Wanted to send a quick update. So much traveling has
been a bit tiring, but would not change that for anything, since we were
able to see our kids by doing that traveling.
Lots of driving,
but had some fun too. In Tennessee, our son and daughter in law wanted
take us to two "historic" places. Okay, you have to realize this is
the middle of Tennessee. Rednecks are the norm, but we got to see some
"unusual" places, as well. First they took us to a REAL moonshine
still. The difference here is that it was a legal still, or operation,
if you will. It was VERY interesting. Two of the fellows we met there
were real moonshiners before it became a legal operation. The REALLY
funny part in all of this is that the distillery is in a dry county.
They can't sell it there. When they were giving us the history, they
said once prohibition hit in the early twenties, Al Capone put their
business into full swing. Don then shared with them that Al Capone was a
distant, shirt tailed relative of his. Small world. Very interesting
tour and a LOT of interesting history of that area of Tennessee. Don's
souvenir of the place was, nope, not moonshine, but coffee. And NOPE,
no moonshine in it.
The
next morning we went to an original grist mill. We had breakfast
there...they only serve one day a week (and it just happened to be the
day we were there). Breakfast was really good. And then we toured the
mill. Not a huge place but again, very interesting with all the history
in it. One of the things that stuck with us was that they had the
first electricity in that whole area, way back when. It amazed us that
they are still grinding corn the way they did it back when the mill
started.
It
was good to to see our daughter and her sons, and their girlfriends
when we got to Mobile. Had a couple of fun days swimming with them,
too, at the hotel.
I'll hold off on family photos until the next letter.
Didn't really get a lot of photos on this trip out... well, some that we
posted before, and a few more, but we had a good time.
Our next
stop, tomorrow, will be at my brother and sister-in-laws place. That
will be a quick stop, then it's on to MFI and doing the final purchasing
before heading back to Haiti.
Now we are ready to head home.
Lots happening there, too. But until we find out what all happened,
we'll hold off sharing that until we find out what is really going on.
So, for now, we'll close off and you'll hear from us again once we are
home and had a day or two off.
Please remember to hold on to the
Lord in all you do. Jesus did so much for you, what are you doing for
Him? If you can reach out to one person and share the Love of Jesus
with them, then tell them how they, too, can be a part of His family, it
would be fantastic. Just think how much better it would be if you
could keep reaching out and sharing Jesus gift to others. God's family
will grow...will you be a part of that growth? I pray you will. Keep
sharing God's love.
Our time in Wisconsin is quickly coming to a close. It's been an awesome time here. So much going on and and definitely not enough time to see everyone we wanted to. But so very thankful for those we DID get to see. It's been a bit of an adventure for sure.
First was getting here, as described in the last post. Then Don's surgery, again in the last post. I can't believe how amazing God is. Don is doing REALLY WELL!!! He was cleared by his physician just this week to travel.
And our eye doctor appointments went well too. Don has been scheduled for cataract surgery next year. Have the dates all set and ready to go. I have to say we have a really wonderful eye doctor. He has gone the extra mile for us in so many ways. Like Don told him yesterday, "We are not a number here, we feel like family." After finding out how much we paid for one months eye meds, he called around and found someone willing to give us a MUCH better deal. And then he called us to tell us about it.
I got to spend a day with our daughter and 2 good friends in a "girls day out". We had so much fun. Went to another city to go shopping. Actually it was more, ahh... having fun "looking" than actual shopping. I did get the spices we went all that way to get, though. This was a much needed break for me.
Don spent that day studying for 8 hours. He sure did enjoy that time alone to study and absorb God's word and direction. He studies about three hours a day, but this was in addition to that daily time.
We have spent a lot of
good time with our kids in the area, too. That is an added blessing for
me, for sure. And our grandkids, too. I know I mentioned our
daughter's graduation, so I'll put some pictures here for you. She
made us really proud after all she's gone through to get to this point.
Please pray she will get a job soon. The third picture is our son and 2 of our grandsons with her after the ceremony was over.
Don's sister and her husband were there to celebrate with us.
Christine ended up with her photo in the paper, helping another graduate getting ready.
Our good friend Bernie offered us her place to stay. She has some really beautiful flowers, and of course Don took pictures.
We went out to celebrate Don feeling so much better, Christine's graduation and the boys birthdays. Dale went along and we had a good time.
Then we spend some time helping Dale at the Y camp, getting ready for summer campers. Christine, Chris, and I worked on getting a sign made for one of the trails.
Then all of a sudden, we had heavy rains and the hail started. We were on the porch when it hit, but made a hasty retreat inside. We could not believe how much hail came down. And the wind whipped a leaf up on the window...it was neat.
After the rains, and once we finished the sign, we went out and hung it up. A job finished. (But it did take up most of the day.)
And the next day... our grandson Michael graduated. I was unable to go, but Don attended this one. I think Mike is more excited about flying...as he's working toward his pilots license, then he is about graduating. But he was an excellent student.
So, you can see we have been busy and yet having a lot of fun, aside from Don's situation. I'll close for now and will try to post quicker next time. Keep us in prayer as we again will be on the road, first to our son's in Tennessee then down to Mobile, Alabama to see our daughter. Our final jaunt, before getting to MFI will be to my brother's place. Keep Bob in prayer, also, as he is battling cancer.
Thank you all for your patience with me on keeping you updated. I am hoping to do much better in the future. Until then, keep the Lord at the front of all you do and make sure you cling to Jesus each and every day. He is the author and finisher of our faith, and I hope your faith is in Him, and Him alone! Blessings!!!!
