"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2
I guess God felt we needed to develop some perseverance today because we experienced one trial after another beginning with a broken cab air conditioner leaving us to bubble and boil as the eastern sun streamed into our window. Know that there are NO windows to open so the summer heat just builds as the day progresses!
We get down to 1/8th tank of diesel fuel for lack of stations causing a bit of worry.
Remind us NOT to travel on July 4th week-end because the traffic was terrible and we encountered two major traffic jams by mid-day.
Just before we hit the Smokey Mountains, entering Charleston, West Virginia we had a rather unpleasant surprise as a passing semi-trailer blew his horn getting our attention while pointing to our car trailing behind the RV. When Hunter says, "Nancy, we have a problem." I sit up staight and take notice because generally he is calm, collected, and on the spot solving problems before I'm aware of their existence. We pull to the side of the road-thankfully at the moment there is a wider than normal spot. Hunter jumps out, goes to the back and quickly discovers our heavy duty, top of the line, near indestructable hitch has broken leaving the car to "free wheel" with only the two safety lines to keep it in tow! After taking the apparatus apart and storing the pieces in the rig I get in the car and follow Hunter driving the RV. (I am offering up many words of thanks to the angels watching over us. The hitch broke before the mountains. Halleluah!)
OK, we are safe, the car is not damaged and all is well with the world. We proceed on to our destination, thinking in a few hours we will be at the campsite . Well, not quite right. Another traffic tie up slows us down and then Hunter has to take a quick turn and I'm in the wrong lane so zoom right on past the turn-off. Thankfully, we have cell phones and GPS systems so I'm able to pull over, put in the address and try to "catch up" to Hunter. Now, my garmin is older than the one in the RV so she starts complaining about the directions Hunter had given me so we spend lots of time on the phone. I also need gas so must pull over to refuel. Finally, we do reconnect- at the campsite at 8:30 p.m!
It has been a long, tiring day!
I think our perseverance level has grown. Hope our level is high enough for the time being!
Happy July 4th! Enjoy your family and thank God for our nation and the freedoms we enjoy.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday 10 (written on Wednesday)
Since I thoroughly enjoyed Rebecca's blogI thought I would copy the idea-only one day late. Ha!
1. Packing the RV to move can be quite a feat, especially since during our stay in Iowa we have acquired a second tandem bike and a boat, complete with two motors, two folding seats, life jackets and oars! Are we crazy or what?
2. Already missing dear friends. During our stay in Iowa we played cards, ate delicious dinners, enjoyed a "free" bed and breakfast while the RV was in the shop, laughed over lunches, shared ups and downs while walking trails, and worshiped together.
3. Starting a gall bladder "diet" gives new meaning to BORING: no red meat, spices, dairy, gluten, sugars, alcohol, and CHOCOLATE????? Yikes!!
4. Love our new tandem! We will have many adventures with it in Italy, Germany, and Holland
5. Anxious to see and play with the grandchildren. I wear this apron often to remind me that Nani's grandchildren are so incredibly cute-even the one none of us have seen yet-Keaton Hunter Stall due in September!
6. Iowa corn is so incredibly beautiful this time of year. Everywhere you look, outside the city limits, waving fields of bright green showcase this state's pride and joy. Wish I was going to be here to taste those first succulent ears of sweet corn. I realize other states boast of delicious corn but believe me none compares to the peaches and cream grown in Iowa! Growing up on the farm my dad's sweet corn was so big you could not wrap your fingers around the ear and it definitely wouldn't fit on a dinner plate-honestly!
7. Fixing beef burritos for the gang tonight. Hunter loving his last night of good tennis with friends!
8. Bought another two biking jerseys today-matching mens and womans-for our tandem rides in Holland and Italy. I know we are a bit eccentric-matching outfits-really? When you are retired you can pull it off! Everyone thinks we are a strange couple anyway-biking in Europe in our 60s? This trip is on my "bucket list" so can't wait to check it off!!
9.Ready to get back to missionary work with MMAP-probably work in Florida November and December.
10. Love this poem. Good to reread it now and then and put it's principles into practice!
LORD, Help Me Bring Your Peace To All I Meet
where there is hatred, let me bring love
where there is sadness, let me bring joy
where there is darkness, let me bring light
where there is doubt, let me bring faith
Lord help me to not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console
to be understood, as to understand
to be loved, as to love
for it is in giving, that we receive
it is in forgiving, that we are forgiven
it is in dying that we are born again.
1. Packing the RV to move can be quite a feat, especially since during our stay in Iowa we have acquired a second tandem bike and a boat, complete with two motors, two folding seats, life jackets and oars! Are we crazy or what?
2. Already missing dear friends. During our stay in Iowa we played cards, ate delicious dinners, enjoyed a "free" bed and breakfast while the RV was in the shop, laughed over lunches, shared ups and downs while walking trails, and worshiped together.
3. Starting a gall bladder "diet" gives new meaning to BORING: no red meat, spices, dairy, gluten, sugars, alcohol, and CHOCOLATE????? Yikes!!
4. Love our new tandem! We will have many adventures with it in Italy, Germany, and Holland
5. Anxious to see and play with the grandchildren. I wear this apron often to remind me that Nani's grandchildren are so incredibly cute-even the one none of us have seen yet-Keaton Hunter Stall due in September!
6. Iowa corn is so incredibly beautiful this time of year. Everywhere you look, outside the city limits, waving fields of bright green showcase this state's pride and joy. Wish I was going to be here to taste those first succulent ears of sweet corn. I realize other states boast of delicious corn but believe me none compares to the peaches and cream grown in Iowa! Growing up on the farm my dad's sweet corn was so big you could not wrap your fingers around the ear and it definitely wouldn't fit on a dinner plate-honestly!
7. Fixing beef burritos for the gang tonight. Hunter loving his last night of good tennis with friends!
8. Bought another two biking jerseys today-matching mens and womans-for our tandem rides in Holland and Italy. I know we are a bit eccentric-matching outfits-really? When you are retired you can pull it off! Everyone thinks we are a strange couple anyway-biking in Europe in our 60s? This trip is on my "bucket list" so can't wait to check it off!!
9.Ready to get back to missionary work with MMAP-probably work in Florida November and December.
10. Love this poem. Good to reread it now and then and put it's principles into practice!
LORD, Help Me Bring Your Peace To All I Meet
where there is hatred, let me bring love
where there is sadness, let me bring joy
where there is darkness, let me bring light
where there is doubt, let me bring faith
Lord help me to not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console
to be understood, as to understand
to be loved, as to love
for it is in giving, that we receive
it is in forgiving, that we are forgiven
it is in dying that we are born again.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Biker Legs
We love biking-especially on our tandem. Weathermen may predict rain but that doesn't stop true bikers. A bit of thunder and lightening did cause a "layover" under a park's shelter. While there we feasted on God's color palette of green hues splayed across the landscape and enjoyed the sweet smell of spring. After the rain subsided we continued our 25 mile trip. The downside of riding in the rain can be seen in the photos. But we have ridden several days in bright sunshine-notice the biker tan!!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Getting ready to say good-bye for a little while
Flying back to the Quad Cities in two days and will miss this family but will return in July so "Papa" can help Daddy build a fense for Aiden!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Aiden talks about his new sister.
My sister, Ella Morgan Stall, arrived on May 7th at 2:03 a.m. weighing in at 8 ib. 9 oz and 21 inches long. Daddy and Mommy are really happy. I'm happy too but it is a little different at our house now these days.
"Wow-is this what was in mommy's tummy??"
"I guess she can stay."
"Nani and I baked Ella a birth-day cake!"
"Nani likes holding Ella, but she also likes holding me, too!"
"Is it my turn to hold her yet?"
"I think I like this big brother stuff."
"My sister is the prettiest little girl on the block. Don't you agree:"
"Wow-is this what was in mommy's tummy??"
"I guess she can stay."
"Nani and I baked Ella a birth-day cake!"
"Nani likes holding Ella, but she also likes holding me, too!"
"Is it my turn to hold her yet?"
"I think I like this big brother stuff."
"My sister is the prettiest little girl on the block. Don't you agree:"
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Aiden
What a joy to be able to spend quality time with my grandchildren! Here are a few glimpses of moments I've shared with Aiden, Branden and Brooke's 22 month old son, while here in North Carolina awaiting the birth of his sister, Ella.
I also want to share a cute story. We were taking a wagon ride around the block and I was naming all the parts of creation that God made. I said, "Look, Aiden, God made the birds. He made the trees. Oh, look at the pretty yellow flowers (dandelions, of course) that God made." Aiden then leans down and points to a piece of paper trash in a neighbor's yard and asks-"God made"? I said, "No, God doesn't make trash only people do." Well, wouldn't you know that the neighbor was in his driveway, behind his car, obviously listening. He popped his head up and asked, "Do I have trash in my yard?" I told him he did, thinking he might be a bit frustrated with me that I didn't pick it up, but instead he smiled and said, "It's good to share the truth with your grandson and have a blessed day."
That story illustrates the importance of the verse in Psalms 71:18- "Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, until I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come."
It is an awesome responsibility for grandparents to share the truth of God with their grandchildren and you never know who might be listening!!
Thank-you God for giving me that wonderful responsibility!!
I also want to share a cute story. We were taking a wagon ride around the block and I was naming all the parts of creation that God made. I said, "Look, Aiden, God made the birds. He made the trees. Oh, look at the pretty yellow flowers (dandelions, of course) that God made." Aiden then leans down and points to a piece of paper trash in a neighbor's yard and asks-"God made"? I said, "No, God doesn't make trash only people do." Well, wouldn't you know that the neighbor was in his driveway, behind his car, obviously listening. He popped his head up and asked, "Do I have trash in my yard?" I told him he did, thinking he might be a bit frustrated with me that I didn't pick it up, but instead he smiled and said, "It's good to share the truth with your grandson and have a blessed day."
That story illustrates the importance of the verse in Psalms 71:18- "Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, until I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come."
It is an awesome responsibility for grandparents to share the truth of God with their grandchildren and you never know who might be listening!!
Thank-you God for giving me that wonderful responsibility!!
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