Well, the Thanksgiving season is upon us and I am spending a few short days in the heartland of Pennsylvania, visiting with family and friends.

I am always torn when I have some "free" time off work, struggling with:

1. My desire make the most of my 'free time' to stay at my home in CT, doing much needed tasks around the house, as well as enjoying R & R within the comfort of my own home and surroundings AND...


2. Wanting (and even NEEDING) to visit family and friends in PA and enjoying the peace and quiet and simple life back home in rural PA

As I prayed about this struggle that I faced, I realized that part of my desire to remain in CT was probably a bit more selfish than I wanted to admit. Granted, there are necessary tasks that I should attend to around my home, but much of what I struggled with in remaining in CT were self-indulgent desires to 'feed the flesh' in laziness or self-pampering. When I seriously compared each scenario of my impending vacation, I realized that the most self-LESS (and therefore GODLY-est) thing I could do would be to reconnect with family and loved ones, encourage family and friends (even strangers) in the faith and simply get my focus off SELF and onto OTHERS; those goals would be best served traveling to PA to spend Thanksgiving Day. My plan that I came up with for my current 6-day vacation was to spend the first 3.5 days in PA and the second 2.5 days in CT! Amazing how God really comes through when we seriously lay our dilemma or concerns before Him and allow HIM to guide and direct our path! "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 Words of TRUTH!

All that said, I am enjoying day #2 of my vacation in PA. Included here are a few photos taken while traveling!

I praised God as I drove since it was my first occasion this winter to see SNOW! I was also granted SAFE travels and am very thankful for God's protection; traffic was VERY heavy even yesterday.











After 4.5 hours I arrived in my hometown of Beaver Springs, PA and I was able to spend some "dinner" time with my son, daughter-in-law and 6 month old grandson. (see photo of this HUGELY HANDSOME little guy!)

I am tickled to announce that my son and wife are expecting baby #2 and was excited to view an ultra-sound photo of my next grandchild!

This morning I enjoyed a late breakfast at my favorite (one of TWO) restaurants in town! While there, I spotted a local Amish farmer having a meal with another 'local'. I discretely snapped a photo. *Please excuse the poor quality, as I didn't want to stand in front of the Amish man and fool with focusing or flash, etc.!








God is GOOD and right now I am enjoying some quiet time at my sister's home, using her spare computer (forgot my lap top!). Next in my plan for the day is to go to the church where I grew up (and where my sister works) to spend a few hours playing the baby grand piano in the sanctuary. I recall that last Christmas vacation, I popped into that church to spend some time praying and was blessed to find this beautiful new piano! Playing this piano was a 'dream'! What's the expression....about the piano playing "like butter"? Well, I am SO looking forward to a bit of quiet time with the Lord today, worshipping Him AND enjoying this lovely instrument of praise!

I will pop in an give an update later during my vacation in PA. For right now, I am praising God for clarity and wisdom in my choice to visit PA and to be His instrument of service.

May you all seek His will for YOU!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!