Week in Review: December 16 through 22

Beautiful and warm Texas! Sunday blessed us with morning rain, afternoon sun, and 80 degrees by 3 p.m. Lovely. We were able to sit outside to read and enjoy the stillness of the day. We did take a little driving trip that afternoon to pick up a few items at our favorite store, but other than that it was a day of quiet, thankfulness and reflection on our trip so far, as we enjoyed the sunshine.

I was reminded of a verse: Psalm 84:11 - "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Our prayer is that we walk in his favor, even as we are on the road.

Monday was another sunny and 80-ish day. Dick washed the black beast, and I did the laundry. Found that the laundry is a wonderful place to meet folks, and it's about the only place in this RV park that has decent cell phone service! Met Rebecca from Minnesota, Gail from Michigan, and Diana from "on the road."  Later that day as we sat outside, Robin from Ohio stopped by to introduce herself and her two dogs. We also connected with another full-time couple (whose mailbox is in Box Elder, SD), but didn't get their names.

Tuesday the 18th we packed for our trip to Lake Tahoe and Christmas with daughter Hollee and her husband David. Our plan was to drive to San Antonio, about 200 miles, spend the night and fly out Wednesday morning for Reno. We spent that night at the Drury Hotel and Suites in San Antonio--nice place, and it included free dinner and breakfast. A big plus was the ability to leave the black beast in the hotel parking garage while we were away.

Hollee picked us up at the Reno airport on Wednesday as David taught his Pilates classes; then we headed 35 minutes west over the Mt. Rose Pass and Highway to Incline Village. (Incline Village is located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.) Although it was about 28 degrees and no snow in Reno, there was plenty in Incline, with the promise of TONS more to come over the weekend. The forecast was for another 3' by Monday morning, on top of the foot they already had on the ground. We were welcomed by Hollee and David's two cats, Grapejuice and Max-a-million. They continue to keep us entertained.

Grapejuice

Max-a-million

It's a picture postcard here, with the snow laying heavy on the trees and piled high along the streets. Here are a few photos taken before the storm hit on the weekend.

Hollee and David's home

Back deck

The street in front of their home

Thursday the 20th was quite mild and a bit windy, melting and blowing the snow off the trees. We took this opportunity to drive back to Reno to do a bit of shopping and have lunch. We ate at a lovely little place called the Cheese Board, which offers daily specials as well as soups, sandwiches and salads. Our selection was roasted red pepper soup, grilled cheese on multigrain bread and a salad. Yummy! Across the street from the restaurant is the Donald W. Reynolds Center for the Visual Arts, E.L. Weigard Gallery. Didn't go in, but these photos were taken outside.

On the way home we stopped at a couple of overlooks for photo ops.

Dick and Hollee took a bit of a walk along Lake Tahoe before the storm hit. Thought you'd enjoy seeing these:

Yard art in Incline Village. This is a very wealthy area
so you'll find extreme home construction/architecture and
yard art in the area.

Raging Lake Tahoe

Well, the world didn't end on Friday, as we knew it wouldn't. Jesus told us in Matthew 24:36 that, "no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son (Jesus) himself. Only the Father (God) knows." And, in Proverbs 14:8, God tells us that, "the prudent know where they are going, but fools deceive themselves." The book of Hebrews says, "(As believers) we must warn everyone every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived (by sin) and hardened against God." Satan, the great deceiver, is working overtime to deceive folks so that they don't see the truth that is found in Jesus and the Bible. Our prayer is that you diligently seek the truth, and the peace and joy that can be find only in Him.

The snow started falling on Friday morning, and with the exception of just an hour or so, has not stopped yet! As of Saturday night about 2 1/2 ' of  snow had fallen, and IT'S STILL COMING DOWN! Friday night our son Scot, granddaughter Schuyler, Scot's girlfriend Mary, her brother Michael and sister Jayne drove up from San Jose, CA to join us for a Christmas turkey dinner. Oh, and Angus, Scott's black lab-mastiff mix came too. He is not a little puppy! (They're staying in South Lake Tahoe--about 45 minutes away--hoping to take advantage of some good snow play over the weekend.) Had a wonderful evening with them, eating, talking, laughing, and sharing fun stories of family. Did I mention eating??? Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked rosemary sweet potatoes, broccoli, cranberry chutney, and freshly baked baguettes for dinner, with pumpkin, very berry, and apple pies a ala mode for dessert. YUMMY! Due to the continuing "snow falling on cedars" and everything else they left by 9:30 to head back south. 

Angus the lap dog, granddaughter Schuyler and Janey

Hollee, David, Gail and Janey

Mary and Michael

Schuyler and Hollee

Scott

Saturday morning, the snow was still falling, and falling, and falling. Dick and David (Hollee's husband) went outside three times to shovel and use the snow-blower to clear the driveway and deck. (Today, as I write this blog, it is still snowing, and the wind has picked up too so the snow is literally "avalanching" off the trees onto the roofs.) Really impressive!!!  And, it's still snowing!!!

House taken during a lull in the storm. 

Compare this with the first photo!
And, its STILL SNOWING!!!

We'll include updated photos next week, after this first storm ends. The forecast is for more storm and snow towards the end of this week. Aren't we lucky!!!

A couple of weeks ago I was sent this story and a link to a song by Becky Kelley. Perhaps it will get you to thinking, as it did me, to put Christmas into the proper perspective.

About the Song

by Becky Kelley

While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "Where's the line to see Jesus"?

My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes...

Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you. Merry Christmas everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

We hope this finds you well as we move into the Christmas holidays.
Merry Christmas everyone!

Love 'n' hugs,

Gail and Dick