Day 26, November 3, 2008

We left Wynne, Arkansas and began to see some open land. The first trip of the day was from the motel to Walmart to pick up some more bread, sandwich meat, cheese and water. We headed west on Hwy 64 to Hwy 40 and then north on Hwy 540 into Joplin, Missouri. We wanted to go to Baxter Springs, Kansas to try to meet up with Bill and Caroline Cater and family. Bill was our pastor in Lovelock for many years. On Hwy 540 we saw a nuclear plant. The trip was mostly on the interstates today so we could see the Caters. We arrived earlier than expected at the Caters in Baxter Springs. We were all so moved by the reunion. We had a wonderful time fellowshipping and catching up with them. They had invited their two daughters and family. Mac and Karen and their 3 children Naomi, Luke and Bethany. Also their daughter Jean and her husband Keith. They prepared a "Thanksgiving" size meal. The kids really enjoyed playing with the kids there. It was so wonderful to have a home cooked meal and eat with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. The about 7 hours we spent with them only seemed like 1 hour. It went so fast. We had a great time of fellowship, food and prayer. Thank you Lord for the special time and safety getting there. We stayed in Joplin, Missouri. Thanking the Lord also for continued prayers and emails from family and friends.
Miles: 355

Day 25, November 2, 2008

We woke up in Florence, Alabama to a warmer morning. There were patches of fog on Hwy 72 that we took to Corinth, Mississippi. We entered Mississippi! It was still more trees, different kinds though. It was pretty. We were really hoping to find some farm ground soon. It was Sunday morning, so we were looking for a church to attend. As we were coming off a mountain, we saw a steeple so we got off that exit and looked for it. It was Oakland Baptist Church. We were greeted by an usher named Mike who introduced us to Benny and Sue and several others. We wanted to attend Sunday school too. It was a larger church one that our family has not seen before. Benny and Sue helped us all find the right Sunday school classes. We met Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey also. The kids enjoyed Sunday school. Leighton and Wade met several young men there. Some of them were homeschooled too and really enjoyed their fellowship. Many, many people greeted us and made us feel welcomed. After Sunday School we attended the worship service. It was a fully orchastrated choir singing. It was so wonderful to see so many people singing and experience a service like that. The message was in Deut. 30, we live or die by the choices we make. In conclusion the Pastor encouraged us to vote for the candidate who would line up most biblically and to pray for our leaders and citizens as they go vote. After the service, Seth, Jake and Kody met with us in the parking lot and we fellowshipped with them. We then headed to more of Mississippi. On Hwy 72 we headed south on 15 to New Albany. After that we headed on Hwy 78 to Memphis. We crossed the great Mississippi River into Arkansas. Going into Arkansas on Hwy 64 and stopped at Wynne. We saw rice, wheat, corn and cotton farms. It was so good to see open land.

Miles: 240

Day 24, November 1, 2008

Woke up in Shepherdsville, KY. Still in Kentucky!! Headed south on Hwy 65 towards Nashville. We were looking for KFC's museum for Kent. It was in Corbin, KY farther away than we wanted it to be. The goal was to eat at a KFC in Kentucky with Kent. It tickled him so much to try to do that. But we couldn't find a KFC except at 8:30am. So we thought we'd find one at the end of the road before Tennessee. We saw one of Kentucky's chickens on the side of the road and took a picture with it and Kent. We finally found a regular Kentucky Fried Chicken in Tennessee. Kent was happy anyway. After we ate lunch we headed south on 31E. We saw a Smucker's Jelly plant in Scottsville. We saw many sheds having tobacco hanging from its ceilings to dry. That was something we haven't seen. Lots of trees and rivers. We saw some corn fields!! Rolling hills. What was really neat was at the southern end of Kentucky we saw many signs that had Bible verses or sayings on them. Some we couldn't get pictures of them all. Also something really rare was every once in a while there were a group of 3 crosses on the hillside. Sometimes in front of peoples driveways. We headed into Tennessee toward Nashville. The closer to nashville, more 2-3 story fancier homes we saw. We headed through Nashville, what a big city. We just drove right through it on Hwy 40 to Hwy 13 south. We wanted to get into Alabama to see some of it. Instead of farms we saw trees, trees, trees on very curvy roads. If we didn't see baptist churches in the middle of no where, we saw car lots. Many churches. Neat to see. We then arrived in Alabama!! Florence Alabama. We saw a cotton field and a little rolling cattle ranches. We ended up in Tuscumbia and decided to call it a day. Looking forward for worshiping the Lord tomorrow. Praying for Bill Christoph and the whole church service back home to go well this morning. We miss our family and our church family so much.

Miles: 325

Day 23, October 31, 2008

We stayed in Cincinnatti, Ohio to tour the Creation Museum. It is a very new museum. It was spectacular. We toured the museum and watched many movies about creation. It starts from the creation of the world, man, rebellion and redemption. A very quality museum full of God's truths. They stated in 2005 scientists found dinosaur bloodcells and soft tissues with the color still in them in Yellowstone. That is another discovery that proves that the dinosaurs didn't die millions of years ago, but thousands during the time of the flood. We saw Buddy Davis in a musical adventure he performed. We met many homeschool families and some Mennonite families. As you can see by Austin, we had a great time there. We are seeking where the Lord would have us go next.
Miles: 122