Traveling again - or not?

We are waiting for the final word that the R.V. is ready. A call this morning told us it would be at least Monday as they didn't have a nut that fit. Roger in desperation said if it isn't life threatening, please use the old one!! A new one would have to be shipped from somewhere...We really want to get home and I actually wonder if they wouldn't find another "missing" part that would take another day or more...Oh me of little faith.........(turns out it wasn't a nut but a seal they needed)

We met a mother and her daughter stranded at the same repair place. They had been there a week already and we heard them be told it would be another day...Since they tow, they at least have transportation. However, hotel rooms aren't cheap.

God indeed granted us friends to take us in. But we are anxious to "get home" (back in the R.V.) Even clean clothes are far away....

We went on a walk Thursday morning and almost got lost. We followed a popular trail but weren't sure how to get back to the street where we were staying (we forgot the address & Roger didn't bring his phone...lol). However, the scenery was beautiful and the weather super. We saw an old wooden bridge on our walk. It only took about 1 hour to get back to where we started. On the way we were able to remind several that Jesus loved them. Also met a CRU worker.

Stranded, Supplied and almost underway!

We've been "stuck" in Colorado Springs since we took our RV to the repair shop here. The Lord has graciously provided for us. We have been staying in the home of Greg and Robin since Wednesday. Greg is a service technician at the RV shop. We met at the water cooler and discovered we were both followers of Jesus. He graciously invited us to stay in their home until the repair was completed. We had a private room in their basement.

We just got word that our RV will not be finished until Friday afternoon. This caused us to change plans for the rest of the trip. Instead of visiting our missionary friends in NM, we will head home and hope to be there before Tuesday.

Changing plans is a little easier since we know the Lord is directing our path. As Heather's father used to say "write your plans using a pencil and give God the eraser". The Lord brought along this "angel family" as part of His Plan.

Another blessing was connecting with a couple here, Ron and Rose, who are friends of Skip and Teresa, our friends in WA. Rose picked us up from the repair shop and took us to their home and then brought us to their church for a Wednesday evening Bible study and prayer time. We also heard a missionary report about Ukraine from octogenarian twin sisters, Janice and Faye. They also sang a few songs along with their PP slides. Very good. They gave Heather a copy of one of their books.

Change of Plans - Breakdown!

We took our time on Monday, since it was a holiday - Labor Day. Our end goal was Colorado Springs.

There was no parking at the gas station we drove toward, contrary to what Roger's app said! However, they very helpfully pointed to an empty parking lot (from a hotel gone belly-up) across the street. We spent a quiet night there.

On Tuesday we visited Navigators - a large mission started by Dawson Trotman. He focused on Bible memory among college students. The mission has expanded a lot and now have a large, impressive campus with the castle a big attraction. We didn't tour it, but heard a lot about their history.

The rock formations here are breath-taking! They jut right out of the ground, standing like a rock wall - sheer on both sides. This is right by the "Garden of the Gods" park. God is truly so amazing. His creation is beyond description.

From there we went to Focus on the Family - had lunch at Whit's End and shopped the bookstore.

We left there early, thinking we'd have time to visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park in south Colorado on our way to NM. About 3pm we pulled into a rest area 70 miles south of Colorado Springs. It was there Roger determined that we had a serious bearings oil leak and didn't want to try the mountain passes. He got on the phone to see who could work on an R.V. The nearest shop was back in Colorado Springs, so we returned the 70 miles to the same exit we had entered!! Last night we did another jigsaw puzzle while parked in front of the service facility.

They have been very accommodating and one of the workers even offered us overnight accommodations in his home! The part needed won't arrive until tomorrow (being flown in from out of State). It needs new U-joints on the drive shaft and a new oil seal on the differential. Since we don't tow, we are without wheels when the R.V. is down. 

Time in MO ending, now heading West

We left the CEF RV park on Saturday afternoon. Made some shopping stops to replenish our stores. Tanked up on gas. Parked for Saturday night at Calvary Heritage Baptist Church in Columbia, MO. This is the church we "attend" via you tube Sunday evenings when we're home. Pastor Ted was continuing in his series on the Book of Revelation.

We started and finished a 500 piece puzzle in the evening.

After Sunday morning Sunday School and Worship Service we had lunch in the RV and then headed toward Kansas. 

We stopped at the Calvary Baptist Church in Junction City, Kansas, for their evening service. This pastor was starting a new series on "Following God's Will". It was interesting to hear a dissertation on God's will - "God's permissive will" vs "God's absolute will".

We saw a Baptist Flag. Never knew there was such a thing.

Sunday night we parked at Love's in Abilene, KS. Very quiet night.

Day 2,3 and 4 at CEF IHQ

We continued our volunteer work with Heather switching between Kitchen and Warehouse and Roger continuing in Production. We were doing tasks that were the opposite of each other...Roger was collating and stuffing lesson packets and Heather was disassembling CYIA teaching kits from several past years. CEF relies on volunteer help to perform these somewhat mundane tasks that require accuracy.

Heather taught her Thursday afternoon Zoom Bible Club from the CEF Digital Media Center facility which offers privacy and excellent wifi.

While Heather was teacher, Roger was shooting. He was invited to the backyard range of one of the CEF staff.

Day 1 at CEF HQ

Today, Wednesday, we each worked about 7 hours. They provided lunch and supper.

CMI (Children's Ministries Institute) is in session. Folks of all ages come here to be trained in teaching children about the Lord. On Wednesday there was a chapel service where all the CMI students shared their testimonies. That's always interesting because they come from all over (the world) and everyone has a different story. We have enjoyed getting to know some of them a little better.

Heather worked in the kitchen and in the warehouse. Roger worked in Production all day. "Production" is a fancy word for where they print and package their products. He collated and stuffed ziplock bags of printed teaching materials.

This evening we attended a service at Faith Christian Family Church near the CEF campus. The pastor teaches Biblical history from a pre-mil, pre-trib, young earth perspective. He gave a new perspective on old information - it was most interesting. The congregation had many questions and he fielded them all. It was an hour long gathering! We really appreciated that he seems determined to educate his folks on Biblical knowledge.

SDC wrap-up

We pulled out of the Silver Dollar City Campground before 11 this morning for another "driving day". 

We've had a very nice time going to the park each day and hearing such wonderful Gospel music, meeting other Christ-followers, enjoying the food. We had a good time being with Jim and Nancy (Roger's 2nd cousin) and their daughter Katie who live in TN. 

A giant chair like Alice's...

Ice cream and rootbeer floats...

 Heather and Nancy on a kiddie ride...

We had a brief light rain during the evening "Triumphant Quartet" concert. Just enough to test our umbrellas.

Heading north this morning on I-44 we saw a sign saying "whoever hates tickets...raise your right foot!"

This evening we arrived at the RV park at CEF IHQ in Warrenton, MO, where we will be volunteering this week.