Road Trip part 2: Missouri/Arkansas

Gracie delights us with her "tootle" (penny whistle) along the way. In addition, Peter or Sarah added the guitar to devotion singing. What a blessing!

After a wonderful, encouraging conference with the Botkin family in Columbus, Georgia, off we headed to Missouri to the new farm and to Arkansas for a brief visit with our expatriated family, the Millers (Well, as long as they are still in the official "South", I guess they aren't expatriated!) The RV crew changed just a bit -- Rosie, Markie, and Kitty went home with their parents, and Peter, Sarah, and Gracie joined Danny, Ashley, Savannah, and me.

En route, we stopped in Tupelo, Mississippi, which gave Ashley and Savannah the opportunity to spend the night with Ashley's family. Then on to Arkansas for a night at the Millers.

These are the faces we were anticipating seeing! Birthday boys, Benny and Andrew, laughing their heads off at a birthday card from Granddaddy and enjoying gifts sent by Aunt Beth.

Andrew and Benny joined us as we trekked on to Missouri and the new farm. When we arrived, out came the chain saw and elbow grease! The ice storm of the previous month left many, many broken branches and spooky-looking trees littering the drive. Here, Benny drags a branch off the drive; in the background is the main house to the left and the guest house to the right.

Everyone joined in helping clear the drive (well, Grandmother took pictures from the RV, since she was confined to a wheelchair most of the trip!) Thanks for all your help, children!

Pillow fight in the "girls' dorm"! Sarah gives Gracie a taste of her own medicine, while Aunt Ashley moderates and Savannah wonders who these strange people are!

The Miller family came up to help clear (and explore for springs!). The manager of the neighboring ranch was helpful in learning about the history of the place, and he even offered this ATV for a reasonable price -- just what we were looking for! Sawing, raking, burning . . . sawing, raking, burning . . . sawing . . . you get the idea!

Of course, there were lots of opportunities to explore. One main objective was to find springs, live water. We thank the Lord for several good springs and creeks on this property! For now, the farm will be used to raise cattle, chickens, and maybe some produce beyond personal needs. In the future (when Granddaddy and Grandmother are in Heaven) it will be divided among our children's families, so we were glad to have water in various locations.

When we got back to Arkansas, the whole family was invited to the Davenports' home for the evening. These are friends of the Millers, who have become our friends. What a blessing to have RG (bass) and Matthew (guitar) join us to back up Aunt Ashley and Aunt Katie singing "I'll Fly Away". Peter played most of the time, but here, his banjo had sprung a string, and he and Mr. Davenport were fixing it.

Here, Mr. Davenport joins in on the guitar (thanks for sharing it, Matthew!). He is quite a character -- an old-fashioned country singer and player who fits right in. The children always have a ball playing with him. Because it was so late and cold, and the roads were so curvy and unfamiliar, the Davenports opened their home to us to stay for the night. We had a great discussion on things of eternal consequence the next morning over a delightful breakfast. These are the times that give children their firm foundation for the future.

Well, we had no idea we would have snow! Not much, but enough for the Florida youngin's to throw some snowballs. This was our last day, and after about an hour's drive to the Millers' church, we were blessed to fellowship with God's people in Arkansas. After dinner with our precious family and emotional goodbyes, it was time to hit the road again. Road Trip Part 3 coming up . . .

Road Trip! (Again!) part 1

On Feb. 4, many of our family headed up to Columbus, Georgia, for the "Christians at the Crossroads 2009" conference. It was presented by the Geoffrey Botkin family, with emphasis on "the timeless issues of family faithfulness, family strength and family leadership" and giving families "a vision to turn tumultuous times into opportunities for advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ." What an inspiring and refreshing time it was! The whole Botkin family participated, sharing wisdom the Lord has given them, an understanding of the times.

We were able to meet other like-minded families -- some of whom we "knew" from Internet fellowship, and others we had no acquaintence with before. The precious Powers family ( http://www.rehobothfarm.com/ ) spearheaded the organization of the conference and were a blessing to all who attended.

Part of the blessing was being with our family. The Dischers and Stricklens went along, as well as daughter-in-law Ashley and little Savannah. We enjoyed so much having various ones ride along in the RV with us, taking turns being with Grandmama and Granddaddy. And little Savannah was able to spend some good time with cousins she doesn't see very often. It was a wonderful time and certainly confirmed in our hearts that we are on the right path with our family. May God's people be faithful to seek His face in these troubled times -- He has left Himself a very small remnant, and what a privilege to be part of that -- preparing faithful arrows to go into the future for His kingdom.


I thought this was cute! Riding along in the RV reading, reading, reading! L to R: Rosie, Margaret Anne, Ashley. On the floor, Savannah listens as Markie reads to her. Blessings for grandparents!


We made it to the lovely Langston House at Henderson Village, south of Perry GA, for dinner (meaning noon meal!) We always make an effort to time our trips up I-75 to be able to stop for breakfast or dinner (less pricey than supper!) This is a very special place. The founder was a boy in Germany after WWII and loved to watch old movies the American GIs showed. He fell in love with the South (Gone with the Wind, etc.) and decided when he grew up, he would come to America. He moved old houses to this location and restored them into a beautiful community resort, I guess. It is worth the stop, if you have the opportunity, for a genteel touch of Southern Hospitality. South of Perry a couple of miles off the Interstate at Exit 127 (Hwy 27). (No, I am not a stock-holder!)

Beautiful maidens of virtue: Granddaughters Kitty, Callie, Sarah Beth, Gracie, Mary Noelle. What astounding potential for godly motherhood is portrayed here!

Mr. Geoff Botkin and two of his warrior-sons, doing battle for the Kingdom.

Hope to present Part 2 soon, the rest of the trip -- on to Missouri!!