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“You don't stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” 
― George Bernard Shaw

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If the Lord Wills!

2/27/2016

18 Comments

 
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"Growing Bolder" A Face Book Multimedia Site for the Ageing.
I fell in love with the picture above, as it left me imaging all kinds of thoughts. I began to wonder what this beautiful soul was thinking as she gazed out the window. I found this precious picture on a wonderful site on Facebook called Growing Bolder.

Please check them out if you can!


​More about Growing Bolder!


"We're building a global media network that shares the stories of ordinary people who are living extraordinary lives and proving that it's never too late to pursue your passions or make a difference in the lives of others. By making the right kind of lifestyle choices, it's now possible to live 2, 3, or even 4 decades of active life beyond what is considered normal retirement age. This is great news for men and women of all ages." 

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Some feel as we age that we should throw in the towel and call it a day. Our children even are a little weary of us making plans in our senior years. I truly believe age is a number and as long as our health holds out, we can still dream and reach for the stars.

"Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it!"
Leonardo da Vinci

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If the Lord Wills
My husband and I have dreamed of traveling and living full time in a RV when we retire. At first we were going to wait to buy our fifth wheel and do this at retirement, which is about 4 and half years away, but our hearts began to change.

We knew instinctively that tomorrow is never promised!

We have watched loved ones wait to do what they want to do, but sadly their plans did not come to pass. They prepared and dreamed, like us, for the future. Sadly, their days ended way too soon or their health kept them from fulfilling their dreams.

As we watched...this changed us inside!


We decided we would not wait! If the Lord granted us a way, we would take it. We took a big breath and bought our first fifth wheel. We now hope to enjoy the time we have camping, if even locally, until retirement. We will enjoy the days we have been given. If the Lord wills, we hope to take our grandchildren on many trips before they are too old to think us a drag! Once retirement is here...then perhaps we can make our dream come true.

​As a mother and grandmother, I feel we are much more attached and worry should we travel too far from our grown children and grandchildren. I have read many stories of us mom's "putting off" our spouses to only wait for that perfect time.

​We will always be concerned over our children. That is what we do and how we are designed. We BOOMERS worry over many things such as our ageing parents and their future, our grown children, and even the little ones who have made such an impact in our hearts. The list can go on and on. It is the "what if's" that can paralyze us and leave us sitting stagnant. Sometimes we have to step out in faith. If we are noble and honorable souls, we know when the time presents itself, no matter what the situation, we will do what needs to be done and care for our family members.

Until that time comes...we should live our lives to fullest because guess what...while we are waiting for the worst of the worst, everyone else around us is living their lives!

​The only answer I have found is to not look too far into the future and live for today, asking the Lord above to guide our steps.


Perhaps one day we will be able to travel full time...IF THE LORD WILLS!

​For now... we are savoring the time we have. We will make the most of the days we have been given. 


My father is such a prime example of re-tweaking plans. They had beautiful dreams once he retired at 62 to travel in their camper. Sadly he had a stroke leaving him totally paralyzed on his right side. For a few years he could not drive. They sold their truck and fifth wheel. This was devastating to them. They had worked their whole life for this time.

After much therapy and my dad's stubborn, relentless will power to NOT give up, he began to drive. Dad and Mom revamped their plans. My parents bought a small park model down in south Texas and became stationary Snowbirds. They drive down in the winter and enjoy the summer weather. While this was not their original plans, they have found peace with the way their lives have turned out.

As each year passes and Autumn comes about I hear my sweet parents say...

"
If the Lord willing, we will go down to South Texas once again!"


God is so merciful and good when you think about it! They could have wallowed in self pity and just thrown their hands in their air, but they accepted what was and attempted to make the best of the cards that was dealt them.

I was taught to not boast about tomorrow! We never know what tomorrow might bring.

​"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your Life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, IF IT IS THE LORDS WILL, we will live and do this or that."
​James 4:13-15


We sometimes have to step out in faith and that is sometimes very scary. I do believe when the doors are closed, our plans may not be what we think them to be. If the door is cracked, then perhaps we are given a glimpse of what could be.


​My parents have been my best examples in life and I am so proud of them for their "KEEP ON TRUCKIN'" attitudes.
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So I will close my post today praying all your dreams come true!

Please never give up on your dreams and if you are able...don't put off what you can do today. If we continue to add these four little words...
IF THE LORD WILLS to our thoughts and dreams, and truly mean them, then with a child like faith, we can blanket our plans with a trust like no other. 

I pray your path in life will be lit with beautiful surprises along the way and the faith to bring them into existence.
18 Comments
Mike
2/27/2016 07:20:29 pm

It sounds like you and Roy have it figured out. I congratulate the two of you for being adventurous and pursuing your dreams. Good to see another post also.

Reply
Kimmie
2/27/2016 07:24:39 pm

Thank you so much Mike. We are excited to begin our little adventures. Your support means the world.
God bless
Kimmie

Reply
Mike
2/27/2016 08:52:34 pm

I am back.
Charles Kuralt wrote On the Road, Jack Kerouac wrote On the Road and now Kimmie Thompson, can write On The Road.

Reply
Kimmie
2/28/2016 06:25:08 pm

Mike you never know. How exciting to wrote about our adventures.
Hugs!

Reply
Vicki link
2/28/2016 08:53:26 am

Dear Kimmie,
Loved this sweet article, and we so think alike about these things. When you have experienced untimely tragedy in life, and observe it in others on a daily basis, you realise how important it is to just thoroughly make the best of every day that you have.
It must be so exciting for you to have your new travel ability! Wonderful. That's a great way to get out of the box!
Hugs to you, and thanks for a great post.

Reply
Kimmie
2/28/2016 06:26:23 pm

Thank you Vicki for your oh so sweet comment. We pray that as we make these decisions that the Lord will guide us every step of the way!
Lots of love
Kimmie

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Sannel link
2/28/2016 10:10:07 am

Dear Kimmie,
Thank you for such a positive, encouraging and wise blogpost. I totally agree with you! It's never too late to pursue our dreams, and we should not wait until tomorrow to do them because tomorrow is never promised. Congratulations to your new fifth wheel! I wish you and Roy many fun and adventurous trips with it, and I hope we all get to hear about them here on your blog. :)
Take care, sweet friend!
My love and hugs,
Sannel

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Kimmie
2/28/2016 06:27:22 pm

Thank you dear friend Sannel. We are so excited and pray we can enjoy many days to come.
Sending all my love
Kimmie

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Brenda
2/28/2016 02:41:11 pm

Ah, the dreams of our youth deserve to be the reality of our golden years. We can indeed make them come true. Sure some may be revised however that just fine tunes the dreams. I am thrilled for you and your husband and in love with your mom and dad. Perhaps we one day will "pitch camp" side by side at some lovely spot beside a creek. (insert happy smile here)

Reply
Kimmie
2/28/2016 06:28:43 pm

Dearest Brenda
I can not think of anything more sweeter than fellowshipping by the camp fire. Thank you for your lovely comment
Love you dearly
Kimmie

Reply
Angelia Phillips link
2/29/2016 08:24:19 pm

Sunny Girl,

Love this post and it's easily one of my favs on Graceful Intentions. So happy for you and Roy and I pray you have loads of enjoyment in your new rig!

I also hope you have just as much fun learning how to drive wile pulling it. ☺ Roy may need tranquilizers to get through that bit. (Grin!)

Hope it won't be long before y'all are knocking so, e good ol' Texas coastal sand out of your shoes and enjoying some South Padre sunshine!

Can't wait to hear about this brand new set of adventures you're about to embark on.

Angelia

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Kimmie
3/1/2016 07:23:26 am

Thank you so much Femme! Today is the day we are picking up our fifth wheel. I have butter fly's and could not sleep as I am so excited!

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Martie link
3/8/2016 10:25:51 am

Dear Kim

I agree with you, Instead of focusing on the future and the plans we have made, we should make today our first priority. Difficult to explain this, as making today our first priority doesn't mean we must forget about the future. Fact is, MAN proposes, GOD disposes.

Hugs,
Martie

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Kimmie
3/8/2016 04:28:39 pm

Thank you dear Martie! Love your quote! Sending big hugs!
Kimmie

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Maria link
3/9/2016 08:19:05 pm

Trying to catch up and loved reading all your beautiful comments as well, dear Kimmie.

You are an inspiration for 'living in the now' and sharing your internal peace and optimism. Love you and happy for you and Roy, mar

Reply
Kimmie
3/10/2016 08:13:32 am

Thank you Maria we have dreamed of this day for a long time. We kept putting it off so I am happy we are living in the present trusting our Lord for our future
Big hugs.
Kimmie

Reply
Shauna
3/23/2016 11:40:41 am

Kim, I'm so happy to hear you're not waiting for "tomorrow" to pursue your dreams. I think RV living would be a wonderful way to see the country. Even if you only camp locally for the time being, getting out in nature and meeting others who enjoy the freedom of the outdoors will be uplifting.

Wonderful post, my friend! Keep on truckin'!

Reply
Kim Thompson
3/23/2016 04:41:56 pm

Thank you Shauna for your sweet comment. We never know what tomorrow will bring so we have to grab those moments for sure.
Love and hugs
Kimmie

Reply



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