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.

A Theme Park Lord's Day

Jim, Nancy and their daughter Katie met us at the Wilderness Chapel for the 10am morning worship service. It was packed with some even sitting on the floor. We sang song hymns out of the hymn book and the preacher gave a clear Gospel-centered sermon.

We stayed together for part of the day while attending concerts and enjoyed a pizza and salad lunch together.

Jim and Nancy drove us back to our RV after the evening concert. Saw this sunset as we rode the tram to the parking lot.

We enjoyed root beer floats, thanks to the campground store manager letting us in after hours to get the ice cream!

Southern Gospel weekend

Saturday at Silver Dollar City. 30-minute concerts all day with lots of walking between venues. The park is built into the Ozark Hills so we get lots of exercise walking.

There are "characters" roving through the park greeting the guests. Here we are with "Whoopsie Daisy" and a "Doctor of Experiments".

Each evening ends with a full concert in the amphitheater. "The Inspirations Quartet" was amazing...non-stop traditional quartet singing for almost two hours.

It's Sunday morning and we are headed back to the park for the day. We plan to meet up with Jim and Nancy, relatives on Roger's side.

Friday surprise!

I discovered Friday morning that our 12volt converter had completely died. The converter charges the coach batteries which powers most of the systems on board such as the refrigerator, water heater, A/C, lights, etc.

I googled for RV parts and service and called Randy's Mobile Service. He delivered a replacement 15 minutes after I called. PTL!. He also gave some ideas as to why the converter died. It turned out to be one of the two coach batteries. So, we are running on one battery for now.

We took the noon shuttle bus to the park and soon were in a concert. About half way through a man a few rows behind us had a medical emergency and the show was immediately canceled and we all exited the space. It was strange to hear the singer interrupted mid-song by the PA announcement.

Our favorite concert today was the Lesters. They are a family group celebrating 100 years in Gospel music. The is normally a trio with a father, his adult son and daughter-in-law. Today he brought 4 of their 5 grandkids out to sing. They were a hit with the audience. Those kids can really sing!

A "free day" to catch up

On Wednesday we did laundry and swam in the pool. We also joined a Missions Fest Seattle planning meeting over Zoom.

The Southern Gospel Picnic started today. We are enjoying the groups so far.

We sampled taffy and watched it being rolled out and wrapped. Heather is at the front of the line! I didn't care for the daily flavor...carrot cake!

Arrived in Branson on Tuesday

We parked Monday night in the Sullivan, MO, Wal-Mart. Heading south on I-44 Tuesday morning we spotted signs for  Meramec Caverns and decided to stop for a tour. Caves are cool and our thermometer showed 104+ degrees!! The tour was over an hour long. Some of the features were interesting, but the best part was the "patriotic light show" in the "theater" - right in the cave. First time for that! However, we were fascinated with the opening and closing slide - both were Scripture references.

Upon exiting the cave, we were hit with the heat. There were other "touristy" places to see and that was the plan, but we decided to change our plans and drive direct to Silver Dollar City campground - our original goal for Wednesday pushed up a day. We were able to get the spot we had reserved a day early and were very grateful to plug in and run a/c. We're in site 36 right behind the clubhouse...near the pool!