Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival - History - Beauty - Travels

This weekend Pineville-Bell County, Ky celebrates the season of spring with the 84th Annual Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival and this years theme of "Springtime Splendor". This region we love to call home has a rich history filled with pioneers that crossed the Cumberland Gap cutting a trail creating the Wilderness Road. The festival idea was presented in 1931 by Ms. Annie Walker Burns who sought the help and support of then Kentucky Governor Flem D. Sampson, from Barbourville, Kentucky. The festival was designed to celebrate the history of this area and the beauty of the region, most especially the mountain laurel flower. Being true to the history of this area, I love to write about the trail first known as the warriors path. I am always mindful that the Indians were here first and we actually invaded their home, before clearing land to claim a new stake in the new frontier. Dr Thomas Walker noted the narrow path and named the Cumberland Gap when he was surveying the land pressing his way through the brush. Dr. Walker and his axe men cut a trail marking his way from the Gap to the Narrows of Pineville. The 'Narrows' are historically noted because of the way the mountains came together beginning at Wasioto continuing along the Cumberland River created by the natural flow of the river. Every early pioneer crossed the Cumberland Ford which was and is, a low spot in the Cumberland River where the creek waters join the Cumberland River. The location is famous because it was the best crossing point for travelers which include not only the pioneers of the day but during the Civil War both Union and Confederate Troops. Today we modern movers use a concrete constructed bridge for our crossing, but remembering how things were once has value. Dr. Thomas Walker ended his exploration in Barbourville-Knox County and his work and efforts are honored with a state park that bears his name. Gathering this weekend in the Gem City of the Cumberland's will be representatives of Kentucky's colleges and universities striving to be crowned Queen of the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival on Saturday afternoon at the Laurel Cove Amphitheater. On Friday night a Princess will be selected from the representatives of the area high schools. The events of the weekend include a parade down the streets of Pineville, a concert, food booths surrounding the courthouse, lots of live music events, quilt displays, various exhibits, receptions, dinners, and dancing all play a part of the "Springtime Splendor" being celebrated in Pineville-Bell County. With so many first time visitors experiencing this region and countless 'home folks' making a return visit this is a great opportunity to not only say welcome and thanks for visiting but to share a blessing and best wishes as you continue your travels. I have long shared a simply prayer in cards and letters over the years that I believe provides for a positive attitude that is prepared to guide us in life even when a festival of fun and celebration is not available for attendance and participation. My prayer for each of you is this: "I pray that you will always see the sunshine through the rain and the rainbow behind every cloud". I can only imagine the early pioneers who had many different experience along their travels of exploration and adventure. I can only imagine about the days they had wished for clear skies and a bright shining moon to walk along their paths in life, instead of the cloud filled skies, or moments of falling snow and cold chilling temperatures. We never know what lies ahead nor where our journeys make take us. We can however live our lives in a confident manner, and allow our feet to be guided by the unseen hand of God through the leadership of His Holy Spirit in our lives. Until then

Transitions & Decisions

Transitions can be a strong challenge to manage in our lives. Life's 'rule of thumb' is that you and I should never have more than one major event or challenge per year. For example, buying a house and accepting a new job are two major life events. Marriage, death, medical illness, the birth of a child or a major purchase like a car all qualify for one of 'life's main events'. It would be easy to manage life if we could control these factors or elements. If we could apply the breaks to a fast moving life I can think of several situations where I would have done so. I can also think of moments where I wish that applying the gas pedal was available too. Following the 'rule of thumb' is beyond our control for the most part. As with all things in life there are aspects that we control but for the most part life is an experience where managing the tempo or events is something we basically experience as life decides to hand out the assignments and challenges. Making decisions, picking and choosing our aspects of control in transitions I have discovered is best practice by making the most correct decision at the time. With so many variables and options in even the smallest of decision, these choices can have an impact and consequences that last for years in some circumstances. These challenges can provide positive impacts that effect not only we as individuals, but our family and friends too. One of the mistakes I believe is most often practiced is our attitude. Our attitude, without any effort at all, develops when things change or transitions take place. This attitude is heard in the way we speak about the change or choices and our attitude is also seen in our gestures and mannerism. Appearing to be disinterested is the same thing as saying "I don't care what you say or think". While this could be taken to the extreme the truth is that new ideas, thoughts, or opinions should always be heard. (I would recommend when sharing your thoughts they be thought-out, and don't ramble when sharing your opinion, get to the point) Sharing ideas with each other, or in clubs, groups or organizations will always be a challenge but these moments are necessary. When we are immediately combative to new ideas regarding issues or solutions it is apparent we are reacting to change and not ideas. Doing things the way they have always been conducted is in and of itself not a bad idea, but there are moments in which a better way of doing things are evident. It could also be that changing a pattern or a tradition not only will better serve a situation but possible might allow for greater service or a farther reach, especially when dealing with programs and events. Jesus Christ said that He was the same yesterday, today and forever more in Hebrew chapter 13:8. I have witnessed Christians take the position and interpretation that because He is the same that we too should be never changing. Honestly this interpretation is a misapplication of scripture. Jesus Christ is the same in that He loves us. He is the same in that He has a plan for our lives and He is the same in that He wants for us an abundant life filled with mercy and grace. These truths are not unfilled with challenges and obstacles. There is an opinion among some that if you are a Christian there is an avoidance of problems, hurts or even wrongs. The key to these situations is that Jesus Christ is the same and never changing. His forgiveness is always readily available. The opportunity to begin again and correct errors or bad choices can be accomplished by admitting our short falls, attempting to make things right with others that might have been hurt or confused by our actions. Jesus is never changing in this area and this fact should provide us with mountains of encouragement to keep pressing on and moving forward. Transition can at times leave people behind. This I do not believe is ever the intent in change but rather is can be a driving force for re-evaluation, re-considerations, and a re-focus on things that matter. One of the challenges that we as individuals face when a transition takes place is that we are required to respond, we cannot just sit back without an opinion. This attitude in and of itself is also a signal or attitude that can easily be detected by our actions or a lack there of. Choices and transitions. They are a part of our lives. Until then