In February 2012 God called us away from My Heart’s Home to move back to Texas. I never knew (nor could I ever comprehend) how much I would miss Illinois. We’ve been gone 2 years, and yet I ache for it so bad sometimes it hurts. Over and over I wonder why Illinois made such an impression on my life during the three years we lived there. My friend, Bob, put it so eloquently….it’s because of relationships. It has nothing to do with the cold weather, the snow, our jobs there (ALL of which I loved), but overall, it comes down to the relationships that I built there. As much as Paul enjoyed living there as well, and as much as he became friends with many people that we knew, he will never understand my longing for those relationships. So…I go. I go to visit. I go to “live” for a week there. In the familiar, where my heart lives.
About a month ago I decided I wanted to go to Illinois to visit. 🙂 Besides, it’s been almost a year since I’ve been there, so surely, my visit is justified because Illinois is missing me and I am yearning for it.
Where my heart lives!
I flew in on Thursday, the 13th of February. I wanted to go when it was still COLD and SNOWY, but not when it was frigid, below zero with feet of snow! I think I went at the PERFECT TIME! It was COLD and SNOWY, but absolutely perfect!!
view from the plane
I took this picture on Thursday (once I crossed over the bridge)….I thought it was so picturesque and indictative of the iconic Lacon Bridge.
Lacon bridge over the frozen Illinois River
After stopping in Chillicothe to pick up my “rental car” (a.k.a. Bob’s car that he let me borrow for the week–THANKS, Bob), I drove straight to camp. My heart is at peace when I drive down the camp road. The tall trees just surround you and envelope you into your own little haven for the duration of your time there.
my heart smiles when I drive down the camp road
On Thursday I went straight over to Ember’s house and immediately we had a tea party!
Impromptu tea party
Hannah pouring my “tea” (water)
On Friday morning I woke up to snow falling!! Happy Valentine’s Day to ME!
My view while eating breakfast on Friday morning
Becca and Hannah on Valentine morning
My Valentine from Becca
Paul’s Valentine from Hannah
On Friday Ember and I ventured out (very slowly because of the snow) and took the kids to the Children’s Museum in Bloomington. I’d never been there before, and it was great! The kids loved it….
Hannah took my picture while “eating” Avanti’s pizza….Hannah was “cooking” for me
Jacob playing at the water table–he stayed there for about an hour
Rebecca honing in on her “surgical skills”
full body PinArt
Hannah at the water table
Hannah and me at the ice cream store
Rebecca and me at the Ice Cream store
On Saturday I went and saw Jacob play basketball for a few minutes before I went to spend the afternoon with Shannon, getting pedicures, going out to eat, and going shopping! 🙂
Jacob
Shannon and me
The rest of my trip has to be continued in another blog post….it’s time to go to bed! 🙂
Finding Refuge 