Lights! Motor! Asian?--Feb 2010 Part II. 11/6-Pix, part 2. Page 199.

[nowellsl]

Reading allears today and jack Spence did a blog about adults napping. I immediately thought a link belonged here.

people napping

He has the greatest pictures!!!

Perfect!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Thanks for the Jordy news, Rosie and Lisa! It's good to hear he is doing well. I love the fashion comments about Kentucky!

Poolrat! That is a great article! Love the sleepy pictures. We've all done it - just hopefully not published!

Can't resist sharing these, since sleep came up: Here are my niece and nephew on our way to dinner - first full day - 2007

 

[Millie12591]

So good to hear about Jordy!!

Love the link of sleeping people.

I just hope Jordy isn't taking on "the fashion look," while he's there. I'm wondering what new looks he'll come back with to grace us all with while at Disney!

I hate that he'll be spending the holidays there, but I know he'll come back to us a new and improved guy.

Great pics Tammie! Don't you love the little one's when they fall asleep?

 

[WendyO]

Sorry it's taken so long but life has been at a busy pace since I came back... have about 15 minutes before I need to head out to pick up the hubby at a career event he's hosting for his grad school, so I thought I'd post an update... I uploaded the pictures but will post those when I get home.

The following is from a note I sent out to our family when I got home, so some of this will be stuff you already know (from my posts while in KY) but I thought it sums it up well so I'll post again here...

As far as stuff they need, snack foods and Walmart cards are probably most needed since that is stuff they can't really afford to spend extra money on... Jordan is doing well on main dish foods, so no need for that for the time being.

Anyway - here's a quick post and then pictures and commentary to come later tonight...

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween and are ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas!! I can't believe it's already here!

Wendy

Just an update from my trip to visit Jordan in KY. I went with my aunt/uncle on October 16-18 and it was a really good trip! (except for this kid who threw up on my carry on on my way over, but that's beside the point...) The weather was just perfect (it had been hot the week before!) and so beautiful with all the fall colors. I'll send pictures in the next couple days...

The residence is about 40 minutes from the airport, and Jordan met me at the hotel the morning I arrived (Saturday). He had the next few days off but still had to go back to "the ranch" (as they call it) to participate in any of the activities there. So we went back every day to participate in prayer time, weekly movie, Sunday service, and daily chores... the facility is very nice (older, but well maintained) and the guys there are REALLY nice and welcoming. It's amazing to think where they had come from, what brought them here. They are all getting SO grounded in the Word and are really seeking God and desiring to be closer to Him and more like Him. It was amazing. The prayer time was outstanding... first there was time of individual prayer, as each person received several requests either from residents or people calling in with requests, and then there was a time of group prayer in which 10-15 "bigger issues" were handed out and people stood up to pray for those specific issues relating to the program and the people there. It was REALLY good since everyone was SO focused and intense. Sunday service was amazing too (2.5 hours long but it flew by!) with testimonies, worship songs and a message. Then in the evening they usually have a session called "mercy studies" (they're going through a book on mercy) but this Sunday instead we watched a movie, which had good illustrations on mercy. If any of you have a chance, I'd highly recommend this movie - "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry" (you can find it online, it was in theatres a while ago in limited release). It's really well done and very moving. It's even great for family movie night, or if your churches have a kids/tweens' ministry program, this a great one for them to see too. Anyway, I basically found myself crying every time I'd go to an activity at the ranch... the spirit moves so powerfully there.

From the guys we talked to, and from all the messages we've heard and what we were exposed to, although it's a program that deals with forms of sexual addiction, it is really at it's roots, a program dealing with full on discipleship (since many addictions have their root in selfishness and pride, vs. dying to yourself and following Christ). Anyone can really go through this program and really get a lot out of it... I learned a lot just in the few days I was there! The program teaches discipline (not only biblical discipline, but physical discipline with daily chores and homework and teaching accountability). Many of the men there have had no exposure to real discipline so for some it's a hard lesson to learn, but most of them seem very committed to the program. It was amazing to see how the demographics run the gamut there... there were men from 18 to 83 in the program currently (about 70 guys max), and most are married with kids, some single, there were guys there even from other countries - one guy came all the way from Switzerland! Some come from very hard situations... some have left high paying jobs and are struggling to make ends meet (sending home everything they make through the program)... some were on the brink of divorce... some get served divorce papers while in the program... some don't get any contact with their families... some have very tense contact with their families... so many stories behind each of these guys. But you really see God working in their lives, and regardless of what they are going back to, they are really striving to overcome and put God first.

They have seen many "graduate" from the program, and through the months they develop close friendships... Jordan has some really good friends there and these guys are really keeping him accountable. Continue to pray for that.

On a more humorous note, we did make several trips to Wal-mart (and saw some very interesting people...) and chuckled at his friends because when the guys go there on their weekly trips, they are required to stay in groups, so you see all these groups of guys roaming about the store together... and we ate at Cracker Barrel for every meal at least once (breakfast on Sat, dinner on Sun, and lunch on Mon)... actually, pretty great food there... and discovered an amazing BBQ place in Florence, KY called City Barbeque. SOOOOOOOOO good and Jordan said (at least 5 times) it's the best BBQ he's ever had. I had the pulled pork sandwich, corn pudding, fries with cheese and bacon, and we all shared a peach cobbler. AMAZING..... ahhhhhh. Jordan was able to relish sleeping in a queen sized bed (he only has a twin bunk back at the ranch) as well as walking without socks (they are not allowed to go barefooted there...). It's the little things in life, I guess... And he was able to see himself without a shirt for the first time in months because they have to use the bathroom fully dressed, so he never changes in front of a mirror. Ha ha ha. He's lost about 20 lbs but he doesn't look THAT different.... just down a couple belt loops...

Anyway - just wanted to give you an update. I'll send pictures in the next day or so... I've probably left some things out so let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support and prayers. Pray also for the other guys and their progress as well, as well as their situations back home. They really are all amazing people.

With appreciation,
Wendy

 

[Rozz]

Thank you Wendy!

I check in on the thread from time to time to see news of Jordan. The program he's in sounds very intense and the guys very dedicated. I pray for them all!

I can't wait to "see" Jordan again on the DIS. Miss, miss, miss him!

 

[glennbo123]

Wow. That program sounds intense.

Wendy, thanks for the update.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wendy, thanks so much for posting an update. It certainly sounds like the program is intense but well worth it. I look forward to seeing pictures when you get a chance to post them.

 

[englishrose47]

Thanks for the update Wendy !!!Looking forward to the pix and of course to Jordan's return !!! He is in my prayers daily!!!

 

[Sooze]

Thanks so much for the update. I think about Jordan all the time! Can't wait until he's back here making us all laugh again!!

 

[All7OfUs]

It could very well be that when J comes back, he may limit himself somewhat? Just guessing from the things he is having to learn in his program.

 

[WendyO]

Hi all... as promised, here are pictures from my trip. I need to ask you to only view these here and not copy or post them elsewhere, thanks so much...

First... here is my realization that I'm not in CA anymore...

And here is a typical sight at most intersections in the country... can anyone say "Radiator Springs?"....

Here are some beautiful photos of the immediate area surrounding the "ranch"...

Here is the front of the main house... Jordan's room is the top left window along the balcony...

Here he is chillin on the porch... with a special message for the DISers (note the face and fist...)

Here's his room and his bunk (he's on top)

Here is where he usually does his homework...

Here is one of the lounge areas where people can relax or study...

Here is the chapel where many a tear is shed...

Here is a view of the buildings on property from the field on the way to the prayer trail

Here is the field where some guys play sports on the weekends or where people go to have quiet times and/or pray or study.

Here is a little caterpillar I took a picture of for my bug loving girl Erin...

Here is the cross at the end of the field... nice.

 

[WendyO]

Here are Jordan and I enjoying a meal at Cracker Barrel... yum yum.

And here's one for the DISers...

And in celebration of the season... here are some Halloween kid pix for ya...

We have a Barbie Race Car driver, Luke Skywalker and Snow White...

And for those of you who don't remember... I now have three Snow Whites that have gone through that same costume...

Erin in 2004

Dylan in 2007 (and no, we didn't actually take him OUT like that... he was just playing dress up with Erin at home...)

And Ashlyn in 2010

I can now retire that costume... hee hee hee.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Beautiful pictures from Kentucky.

Awww I can tell Jordan has lost weight. I miss him so much . He looks really good .

Love the picture you took for all of us.

The kids are gorgeous and getting so big!! Love the Barbie Race Car Driver and Luke Skywalker. Snow White is stunning!

Thank you so much for posting this. Jordan is in my thoughts often. I hope he feels the love from all of us, I pray this experience is all he wants it to be.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thanks for sharing all the pics from Kentucky, Wendy! It was great seeing Jordan's shout-outs to us all!

The kids are so adorable all dressed up for Halloween! I can't believe how much older they are looking these days!

 

[GeminiAngel]

He looks fantastic!!!! I'm so happy he his getting his life together. What a great guy. Thank you Wendy for the update and photos. the ranch looks like a beautiful serene place.

 

[KathyRN137]

Wendy, thanks so much for sharing your trip with us... I hope Jordan knows how much we keep him in our thoughts and prayers!

I agree with mrsksomeday... he has lost a little weight, hasn't he? But, in a good way. He's taking better care of himself these days.

So good to see him again!

Laughing at the memory of Dylan dressing up in the Snow White costume... you must keep that around for ammunition when he's a a teenager! And the girls are gorgeous!


Kathy

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks for sharing the photos!
Jordan is in my thoughts.
The kids look so cute in their costumes.

 

[nowellsl]

Jordan looks great! Beautiful area, thanks for showing us!

 

[Poolrat]

Wendy,
It is great to see Jordan and see he is well. The sights around Kentucky are great too. Nothing like lots of nature.

Love the kids at Halloween too.

 

[Millie12591]

Thank you Wendy.

It's good to see everyone again, the only one missing is Derek.
So, is it a for sure Jordy will be staying there until Feb.?
I just got a note from him the other day thanking me for the package I sent, he really loved the hi-chews.

I will tell you all this (please, please don't take this as a brag)....I had sent Cup-of-noodles thinking (as Wendy shared) there are men there with Jordy having a hard time affording lunch (as well as other things), I was thanked generously by Jordy because this gave him the chance to bless some of the other men by sharing what was sent. It really blessed me to know how it was a blessing to others.
I tell y'all this incase your thinking about sending a box to Jordy. Please, if your able include some cup of noodles/canned soups etc. for the guys, I know it would be greatly appreciated. I wish I knew what other things were needed. Wendy, can you help us out? I know you mentioned they're in need, but we don't really know what's needed besides food.

Are any of you all getting ideas for the holidays yet?