We left Detroit on Thursday about 12:00 and had brunch at Denny's on the way to Cedar Point. We got into the park about 2:30 and the kids were so excited! It was a beautiful day and we rounded the park with the wheelchair as the kids hopped on rides. Eric had just wanted to ride the Millenium Force and the Maverick roller coaster and that he did! A lot has changed in his body since last year so it was not quite as memorable as the previous summer and I did not enjoy the rides at all because I was so worried about Eric on the ride. When we got off he said it was his farewell to roller coasters which makes me cry some more because it just means that things are progressing in him. We have the farewell photo attached above. It's not such a big deal because they are just rides and don't define our life or bring true joy. I worry about Eric alot when we do things now. It's almost like you worry about your child. It made me think of how God considers us his children although some of us are young and some older. He doesn't worry about us because he is God and knows all things, but he does care so much about us and doesn't want anything to happen to us. He wants what is best for all of us!
It started raining at about 8:3o and didn't let up so we ate dinner at Johhny Rockets while the servers danced to some classics and then they made us rain ponchos out of garbage bags to brave the rain to our car. We had decided it would be best to skip our second day at CP and just head to Cleveland. After sleeping in again, we hit the road to the place we lived when we were first married and my first job after college. It was fun remembering back 13 years ago in our lives where we were and how far we have come. It ended up raining again so we went to a movie and ate at Tower City and then headed back to our hotel by the airport. They upgraded us to a suite with a sitting area and seperate bedroom which was fun. We had two TV's and the kids somehow always ended up in our room with the King size bed or they were swimming in the pool. We weren't able to get internet service at that hotel , hence no updates until now. On our last morning we were awoken to an alarm saying we had to go to the nearest exit so off we went in our PJ's. Maddie was grabbing all of her animals and clothes to take with. When we got out there it was a false alarm, but we got some more starpoints which we can use on our next vacation for a free night so we didn't mind at all.
It started raining at about 8:3o and didn't let up so we ate dinner at Johhny Rockets while the servers danced to some classics and then they made us rain ponchos out of garbage bags to brave the rain to our car. We had decided it would be best to skip our second day at CP and just head to Cleveland. After sleeping in again, we hit the road to the place we lived when we were first married and my first job after college. It was fun remembering back 13 years ago in our lives where we were and how far we have come. It ended up raining again so we went to a movie and ate at Tower City and then headed back to our hotel by the airport. They upgraded us to a suite with a sitting area and seperate bedroom which was fun. We had two TV's and the kids somehow always ended up in our room with the King size bed or they were swimming in the pool. We weren't able to get internet service at that hotel , hence no updates until now. On our last morning we were awoken to an alarm saying we had to go to the nearest exit so off we went in our PJ's. Maddie was grabbing all of her animals and clothes to take with. When we got out there it was a false alarm, but we got some more starpoints which we can use on our next vacation for a free night so we didn't mind at all.
We spent some time reading the Bible study by John MacArthur on Phillippians and it was so good I thought I would share some things that really made so much sense to me:
In the first chapter of Phillipians it talks about how Paul could have such joy when writing to the Phillipians while in prison and MacArthur points out how most people find happiness as an attitude of satisfaction based on positive circumstances largely beyond their control, therfore it can not be planned or certain. However "spiritual joy is the deep and abiding confidence that all is well between the believer and the Lord. No matter what difficulty, pain, dissappointment, failure, rejection or other challenge one is facing, genuine joy remains because of that eternal well-being established by God's grace in salvation. The fullest, most lasting and satisfying joy is derived from a true relationship with God. It is not based on circumstances or chance, but is the gracious and permanent possession of every child of God." I was reminded that JOY is one of the fruits of the spirit that we receive by the Holy Spirit when we are saved (Gal 5:22). He also goes on to say that "the one certain cause for loss of joy in a believers life is sin, which corrupts our fellowship of the Lord, who is the source of that joy. Such sinful attitudes as dissatisfaction, bitterness, doubt, fear, and negativism cause joy to be forfeited. Anything other than sin, no matter how difficult or dissappointing need not take away the believers joy. Yet even minor things can do so if believers react sinfully to them.... Consequently, the only way to restore lost joy is to repent and return to the proper worship of and obedience to God." WOW!!!
I knew that Eric and I have joy regardless of our circumstances, but I never looked at exactly where that comes from and that when it seems to be diminished, it is only because we are not focused on the Giver of our joy. He is everything!!! Somehow this just restored my joy when I was allowing fear to rob me of my joy. I just thought I needed to share all of that in case someone else needed to hear that like I did!! Jesus is the ONLY way to true joy!
Have a blessed week!
Have a blessed week!
Lori and Eric
1 comment:
I was so excited, this morning, to see that yousigned my buddy map. That's number 4!:P. Anyway, I like what you hve written abut Phillippians and your Bible study. I am going to read it this morning. Rik and I absolutely love itWe went together a few years ago. We are roller coaster junkies, or used to be and Millenium Force and Dragster are two of our alltimes favorites. Last time w went the June bugs were out and we were covered with them when we got off of the coasters.
My prayers are always for you and Eric. It's hard, the things we are faced with in this life, but as far as Ican see from this end, you are both graceful and strong. In my devotional God's Word says to not be conformed by this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. The Lord sure is renewing our minds. I will continue to pray for healing and strength for you and your lovely family.
Love,
Joann
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