WOW, 16 days under out belt and the time has flown. We’ve had fun. We left Antioch on April 10th and here it is the 26th and 3,500 miles later. One week in Oregon, down to Brigham Utah, through Idaho, Wyoming ,Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indianapolis and Michigan. WHEW! We’ve had times renewing friendships (how sweet this was), seen beautiful scenery and had time together that’s been so special. Best of all has been some incredible God times (good, good, good CD’s, time to ponder and reflect and one very amazing day in Kansas City at the International House of Prayer). That day will never be forgotten for all God spoke and did.
Here’s a brief summary of our trip in pictures taken along the way
Our Oregon Kids
One Incredible 15 Minute Oregon Storm!!
From blue skies one minute to black thick clouds, thunder, lightening and hail. WOW, God sure gave us an awesome show!
Retreat in Bend, Oregon-Gina Spoke!!!
At the Pastor’s wives retreat in Bend, it was such a treat to hear Gina speak about “Abiding” and then to catch up with folks from our old church, Calvary Open Bible in Antioch: Karen Clemons (she and Pastor Bill were our very first pastors), Tina Zacharian (Gina’s youth pastor), David and Rochelle Hoole (Associate/music pastors ) and John and Missy Bluebaugh. YIKES, they were kids who were in youth group at Calvary. They are now pastors at Christian Life Church in Bend. Also got to see Trina Reilly, Judy Burke and Paula Southerland. A sweet reunion.
While Gina and I were gone Grampie got to play with the kids, shuffle them to two different birthday parties and spoil them just a little bit! HA Visit with John and Dorothy Martinez in Platteville, Colorado
We drove right through Colorado and got to visit with our new friends John and Dorothy Martinez. Greg met John while he was in California spending time with his daughter Michelle Corderro of Raymond and Michelle! John spent his birthday in Antioch a couple of weeks ago and was excited to report on Michelle’s improvement. She’s been up and out of bed, even walking a bit. A sweet touch of Jesus on her life. Raymond and Michelle are planning to get an RV and drive to Colorado to spend some time with John and Dorothy. It’s such a great place (beautiful and peaceful) for Michelle to continue healing! We enjoyed our time together, their hospitality, feeding the animals, petting the geese (what a crack up…took some guts to walk up to pet them only to find out they were decoys!!!) Ay yi yi…..
Dave, Jan and Joy Snyder
We caught up with Dave and Jan Snyder in Colorado Springs. They were Associate/Music/Youth pastors at Calvary in Antioch 20+ years ago and good, good friends. What a treat to see Joy too. She and Gina were buddies! It was fun reminiscing and laughing about some of the crazy things we did (putting houses up for sale, Christmas tree lots appearing on front lawns (Michelle!!), skunks, and more). We laughed as we remembered all those fun shenanigans and we remembered how we learned to trust in the hard times, the amazing church services, the Agape group Pastor Dave led in our home for 10+ years as well as how they ministered to Michelle (coming out to marry her and Daryl!!) Again, sweet, sweet memories.
Claus and Mary Jo – Moline, Indiana
What a fun evening we spent with Claus and MaryJo! The time went way too fast sharing all that’s happened since they moved to Moline in January. What a great, picturesque little town. Got to see the home they put an offer on—really cool house, walked along the Mississippi River, had dinner at this really cool place (yummy home made potato chips) and dessert back at “moms’” house. Way past midnight we had to say goodbye. So sad! Next time we head east to see mom, this is a definite stop over.
Jack and Janice Herring – Indianapolis
Arrived in Indianapolis on Saturday (24th) and saw our friends, Jack and Janice. Our friendship goes back at least 20 years and while we’ve been blessed to see Jack more recently as he travels out to California, we hadn’t seen Janice in about 15 years so it was great to see her. It was so fun spending the morning together remembering. Janice has written a book (in critiquing stage) started another book and has written a bible study(complete with study book) that she and Jack will be begin teaching in about 10 weeks. So cool to see how God has used them for His Kingdom. Besides being with these dear people, a couple of memorable things, a huge delicious breakfast…Jack’s 3 inch thick French toast and everything on the menu being doubled (order 1 item and you get 2!!) and, hee hee, their heated toilet seat. No kidding!! It was way cool. Such sweet times!!
Greg’s Family - Detroit, Michigan
We arrived in the Detroit area on Saturday, surprising some of the family and then on Sunday we were able to surprise his mom. Got to share a meal with mom and some of her friends and then back home with more family and some R & R!!
I’m thankful for a day to hibernate a bit, put this blog together, I hope. We’ll see when I try to post. Heading out in a bit for a yummy Polish dinner with family down in Hamtramck area of Detroit.
I’m thankful for a husband that loves to drive so I can look at the beautiful scenery…he’s driven all but about 2 hours of this trip. But really it’s not my fault he doesn’t like my driving!! No, really, I’m so thankful for him. We’re having a great time together with still lots more adventures ahead.
We miss you all. xoxoxoxo
