Thank You, Papa

Well, I didn't think I'd get time to post this week, but here I am! (Actually, I'm avoiding what needs to be done around here, as usual. :) Our house has been abuzz this week with sounds of zipping suitcases, a whirring washing machine, and credit card receipts printing out at various stores around town. (that last sound is NOT a good one to hear repeatedly...) We are preparing for a pretty big trip and trying to get everything in order. I debated telling that news on my blog until we came back, from fear of the danger of someone figuring out we weren't home. But, burglars beware!! Our house will be occupied the entire time we are gone with family who have big guns, so don't even try it. (okay, the family staying here part is true, but the gun part isn't.)

Anyway, I wanted to blog about the reason for our trip, and I know we will be so busy when we get back, that it won't get done, so here I am now instead.

Mark's grandfather, affectionately called Papa, was a man like I had never known. He passed away a year and a half ago and has been greatly missed in our family. He loved his family so fiercely and worked hard all of his life to provide for them. Mark's mom tells stories about her dad (Papa) working long days as a concrete lather and then coming home and building their house in his spare time. Papa and Grandma enjoyed life to the fullest and were always traveling somewhere. They were known for their dancing ability and their lively conversation. They also saved money for their children's futures and for their own retirement years in a way that fills me with admiration. For what they had, and what they earned, they did an amazing job of taking care of "first priorities first".

To our surprise, we found out after Papa's death that he had left a sum of money to each of his grandchildren (7 in all), as well as to his own children. He decided before he died that a certain portion of the money he was giving was to be used on family vacations, where we can spend time together as a family traveling and seeing the world, two very important things in his own life.

So, earlier this year, it was announced by Mark's dad, John, that our first "Papa trip" had been planned. We were to be taking a European Cruise in honor of Papa in the fall of this year. Now, all of a sudden, it is fall, and we are leaving in just a short time for our wonderful trip. Not only am I excited about seeing countries like Spain, France, and Italy, but I am excited about spending ten straight days with Mark's sweet family, making new memories for years to come. It is my hope that our time together honors Papa and his wishes for us as he dreamed it years ago. I only hope that I, too, can pass something like this to my own children and grandchildren someday as well.

We hope that we will be able to update pictures and blogs as we travel, to keep our family readers updated on our trip (especially our two sweet girls who will be playing with Gammy for the week!) But, that will all depend on how much the internet time costs on the ship. :)

I am so thankful for this blessing---a trip of this magnitude without the financial strain that vacations often cause is beyond what we could have imagined. I am so thankful for a family like the Jacobs who I get to be a part of and get to spend time with this next week. And, I am so thankful for Papa, and the lessons he taught us about being a family and cherishing our time together. I do ask that if you are reading this blog, that you will say a quick prayer for us and our safety as we travel. We are so excited, but also mindful of leaving our little ones behind for a few days away. We pray God's protection on them while we're away and for safe journeys for all.
I'll be back with more fun pictures soon!

And, the pictures I had downloaded for this blog are not showing up for some reason. I'll add them later tonight, I guess! Good old blogger. :)