Thursday, August 28, 2008

Vacation Escapes To Remember



Whether you travel for a week-end escape on a camping trip, swim in a near by lake or river, hike in the woods or do some fishing during the day, then in the evenings sit around the campfire playing a guitar, singing and roasting marshmallows, making smores. Or if you prefer a week long luxury vacation or cruise to a popular vacation destination of your choice, walking a sandy beach in your bare feet, sitting by a pool relaxing, drinking a margarita, reading a good book, or golfing at one of the hottest golf courses. “Golf Heaven” really does exist.

There is nothing like an affordable, exciting, and relaxing vacation to encourage family bonding. Indulge in the great outdoors, escape on an extravagant luxury vacation or go on an exciting cruise.

With the holiday's coming up you could give a "let's get away" gift and make it a holiday family escape time together.

Grab the kids, the camera and get away. Indulge. Escape. Relax. Embrace Extravagance.

We all walk in different shoes, enjoy different places to go and doing different thing to collect those unforgettable family memories that we will never forget.
Family is a special gift from God. Truly get to know them, love them and enjoy them while they are here. The pleasures of belonging to a family is a treasure indeed. We can relax in a private place, whether it is a tent, a tower, a condominium, a cottage or a castle, with people who love us as we are.
"And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shall spread abroad to the west, to the east, to the north, and to the south, and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." (Genesis 28:14)
The photos here are of our affordable, extravagant family reunion get away August 22-23, 2008.
We have been going here for the past 29 years. We have seen many changes, both good and bad in each family, many new family members have joined us through marriages and births. And this is still everyones favorite place to go.
We camp at Moonshine Park in Siletz, Oregon right on the Siletz River. We swim in the river, play horseshoes, badmitten, volleyball go trout fishing and crawdadding, sing around the campfire, roast marshmellows, eat smores, laugh and have a great time escaping the daily routines of life and becoming one big family and little children again for the week~end.
This year the grand kids and great grand kids surprised everyone by bringing everything needed to celebrate Pop and Mom's 69th Wedding Anniversary. They had a boombox with music from the 1930's playing, we toasted with sparlking cider, they had a cake, a beautifully done pictures and special memories board and LOTS of other desserts.
Pop's will be 90 years young in Janurary, Mom's will be 87 in November. (And they still camp every year...in a trailer though). It was a very blessed surprise to them and the rest of the family. A lot of tears of love and joy were shed.
We even had a hula hoop contest (only three tried). No one has hula hooped for years, so there was quite a bit of laughing going on. More are going to start practicing for next year.

Do you have a favorite place to escape to camp, fish, hike, ski, golf or just relax away from the daily tasks and busyness? How about a funny or unforgettable family vacation get away memory?
Or do you find yourself too busy? Busyness leaves one frustrated, overcommitted, and unfulfilled.

Jesus also dealt with the pressures of busyness. People always wanted Him to help them. But there were times He “went against the crowd” and withdrew. “Going against the crowd” is not easy, but if you want to truly live and enjoy life, it is absolutely necessary to escape, get away and relax once in a while.

Life is a collection of experiences. What is your must~do life list? Take the family and get away.
Escape completely. Discover the hidden treasures of worldwide destinations near or far.
Discover yourself, discover your family.

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the things you did do. Get away from the safe harbor. Catch the winds in your sail.
EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER. Mark Twain
We would be blessed to hear about one of your family's exciting popular destination and a funny or unforgettable family vacation or week~end escape.
Ready. Set. Go.
Every moment, Every situation, Every issue, and Every concern has a positive side. Find it and bring it to life.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

LESSONS FROM A DANDELION

As believers in the Lord Jesus, our faith must stand firm on the Word of God which will hold us even in the midst of the trials and tribulations that come our way. We must remind ourselves that God is our faithful Father who will be with us to lead and guide us on to the best path as He sees fit. The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds and keep us centered and filled with the confidence that we shall not be moved no matter what the enemy may bring against us. Remember the Lord's promises when trials come your way and know that God is your Comforter and a very present help in time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1-11)
Stand strong in times of tribulation and know that you will come forth stronger and better equipped at the end of that trial.

The world is coming alive again. Isn't spring grand? I was walking my dog the other day and I noticed a yard full of dandelions. What a wonderful sight. Even the name is fun. Dandy lions. I always picture a big, friendly lion with a silly grin on his face. I love dandelions. I know some people consider them weeds, but I don't. I think dandelions are
wonderful flowers with a lesson for all of us to learn.

Do you remember feeling a special attraction to dandelions when you were a child?

I remember bringing fistfuls of dandelions to my mother. It didn't matter that the stems were sticky. It didn't matter that both my parents cursed the existence of these flowers when they crept into the lawn. I thought they were beautiful.
Beautiful and plentiful! At least once a week my father would chop off all the heads with the lawn mower, and those he missed my brothers, sister and I would pick. We'd pop the blossoms off the stem with a snap of our fingers. Even so, it seemed like the supply of dandelions never ran low.
For the flowers that escaped the honor of being delivered to my mother, the trauma of experiencing my father's lawn mower, or the horror of suffering through a childhood game, there was a whole other level of existence.
I don't recall ever seeing a dandelion in transition. Perhaps I never paid enough attention to the process. Perhaps I knew it would steal the magic of the transformation if I watched it scientifically. It just seemed like one day there would be a bright, yellow blossom and the next, there would be a soft, round puff of nose tickling seeds. I wondered if, like a
snowflake, no too dandelion puffs were alike.
These puffs were a marvel. Sometimes we'd use furious movement to quickly disperse the seeds into the wind. Other times we'd blow softly to see how strongly they grasped their core. And when they could hold on no longer, they gently drifted off to spread their joy elsewhere. One way would leave me squealing in delight, the other would leave me watching in wonder.
And now, as yellow dots appear in the greenness of my lawn, I think of all the lessons we can learn from this so-called weed.
Imagine having the staying power of a dandelion. Imagine stretching your roots so deep and straight that no amount of tugging on your stem would tear you completely from the source that gives you life. Imagine if you came back to face the world with a bright, sunshiny face even after someone had run you over with a lawnmower, or snapped your head off while singing a silly song. Imagine if your foliage, the things you've accomplished in this world, were a nutritious source of vitamins that helped others grow strong. Imagine if you could spread love, encouragement and compassion as freely
and fully as this flower spreads seeds of itself.
I hope that we can stretch our roots deep enough so that the strongest poisons of anger, fear, hate, envy and criticism can't reach our souls. I hope that the next time you see a
dandelion, you'll stop and think about the lessons it can teach you. I hope you'll see a flower in a world that sees weeds.
By Donna Doyon

Proverbs 3:5-7 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
Psalm 27:11-14 “Teach me Thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Psalm 20:6-7 “Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
Ephesians 6:10-14 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore...”

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Where Do You Want To Be






Picture 1)
The Scottsdale Village Mirage.

The perfect year-round getaway! Located in prestigious North Scottsdale, The Scottsdale Village Mirage invites you and your family to come relax and rejuvenate, enjoy 300 days of sunshine.

Plan your escape to this Sonoran Desert paradise where Jeep tours and Grand Canyon day trips are readily available-or take-in a major league baseball game at a number of nearby ballparks.Whether it's sports, jazz, blues or big band sounds you'll find it all here.

Picture 2) Taino Beach/Bahamas.

Get ready for The Ocean at Taino Beach/Bahamas.
Enjoy emerald-green seas and powder white beaches, an array of premier accommodations, paradise pool, oceanfront dining, tennis, and water sports. World-class shopping and entertainment only 5 minutes away in bustling Port Lucaya Marketplace.

None of the major travel providers had access to this beautiful resort for comparison purposes. However, you can book an entire week through your membership for only $298.

Picture 3) Monte Carvoeiro Clube Resort/Lagoa, Portugal.

The attractive village style Monte Carvoeiro Clube is above the beach and village of Carvoeiro. It is built around a central plaza with a fountain, restaurants and bars.

Nicely furnished apartments with Balcony or Patio. Close access to Tennis Courts and Golf!

Picture 4) Grand Mayan Wyndham/Nuevo Vallarta.

Prepare yourself for the Grand Mayan Wyndham, Nuevo Vallarta.

Discover the magnificence of the Pacific Ocean's beaches... get involved with the relaxed pace of life in this exclusive and complete place.
Enjoy an atmosphere of luxury and comfort, especially conceived to satisfy the most demanding guests. This is a great family resort complete with a wave machine, spectacular 18-hole golf course, gym, kid's area, lazy river, 5 Jacuzzis, and many more exciting attractions.

Right now, membership is showcasing a one bedroom unit at this fantastic resort for only $599 for the entire week.

Comparing the exact unit size and dates, here is what you'll pay elsewhere booking through a major travel provider...

Expedia$1,711.66

Orbitz$1,727.20

Hotels (.com)$1,711.66

You just saved over $1,100.00 on this one week alone. These types of savings are available exclusively to our members.

Enjoy life!

http://www.supremeluxuryvacations.com/
http://whereluxurymeetsfun.blogspot.com/

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Do You Know God?

KnowGod.org
This is in remeberance of Greg Laurie's son Christopher who was killed in an automobile accident July 24, 2008.

Please pray for Greg and Cathe, Brittany and Stella and Stella's not yet born little sister and Christopher's brother Jonathan and all the Lauries as they go forward with the banner, fighting their own good fight of faith until the finish line. Please read the website below for Greg's commentary on the loss of his firstborn son, "Topher."

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=71204