Spring 2018 RV trip 7th Posting

On Tuesday we left VA, and travelled through WV, MD, PA, NY and spent the night in MA. However, our planned trip took a sudden change when we encountered “last exit before toll”. We  have determined not to pay tolls! RVs get charged more than cars! Besides, side roads take us through old and historic villages.

One town advertised that they were founded in 1753 – we think some of the roads may have been built then, too!!  The potholes are something to experience!

History is all around us. I’ll have to research how many presidents were born in VA! It’s hard to not stop at every corner to see a museum, read the plaque or tour the house.

Our weather has been beautiful – blue skies and green landscapes. Today we left MA, stopped in VT (at this rest area), and will be driving through NH to ME for the night, D.V. (Phone booths pretty rare these days!)

At one rest area, Roger decided to buy a coffee from a vending machine. He put in his 4 quarters, but didn’t get coffee. So he pressed the buttons to get his money back. We didn’t hear anything drop, but when I checked, there was a $1 James Buchanan coin!!!

Spring 2018 RV trip 6th Posting

When visiting Josh, we always plan to attend H2O (help to overcome) on Thursday evenings. The church has a ministry to anyone with addictions wishing to be free. After a dinner, someone gives testimony. They’ve had some great success stories of changed lives.

Josh was off work 2 days and he and Roger worked on his shed – painting the floor and re-installing the walls. Then Roger and I painted Scarlett’s room – walls and window frames. It was a beautiful improvement. She’s been struggling in school, and we hope a new look at home will help inspire her to be on her best behavior at school. Heather spent a lot of time with her – she liked to come to the R.V. We played many games together. When she left for school today, she carried a book of Bible prayers. Sure hope she doesn’t get hassled – her life isn’t easy. (She’s 7 and close to being expelled from school.)

We always enjoy the Sunday School class that we attend at Scarlett’s church. Vicki (the birth mom) gets her there as much as possible. Sunday Roger and Josh bar-b-qued pork chops and we ate in style – on the covered porch. That afternoon we went to Vicki’s new mobile home, where she wanted to show us the room she has for Scarlett (to visit/stay).

Monday morning was time to move on. Heading out of NC, we encountered a 30 minute construction traffic jam – but when we saw that there was a 4 mile line-up going the other direction, we realized we did o.k.

The roads are lined with flowers and flowering trees. It’s a beautiful world. On the road, we saw that Monticello was close, so we drove over for a short tour. We’ll probably spend the night in VA.

Spring 2018 RV Trip 5th Posting

Saturday morning we packed up and headed towards Charlotte, NC. Doug and Margie Nichols invited us out to lunch at their favorite bar-b-que place. They have good taste! Nelson and Linda Reed joined us as well.

That afternoon we went to the McCallisters – friends from Moody days (70’s). They have a beautiful, isolated spot in the woods. We enjoyed dinner together. On Sunday they took us to the amazing Calvary Church in Charlotte…that's the mega-church with the world's 13th largest playable pipe organ and an escalator in the lobby. The music was very uplifting and the sermon challenging. But a big highlight was the choir made up of 4 and 5 year olds – very well trained, singing and using hand motions to emphasize.

After a little more visiting, we headed off to SIM’s mission headquarters for the night. We wanted an evening service and found one nearby – but when we got there, they were conducting a funeral!! (we didn't stay as we weren't suitably attired nor did we know the deceased).

Monday morning we joined SIM for their prayer time and then were shown around the facility. Lots of familiar friends around the world – we made many connections.

From there we drove to the Billy Graham Museum, which for some reason we hadn’t connected was in Charlotte, NC! We had watched the entire funeral service for Billy Graham, and I remember wishing I could visit that place! It was truly inspiring and we spent 3+ hours there.

That night we returned to SIM’s R.V. park – very quiet and totally isolated. Actually, it’s on the border between North and South Carolina – you can walk across the border!!

Early Tuesday we left for JAARS – Jungle Aviation and Radio Services. They have an extensive tour, and we saw many planes taking off and landing in training, as well as several helicopters. The hanger was full, too, of planes being serviced. They exist to support missionaries serving in remote places.

Next was President Polk’s birthplace. We really didn’t know much about him – he served 1845-1949, so it was good to read up. He died a few months after leaving the White House.

Then we took off for Snead's Ferry, NC, our son Josh's place.