What Joel and Leslie REALLY did on vacation...

On Sunday, before leaving, Joel and Leslie made one last check that they had everything they needed. As they get in the car they realize that they forgot their traditional hymns CD. How can they go on a trip without old favorites like "Nothing But The Blood" and "Oh Come Thy Fount"? Laughing at their near disaster, Leslie runs back in the house to grab it out of their CD player. Joel and Leslie take off on their long trip singing "To God Be The Glory" and anxiously await their arrival to their retreat.

Upon arriving and checking in, they receive their welcome packet that includes their scheduled events for the week. They are excited to see fun things like fishing and games, and horseback riding. Leslie has always wanted to go horseback riding, her only concern is the ankle length skirt that she feels is appropriate for a strong baptist wife to wear, but she figures she can side saddle it. Unfortunately, they are distraught to find out that tonights event is karaoke and dancing. Knowing that dancing is not a reverent activity, they choose instead to stay in their rooms and pray for the pastors and their wives who are participating, hoping they will turn from their evil ways. After a half hour bowing on their knees in front of their bed, they realize the late hour...8:30 and decide to turn in...to their twin beds. It's much more appropriate.

The next day sees Joel and Leslie beginning their day getting ready to their beloved hymns again, this time their favorite...Blessed Assurance!
They are excited to see that today is horseback riding. They excitedly make their way down to breakfast. After eating they take off to the stables. Unfortunately, they don't have side saddles...no one told them it wasn't 1845 anymore. So Leslie, not wanting to disappoint Joel, mounts her horse. The ride loses its charm because Leslie feels she is showing way too much skin, her skirt doesn't cover her calves and ankles! But she's reminded of her favorite verse since becoming married...Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord...It calmes her and she's able to enjoy the rest of their ride.

After riding, they were hungry so they made their way to lunch. After serving Joel his food, Leslie then sits down to her own food. She gets a little teary because she misses Zach, but quickly puts herself together and moves on.

The next few days follow a similar pattern. They love their outdoor time and the fellowship of collegues who understand what it's like to lead a church. They find that they are a little more wordly than Joel and Leslie. They like to do things like take naps, laugh, sing, dance...and someone mentioned missing a TV show, can you imagine? They actually watch TV back home. Joel and Leslie decide to kneel in front of their twin beds and pray for their fellow pastors and their wives again and to remember the verse..."judge not lest ye be judged". And are able to move on happily.
The last morning is the morning they've been looking forward to the most. It's a morning filled with devotion and prayer. Unfortunately they are confused when the head pastor begins reading the Bible. They are having trouble following his reading. And then it dawns on them, he's reading from the NIV! They are used to the Hebrew Bible or at the very least the King James version. There are no thee's or thou's in there at all. Joel and Leslie come away feeling sad and empty. But, Joel was able to understand the references the pastor read so they hurried to their rooms and looked up all the verses. As understanding dawned on them, they happily packed their bags, refreshed from their devotion, all the while singing "Sweet Hour Of Prayer". As they get in their car, so ready to go see Zach, their beloved CD finally burns out after hours of use. Leslie, starts to softly cry, but Joel comes to the rescue and pulls out Bill Gaithers latest CD! They travel happily all the way to Redding.