You Seriously Won't Believe This!
Hey Everyone!
I'm back from Lake Powell and WOW--what a week! If you ever want the vacation of a lifetime that will be enjoyed by every family member (any age), you really should consider renting a house boat on Lake Powell. The scenery is spectacular--the water warm and clear--and there's more shore line than in all of California.
Before I tell you what you seriously won't believe, I had to show off my little Sage. We decided to try her on water skis this year. We told her to lean back on her life jacket, bend her knees, keep the ski tips up and keep her arms straight. We didn't tell her to close her eyes but it must have worked--she got up on her first try!
Also, check out the scenery behind Collin--it totally looks like something out of a movie. Really--the prettiest place on earth!
Now for the experience that you won't believe. Several families from our neighborhood came with us including the Butters who have five children. We dry dock our house boat at a place called Off Shore Marina near Bullfrog. We got to the dry marina Thursday night and were looking forward to getting right on the water and finding our perfect place to park the boat. Instead we found out that the generator on the boat was completely gone--it had stopped working during the previous owner's week. We stayed the night on the house boat on dry land (about 20 minutes from the lake). (The house boats are on huge steel pyramids.) The older children slept on top while the adults slept in rooms on the boat. There were probably 50 other boats around us full of eager boaters also waiting to be launched the next day. In the morning, 11-year-old Allie Butters and her pillow were mysteriously missing off the top deck. We searched every square inch of the boat, then began asking other boaters. We searched at the restaurant, the gas station, the boat repair and rental shop, up the road, in the desert among the sage brush. We looked on other boats--and soon everyone at the marina was looking and praying. After what seemed like an eternity (at least an hour), we called the police. We continued to look and began feeling very scared. Suddenly one of the employees yelled "I found her, I found her!" She was sound asleep in the empty house boat just next door. She had walked in her sleep all the way to the ground (down some very steep steps). She had then gotten disoriented, crawled up the steel pyramid and over the gate on the wrong boat, was confused why everyone was gone, so went and crawled in the room she thought her parents were sleeping in not realizing it was the wrong boat. WHAT A RELIEF! Our prayers were answered! Needless to say her parents didn't let Allie sleep on the top the rest of the trip--they kept her under lock and key.
Now for the really amazing part. We were kinda bummed there was a generator problem and that we weren't able to get on the lake Thursday night. What a blessing in disguise. If we would have been on the lake with Allie sleepwalking the way she did, who knows what would have happened.
I can't quit thinking about this experience. Sometimes trials come that we all wish we didn't have. The important thing to remember is God always sees the big picture and knows what's best for our lives.
On a sad note, one of my dear scrapbooking friends, Lezley Laudenbacher, unexpectedly passed away early this morning. I met Lezley in her home in Zanesville, Ohio where she was crowned "Queen of the Crop" for the day. I showed up with tons of goodies and she provided lots of yummy food and chocolate galore. We became instant friends and she came to several CKUs and QVC live studio audiences. I talked her and her mother, Virginia, into coming to Utah two years ago--it was a first time on a plane for both of them. We had such a delightful time and had a blast at CKU-Provo. (Lezley is on the right.)
I am so lucky to have known Lezley and my heart is heavy tonight--I will miss my wonderful friend. I am so honored to have the opportunity to speak at her funeral.
Please say a prayer for the Laudenbacher family.
Sincerely,
Lisa
I'm back from Lake Powell and WOW--what a week! If you ever want the vacation of a lifetime that will be enjoyed by every family member (any age), you really should consider renting a house boat on Lake Powell. The scenery is spectacular--the water warm and clear--and there's more shore line than in all of California.
Before I tell you what you seriously won't believe, I had to show off my little Sage. We decided to try her on water skis this year. We told her to lean back on her life jacket, bend her knees, keep the ski tips up and keep her arms straight. We didn't tell her to close her eyes but it must have worked--she got up on her first try!
Also, check out the scenery behind Collin--it totally looks like something out of a movie. Really--the prettiest place on earth!
Now for the experience that you won't believe. Several families from our neighborhood came with us including the Butters who have five children. We dry dock our house boat at a place called Off Shore Marina near Bullfrog. We got to the dry marina Thursday night and were looking forward to getting right on the water and finding our perfect place to park the boat. Instead we found out that the generator on the boat was completely gone--it had stopped working during the previous owner's week. We stayed the night on the house boat on dry land (about 20 minutes from the lake). (The house boats are on huge steel pyramids.) The older children slept on top while the adults slept in rooms on the boat. There were probably 50 other boats around us full of eager boaters also waiting to be launched the next day. In the morning, 11-year-old Allie Butters and her pillow were mysteriously missing off the top deck. We searched every square inch of the boat, then began asking other boaters. We searched at the restaurant, the gas station, the boat repair and rental shop, up the road, in the desert among the sage brush. We looked on other boats--and soon everyone at the marina was looking and praying. After what seemed like an eternity (at least an hour), we called the police. We continued to look and began feeling very scared. Suddenly one of the employees yelled "I found her, I found her!" She was sound asleep in the empty house boat just next door. She had walked in her sleep all the way to the ground (down some very steep steps). She had then gotten disoriented, crawled up the steel pyramid and over the gate on the wrong boat, was confused why everyone was gone, so went and crawled in the room she thought her parents were sleeping in not realizing it was the wrong boat. WHAT A RELIEF! Our prayers were answered! Needless to say her parents didn't let Allie sleep on the top the rest of the trip--they kept her under lock and key.
Now for the really amazing part. We were kinda bummed there was a generator problem and that we weren't able to get on the lake Thursday night. What a blessing in disguise. If we would have been on the lake with Allie sleepwalking the way she did, who knows what would have happened.
I can't quit thinking about this experience. Sometimes trials come that we all wish we didn't have. The important thing to remember is God always sees the big picture and knows what's best for our lives.
On a sad note, one of my dear scrapbooking friends, Lezley Laudenbacher, unexpectedly passed away early this morning. I met Lezley in her home in Zanesville, Ohio where she was crowned "Queen of the Crop" for the day. I showed up with tons of goodies and she provided lots of yummy food and chocolate galore. We became instant friends and she came to several CKUs and QVC live studio audiences. I talked her and her mother, Virginia, into coming to Utah two years ago--it was a first time on a plane for both of them. We had such a delightful time and had a blast at CKU-Provo. (Lezley is on the right.)
I am so lucky to have known Lezley and my heart is heavy tonight--I will miss my wonderful friend. I am so honored to have the opportunity to speak at her funeral.
Please say a prayer for the Laudenbacher family.
Sincerely,
Lisa
25 Comments:
Lisa:
WOW, what a trip. Sage looks so cute, I like the way she closed her eyes right before getting up.
I can't even imagine what you all felt not knowing where Allie was. This is definitely every parents nightmare. I am so glad you found her and she was alright.
Even though you had some scary moments you all managed to have a wonderful time and that is all that really matters.
I am truly sorry to hear about your dear friend. My thoughts and prayers our with you and her family.
Marta :)
Wow sounds like a very fun & eventful vacation. Isn't it wonderful how God knows what needs to happen & when? And if we go with it, things work out beautifully. Glad that Allie was safe, though disoriented when she was sleepwalking.
What a beautiful view you guys had & what a neat idea to rent a houseboat. Kudos to Sage for getting up on the water skies her first time. That's awesome.
And lastly, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend Lezley. It's seldom easy to deal with the loss of a loved one. I will pray for you, Lezley's family & all those that loved her or were touched by her life. May you find peace & comfort in God's arms knowing that He still knows the "Big Picture" and He can still use this situation to do good for His glory. Peace & Blessings as you speak at her funeral.
Jeannette P
I love hearing how God works his wonder...I love that we can see a glimpse of the bigger picture when we don't understand why something happens and then it's crystal clear a short time later. What a faith builder! Thanks for sharing. Awesome lake pictures, ski pictures...sorry to hear of your friend's passing.
How much did you have to spend for gas?
We spent around $2,000.00 for the gas for the week. This included gas for the ski boats, house boat and jet skis. Not fun--Can you believe how much gas is?
Hey Lisa,
Loved hearing about your trip. God is so good, but, a lot of times we don't find that out till something happens! I'm glad Allie was o.k. Also, I'm so sorry about your friend. I'll keep you in my prayers.
What a crazy crazy experience Lisa. The Lord definitely watches over us, doesn't He! WOW!!! I am so sorry to hear about your friend's passing. We had two deaths very close to us as well the past week and a half. It is definitely a very difficult time. What a wonderful thing that you are speaking at her funeral. Glad to have you home!
I am glad you had a safe and fun filled family vacation! I am praying for your friend Lezley's family. I know God will take care of them during this time. Welcome back Lisa, you were missed in blogland!!
Wow! Two amazing stories to remind us what is important! Thanks for that!
Oh my, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. That photo of Sage is beautiful. I'm glad you and your family had a wonderful trip. My thoughts and prayers are with your friend. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Hi Lisa - What an amazing story! You are so right about God seeing the big picture - we just have to have faith and follow His plan. So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend - her family will be in my prayers.
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. My toughts and prayers are with you and her family. I am so glad you found Allie wow talk about the Lords hand in your life! Looks like a fun trip and Sage is getting so big and looks so stinkin cute, can't wait to see the scrapbook page!
Lisa: Lezley and I have been friends for several years. Today I got the worst call a friend could receive....she was gone forever. My heart is so heavy. Lezley was such a king person and her love was scrapbooking. I took my first scrapbooking class from her and we were in our scrapbooking club together. She and I went to crops together and shopped for supplies. As Lezley would refer to "feeding" our habit. She would be so very please that you are speaking at her funeral. She was so proud to be your friend and you, Lisa, are a wonderful, giving, individual as I personally know what you have done for her. I will be out of town for her Memorial but my prayers and throughts will be with everyone next Wednesday.
Sherry
Hi Lisa
Wow! What a heart stopping moment for Allie's family and all of you! So glad you found her safe!! Such a scary thing! God was definitely watching over all of you!
Way to go Sage!!! So awesome!! Congratulations on accomplishing a new skill!!
My deepest sympathy to Lezley's friends and family! My thoughts are with you as you speak at her funeral! What a beautiful but extremely difficult thing to do!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Cindy
I'm so glad Allie is safe and sound! I can't imagine what everyone went through until she was found.
On a similar note, there is a often-told story in my husband's family about his brother, Rob, who is and was a very sound sleeper. Thirty years ago, the family was camping and Rob, who was then around 8 or 9, somehow rolled out of his bed in the compact camper. He fell to the ground, but never woke up. The next morning, his parents panicked until they found him sleeping on the ground next to the camper.
I'm glad you had a fun vacation.
Lisa,
Hi! My family and another family were just talking about taking a trip to Lake Powell next summer.
Would you recommend a specific house boat rental company? Do you have any other tips???
I enjoyed the pictures! Thanks for sharing
Jen
mytwojs@cox.bet
My heart ACHES for Lake Powell. I can't wait until our family can get back to the west and re-start the tradition.
Sorry to hear about your friend, Lezley. Will you be doing anything else while in OH? I'm in Columbus.
Our God is an awsome God and always knows best!
I am so sorry for your loss and will pray for the family.
Hugs
Robin--How cool that you're in Columbus. Unfortunately I'll be fly in Tues. night, attend the funeral on Wed. in Zanesville, then leave Thurs. morning. Would have loved to have met you!
Jennifer--As for house boat rentals, we own a timeshare so we get the same house boat every year. I noticed this year that Lake Powell has some new house boats that you can rent. (I'd stay away from the older ones.) One of them that I saw even had a hot tub on the top! (Don't ask me why you'd want a hot tub at Lake Powell because it's so hot but it was cool looking!) I'd google Lake Powell House Boat Rentals and see what you come up with!
The houseboat stuff looks so fun! It's fun to see your vacation every year. I'd never make it to lake powell so that is fun to see.
My sympathy to your friend and her family. I know personally how tough it is, as we just had my mom's memorial service this weekend. Terrible times but there is hope in knowing our faithful father in heaven!!! Know that my thoughts and prayers are with her family also and with you as you speak at her memorial service(which is super duper great of you to do by the way-such a wonderful gesture for that family ina time of greiving).
PS-I was designated in my family to take care of my mom's cherish family photos...such treasures..I have my mom's wedding book, and some other cherish photos.
thank you for the cute story, and also for the reminder that all is in the Lord's hands. sometimes I loose sight of the big picture.
Hey Lisa! I am in Zanesville. Sorry that you have to come on such sad circumstances but I would love to glad to meet you! Come visit us at Starbucks. I am always there serving coffee. Kyla
Lisa, you delivered a wonderful eulogy today for Lezley. I think you described her exactly when you called her caring, passionate and innocent. Lezley was loved by so many people. She touched so many lives and was always doing so much for others. You mentioned the New York City trip today. Do you remember that she saw David Bloom and Ty Pennington there at the Today Show? I can just imagine that she has already talked to David Bloom. No doubt she has already set up tables and is getting a crop together. That's our Lezley!
I was so amazed that you remembered my last name today. Wow! You meet people all the time and you remembered mine. I look forward to staying in touch with you. Have a good trip home.
Hugs,
Beth (the one that invites herself to parties!)
Lisa: My thoughts yesterday were with all of you in Ohio as I was visiting my grandchildren in Florida. I called Tammy in the afternoon and she said it was a beautiful service....a celebration of Lezley's life. I will miss her so very much. Thank you for being there for her family. God Bless you.
Sherry
Oh my...I met Lezley once at a crop in Zanesville I attended...she seemed like such a nice person! I will defintely say a prayer for her family. Sounds like an amazing time at the lake!
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