While all of my Massachusetts friends are braving their second snowstorm in two weeks, the Krum fam is enjoying their final, beautiful, sunny, 65 degree day in Texas. Hopefully the snow and ice up north will subside in time for us to land in Newark and Hartford uneventfully. At least our seats are all together this time!
We have packed so much into these three weeks, and are completely exhausted, but in a good, joyful, and abounding-fellowship kind of way. It sort of has to be that way, as we only travel to Texas once a year, and ALL parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and many dear friends live right here.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch with Jack and Kelly (a.k.a. Miss Riggs) in New Braunfels. Would you believe that we planned to meet at a Mexican food restaurant there, but requested a switch in venue and menu at the last minute? Would you believe we had eaten SO MUCH Mexican food, that even the kids were begging for something different? Well, it’s true! So, we moved a couple of doors down for soups, sandwiches, and salads, and met up with these dear friends. We enjoyed hearing more about their recent trip to China and several other nearby countries. We were showered with gifts from China and Cambodia, as well as new books, and old dolls for Kayla’s collection. We also loved seeing Jack’s new braces!
Hanging out with the Graf family is always a laughter-filled, and this-is-not-enough-time-to-catch-up time. Robert and Kevin (who just completed his second marathon!) were college roommates, and so inside jokes are faithfully recounted each year with everyone laughing until they cry. Now, I want you to take a close look at the above photo. Do you see me? Now look to the right of me and you will see the beautiful Emily. Emily is in the 7th grade ~ same as Cooper! She is 5′ 10″ ! And her older brother Chandler to her right is in 10th grade. He is over 6 feet tall and only 6 months older than Kory! Needless to say, the Krum fam spent the evening feeling like Lilliputians in the land of Gullivers, but it was so much fun ~ Jason’s Deli, (gluten free bread there!) endless conversation, Amy’s ice cream at the Arboretum, and climbing on the concrete cows.
In what has become an annual tradition, we also went out to eat with my grandmother ~ Gigi, and Uncle Chuck. It is our second year to meet up at P.F. Chang’s in San Antonio and indulge in their wonderful gluten free entrees and desserts, and to catch up with each other. My dad also joined us which I think is really special, since this is my mom’s side of the family and she and my dad have been divorced for over 30 years. They have always loved him and treated him as a part of the family. Uncle Chuck and Gigi are very special to me, as they spent much time with me growing up. Now that I am an adult and a mother, I am overwhelmed at the time and sacrifice they gave me as a child ~ babysitting, meals, swimming, special outings and trips, gifts, cards, college visits, Oklahoma visits, and lots of teaching and training by example. So thankful for each of them.
And then there was the “work” portion of the trip. I must confess that there have been times when I have resented this part, because it involves preaching, and reporting, and fund raising for our church and ministry in MA. I have wished we didn’t have to rely on others for this thing that we’ve been called to in New England. Well, as we traveled to each church and scheduled appointment, I became ashamed of my bitterness over what has really been a gift and blessing to us in so many ways, humbled by the long-time friendships, prayers, and commitments these churches have so faithfully given to us.
First, there was Texas Oaks Baptist Church. Our friend James is the pastor there. He and his wife, Cathy, worked alongside of us in youth ministry in Austin. They were the first family I watched homeschool and lovingly discipline their children. They had me over for dinner every Monday night as Robert was away at seminary on those evenings. Some people rave about my weekly menu planner on my fridge. Well, Cathy was who I learned to plan menus and shop for only needed items from. Now, even thought James continues to be really smart, designing micro-chips and whatnot for Advanced Micro Devices, he also has a Master’s of Divinity from DTS and pastor’s this church. They have graciously welcomed us each year, and their church loves and prays faithfully for our church in Massachusetts.
Above is Manchaca Baptist Church where Robert had his first ministry position as a youth pastor. This is a fairly new building for them, and not the one we worked in when we were there, but the people are the same! They seem fixed in time ~ and never cease to welcome us so lovingly back into their congregation each year. At the end of the evening service here (Robert preached 3 services here!), the pastor (who was not the pastor when we were there!) called everyone up to lay hands on us and pray for us. I was overwhelmed to tears by the faithful prayers of this bunch that we have now known for 20 years. God’s people are simply amazing.
Just yesterday we returned from our trek to Oklahoma. It was a tornadic sweep through the state for us, to be sure ~ a category 3 at least!
Friday – drive to Oklahoma City from Austin, TX (8 hours), visit Christie and parents in hospital there after her dad’s heart attack, drive on to Stillwater (1 hour) for dinner with Tom and Jill, drive to Tulsa (1 hour) to Aaron and Shemaiah’s house to spend the night.
Saturday – lunch with Shemaiah at Cracker Barrel, visit Aaron (her husband who just had surgery for Crohn’s) in hospital, drive to Collinsville (1 hour) to meet up with group of friends who were all students at OSU while Robert was the college minister there, back to hospital to hang out with Aaron and Shemaiah, out to eat dinner with Shemaiah, and to bed.
Sunday – up at 5am in order to shower, dress, pack, and leave to drive back to Stillwater (1 hour) and preach at University Heights Baptist Church for their 8am early service, 9:30am Sunday school gathering (all classes together to hear Robert’s report on Mercyhouse and church planting), and 10:45am service. Next, a wonderful lunch with wonderful friends ~ the Green family at their house. Then a group coffee date at Panera for more catching up and reporting on the ministry, and then back to Oklahoma City for a dinner with more dear friends. Lastly, a one hour drive to Newcastle, Oklahoma to stay with even more wonderful friends and parents of a former student.
Monday – drive from Newcastle, OK to Ft. Worth, TX,(3 hours) to meet with a young pastor, his wife, and four children who are interested in church planting in New England. (They were wonderful, and she says she likes cold weather, so that’s a definite plus!) Then a drive from Ft. Worth to Austin (3 hours) to pick up our kids at the cousins’ house, and then back to San Marcos (1 hour) to my dad’s house and home base!
Before these church visits, there were numerous appointments with other pastors and ministers for Robert, and even a small group teaching time for folks at my sister’s church.
Whew! If you are still reading, then you might be as exhausted as we are! Rather than regret and resentment though, the Lord provided for me to have a thankful heart for all of this travel and all of these appearances and appointments. It was a privilege to be with His people and to have my eyes opened once again to just how this 65 degree-loving-lady is able to survive in New England ~ the prayers of the saints who love her and her family and her Lord. Not only are these amazing folks being faithful witnesses right where they are, they also want to be a part of that in New England. It blows me away, and spurs me on to continue serving the Lord in the places He’s called me.
Laundry and packing today! Back in our own beds (and under our electric blankets ~ sigh) tomorrow!