Freedom Waters Foundation

 We had an abnormal weekend.  We traveled to Bloomington Friday night to stay in the Four Winds Inn and Marina.  Saturday, we were taken out on Lake Monroe for a two-hour boat ride and then returned to live music and a BBQ luncheon.  This organization comes out of FL once a year to do this FREE event for veterans and children with special needs and their families. All of the boat rides are given by volunteers that offer their boats, time and resources.   I had never heard of it before and hoped it would be a fun opportunity for Lillian.  How did it go...well, first and foremost, it was HOT.  I'd have to say that was the only real downside.  

We actually rode in a boat with just the captain and his first mate and us.  It was beautiful.  Lillian was very nervous and actually started to cry mid ride.  We didn't make it a full two hours on the lake, but pretty darn close.  I think she enjoyed herself, but her nerves got the best of her.  She gave the boat captain 2 thumbs down when has asked her if she liked it.  I am OVERWHELMED with gratitude by the number of people, volunteers (including the restaurant that served pork bbq, hamburgers with all the fixings, cookies, cole slaw, baked beans, mac and cheese.) There was also live music which takes me back to my childhood when my grandpa and uncles would sit around and "pick and grin".  

As we were boating, the lovely co-captain shared with me that she was recently diagnosed with cancer.  As she shared her story, I was realizing that God put us in this boat for this very reason.  We had a brief chat and now I get to pray for her and her family on her journey.  We, technically, should have been on the Sunday event but got moved to Saturday. Saturday night, there was a huge, dangerous storm that came through and damaged boats, docks, and trees.  I'm not sure if they were even able to host the event Sunday.  But God.  He protected us from what might have been a very traumatic event. (We stayed the night before in the marina inn) Such a blessed outing.  The gratitude I have is overwhelming.

I also got the chance to meet up with a longtime friend that I came to know thru Lillian's early days of therapy.  She and I stay connected through Facebook and she donated a tote full of tools and various other crafting supplies to me.  More and more blessings.  I'm constantly blessed and humbled by the love and generosity I (and our family) continually experience.  

I finish with pictures from our day.