Back Home Again In Indiana

BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA

by Ballard MacDonald and James F. Hanley

Back home again in Indiana oh it seems that I can see
That gleaming candlelight still burning bright
Through the sycamores for me
That new mown hay sends all it's fragrance
From the fields I used to roam
Oh I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash
Then I long for my Indiana home.

 

As I traveled to Indiana from Ohio Friday, I thought I would just take my time and stop a few places along the way.

I love Indiana. As you drive through it, all you see for miles and miles are farms and green fields. 

I pulled off the main interstate 64 and stopped at Lincoln State Park. It had always been one of my favorite places. I can remember all the times Jerry and I would walk through the woods and enjoy the nature and solitude. It is full of deer and it seems like if you listen, you can hear every bird in the woods.

Lincoln State Park is where Abraham Lincoln grew up. There's a cabin and working farm which is a replica of where Abraham Lincoln might have lived. It is where his mother is buried. They also have a memorial of Lincoln's original cabin site. It's just a beautiful and peaceful place to visit.

A Year Gone By

It's been a year since my husband fell asleep in my arms and woke in the arms of Jesus. I'll admit, it hasn't been the easiest of years.  I still miss my husband so very much. I still wish he was sitting in his recliner looking over at me and saying, "I love you."  I miss his teasing, his compliments, his input into my life, the times we shared together.

I miss drinking my cup of coffee with him every morning and the hugs, especially when he would hug me for no reason, but just to let me know that he loved me.

I miss his hunting stories, attending church with him (it's still hard going to church by myself), sharing conversation, going to a restaurant together.

I sometimes feel like a little girl still so very lost, trying to find my way in this new and different time in my life. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm suppose to do with myself. I know the answers will come as I pray and seek God's will.

I still appreciate all the prayers and support I have received from friends and family.

Over this year, I have learned also.  I have learned that the love of family is very important. Also, try not to have regrets. A person will always have some regrets, but it's best if you do every thing possible so that you don't.

Always remember the good times, forget the bad.

Don't argue over little things that really don't matter.

You don't always have to be right and win each time.

Watch your words, you can never take them back.

Laugh a lot.

Hug often and say the words "I love you" often.

God's grace is amazing. Every day I feel His blessings in my life.

And always try to enjoy every moment that you have together. 

I'm still not sure what God has planned for me and what my future holds, but I do know that God is Already in My Tomorrow, preparing the way.

In The Good Ol' Summertime

Gavin

Alexis and Gavin

Newport on the Levee

Scott and Lisa

The Purple People Bridge

 

 

 

                                        

Emma

Playing Baseball

Ethan

Jackie, Aaron, Evan, Emma, and Elena

Catching Lightning Bugs

Elena

Jennifer and Steve

Simon and Evan

Alexis, Gavin, and Mark

Remember The Alamo!

One of my favorite places to visit in San Antonio is the Alamo. It's considered a shrine to the men who gave their lives trying to win Texas' independence from Mexico.  

I grew up hearing stories about Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. They were a couple of my heroes. I knew every stanza of The Ballad of Davy Crockett. 

I hope my grand kids have good heroes. When our sons were growing up we tried to encourage them to have missionaries and great men of God as their heroes. I believe that having the right kind of heroes is very important.

My son, Mark, and grand kids, Alexis and Gavin

I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend with Mark, Alexis, and Gavin.

By The Sea, By The Sea, By The Beautiful Sea

Last Friday, my two grand kids, Alexis and Gavin, and I flew into San Antonio, Texas. We are having a really great time. We went to North San Padre Island in Corpus Christi. The next morning, my two grand kids and I awoke early and went walking along the beach. It had rained during the night and there was a freshness in the air. The beach was just awakening. The waves were washing up its treasures of broken sand dollars and shells and depositing them on the shore. The seagulls were flying above us and we watched the pelicans diving into the ocean eating their morning feasts.

It was a beautiful day.

When I see an ocean or a mountain, it always amazes me and I can't help but think about the power of God and all the beautiful creations He made for us to enjoy.

My son, Mark, Maria, Gavin, and Alexis