Chelsei Rae

A Quick Update: Checking In, Checking Out

2011-12-12T22:20:00.001-08:00

Wow. It's been around a month since my last post. I've thought about my need to update several times. However, I've not simply sat down to do it yet. Even now, I'm posting this from my iPhone.

Life has been crazy busy, as is per usual around this time of year- or any time of the year.

Let's see...
The Mom, Dad, Jake, Lindz and I all went up to Wonderworks for Thanksgiving. That made it my 3rd time to that place this season. Good thing it doesn't get old quick. We got a great deal on a room, and ended up staying in a penthouse suite. It was pretty, well, sweet. Haha. It had to level. You accessed it by a spiral staircase. We only stayed one night, but Jacob was wanting to move in. After we finished at Wonderworks, we topped off thanksgiving with dinner at a 50s diner. The whole holiday was pretty weird, but we had a good time.

Mom went back to SC that next week to finish out her semester at Midlands Tech. Dad stayed with us here in Cleveland for a couple of weeks.

Last Thursday we piled in the car an headed for ATL. We met mom there for dinner. Then, the kids and I came back to Cleveland while Mom and Dad said their goodbyes.

Dad left for Korea on Saturday afternoon. Mom dropped him at the airport and headed to Cleveland. She and the kids will be living with me for the upcoming year.

I did my VLB boost in Crossville on Sunday. It went well. Those are some really precious people. We all had a Christmas dinner afterwards. I ate and fellowshipped with the folks there, then drove back to Cleveland. I made it just in time to swing by the house and pick the kids up for church. No Sunday nap for me!

Service was really great at Zion Hill that night. God sure is good!

I've also spent the weekend preparing homemade Christmas cards for my youth leaders. I don't normally do Christmas cards. But I've been making lots of changes recently. Might as well add that to the list.

I felt like it would be a nice thing to do for the youth leaders. They work really hard all year. I like to do what I can to make sure that they know I appreciate them.

They've all turned out a bit different, which is what I wanted. You'll see a picture of one of the designs. It's my first time doing real homemade cards. I'm pretty pleased with the results. I've got a couple of more to finish up before I send them out later this week.

Anyway, guess that's all for now. Until next time!

Back to Reality... Only Not.

2011-11-13T20:10:00.000-08:00

After two Ladies Retreats back to back, I think I'm officially Ladies' Retreated out.

Actually, I absolutely loved both of the retreats. Tennessee's retreat was refreshingly good. I was thoroughly blessed to be there. I feel as though God has really brought me to higher heights and deeper depths these past two weeks.

I'd like to jump back into reality tomorrow. Clean the house, run some errands, exercise, work at Headquarters, clean the house, do some laundry, clean the house...

But no.

Found out over the weekend that my grandfather (Dad's dad) has cancer again. This is the second time it has come back within a year, and he's no spring chicken. Before we found out this news, my Dad was planning to take the kids and go. I was going to stay here and do all the aforementioned things that I am falling behind on. However, I have this gut feeling that I really need to go with them for the visit. I may only be almost twenty, but I've learned to listen to that gut feeling; ignoring it almost always leads to regrets.

So, I believe we are going to Clarksville tomorrow and spending a few days up there.

I'm really worn out. I feel like I haven't stopped since the Youth Lock Away. Ha. Actually, I feel like I haven't stopped since I was 16 and moved out. That's life, I suppose. I wouldn't have it any other way =)

A Week Out West

2011-11-07T15:14:00.000-08:00

   The long trek to Colorado began hours before the plane's departure. As any self-respecting teenager would, I waiting until the very last moment possible to pack. Without any sleep, I packed my suitcase about 3am.
   Brother and Sister Cox showed up at 4:02, after telling me first they would be there at 4:30, then changing it to 4:15. Leave it to the Cox's to be early to being early. Crazy kids. I hugged the kids, gave them explicit instructions to behave, hopped in the truck and we were on our way.
   Not having slept all night, I knew it was going to be a long day. The three hour drive to BNA definitely started out the long day on the right foot.
   We arrived at the Nashville airport around 6:30, with plenty of time to kill before our flight's departure at 8:53. I didn't get any rest in the car, and those who have ridden with Brother Cox before will understand why. I also wasn't able to sleep while waiting for the plane. You would think that airport seats would be more comfortable, but they aren't.
   It was finally time for takeoff. Once Sister Cox stopped freaking out, I think I fell asleep for about 30 minutes or so on the plane. I really enjoy flying. It's been about a year since my last flight, and I missed it. The whole concept of traveling so far in a short amount of time blows my mind.
   When it was time to land, the pilot came and welcomed us to Denver in the following manner:

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen.

It appears there is a light dusting of snow on the ground.

Welcome to Denver.

"Ok," I thought to myself, "I cannot stand snow, but this is Denver. I suppose it's to be expected. At least it's only a light dusting. I can handle that." Little did I know, Tennessee's definition of dusting and Colorado's definition of dusting are two entirely different things. Instead of snow barely covering the ground as I was expecting, do you know how much snow there was?

Six. Count 'em. Six inches of snow.

Uh, that's not a light dusting! That's a blizzard! Hahaha.

The cold is so different there, though. A temperature that would have froze me out in Tennessee was pretty comfortable here. If the cold in Tennessee was like the cold here, I may not whine all winter long.

   After not sleeping much for 36 hours, I was on to preach at the local church in Aurora. If God wanted me to be completely empty of self for that message, I surely was! Haha. There was nothing left in this kid after not sleeping. Some came up to me and said the message was good, so apparently I got a few coherent sentences out! Good thing I don't rely on myself behind the pulpit, but rather on the anointing of the Holy Ghost!
   Sister Cox preached at the local church the next night. She did a great job as usual.
   Friday morning we headed out for New Mexico to go to retreat. Emilee dropped the kids off, picked up Kristen and we headed on our way. An hour or so later we swung by Springs and picked up Jamey. Springs is a nice place. After Dad gets back from Korea, the place at the top of his list of base choices is the one in Colorado Springs. I told him if he goes there I'd visit much more =)
   I'm convinced that a mile in Tennessee equals five miles out west. Not sure if it was the openness, or straight roads, but shew! The drive was foreverrrrr. Stunningly beautiful, though! I absolutely loved the scenery. I took some pictures at first, but my camera wasn't doing it justice, so I gave up on the project.
   We had retreat at Glorieta. It is a sister retreat to Ridgecrest. Pretty nice place.
   I absolutely loved spending time with the sisters there. We had so much fun! No way I'm calling it Estrogen Festival. Twas far from it! I am glad that I had the opportunity to forge a stronger bond with those that I already kinda knew, and began friendships with those I had never met.
   Now I'm back at Emilee's. It's been a lazy day around here. I can appreciate that. Especially because I'll have to hit the ground running just as soon as I get home. I believe our plane leaves out tomorrow at 3pm-ish. We probably won't get back to Cleveland until late tomorrow evening.
   I've had such a good time. Can't wait until I have the opportunity to come back.