Frank and Sheri Hawley (Nathan’s parents-in-law) flew in from Florida last Thursday to speak for the Marriage Retreat our church had put together. They had never been to our house, so it was fun to welcome them to Manteo, and host them for dinner Thursday night.
Friday morning consisted of a frantic race with the clock since we were due at the church at 9 am to meet up with twenty other couples; however, one of the Hawley’s suitcases hadn’t made the flight to Norfolk with them so they were trying to get ready with only half of their belongings in hand.
I felt just like we had all been spirited back to college dorm room days as Frank and Sheri would stick their heads in our bathroom at various times throughout the morning to borrow this item or that item to help them get ready. It turned out to be a lot of fun, despite the hassle they were dealing with in not having their own stuff. (Thankfully, the suitcase caught up with them later that morning.)
As all forty-five of us retreat-goers left the church and headed out on the 1 1/2 hour trip to the huge beach house, I was so looking forward to that moment when we would arrive at the place where the black top ran out because I knew that we would just keep on going. Billy, the fella who was responsible for getting us down the beach and up to the house, switched over to four-wheel drive and away we went!
This is an example of rush hour in the 4-wheel drive area; two vehicles going by you at one time.
After driving down the beach for about seven miles, our house appeared in view.
. . . leading to the house itself.
After everyone had gotten unpacked, Frank and Sheri got Friday’s sessions going.
And then it was on to bed to get rested up for Saturday.
Before too much got going Saturday morning though, I spent some time walking around and taking a few pictures because I just knew you all would want a peak inside. Did I mention this is a 23-bedroom wedding house that usually rents for $25,000 a week? We got it for free, however, since a guy in our church built it and the owner allows us to use it at no charge for our church marriage retreat.
This is the landing area on the third floor where most of the bedrooms are.
Even the non-fancy rooms have fancy signs on them.
These are the elevators which Steve and I rode up and down a couple times just because it was sorta cool.
So much lovely stuff everywhere we looked!
Here’s the the ballroom/chapel . . .
. . . and the theater. I told Steve I wanted one of these in our house and he said he would get right on it. (I wish.)
By the time I had wandered around 20 minutes or so snapping pictures, it was time for Saturday’s sessions to begin. Frank and Sheri did an amazing job teaching on the practical stuff of living and growing together as a married couple. NO topics were off limit!
And then it was time to head out to the beach for the Vow Renewal Ceremony which we do every year.
I took a few pictures along the way and was happy to see the sky so much bluer than it had been the day we arrived.
I love the fact that the house is surrounded by expansive porches and decks on all sides.
Here we all are, taking our vows. Steve and I are right in the middle, on the ocean side.
After Frank and Sheri led in the vow renewal, they took a peaceful, private, personal break.
In less than 24-hours, they had taught seven sessions, and also spent much of their non-teaching time counseling and praying with couples on an individual basis. When Frank and Sheri do a marriage retreat (or any sort of ministry opportunity) they give it everything they’ve got. That’s one of the many things we love and appreciate about them.
As we headed back into the house to pack, I took just one more shot of that gorgeous blue sky.
As were getting everything loaded up, I had to smile at the number of 4-wheel drive vehicles parked everywhere. All the tough trucks and the driving on the sand stuff made the guys really happy. In fact, a couple guys even brought guns and embarked on a little wild boar hunting while they were there.
Everyone else stayed for an extra day of relaxation, but Frank and Sheri needed to get back to the airport and Steve and I needed to get back to Manteo in time for church the following morning. Just as were climbing into the truck to head out, we asked someone to take a couple of pictures.
Just think. Some day, a darling little child is going to look up at the two of us and call us “Gwama Hawley” and “Gwama Smith!”
Frank and Sheri already make some really young looking grandparents! (And their first grandson is due to have a little sister born this summer!)
And then it was time to head back down the “road” toward civilization . . .
. . . newly renewed, newly re-vowed, newly refreshed.
Note: You can read Sheri’s story about the weekend here.
Oh, so lovely–house and beach. My Daddy was always a special part of my life and when he passed away 2 1/2 years ago I wondered how I would make it without him. Every time I go to church I can see my Daddy standing at the front door, smiling, shaking hands and welcoming people. One of my Sunday school ladies told me no one had done that since my Daddy passed away. He passed away August 6, 2009, and in October I was headed to Myrtle Beach for a Gaither Fest when I noticed the gas price in SC. I immediately thought–I have to call Daddy and tell him how much cheaper gas is here and then I realized I couldn’t call him. God has helped me through but I still miss him and tears still come. With Mama’s declining health I long for his advice. I know God will be with all of us who are in this same situation.
Ann,
Your dad’s ministry of making people feel welcome, smiling, and shaking their hands was HUGE. We need more people like him who are just willing to go the extra mile of making people feel accepted and like they belong.
You have a lot of your dad in you1
Ann, I am so sorry about your dad. I know where you are coming from. My dad has been gone for 15 years this June and like you with my mom in a nursing home with dementia, I miss that big strong should I could lay my head on and rest. God bless you in your sorrow and know that in time it will get easier, it is like I told someone else on this blog. I have never gotten over losing Daddy, but I have been able to get past it and now I can think of him and smile and know that he is watching over me from heaven.
Beautiful thoughts, Gail.
Corolla, right? My papa loved those beaches. Did you see any wild mustangs? *sigh* It’ll be 2 years on 24 April and I still haven’t figured out how to live without my beloved father. Becky – how do you do it? I mean, I am doing it, I’m living life, trying to finish this phd, trying to find a job, learn more stats (I love stats), planning my trip to see my friend M in Jordan and looking forward to being in Old Jerusalem again, and then going to stand where He preached the Sermon on the Mount, and, God Willing, going to the red sea for a day of snorkeling.. I talk to my best friend about God, and we talk about resurrection and seeing them all again and those are moments I treasure. It’s still so incredibly, horribly, emptily, hard sometimes and I don’t like it. My dad left too soon. How do you do it?
*sigh* Sorry for the downer. The pictures from back east just scream “DAD” at me. It’s bittersweet.
Oh Brooke, I have been where you are. I was in my forties when I lost my dad and it was the first time I had ever felt like I had to be a grown up. Look to God for comfort and I will tell you what I tell people when they ask when they will get over it. You will NEVER get over it, but I promise, you will get past it and you will be able to smile when someone mentions his name. Do I still miss my dad, you bet, and he has been gone for 15 years this June, I especially miss being able to lay my head on his shoulder and ask how I take care of Mom now that she is in nursing home. But I promise, he sees everything you do and is always there with you. God Bless you!
Gail
Gail, I was just about to leave a comment asking if anyone else had any similar experiences they could share with Brooke and you just beat me to it. I just love this Smithellaneous community!
I agree with you both; losing a parent is something you never get over; I think the main part that’s hard is a parent is one of the few people who has been in our lives since our very earliest memories. Life never again seems quite “right” after they’ve gone.
You are so right Becky, my daddy was always my go to person, I guess because we were so much alike, in looks and the way we saw things. If I had a flat, I called Daddy, if I got sick while I was at work, I called Daddy. About three weeks after he passed away, I saw an article in the paper that I knew would interest him and had all the numbers dialed but one, when I realized he wouldn’t be there to answer it anymore. I so look forward to seeing my precious daddy in heaven. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my mom so very much, but I was just more like Daddy (besides being the baby and the only girl, oops maybe I am giving myself away) 🙂 I also had a big brother I adored then and now and he has been a rock since my mom has been ill with dementia. God always gives you something to fall back on when he takes a loved one. In this case, he sent a precious granddaughter who was born 7 months after he passed to heaven. She certainly helped to fill the hole he left in my heart. Oh geez, now I am rambling. I love the blog and the Smithelleous community too, thanks for getting us all together.
Becky, although I am sad Wedding Wednesdays have come to an end, I think these pictures sorta make up for it. The scenery is so beautiful and honestly the beaches are more beautiful than the house. Thanks for sharing.
Gail
Gail
I agree, that is some gorgeous beach area. As you said, I think that’s a bigger part of the rental price than the house is, especially the fact that it’s so private.
Sandra,
Yep, that’s the place! Pretty cool, isn’t it? 🙂
I know this place! This is Corolla…We stayed there this summer on vacation. We took the wild horse tour and seen this house! Our tour guide was telling us how much this house rents for. I love this part of the OB’S beautiful.