New England Vacation--Day One--July 21,2010

We are so excited! We’ve been really busy this summer! Brandon’s wedding, Charity’s surgery, and Joshua’s departure for Japan all happened within ten days of each other. Paul has worked long hours in 100 degree weather! I’ve been at Charity’s house a lot helping her take care of Carter and with getting around from place to place. Paul and I are both so glad we can be available and have the strength and energy to help our kids when they need us. Fortunately, Charity is well on her way to recovery now, so here we are—on our way to tour the New England states!

I had to attend a teacher workday today, so Paul worked as well to keep from taking a whole day of vacation time. I was so impressed with our new Head of School. I can tell she is a godly woman with serving Jesus on her mind. Our meetings were good, and we had a beautiful time of worship at the end. We finished early, so I was able to get home earlier than I thought. We had everything packed and ready, so it didn’t take long to get on the road.
Our first stop tonight will be in Fredrick, MD. I called Miss Mary, (a family friend of Dallas and Lucille that watched Paul and his siblings grow up) after we got on the road to tell her we were going to be near her home tonight. We made plans to meet tomorrow morning at the Cracker Barrel next to our hotel, which is only minutes from her house. It was so good to talk to her after so many years. She sounded just the same—with her hearty laugh. I can still see how her whole face smiles when she laughs. We’re so excited about seeing her, even if only for a short visit as we pass through her area.

Our first “feet” picture is below. For those of you who followed my last vacation blogs, you’ll understand this. On our trip out west last summer, Paul started playing around just to annoy me, by taking pictures of my feet. So to get back at him, I took pictures of HIS feet. Well, one thing led to another, so we started taking “feet” pictures wherever we went. These pictures came to represent the places we had been. Therefore, had to begin this year’s vacation with an appropriate picture of “out-the-door”. Last year, Paul took a picture of our ending odometer reading—7,250 miles in 24 days. So, appropriately, here is our beginning odometer reading set at 0. We’ll see what it reads when we come back.

Please continue to pray for us for safety and health, and remember, we love you, but Jesus loves you more.