My Trip To The States

I have been really busy.  And, in sort of a funk, too.  I haven't written much lately.  I hope to write about a few things in the next few days.

I left for the States on September 2, which is about 2 weeks later than I normally leave.  And, I was about two weeks beyond ready.  I still love my job and love being in Honduras, but I am always ready to go to the States.  This year I did something different.  I flew to Baltimore.  I landed late on Friday night or maybe early on Saturday morning.  I had two full days with Linda and Larry.  I also got to spend some time with Erica and Zach and the boys.  It was a real pleasure to meet Zach and all the boys.  Those three boys really need to meet up with Nicole's three girls.  On Monday, Labor Day, Linda and Larry drove me to New Hampshire on their way to Niagara Falls.  I thought a road trip with them would be fun and I was not disappointed.

I had two glorious weeks at Nathan's and Julia's.  It may not have been long enough for me, but I am sure it was plenty long for Nathan and Julia.  I got to drive Camille to swimming 4 or 5 times.  I loved spending time in the car with her.  I took Camille shopping.  Julia and I went shopping for Thatcher.  We went to Portland one day.  Camille and I worked one puzzle and ate whoppers.  I laughed at Thatcher.  And, laughed at Thatcher some more.  I loved on the part of my family I do not get to see often.  I cried when I left.

I spent a day shopping with Kim in Oklahoma City.  The three girls here in Honduras benefited from that excursion.

Then my long road trip began.  I was scheduled to be in about 12 churches and had some other meetings planned.  First stop, Little Rock.  I met with the elders at Chenal Valley.  I also got to see Janet and Alison.  Thankfully.  It did not work out to see Janet later as I thought it would.  It was exciting to meet Alison's new baby Evan.  Then there was time in Hot Springs, Searcy, Columbus, and Tupelo.  Columbus is always enjoyable and, at the same time hard.  A bit harder this time than normal, but it was great to see everyone and spend several days there.

Susan and I ate late lunches, dessert for supper. We saw a late movie one night and took pictures at The Old Mill.  A wedding photo shoot was in our way, but we made this work anyway.  This was the mill that was used in the opening credits of "Gone With The Wind", my all time favorite movie.

I saw Corinth and ate at Abe's, drove part of the Natchez Trace, went to the Hermitage, Jonesborough, TN and Dollywood.

I ate with friends in Illinois.  Donna and I drove the Great River Road along the Illinois River with the top down on the Jag.

I cried as I left and drove to Murray, Kentucky.

After Murray, I headed to Branson.  That was so much fun.

At this point, I thought I still had two weeks left and I made the quick trip to Joplin for the weekend before another quick trip to Kansas City.

I left my phone on the charger Tuesday morning.  Anne, Olivia and I were having fun drinking hot cider, eating cider donuts and then a frozen cider for the trip back to town to meet Robert for lunch.  We came in and I was going to throw my things in the car and head to Topeka.  I had 31 missed calls from Nicole.  I knew something was wrong.  I called her.  Baby Paige was in the hospital.  I knew I was going to return home.

I stayed at Anne and Jerry's another night and canceled all of the rest of the appointments and changed my ticket.  I cried.  For Paige.  For Nicole.  For me.  I got up and left Kansas City early.  I made a nowhere-near-long-enough-detour to Enid.  I cried when I left Enid and drove to Oklahoma City.  I repacked most of the night and left early on the 20th.  I was sad to be leaving early, sad Paige was sick.  But I was oh so glad when I got home.

I drove 5206 miles and did not even make it to Topeka, Borger, Childress, Lakehoma and Ada.  I ate crab cake in Baltimore, lobster in Maine, barbecue in Kansas City, chocolate gravy in Mississippi, mexican food every where.  I could do my own version of" Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins".  I laughed.  I cried.  I prayed,   I worshiped in English.  I had so much fun.  God blessed my efforts and answered my prayers.  Casa de Esperanza will be blessed next year by your generosity.

Thanks to everyone who hosted me, took me places, bought my meals.  I love every one of you and am grateful for your friendship and the interest you have in the work in Honduras.

Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse And Portland

Today was a perfect day.  Weather wise and otherwise.  I spent it with Nathan, Julia and Thatcher.  We went to Portland.

After stops at the Derry post office and the Portsmouth Wal-Mart to buy Thatcher new clothes after he got car sick, we were on our way to Portland.  I have never been to  Maine.  Maine is the 2nd new state I have visited this trip.  The first stop in Maine was the Cape Elizabeth lighthouse.  I love lighthouses.  I was so excited.  I was not disappointed.  Cape Elizabeth has a beautiful lighthouse.  Of course, I took pictures from different angles.

Then, I took some of the water and shore, too

I took a lot more pictures than what I am posting.  If you know me, that goes without saying.

The drive into Portland was short.  Our main goal was lunch.  We were hungry.  Since it was a perfect day,there were a lot of people out and about in Portland and most places had a line, even though it was after 1:00.  We chose J's Oysters, mostly because it had the shortest line.  We looked at the menu while we waited.  We were ready to order as soon as we were seated.  I had a cup of clam chowder and a lobster roll.  The lobster roll had a very generous portion of lobster.

And, a couple of pictures in Portland.

I think the day can best be described by the following picture taken while we were at the lighthouse.

I thank you.. for most this amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirit of trees and a blue true dream of sky and for everything which is natural which is infinite, which is yes.

e.e. cummings

I would also add and thank you for this time with my family.

Jigsaw Puzzles And Whopper Breaks

On December 31, 2004 my first grandchild was born.  She was perfect in every way.  In my eyes, she still is.  It soon became evident that this child loved puzzles.  I, also, love puzzles.  But, it would not have mattered if I did or did not love puzzles, I would have worked them with her just to be with her. 

With each passing visit, our puzzles became more difficult.  We have worked one 1000 piece one, one that had a metallic finish on it.  When the overhead light was shining on the pieces, it transformed the colors.  We did finish that one.  And, then there was the one I ordered of her new hometown.  Little did I know, as a bigger challenge, it came with no picture.  We worked and worked on it.  We never did finish that one.  Now, at least, we can laugh about it.

Two years ago I went to help them move.  Camille and I went off to pack some boxes of linens and pillows.  She had some whoppers.  Not whoppers as in Burger King, but whoppers as in chocolate malt balls.  We would put a few things in a box and she would say, "I think it is time for a whopper break."  We would laugh and have a whopper or two.  We had so much fun.  After we arrived in New Hampshire, we went to get some whoppers so we could unpack.  Since then, we always need whoppers when I come to visit.  Always.

We bought whoppers last Thursday at Target and started on our puzzle later that day.  This year, we have no table for the puzzle.  We have a somewhat stiff mat on the carpet of her bedroom.  We have to put the pieces that have not been used away every night.  It is okay, we are up to the challenge.  Some days, we just have a few minutes to work on the puzzle.  Some days, we have more.  We may finish the puzzle tomorrow.  We finished the whoppers last night.

This is a very special time.  I love every minute of it.  I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I don't think I am the dullest either.  Camille will soon be 12.  She is swimming 5 days a week.  While, I would like to think, there will always be jigsaw puzzles and whopper breaks,  I realize some time I will come to visit and she won't have time to work puzzles.

Trust me, I am treasuring every second we spend working jigsaw puzzles and taking whopper breaks.

In Full Glory Reflected

Thursday, one thing after another happened making packing difficult.  It was late when I started, and Thursday night turned into Friday morning before I realized.  At 3:00, I decided going to bed was pointless. 

At 9:00, Matt and I left for the airport.  Both Nicole and I forgot to give each things to each other. Oh, well. 

The minute I got on the plane I went to sleep.  And, when I woke up 2 hours later, we were still sitting on the tarmac in Tegucigalpa.  I was really thankful that I had a 4 hour layover in Atlanta.  I was also, thankful the flight from Atlanta left on time, 10:15 p.m.  All luggage arrived.  I was glad to see Linda and Larry.  It has been six years since I had seen them. 

We were all so tired, but we still stayed up to visit.  Saturday meant sleeping in a bit.  Quite a bit.  And, lounging around visiting some more.  We took a quick drive and saw some of Baltimore, returned home to have Dr Peppers.  Yay. 

Erica and Zach and the boys came over for dinner.  I had never met Zach, much less the boys.  Those 3 boys sure need to get with my Haley, Emma and Paige.  We had a pleasant evening, with way to much food.  I ate so much that I had to say no to ice cream. Another late, late night of visiting.

Today, we did Baltimore in a day.  We met Erica's family for breakfast at the Paper Moon, a truly Baltimore joint.  Zach was off to work, Erica and the boys off to the park.  We then did Fort McHenry, the Baltimore Museum of Art and Phillips Seafood for crab cakes.

We got to Fort McHenry just in time for the flag changing ceremony.  This was beautiful and I am glad we did not miss it.

This was a very meaningful ceremony.   The flag has 15 stripes and 15 stars. 

We walked around and I took a bunch of pictures of the harbor.

We went back into the visitor's center and watched the video.  I think the video is designed to be seen first, but it was time for the flag ceremony when we arrived.  I like the order we did it.  The video was a brief history of the battle and the writing of  The Star Spangled Banner, our national anthem.  As it ended the words were being sung.  Everyone in the room rose, as did the video screen.  Behind the video screen was a big picture window and we could see the big flag that we had just witnessed being raised.  The big flag was gently blowing in the breeze.  Pride swelled in my heart.  As the song ended, there was not a dry eye in the place.

This was just so great and loved being at Fort McHenry today.