fun navigating a trip with a friend at your side!

Th next picture of the pretty blonde is the sweet young woman who invited me to her church. Lisa was a member here at our church until she got married and her husband moved them waaaaay up north! It was a joy beyond compare to be with her for the weekend, to see her church, her home and her heart for God!

I met lots of precious women. I won’t post them all here, but they were welcoming, open to God’s Word, and very friendly to this Tennessean!

The ladies used the white birch around them to help decorate the platform for their theme “Deeply Rooted.” They had verses about being rooted in God’s Word all over – on the bulletin boards, in frames – everywhere. They did a wonderful job carrying the theme throughout the whole church!

Part of the blessing of a weekend like this was fellowship with other ladies. Aside from our main sessions and workshops, we had times of sharing a meal, a dessert, and a game. That’s when you really get to know others! We had lots of fun together! We played a game using our purses. You know, it’s amazing what some people carry in theirs (that would be me!)

There was plenty of snow all weekend! They had a few flurries while I was there, but the piles have been there since December. As we say in the south – Bless their hearts! It sure was beautiful – but then I got to leave it after a weekend and come home to green grass!

There’s nothing better than serving God! Look where He takes me! Look who allows me to meet! Look at what He teaches me in His Word! I never would have dreamed that I’d be so blessed, but isn’t that just like our God? He surprises us over and over and over!

FBC ladies, thank you for having me. Thank you for being such a blessing to me. I am the richer for it!

Lovingly,

Denise Signature 150 px

Who doesn’t love a marker birthday celebration that includes a destination gathering, a train ride, family time, delicious food and shopping? All that encapsulated last weekend for us! We celebrated my mom’s 80th birthday a few months early, since January is typically icy and cold. What fun we had!

We rode the Kentucky dinner train in Bardstown, Kentucky. Afterwards we shopped in the adorable downtown. Below you’ll see the whole trip.

All aboard!!!!

The drive from my parent’s home to Bardstown had lots of beauty – a castle, a bridge PAINTED on the side of a building, and of course, the horse farms!

I love my parents dearly, and these pictures show how special they are, and how much they love each other. My mom does NOT look 80, and my dad is so handsome in his blue jeans and jacket! If parents could get the “cutest couple award” they would win in my book!

The food was very good! I had the Kentucky Hot Brown and Kentucky Derby Pie (it seemed like the obvious choice when riding My Old KY Dinner Train!). My husband said he definitely made the right choice with the Pot Roast dinner.

The folks doing the dinner graciously adorned my mom’s Apple Dumpling with a candle so we could sing to her! I love this shot of her blowing out her candle.

My husband and I ate with my sister, Sharee and her husband and enjoyed time to visit as we journeyed down the track and ate lunch. My twin and her husband were at my parent’s table, but we were just across the aisle, so visiting with them was no problem!

This is in downtown Bardstown – a city named one of the South’s best small towns by Southern Living Magazine! One boutique, Shaq and Coco was so much fun to shop in! I found a pair of $125 boots for $25! The whole downtown was quaint and inviting!

When we left Kentucky and headed home, we had all kinds of gorgeous views as you’ll see below. We even saw an outdoor wedding taking place! We had all kinds of fun making our way home – turning up country roads just “to see what’s back there!”

Before we moved to Tennessee nearly 16 years ago, I wanted to move back to Kentucky so badly. The central area is just so beautiful. But I am happy as can be where we are and I still get to go visit often and enjoy all the beauty and southern charm of Kentucky. The best part is that my family lives there, so it will always be “My Old Kentucky Home.”

This weekend is another kind of celebration and we’re gearing up in a big way! I’ll tell you about it next week! In the meantime, tell me what you did last week that was memorable and refreshing to you!

Stay refreshed,