Day #4 of our Good and Perfect Gift

2:30 pm
What a gorgeous day it has been, thus far!  It's mid-afternoon now, and I'm back in the lighthouse, up on the Lantern Gallery (otherwise known as the balcony), again enjoying the beautiful view and the warm breezes.

Our bedroom windows face east, and do an admirable job of seeing to it that we don't waste the day in bed!

Weiss Lake Sunrise

  This morning, Jimmie and I tried our best to ignore those bright rays of sunshine for as long as we could, but eventually they won out.  Eight-thirty saw us pulling on swim suits and heading downstairs.  After a good cup of coffee, the kayaks were calling, and we answered!  James was just coming in from a kayak jaunt as we headed out.  Paddling across to the other side, we investigated the shoreline and a scattering of homes, then across to another point, and an hour or so later, made our way back to where we started.  I just love it!  I'm thrilled to have found something that doesn't involve my puny legs/hip joints ... something I can actually do!  It's fun, yet good exercise; I can stop and rest any time, and the water, sun, breezes, and timber-clad shoreline combine to just wrap you up in peace and quiet.

Weiss Lake, Alabama

Above it all, a Voice seems to whisper, "Be still, and know that I am God."  What a wonderful way to begin a day!

With muscles pleasantly tired, it was the perfect time to visit the hot tub - which we were happy to do!  With no one else to be seen, we had it all to ourselves - and I always enjoy having Jimmie's undivided attention!  After about an hour of talk, talk, talk and talk some more, we were hungry, and went in search of the lighthouse pantry!  After eating out in the sunshine, on the lakeside deck, it was definitely time for a swim.  I knew better than to try the pool this time, so talked Jimmie into a lake swim.  He pretty much just humors me in that regard.  He's never liked to stay out in the water as much as I do, but he spoils me so wonderfully - and goes just because he knows I want him to.  That is a good and perfect gift I've been enjoying for almost 36 years now!  After the initial breath-catching, invigorating plunge, the water really isn't bad.  :o)  We splashed around on floaties for a while, before paddling down to watch kids on the long slide.  Getting a little chilly by this time, we traded floaties for comfy beach recliners in the sun, nearly taking a nap before walking the lakeside pathway back to our abode.

That brings me to this moment ... having spent an hour or so journaling, talking with the Lord, and now with my honey.  Such a lovely day!

The kids - Sarah, Hannah, Ben, and Josh - will be arriving for the weekend about 8:30 tonight, with Jamie and Colin joining us tomorrow.  Such a blessing for Jimmie and I to have them all together - truly, a good and perfect gift!

4:30 pm

Not long after the above was written, the breeze increased from gentle to stiff and threatening clouds quickly moved in.  In just minutes, those blackened clouds suddenly began to empty, right over our heads!  We quickly grabbed books, computer, etc, and retreated indoors posthaste!  In just a few short minutes, the lake was dark and covered with whitecaps, with the wind gusting against our lighthouse lantern room with enough force to make me nervous.  (Of course, all the Henson men would agree that doesn't really take much to do...)  With Jimmie's reassurances well in mind, I relaxed and enjoyed the coziness of a dark, stormy day being observed from the warmth and security of our own little lighthouse.  It's a great place to watch the storm!  Waves were crashing on the rocky shoreline, and we had just mentioned how glad we were not to be out on the lake in kayaks now.  When what to our wondering eyes should appear - a 16-year-old son, wanting permission to go kayaking!  As we weren't hearing thunder or seeing any lightening - and knowing he'd had a somewhat "boring" day, due to being the only one here who had yet to enjoy their 50th birthday - we gave the "OK" and off he went - glad to be out in the rain, the wind and the waves.  Oft' times, there's just no figuring out the 16-year-old brain, you know?  :o) It was a relatively short, but enjoyed, kayak adventure, as the thunder and lightening did move in, and soon he was back inside - safe, sound, and soon to be dry.  He settled down watching TV, I got comfy to once again write about it all, and Jimmie took the vacation-liberty of a nap.  As he sleeps, I'm watching the storm move on to parts unknown.

The wind dies down, the sky begins to clear.  Puffs of cotton candy appear once more above the gray; hints of blue peep out from behind scurrying clouds.  And soon, there will be little evidence remaining that today, God has ridden upon the storm.  I'm glad I was here to see Him.

"God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm."
William Cowper 

Day Three of Our Good and Perfect Gift

Above is the back side of our little lighthouse rental.
Right now, I'm sitting out on the front side balcony, overlooking the lake.

From up here, you can watch all the fun going on out in the water,
as well as enjoy the further vistas of lake, hills, and woods.  

So beautiful and relaxing!  Jimmie had to make a trip back in to town this afternoon, along with Josh.  So it's just James and me this afternoon and evening.  The two of us are mostly doing a whole lot of nothing at the moment ... and enjoying it immensely! 

This morning, we spent some time in speed competition on this 120 foot slide.  James came in the winner at 4.4 seconds, with Josh in hot pursuit at 4.7.  The Dad competed also, but we won't take time to mention his time...  :o)  Let's just say that his timing made the other competitors feel great about their time!  :o)  I'm sure there will be opportunities taken for evening up the score!

Kayaking was next, after the slide competition, and I loved it.  All four of us took off to explore the shoreline a bit.  After a while, Dad and Josh had to head back for their B'ham trip, but James and I stayed out longer.  I wanted to cross to the other side (at a narrow point) and stay out for hours and hours.  The first problem we encountered with my plan was hunger and thirst.  Next time, bring water and snacks!  Then, alas, problem #2 arrived on the scene, in spite of all my ambitious intentions!  My arms gave out before my goals were met!

I didn't really want to head for shore, but my wimpy arms stubbornly demanded otherwise!  James has promised to take me out again later today, though, and there's still 5 more days for more adventuring.  Woohoo!  I might just make it across, after all!   :o)

It's so nice to have strong young men for sons, who will humor their mom, look out after her, and help her do all these things she's afraid to go do by herself!  :o)  

I'm convinced they'll have an extra jewel or two in their crowns one day.  Thanks, guys!

You can barely see our lighthouse in the bottom right corner.
I'm SO enjoying this beautiful view!

When the sun goes down, I'll head back up to the hot tub ... 102 degrees of pure bliss...  :o)

Does my ol' bones good!

I tried out the pool this morning.  Take notice above of how many folks are taking a dip in this lovely pool.
Upon stepping into it, I discovered why.
The water temperature had to be down into the minus numbers!
I splashed around a bit, thinking I could get used to it, but never brave enough to venture out deeper than my waist.
After I finally gave up on that idea, I then retreated to the hot tub around the corner.  Ahhhhh.........  After staying in it long enough to feel good and hot, I thought I'd try the pool again.  After being this hot, near heat stroke level,
surely the pool will feel good to me now!  Wrong again ...
Guess I needed to stay in that tub a bit longer ... go ahead and have that heat stroke, maybe!  ;o)
So, when my numb feet had feeling restored and I could manage to stop shivering,  I headed off to the lake, instead;
I found it a bit chilly, but not as cold as the pool!

Our lighthouse can be seen just about mid-picture.

               

We thought, first thing this morning, that the day would be cloudy with on and off showers, like it was yesterday.  But by noon, the blue skies were chasing the clouds away, and it ended up being a clear-blue-sky, warm-breezes-and-white-cotton-candy-clouds kind of day.  Thank You, Lord!  

What a wonderful Day #3 of Your gift to us ... Your "good and perfect gift!"

"Peace, be still."

So quiet.  I can't hear a sound, other than the clicking of the computer keyboard, a bird's call every now and again, and the pitter-patter of raindrops on the roof.  If I were to open the door, I'd hear the water lapping on the shore, but the chilly temperature has chased me inside.  We arrived after dark last night - looking forward to spending a lazy week just enjoying the sun and playing in the water, through Indian Summer days, so common in the South.  Fall does not officially begin until September 23, and usually warm/hot temperatures of an Alabama summer last throughout the month of September, if not October and November - with the only real noticeable signs of fall being cooler evening and early morning temps, and the changing colors.  Back when I first reserved this rental lake house, on the shores of Weiss Lake, there was every reason to expect plenty warm enough days for swimming, boating, sun bathing, etc.  Well, as the old saying goes, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go asunder."  Fall had the nerve to arrive a bit early this year - without my permission!  :o)  But even though it isn't what I had earlier envisioned, I find I can't really complain.

We have rented a lighthouse for the week - a unique lakeside rental built in a lighthouse design.  Situated right on the shores of the lake, it has a large lakeside patio, with outdoor dining table and chairs, comfortable Adirondack seating, and gas grill.  The "lighthouse" has four floors, each with a beautiful view of the lake and surrounding woods. The ground level is a small sitting area and kitchen, including a dining area.  Leaving the ground floor, the stairs wind upwards, bringing you first past the door to a cozy bedroom-with-bath that Jimmie and I have claimed.  Passing that doorway, the stairs continue winding upward, coming next to two doorways - one opening to a bedroom, the other to a hallway bathroom with laundry - tiny, but complete.  Resuming the  upward climb, you finally reach the crowning top of the lighthouse - complete with a skylight opening, rising even higher, housing a rotating beacon light.  A sleeper sofa graces this snug little viewpoint (as well as ample floor space for air mattresses and sleeping bags), making it the preferred bedroom for our guys.  When the rainy weather moves on, some of them plan to sleep out on the balcony, listening to the waves and watching the stars. This summit room, resembling a lighthouse Lantern Room, is the apex of the winding stairwell.  It is completely surrounded with windows, and opens onto a narrow balcony, which wraps around the structure - imitating a Lantern Gallery.  It was to this balcony that Jimmie and I ascended this morning, coffee and pastries in hand, to enjoy breakfast with the view and sounds of beautiful Lake Weiss.

I love spending time like this with the love of my life - just chatting about this and that,  no reason to hurry, no schedule to keep, just enjoying the blessings of the day and being together.  This morning, while in our upper retreat, we heard from two of our children back in Birmingham, both situations needing supportive counsel and reassuring love.  We gave both as best we could, then spent some time asking the Lord to provide for them what we could not.  What a joy to know He hears, He cares, He loves, and He is abundantly willing and able!

The lighthouse design of this house is so unusual.  There is basically one room on each of the four floors.  As I huffed and puffed my way onto the top floor this morning, I laughingly told James that simply walking from one room to another was somewhat of a challenge in this cute, little place!  I love it, though!  It makes each room so quiet - even if mere conversation between rooms is a slightly ambitious undertaking.  :o)  I wouldn't want to live here with my wimpy arthritic bones, taking off on a "mountain hike" every time I change rooms or need to be heard ... but I'm loving it for this week!  Such a quaint, fun place to enjoy!

Right now, we only have Josh and Hannah with us.  Josh will take Hannah's place later today, and all the kids will be going and coming through the week as work and school schedules allow.  It's proximity to the B'ham area makes this a workable plan, which is one primary reason for choosing it.  I'm looking forward to the weekend, when they'll all be here, except Tiff and Michael.  With their wedding so close, they're understandably up to their eyeballs with things to do!  But Jamie and Colin, Sarah, and Ben will all be here over the weekend, which makes Mama a happy camper!  To top it off, even the weather is supposed to smile on us - sunny blue skies and warm temperatures.  Swimming may be out, but the hot tub will be nice, and the kayaks fun ... if they stay upright!  I'm sitting here watch a couple two-seater kayaks out on the lake.  They seem to be staying right side up without any difficulty, so maybe I'll scrounge up enough courage to give one a try!  :o)  If the needed amount of courage appears to be unavailable, I'll take a paddle boat out for a spin.  :o)

I'm a blessed woman, and today, this moment -  I'm very conscious and aware of those many blessings.  Thank You, Lord, for each and every one.  And keep me ever mindful of them - each and every day!