Thursday morning came too soon (4:15am) when I got up to get ready for our 12 hour bus ride down to Gatlinburg, TN.
Each year Nolan's church with hundreds of other Churches of Christ (about 12,000 people) gather in Gatlinburg for Winterfest. This is a time in which we gather to strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father. There is a lesson each year that sometimes will build on the year before. This year it was The Way, The Truth, and The Life. However, The Way was the topic for this year. For the next two years we will have lessons on The Truth, and The Life. Alright, so enough rambling!!
This is us at the beginning of the bus ride...
...and this is us after 12 hours on a cramped bus.
But during the ride we got a tiny bit of sleep in. We watched Ted, hilarious btw! And Nolan played some hockey...computer style!
Him and these glasses cracks me up...
We finally arrived at the hotel. It was absolutely beautiful. This was the room I stayed in with 2 other girls.
And just for memories, here are other parts of the hotel room.
Friday... It was about 54 degrees outside; the nicest of the 3 days we were there. We walked around town for a little and did some shopping. Nolan found this frisbee that is cotton and meant for indoors.
There is a mall downtown that we walk around each year. It has the hottest hot sauce in one of the salsa shops. It is so hot that you have to be 18 to try it. Well Nolan and his friend were brave enough this year to try it and by the time they had watery eyes they were regretting it!
Unfortunately I don't have any picture, only a video. I can't post videos on my blog. After they decided they couldn't handle the heat anymore we ran (literally!) to Wendy's for frostys.
Just for fun we turned country for a matter of 10 seconds.
Nolan's dad, Mark likes to get the best of the best seats if possible. We like front and center!
So... From our group of 45 we split into groups of 3. Each group takes turns waiting in line at the convention center. We were first in line Friday night! To keep our selves entertained we brought the frisbee with us.
Saturday... It was a lovely 35 degrees out so we played catch up on sleep. We had a service in the morning and again in the evening. That day was a bit uneventful.
Sunday... We had a service at 7am and then headed home afterwards. Each year we stop at Krispy Kremes for donuts.. Yum!
This is us ready for another 12 hour bus ride home... Those glasses were freebies that were being handed out. He never took them off!
...and during...when the bus life was getting old.
This happened... Nolan spilt coffee all over, so much so that we had to make a stop to change clothes. I was sound asleep when I woke up to my butt burning! So we hung the blanket in an attempt to dry it. He positioned the fans on it and it worked!
Overall, we had a wonderful weekend growing closer to God. I can't wait until next year!