Finally, a Vacation!

 So this last weekend I finally had a weekend off and even an extra day due to the 4th of July. I got invited to go see Kentucky with my co-worker. I had the best time I have had in a VERY long time. When we got there we met up with his family and talked for a while before bed. Saturday we went on a 12 mile hike in the Red River Gorge area of Daniel Boone National Forest. It was so gorge-ous! We were up on ridge tops and there was wild blueberries and I kept hoping to see bears (no luck). The weather was perfect and there wasn't even mosquitoes or gnats swarming us like there would be back home. Truly a remarkable place to be. 

Me standing in front of a rock wall

When we got back I had brought deer steak and cooked it for his family and it was the BEST I've ever tasted or made so that was super great. 

Trail Blueberries

Change in vegetation as elevation changed

Beautiful View

Me

Another beautiful view

The next day we went to church with his family and they are Baptist like I am so the church felt right at home for me. After church we went kayaking the Elkhorn with his friend. There was a little bit of white water in some places and our first rapid we flipped the kayak, after that we didn't flip again. We went on a 8 mile stretch of the Elkhorn. Then I got to meet more of his family for supper and then we walked down to see an INCREDIBLE firework show his neighborhood put on that lasted about 30 or so minutes or more. The whole thing looked like a grand finale, it was awesome. 

Monday we had to leave but it was his sisters birthday the next day so we took her along with us to see High Bridge. We had also went and toured his dad's bakery and got some fantastic donuts. Then we had to pack up and leave. I had such a good time. I was with such wonderful people and my soul needed this trip so much more than I knew at the time. 

Pictures of and at High Bridge

My Bible verse I chose is this one: "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:11-13. I love this because it makes me feel like God knows how happy I am and going through hard things makes the good seem even sweeter. 

💜Nichole