Debra and Ashley left this morning for Monterey, California, to attend Spirit West Coast 2009. It is a three-day Christian music festival and conference.
Packing the night before leavingMeanwhile, I am left home alone for five whole days with an incredibly overwhelming TO DO list. Here is the list:
1. Water outdoor plants
2. Eat meals prepared ahead of time by Debra
3. Watch movies and sporting events recorded on TV
In addition to this stressful and demanding list, I must also figure out a way to spend some quality time with the 82-degree water in the pool and with the 102-degree water in the hot tub.
It’s going to be a long and challenging five days!
Anyway, getting back to the road trip to Monterey, this is how the whole thing evolved:
A few months ago, Ashley attended a weekend college retreat with a group from our church. At that retreat, she became friends with our pastor’s wife, Maureen. Maureen was inspired by Ashley’s determination and by her rope-course feats during the retreat, especially considering that Ashley has only one arm. Ashley even climbed one structure that was so high that some of the young men in the group were too afraid to climb it.
So, Maureen loaned Ashley a DVD called “Verve”, a video about Nick Vujicic who was born without limbs. No arms. No legs. Ashley and Debra both were quite moved by Nick’s story. When Ashley found out that Nick was going to be one of the speakers at Spirit West Coast 2009, well, she just had to go!
Nick Vujicic
Debra and Ashley are now on the road somewhere between Hybiscus Street and Monterey.
But there is a surprise waiting for Ashley when they get there.
What Ashley did not know at the time she pulled out of the driveway this morning was that I contacted Nick’s organization, Life Without Limbs, and told them that Ashley was driving all the way from Oregon to Monterey just to see and hear Nick. When Nick’s staff got my message, they responded and suggested that a personal meeting could be arranged for Ashley to meet Nick to spend time visiting with him one-on-one.
.
Ashley will discover this surprise when she opens an envelope I left for her this morning before she got into the car.
For a brief video clip of this amazing guy named Nick, click here.
5 comments:
Fun "girls only" trip for Debra and Ashley!
Awesome surprise awaiting Ashley!
Totally relaxing time for you after having lots of visitors over the last couple weeks!
Dad, that's really a neat thing you've done for Ashley.
Chris said: What a wonderful surprise that will be for Ashley!! You're so thoughtful ;)
Becky said: Wow! I saw this man on the 700 club once, and what an awesome guy! It will be a lifetime memory you made for her! I have always stood in awe at Ashley's great attitude! She's Great! So glad you did this for her!
Arlene said: You are incredibly thoughtful Bruce!
Post a Comment