Yes Please, Tahquamenon Falls!



Why I love Michigan.... Tahquamenon Falls!
Last week on our road trip to the upper peninsula, we saw some pretty, beautiful waterfalls.  Did you know Michigan could be so awesome?   Parents, this would be a great family trip.  The falls are located in the state park.  It is a great state park!  I am not a camper and even I would consider camping at this park...and that is saying a lot! 

Check out these sites for further information.

Michigan.org
http://www.michigan.org/property/detail.aspx?p=G13076

Paradise Chamber of Commerce
http://www.paradisemichigan.org/

There are two sections of waterfalls.  These are the breathtaking upper falls!



 At the upper falls there is a great restaurant, gift shop and snack bar.  There are plenty of places to have a great picnic as well. 

 These are the fun lower falls.  I have heard that people like each falls for different reasons.  I could not pick a favorite.  The upper falls are just beautiful and the lower falls you can get up close and inner act with them.  Both are just fabulous.  If you have ever been, what are your favorite falls? 

 Mom and Dad, keep in mind there is some walking involved.  If you have babies or toddlers don't forget the stroller.  Grandma and Grandpa there is some walking involved so wear your good walking shoes.  The upper falls is a good 5min walk at least and there are three great viewing spots.  The last is 94 steps down to get up close and personal with the falls.  Don't forget you have to walk back up those 94 steps.  Bring some water along if it is hot.  And there is a very clean bathroom at the beginning of the path. 

 At the lower falls, you can rent boats to row to an island that is surrounded by the falls.  It is pretty inexpensive.  I think it was $15.00 for our family.  Just to let you know, that if you have a lot of kids you may need to have enough adult rowers.  If you don't want to take a boat over there still is a great path to see the falls.

We took the boat over.  We also brought a picnic lunch, which was a great idea.  We sat right along the falls and ate our lunch.  I do not think I have ever eaten my lunch in such a beautiful spot in my life.  Take a potty break before you go to the island; because there are no bathrooms over there.   Well, there is the river I guess.  LOL

 We got some AMAZING photos over at the lower falls.  It was so much fun.  We all had wished we had planned more time to stay there.  It really was a perfect day!

 

There are picnic tables at the beginning of the path to the lower falls.  You can also go into the nice gift and snack shop there as well.

 

 Tahquamenon Falls is definitely a new family favorite for sure.  We hope to go back someday and bring the boys along with us next time.  This was such a great family getaway and it is in our own backyard of this great state!

 

GET JOY!



The Amazing Pictured Rocks!

Why I love Michigan, Pictured Rocks!

Have you ever been to Pictured Rocks along the coast of the Upper Peninsula?  Please, plan to take a trip there it is worth every mile you have to drive to see it.  Once there, then you can cruise on over to these beautiful rocky cliffs from Munising, MI.  My sister, my girls and I took a trip there this week.  I will stop writing now...the pictures say it all.

And once you are done viewing the sights, walk on over to Johnny Dogs for a bite to eat.  Their hot dogs were fantastic.  Bring your appetite because these bad boys are wonderfully filling!

 This was my hot dog with potato skins, cheese, onion, sour cream and bacon on top....SAY WHAT!  Are you kidding me!  We died and went to hot dog heaven!

 My girls got a hot dog with pulled pork on top. 

 My sister got the summer special, a hot dog with a corn salsa and bacon.  It was fabulous!

Girl getaways to Pictured Rocks are too much fun!

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My 500th Post! Wowza!

I realized my 500th post was coming up for awhile now.  I find it crazy that I have written this many blogs; because I use to hate writing...I mean really hated it. I guess this means I don't hate it as much as I thought. LOL

 I have been pondering what to write.  My life has gone in a much different direction the last few months and that is why I have very few posts.  I decided that this post would be about God's plan.  

I always like to know where I am going on a trip before we leave.  I have a great photographic memory in regards to maps.  All I have to do is study the map and we are good to go. I like to have the directions all laid out before me and then I can go to my destination in confidence. That is how I like my life as well.  I like for God to tell me where I am going, how long it will take to get there, and what I will like for the journey.  

My life has been pretty simple like that.  I knew God wanted me at Bible College.  I knew that I would marry John.  I knew that God called us to each and every ministry we have been involved with thus far.  My life has been very plainly mapped out....and I liked it that way!  Predictable. Safe. Easy to Trust. Dependable.

Recently, we had our map all figured out.  We were going to plant a new church.  Our GPS was set and we were on our way.  We saw the path clearly in front of us.  

In May, God decided to show us a different path He immediately wanted us to walk down.  I did not like that path.  I could not see the directions.  I did not have a map.  The path looked really scary.  The path looked rough, hard, and not easy to manage.  I did not want to go down that path at all.  It meant stepping away from ministry for awhile...a long while.  It meant putting church planting on hold...that was not on my itinerary. 

But, since when do I get to decide what is God's best for my life.  Who am I to question what He wants to do?  Who am I that I should say, "Don't you think my way is better?"  Who am I to say that God cannot help me go down that rough road?  Who am I?

Romans 8:28

New International Version (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

All I know that I am God's child, and if I am His then He is going to take care of me.  God never promised that our lives would be easy, He only promised that He would never leave us or forsake us.  He promised that He would provide all our needs according to His riches in glory.  He promised that what was meant for evil, He can make it for His good. I will trust in His promises.

Isaiah 55:8-13

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸ “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
    “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
⁹ For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways
    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

So, with this new journey God has us on I have to trust God in a whole new way.  You know what?  That is okay; because it means God is going to teach John and I things we did not know.  It means we are going in the direction He really wants us to go.  It means that I will have to let go and truly let God manage my life.  It means that ultimately God will be glorified in us; because of our obedience.  It means that we will walk in true victory and freedom!  So, we will drop everything, our old ways, our old thoughts, our old ideas, our old plans, our old securities, and just follow Jesus. 

Matthew 4:20

New Living Translation (NLT)

And they left their nets at once and followed him.

 I will drop it all to follow You, Jesus!  And when I do I will....

GET JOY!

Michigan Farms!

Why I love Michigan, all the fun quirky farms!

I have been to so many fun farms in Michigan with my kids.  We went to Kei Ju Farm and Gardens in Petoskey, MI.  The owner was so kind and friendly.  The lady who ran this farm was intensely creative with her recycling ways.  It was a great visit.  You could also buy fresh goats milk, eggs and cheese.  

It was a great place for picture taking. 

Man, my guy loved this kitty. 

Checking out all the chickens...and there were a lot of chickens.

Great flowers at this down home farm!

In the past we have been cherry, raspberry, pumpkin, apple,and  blueberry picking.  We have been to petting farms and milk farms.  All of these have been great experiences.  Have you gone to any great "U Picks" or fun farms?   I just love Michigan farms!

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A Beautiful Island!

Why I love Michigan, Mackinac Island! 

If you live in Michigan and have not been there stop what you are doing and go right now....what is wrong with you?!  Mackinac Island is one of our precious gems!  I love it there and I can't tell you how many times I have been there.... too many to count I am afraid.   My sister took us on a special trip to the island this year.  We had a great time. 

For the first time ever for me, on the ferry ride over they took us under the Mighty Mac (Mackinac Bridge)!  I driven over it several times and even walked across it. I have never taken a boat ride under it.  The kids loved it.

We rented bikes and rode around the island.  It takes about an hour and a half to two hours if you got kids who want to stop a lot (8 miles).  It is so picturesque.  As I rode my bike on this perfect day, I sang, "We're all going on a summer holiday, doing things we always wanted to.  Fun and laughter on a summer holiday, make all your dreams come true for me and you."

Playing on the shore and skipping rocks into the water was a very relaxing pass time.  Except for the rock flung at my camera...yikes my camera was not injured in the taking of these pictures. LOL  Thank goodness, I really nearly cried.

Beautiful...just beautiful!  We brought a picnic lunch and this was our view.

The downtown is very quaint and full of wonderful shopping and scrumptious places to eat!

And if you stop on the Island make sure to get some ice cream and fudge..... YUMMY!

There are plenty of other fun places to visit like the fort, butterfly house and the Grand Hotel.  We decided to keep this visit cheap though.

Someday, I will have to blog about the time my family stayed at the Grand Hotel and had the privilege to stay in the Presidential Suite.  It is the room dead center on the second floor. 

I love, love, love Mackinac Island!  It is one of my favorite places in Michigan and it is why I love my state so much.

GET JOY!