My hiding place.

A few of you have commented on my last post - which was a quotation about worrying. I'm so blessed to know that many of you prayed for me - when you did not even know what I was going through.

These past couple of weeks, I have been in a real slump. Work has become overwhelming, I am struggling with my own self-image, and I have just flat out been depressed. I don't know what happened, or what triggered it. It just came and took over my life for nearly 2 weeks.

It's a good thing that I scheduled my mini-vacation with my grandparents for this past Monday and Tuesday. Y'all, I seriously cannot tell you how much I needed this trip. It was so wonderful to visit my grandparents - they are the absolute most precious people in my life. My granny is the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman, and my papa is just a good ole country boy. I spent some much-needed time with them - we ate, talked, and visited with neighbors and friends. I got to attend a neighborhood watch meeting with my papa and hear a lot of complaining about "junk cars." I ate breakfast every morning with my papa. I planned our trip to Tybee Island (we're staying at the Tybrisa, thanks for the suggestion, Meagan!) I had a pesky permanent retainer that I have had for 10 years taken off - thank you, Lord! But now, I'm suffering with a removable retainer that I have to wear for a week straight - and now I look like I'm 16.

Hello, my name is Lena - and I LOVE my retainer! HA! Please don't judge me!But the best part about my trip was the precious time I got to spend in the Word. I feel refreshed and anew - and I don't feel like anything is holding me back!

On both Monday and Tuesday, my grandfather took my out to the "country" to see an old spring that they had cleaned up. This spring (pictured below) has been there for years - perhaps even hundreds of years. Someone took the time to cut those rocks and place them to build the wall to protect the spring. My grandfather shared memories with me about visiting the spring with a bucket to get fresh water as a child. As he told me stories that involved the spring, I couldn't help but think of John 4:13: "Every person that drinks this water will be thirsty again. But the person that drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. That water I give will become like a spring of water flowing inside that person. That water will bring that person life forever." Only Jesus can supply the water that our thirsty souls desire. Only he can fill the emptiness and the ache. The amazing promise of Jesus' gift, his blessing, his refreshment, is that it is lasting. This water that Jesus gives is a spring of water, not a cistern. It is living, not static or stagnant. This water gives life and this life provides more water. God quenches our thirst with the Holy Spirit.My grandfather and his siblings share over 216 acres of land that has been in my family for generations. Everything was so pretty and green and full of life. I took over 60 pictures - here are some of my favorites...

This is a picture of a pond that was littered with lots of brush and fallen trees - my grandfather and his brothers took a lot of time to clean up around it - hopefully, it will continue to seal itself, and the pond will be here for years to come!

This is a picture of my great-great-Aunt Mary's house. She lived here for the majority of her lifetime - she was born in the house, along with my great-grandfather (my papa's father). There is a screen-in porch on the back, and I can remember spending hours upon hours with my Aunt Mary there. She was an old maid and schoolteacher - she always told wonderful stories, and I loved spending time with her.

This is an old barn that is not far from the house pictured above. I think old barns are just beautiful.

This is a picture of the pathway that my papa and I took to get to the top of the hill. I just love how green everything is!

A dogwood blooming on the side of the hill.

The sun was shining so magnificently through the trees on this morning. I love the way this picture turned out!

My grandfather has several purple martin birdhouses around his barn. I have always been facinated with martins - I love how they are such workers, and I love that so many of them stay together. They are very lively birds, and they are constantly working - but they sing a beautiful song while they work!

This is a picture of the church where Brad and I got married. It's an old church - it was built in the 1850s - there are steps on both sides of the porch - there used to be separate entrances for the men and women! It's an old church, and my family is deeply rooted in its history.

I snapped this shot of my papa and me driving down the road - I love that you can see both of us! I truly did treasure the time I got to spend with him, and I can't wait to go back!

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me." - Song of Solomon 2:11-13

So, I'm sorry for my lack of posting, but I had some issues that I need to work out within myself. I thank each of you that thought or prayed for me - I truly appreciate it!

Blessings!