A Whirl of States and Their Capitols

Okay, I actually wrote this about a week ago, but I just didn’t get around to posting it.  So know that we are now in Portland Oregon (yea!) but here is what has happened the last month or so… 

Let’s see, I last left you in Springfield, IL., probably near the place where the bird built her nest.   Twenty days and ten states later, I am now[at this writing] in the state of Washington!  How did I get here so fast?  Well let’s see…

After Illinois we drove through Missouri.  Pretty logical, since they are neighboring states after all.   In MO we went to several historic places, including the famous St. Louis arch (“Gateway To Westward Expansion”) and Independance, the place of embarcation for many on the Oregon Trail.  As many of you heard, we visited IHOP (International House Of Prayer) and joined our prayers with the many others there.  We also visited the state capitol, in Jefferson City, and left with a five dollar parking ticket (which we paid).

Missouri Capitol Building

Then it was westward to Kansas!  The Sunflower State. I did not see any sunflowers, but I did see plenty of cornfields.   Driving through Topeka, we stopped by the Kansas State Capitol as well.  In all, we only visited the northeast corner of this state.

Kansas Capitol Building

Our next state was Nebraska and, planning once again to visit the state capitol, I was very excited.  “Why in the world would you be excited about Nebraska, of all places?” you might be thinking.  Well you see, for a good TeenPacter like myself, Nebraska is the capitol to visit as it is the only state in the union that has a unicameral legislature.  Don’t bother looking that word up, it really has a simple explanation: NE only has a legislative body, the Senate.   They do not have a House of Representatives.  While this may sound weird, it actually makes a lot of sense.  Personally I think state governments really do not need two bodies.  But that is a whole other issue that you can talk to me about later.   Stepping into the NE state capitol was quite the experience.  The whole thing seemed more like a medieval castle than a capitol to me.  It was dark and had all kinds of hidden corridors and Greek/Roman artwork (or whoever it is that likes to feature nudity).  The place felt very pagan.  It even had the symbols of the zodiac in mosaics in the ceiling arranged around a chandelier that was supposed to represent the sun!  Anyway, I’m glad we went, it was very interesting.

Nebraska State Capitol

After NE comes… Iowa!  Yes, I know it is east of NE, but we wanted to see the capitol and our next destination was St. Paul, Minnesota, directly north of Des Moines, to see a friend.  It was neat for me to see the capitol in Des Moines and to take my parents around because I had taught a TeenPact class there last year.  So it was kind of like saying hello to an old friend.

Speaking of friends, visiting Julie Wilke and St. Paul, MN was quite a treat.  Julie was a co-worker of my mom’s when she taught at Christ Lutheran School in Coos Bay and a competitor of mine at my favorite card game: double speed.  While we did not end up playing speed, we had a terrific time at her apartment and exploring St. Paul with her (which did include a trip to the capitol).  Praise God for good friends!  It is always a privilege to see familiar faces when one has been away from home for so long.

MN Capitol Bldg. (We stood up by the gold horses on the front.)

Crossing Minnesota, we spent a lovely Mother’s Day in a little town called De Smet, SD.  Its main claim to fame is that it was the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder (of “Little House on the Prairie” fame) for many years and, in fact we got to spend the night at her homestead.  Mom loved it and said it made Mother’s Day special for her.  Thanks God.    I loved it as well for there was much to explore!  In Laura’s little barn I found two chickens and then stumbled upon five baby kittens!  I instantly made friends with them and their mother and was sad to say goodbye the next day.  There was a big workshop with lots of equipment; machines to pick dried corn off the husks, twist rope, grind barley, and a round sharpening stone machine that you peddled to make it go round and round.  I made use of that and sharpened both of my knives.  I also made use of Laura’s outhouse which was… quite rustic.  It was fun to be out on the prairie.  Very different for someone used to the woods, so wide and open, but definitely a neat experience. 

                                                       South Dakota Capitol Building

The next day we headed west and stopped by the capitol in Pierre.  The South Dakota capitol is architecturally exactly the same as the Montana capitol, which we more recently visited.  But I am getting ahead of myself.  We stayed in the Badlands and the next day drove through Custer State Park where we were greeted by some very friendly animals!  A herd of donkeys blocked the road, stopping traffic, and one friendly guy even stuck his head in our window and tried to chew on Dad!

Of course we could not leave South Dakota without seeing its biggest attraction and what gives it its name, the “Mt. Rushmore State”.  We drove up into the mountains and spent the night in Horse Thief Lake Campground.  (Good thing we did not bring any horses!)  The next morning I was surprized to find it was snowing lightly!  As we drove higher and higher into the mountains toward Mt. Rushmore the snow only intensified.  Pretty soon it was a regular blizzard and it was all we could do to keep from blowing away as we got out of the van and approached Mt. Rushmore!  While it was exciting to be at Mt. Rushmore in a blizzard (okay my west coast definition of blizzard might not be quite the same as the technical definition), it greatly obstructed our view.  But, low and behold, it was no time at all until the sun came out and illuminated the magnificent faces of our four revered presidents.

After Mt. Rushmore, we pulled into Wyoming and started driving west across the central part of the state.  As my friend, who is a native Wyomian (or is it Wyomingian?), said, we missed the ugly parts of Wyoming and drove through the pretty parts.  Boy was it pretty!  Absolutely gorgeous!  I felt like I was back in the west again.  In fact, I told my dad, Wyoming seems more like the wild west than Oregon does!  Beautiful snow covered mountains, rolling hills, lots of pine trees, pastures with horses and cattle, yes, we have entered the west! 

And so, here we are, still heading west!  We have begun the countdown… only about seven more days till my parents are home and twelve more for me [at this writing].  Home, what a comforting word!  Home, home, home… I think when I get back I will kiss the ground.

More on the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone as well as Glacier National Park next time!

 

Keep It Moving, Keep It Moving!

“You can’t stop the birds from flying overhead, but you CAN stop them from building a nest in your hair.”

We’ve all heard that one and understand that it means that you need to stay active and not get stagnant, or not to let life’s circumstances dictate what happens to you.  And that’s good advice, I must say.  We thought we were following that advice, but discovered one day that we had let just what the saying warns against happen.  Literally. 

Home Sweet Home (wherever that may end up being!)

In Butte, Montana, I had just positioned my RV in line to get some propane, when I noticed a bird’s nest neatly positioned between our two bikes on the bike rack which was hanging on the ladder at the back end.  It was cemented to the two bikes with mud and twigs!  I guess we had been too inactive and not ridden our bikes enough.  We had not spent two days in one place for over two weeks, so it had probably traveled from Indiana to Montana with us. 

Saffe and Sound?

That was almost a week ago now and it is still with us, bouncing merrily along the American highways.  We thought we had been moving right along, averaging 200+ miles a day in our effort to get Brianna back to Portland in time for her flight out of PDX to Tennessee on May 27th. 

We felt badly for the poor bird who had invested so much energy in homebuilding.  Sometimes we have the rug pulled out from under us, just like we did to that poor bird.  That is sad, but what would be even sadder would be to give up when that happens.  I’m convinced that the bird went right to work replacing the nest which had mysteriously disappeared when she went out for the finishing touches to her home-to-be. 

That’s a good example for us humans to follow.  Of course, we would do well to lay our plans, dreams, visions, etc. before our Lord before regrouping or rebuilding.  In that, the bird has at once an advantage and a disadvantage.  She can do nothing but follow her God-given instincts and does not need to spend time discovering what those are.  That’s so easy it is maddening.  Advantage:  bird.  But it is also so limiting, it would be crushing for us humans, made in God’s likeness.  We are given such a palette of options and opportunities.  Advantage:  humans. 

I think I will choose to be human, though I’ve frequently wanted to fly like a bird.  I’m happy with my humanity for now.  But I also yearn to recapture what Adam lost by fellowshiping with my Maker in eternity.  For now, I must keep it moving, keep it moving, or risk falling into a rut, which so easily can morph into a grave.

I could fill many blogs discussing the times I’ve had the rug pulled out from under me in my soon-to-be 55 years, but that would be boring to you and counterproductive for me.  And for you as well.  Let’s keep it moving and keep in step with our Maker.

 

Explosion On The Freeway

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting my dad’s long-time friend and his family and had to part from their company all too soon.  But I was also very excited about where I was going - Springfield, Illinois to teach the TeenPact class there!  So on Sunday morning as everyone was geting ready to go to church, I packed the van with my capitol clothes and left for Springfield.  I had a staff meeting at 4:00pm and I hoped to get to Springfield about 2:30pm so I could look around the town a little.

During the first two hours of my trip everything was going great!  I listened to some worship music, a sermon, a little talk radio, and a German CD.  And that’s when it happened.  I was perfecting my pronunciation, going about 70mph when suddenly… KA-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP!!!!  My van was bouncing up and down as if I was driving on a deeply rutted road.  “Something is wrong with my car, Jesus help me!” I said aloud.  I didn’t know what was wrong, I half expected the back end of my vehicle to blow up into flames or something!  I knew I had to get off the freeway and there were no exits, so I slowed down and pulled onto the shoulder.  Taking a deep breath and praising God for safety I got out to inspect my van.  At this point I was pretty sure it was a flat tire, but I was not prepared for what met my eyes.  Not only was my back right tire flat, but it was in shreds!  It looked like it had exploded!  I decided I would either call AAA roadside service, or the number on the Dodge card my mom had given me, but first I called my dad. 

Yikes!

“Hello?”
“Hey dad”
“How are you honey?”
“I’m fine… but the car isn’t so great – one of the tires just exploded.”
He suggested I follow through with my plan of calling AAA and the phone-call ended with the following:
“Dad, you should see the tire, It’s crazy looking, it’s in shreds!”
“Cool!”
“Well, okay I better go, call you later.” 

With that I called AAA.  So much for their roadside assistance.  They only help you if the membership is in your name.  So since our membership is in my dad’s name they would not help me unless he was with the vehicle.  Hmmm, okay, plan B: call the number on the Dodge card.

After going through several automated messages and answering various questions, I got the, “Please hold for the next availible agent” recording.  Bother-it-all, here I was on the side of the freeway, sweltering in the heat (it was around 85 degrees), cars zooming by… and on hold.  I held, and held, and held, and… finally decided to hang up, ten minutes later.  Okay dad, now what?

“Call 911.”  Now that was something I’d never done in my life.  It was kind of weird, actually dialing 911.  I explained the situation, and they transfered me to the highway patrol.  I pin-pointed my location (I was so proud of myself for knowing exactly where I was) and he said a state trooper would be on his way.  So I waited some more.  By this time not only would I not get to Springfield early, with time to do the tourist thing, but I might even be late to my staff meeting.  Oh well, praise God I left so early.  And praise God for His protection!  I could be dead right now.  My heart was brimming with gratitude. 

Finally, (about 15 minutes later) the policeman came.  He pulled up behind me with his lights flashing.  I started to get out of the van, expecting him to get out and meet me.  Instead he just waved me over to the passenger side of his car and rolled down the window.  “What’s the problem?” he said, not in a very happy mood.  “Well, my back right tire exploded and I was hoping you could help me change it.”  As he got out of his car it appeared that he was quite ticked off at me for letting my car get a flat tire.  So much for my hoping for a little compassion and pity! 
“Do you have a spare?”
“Yes”
“Well where is it?”
“Underneath the car between the driver and passenger seat.”
“How in the world do you get to it?”
“You use this tool… here I’ll get it.”
This was ridiculous, I thought.  I could’ve just done the whole thing myself and saved and hour or more.  He started jacking up the van, but it slipped off.  My confidence in his abilities wasn’t very great.  Eventually he got the tire off, or what was left of it, and put the spare on.  As he was getting ready to leave I double checked with him what speed I should go.  “I probably shouldn’t go above 50mph right?” “Yeah, or 45mph” he responded.  I thanked him for his help, said God bless you and returned to my vehicle to start the long journey into town.

And long it was.  In fact, it was the longest 40 mile of my life!  I put the flashers on and pulled back onto the freeway, going 45mph.  “tick, tick, tick, ZOOM, tick, ZOOM, ZOOM…”  I’ll tell you what, being the slowest person on the freeway isn’t very fun.  The entire freeway was passing me!  I glanced up at the speed limit sign and read in bold numbers: 65mph, then: 45mph minimum speed.  My speedometer read 45mph.  Oh well.  I turned up my worship music so I wouldn’t go crazy listening to the tick, tick of my flashers and plugged ahead.

Eventually I made it home, otherwise known as Wal-mart, only to be met with the news that I would have a 45 minute wait.  All right, I thought and did what I always do when I want to kill time at Wal-mart: visit the clearance racks.  I bought myself a cute top to cheer me up and my drink of life whenever I am on a TeenPact class: White Grapefruit Juice.  About an hour later the lady at the Tire Center told me that my car was done and would be brought out of the garage any minute.  Ten minutes later I asked if there was a problem.  “They are trying to figure out how to put your spare tire back” she said.  Oh brother, I thought and said, “If they need help I can do it, I know how it works.”  So I walked outside to where the garage was, just as they pulled the van around the corner.  Praise God!  I was back on the road.  When I got to Springfield I was two hours late to my staff meeting, but fortunately they waited for me to eat dinner.  Praise God I had left so early or I might have missed it!

What an adventure!  But because of God’s grace I lived through another day without a scratch.  Just the day before this happened I was telling someone about a different, possibly life-threatening adventure I had and they were surprised at my attitude towards it.  “Well I know I can’t die until God wants me to, so I enjoy adventures like this because they make for great stories!” 
I guess now I’ve got another story to add to my collection. 

 

Old Faithful

     I’ll bet you’re thinking, “He’s gonna talk about Yellowstone National Park”, right?  Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m talking about an old friend.  He’s not quite as old as me, but I’ve known him for 32 years and that makes him an old friend.

     I first met Fred when he suddenly appeared at the back of the sanctuary of my church after service in 1977, Medford, OR.  One look at him told me he was not there for chit chat.  He looked miserable and even at my immature level of discernment, I knew he needed some quick results.

     I greeted him but he was too distressed to speak, so I asked him if he wanted to pray. He nodded through tears and I showed him the way to the altar where many were still praying, as was the custom in my old-fashioned pentecostal holiness church.

     About halfway down the aisle, the enemy met us.  Fred’s flesh was still willing to make his feet move, but the devil was literally pushing his body backwards, away from the altar of prayer where he would find relief from his suffering.  I could feel the sudden pressure against my arm which was around him.  I did not hesitate, but kept walking and pushed against Satan with my arm still behind Fred’s back.  He later told me that he felt Satan fighting him and just trusted me to help him fight.

     After we overcame that obstacle, he crumpled into a puddle of sobs.  He hadn’t told me specifically what his need was, but everyone has a need for a Savior, so I prayed that he would personally meet his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, right then and there.  God understood the language of tears and had no problem communicating His love for Fred.  We got up from the altar about 30 minutes later, Fred a changed man.

     He had just been healed of a terrible stomach ache and had just received new eternal life.  I later found out that he was on tour – he did the sound board - with a rock band and they were moving on down the road.  Fred made a clean break with the past and stayed with us and they left with no sound man and one less car.  After about a month of being discipled, Fred felt he could make it back home to Chicago.

     Since that time, he has faithfully kept in touch with me by phone and email.  So it was with great pleasure that we were able to spend a week with him and his family as we passed by Chicago.  Brianna finally got to put a face with the voice who had talked with her dad on the phone for 32 years and she was surprised. 

 

     His teenager and twenty-something  met my teenager and they had a fabulous time.  Brianna even taught Sam, the 14-year-old, to play the violin. 

Dynamic duo - after one lesson!

What a great family they have!  Fred and his brave wife, Margaret wined and dined us as she recovered from a recent surgery.  Thank-you guys, and I’m sorry the timing was not too great.  Hurry out to our place on the coast!  (Remember, we’re gonna trade that Malibu for the motor home, so you can come see us.  )

 

He Is Risen! (Smile, Be Happy)

We raised our voices together with thousands of other believers this Easter morning at Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, NY.  What an awesome experience!  The choir was fantastic and the crowds of people everywhere were amazing.  How encouraging to know that millions of believers all across the world gathered together to praise our Lord on this sacred day.

We are now in New York as you may have gathered.  We have seen and experienced so much these past two weeks, I wish I could have had a video camera attached to myself and on constantly, to bring back home and show you.  But I guess words and pictures will have to do.  Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I will try and keep this post as brief as possible and highlight the most important experiences with pictures.

I must start by going back to Pennsylvania.  We spent a week in Gettysburg because I was very sick, as a lot of you have heard.  Finally we decided to go to the doctor and I got antibiotics.  I am feeling MUCH better now, though I think I passed it on to my mom.    Please pray for her, she has Conjunctivitis (pink eye) and isn’t feeling very well. 

Hershey's Chocolate World - Yum, yum!

Where was I?  Oh yes, Gettysburg – a very historic place, as is Valley Forge.  We also went to Hershey, PA and learned more about the man behind the chocolate.  Our next stop was Lancaster and we visited a very large Amish community there.  We completed the experience by taking a horse and buggy ride (their only source of transportation – they are not allowed to have cars).  Harrisburg, the capital, was our next stop and we got to see their state capitol which is one of the most ornate in the whole country.  It is absolutely stunning in every way! 

An Amish buggy

A visit to Pennsylvania would not be complete without going to one of the most historic cities in all of America: Philadelphia!  Having been to George Washington’s home and having learned so much about our founding fathers on this trip, I really feel like I’ve gotten to know them a little bit. 

Independence Hall

So going into Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution were birthed and shaped was an awesome experience for me. 

I got to stand in the very same room where all these important events happened!  I can’t imagine how different life would be for me and all of us if these brave, God-fearing men would not have made the decisions they did so long ago.  “Thank-you God for guiding them in every step of the process of shaping the great United States of America!”  

The meeting room of the Second Continental Congress, where they discussed and signed the Declaration of Independence.

Anyway, we also got to see the Liberty Bell (crafted in 1751) and I ate Martha Washington’s turkey pot pie at the City Tavern.  God is good.  When I get homesick I have to remember that I am having the experience of a lifetime and living out the dream of many.

After PA, we drove through New Jersey and spent a couple nights there.  We learned that, along with Oregon, it also has a law against pumping your own gas!  Interesting.   I thought we were the only state that did… but I digress.  We camped out in Sam’s Club and drove over to New York, New York!

Wow.  What an experience!  Navigating my dad through the streets of New York City was probably one of the most overwhelming things I have ever done.  The streets are absolutely crazy!  There are no painted lanes, cars just drive and merge in among each other wherever and whenever they want!  Horns are blaring and everywhere you look there is a sea of yellow taxi cabs.  Very aggressive taxis I might add.  And the pedestrians!  The mass of humanity is unbelievable.  They swarm the streets at the cross walks and pour in and around the cars.  Bicyclists ride wherever they want, right through the middle of traffic weaving in and out of moving cars.  AAHH!  What an experience.  My mom did great in the back seat, maybe she had her eyes closed, I don’t know.  I was so captivated by how many people were there,  I kept taking pictures of them. 

Pandemonium at Times Square

Anyway, we made it to Central Park and took a nice peaceful stroll.  Then it was back to the pandemonium at Times Square.  There is no way I can adequately describe the experience to you.  My senses were completely on overload.  The streets were packed with cars, honking loudly and worming their way around.  Electronic signs on every building flashing advertisements and bright lights everywhere, illuminating the plethora of theaters, lit up the streets.  There were potent smells of food all over, drifting out of the crowded cafes and restaurants and coming from the street vendors.  And then there were the people.  I was walled in on every side with bustling bodies.  “Excuse me, sorry, pardon me…”  Soon I gave up as I realized that bumping into people and being bumped into was unavoidable.  I’m sure it was obvious to all that I was a tourist as I stood there with my camera in hand and my jaw hanging open nearly dragging on the ground.

the proof

We grabbed a bite to eat and then walked to the Empire State Building.  After coughing up $60 and passing through security, we were allowed entry and started our assent up the 86 floors to the observation deck.  No, we didn’t climb the stairs, we took the elevators.  Even though it was almost 9:00pm the crowds of people were not limited to the streets.  We had to wait in several long lines inside the Empire State Building. 

Looking down from the Empire State Building on Times Square and surrounding area

Employees who were stationed around to show us where to go kept reciting the same line to all of us tourists, “Smile, be happy, you’re on vacation!”  I told my dad, “If I hear one more person say ’smile, be happy!’ I’m going to…”  I didn’t finish my sentence because I didn’t know what I was going to do. 

Smile, be happy!

Anyway, we made it to the top, and it was worth it.  What a view!  It was, and always will be, sobering to see the hole in the skyline where the twin towers once stood.  By the time we made it down and back to the car, which was quite a jaunt, it was nearly 11:00pm!  Fighting the traffic, we made it back to the motor home around midnight and reluctantly set the alarm clock for 6:00am, for the next day we were going to see Lady Liberty!

Approaching the Statue of Liberty on the ferry

Waking up the next morning, we rushed to the ticket booth at Liberty state park, got our tickets and were one of the first to board the ferry headed for Liberty and Ellis Islands.  While most of you instantly identify Liberty Island as the home of the Statute of Liberty, you may be less familiar with the role Ellis Island has played in history.  It is certainly a very significant place for my mom and myself. 

Ellis Island in the foreground, Liberty Island behind

 Ellis Island was the home to the main immigrant processing facilities of America from 1892-1954.  During that time, 12 million immigrants entered America and about 400,000 were sent back to their place of embarkation.  My Opa (Grandpa in German) and two of my uncles and an aunt came through the island in 1953.  I got to stand in the very same building they were in and learn about the process they had to go through in order to be granted entry into America.

We went up to the top of the pedestal, but the view of the statue wasn't as good.

We were able to climb up the pedestal to the base of the Statue of Liberty, but no farther.  As of 9/11, they have closed the statue itself to public access.  But it was still very exciting to see this reknowned emblem of freedom up close.

Life-sized replica of her face.

Now that's a big foot!

 

 

 

 

Wow, what a life I live!  Everyday is an adventure – but truly it can be that way for all of us who serve the Lord.  When you walk hand-in-hand with Jesus you never know the adventures awaiting you! And whether you call home Coos Bay, OR or Mena, AR  or Brooklyn, NY, God’s goodness and faithfulness never change.

P.S. Ladies, you might want to check out the clearance racks in Wal-mart.  The last few days I have picked up several very cute sweaters for only $3.00!  What a deal!

 

“Best Laid Plans…”

     We had plans.  Boy, did we have plans!  We labored on them for over a year, working out every detail, praying through every phase of the planning process.  God confirmed through several circumstances His involvement and approval of this excursion and provided  buyers for our property, personnel,  prayer support, church support, finances, renters for our home, and the list goes on…  We embarked on our tour, which we called “SeizetheDay“ with hopes soaring, even though there were only four of the planned six members of our team.

     Seven months later and over 11,000 miles into the adventure, I look back and see God’s hand at every turn in very tangible ways.  Surprize after surprize, along with blessings upon blessings, have attended our way daily.  Some of the surprizes have blown us away, both in a positive and negative sense.  Our world has been rocked, to make a colossal understatement.  All preconceptions have been thrown to the wind and all further expectations have been resubmitted to God.

     We are now on the opposite side of the continent, not sure if we have the resources to make it back to the ‘left’ coast, but certain that God does.  One thing seems apparent:  we will take about one third the time to return to Oregon as we spent getting here.  But even that is not known.  One thing we do know is that God is with us and will not leave us.  Another thing we know:  we are not the same persons we were last August.  One more known thing:  nothing surprizes God.  That is comforting.

 

“Recalculating Route…”

“Recalculating route.”

“Make the next legal U-turn.”

 We’ve been hearing phrases such as these a lot the past few days.  Whether they be from the GPS or from God, it is very important to listen and obey the instructions that follow!

A GPS can be an invaluable device, esspecially in the crowded streets and rushing freeways of Washington DC.  This city is busy, it is exciting, and it is flooded with humanity.  Originally our plans were to “pass through” DC, spending a day or maybe two enjoying the sights and museums.  God, however, “recalculated our route” and we have been here now for two weeks.

The Lincoln Memorial

I (Brianna) have thoroughly enjoyed almost every aspect of our visit to DC.  If you have not visited our nation’s capitol you simply must sometime in your life!  To be here at the seat of government and see all the important federal buildings where people are actively working to shape our nation is exciting and sobering to say the least.

These are worth millions! To play one... I shiver thinking about it!

We spent a couple days exploring the many Smithsonian Museums surrounding the Capital Mall (which is NOT a shopping mall!)  Here history comes alive and learning is made fun as you walk through halls of exhibits and come face-to-face with historical artifacts.  In the American History Museum I got to see the actual Star Spangled Banner, the same one that Francis Scott Key saw when he penned our national anthem!  I saw the inaugural gowns of many of our first ladies, Stradivarius violins and other string instruments, and many, many other fascinating things.  I got to see the first plane of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s to fly in the early 1900s in the Air and Space Museum.  I walked past many animals,

Don't worry, they are not alive!

preserved and stuffed in the Museum of Natural History.  I could go on and on, but time and space limit me.  It will suffice to say that you must go and see for yourself. 

To experience many things in Washington DC you must hurry up, and wait.  We wanted to go up to the top of the Washington Monument, (the tallest free-standing stone building in the world, 550 feet) so we got up early and rushed to get in line at about 7:00 a.m.  There were already about 60 people in front of us even

The Washington Monument in the afternoon, after we had gone to the top and back.

though the ticket booth didn’t open until 8:00a.m.  We successfully got our tickets, managing to keep ourselves unfrozen in the process, and got a beautiful arial view of DC. 

Another priority of ours was to observe an oral argument case in the Supreme Court.  In the Supreme Court, in front of the nine most influential justices in the country.  Easy feat?  I don’t think so!  Yesterday I was awakened well before dawn by two alarm clocks – the beepy one that drives you nuts, but still can be ignored, and the one who shakes you and can’t as easily be ignored.  Getting up, we dressed up, and followed the GPS into town.  Well, we tried our best to follow it… but our route was recalculated several times before we actually made it to the parking garage.  As the sun came up we quickly (well as quickly as you can in dress shoes and sub-freezing weather) covered the 10 blocks to the Supreme Court building. 

Approaching it, we saw that there was a line of about 80 people and we quickened our pace.  After a half hour or so, (it was now 7:30a.m.) they started handing out tickets.  If you got a ticket with a number that basically meant your place in line was reserved and you could go in out of the blustery cold weather and get a nice hot cup of coffee.  We started moving, closer and closer practically feeling the warmth of the indoors and smelling the bacon cooking in the cafeteria, and then the guard passed out the last coveted ticket.  To the person three in front of us.  We and the homeschool couple and son directly in front of us groaned, our hopes of warming our toes dashed to the ground. 

So there we stood.  it was now 9:00a.m. and those with tickets were beginning to re-assemble in front of us.  At 9:15 they started bringing people inside.  Seventy-five tickets were passed out, but by 9:30 they had only let about 60 people in.  As if to tantilize us, they would take just a few more and then stop every couple of minutes.  Finally we were almost to the front and it was almost 10:00 (the time the case started).  To our utter dismay and disappointment the security guard, who seemed to be laughing at our misfortune the whole time, announced with a smirk that the courtroom was full and if anyone else wanted to stay in line they could go in and see the room for three minutes or so and then leave.  I don’t think anyone in the line of 100 or so behind us was as disappointed as we were.  What a huge waste of time and body heat!  As we debated whether or not to just leave another guard came down the stairs and said those glorious words: “I can take ten more.” He started counting, one, two, three… I was eight, Mom was nine, and Dad was ten. Praise God! 

Our glorious Capitol.

We were ushured through security and to the door.  A guard came to the door and took three people.  Then he took three more, and one more.  And there we stood, left by ourselves wondering if we had been given false hope.  Finally he came back and said, “I’m going to seat you in the three minute section, but you can stay the whole time.”  Yeah!  Praise God again!  Whew, what an experience!

Throughout our time here in DC we have been blessed to see many things and to meet many wonderful people.  The last few nights have been spent in the parking lot of the Foursquare church here.  The generousity of the saints has been abundant, as usual.  God’s goodness to us never fails which gives me to confidence to know that even if He recalculates our route, He will always go before us and pave the way.

My lovely parents, the picturesque cherry blossoms, and our regal capitol.

 

Foursquare Womens’ Conference!

“Behind Every Influencer Is A Story…”  That simple, yet profound phrase is the thought on which the entire conference was based.  We found ourselves attending this conference in  Atlanta, Georgia, worshiping with 2,000+  women and listening to influencial women such as:  Chonda Pierce, Gail McWilliams, Amena Brown, Margaret Feinberg, Lisa Whelchel, Soumountha Olbrich, and Tammy Dunahoo share their heart.  Shannon Wexelberg’s song, “Story of My Life” carried the theme throughout the entire weekend. 

  We attended ’Story Room’ workshops where we were encouraged, challenged, and connected with the presentors.  Deborah Boles, who went to Israel in 2007 and was on our tour bus, shared about ‘Mikvah’, a Jewish practice symbolizing cleansing and purity, which helped her through a tragic time in her life.   This cleansing tradition spoke volumes to me during this particular season in my own life.  Deborah and her women’s ministry team set a prayer room up that was absolutely fabulous.  It was there that I reconnected with God, praying the prayer Jesus prayed, “not My will, but Yours be done.’” Amen. 

Shannon Wexelberg & Brianna having a connecting moment!

  Brianna attended a Story Room ‘Writing My Story Through Song ’ with an Atlantaartist, Shannon Wexelberg, who has written some beautiful heartfelt  songs.   Some of these songs Ballet Magnificat has used to choreograph dances!  Brianna and Ballet Magnificat go back several wonderful years.  She bought Shannon’s CD which has been playing and ministering to us on our journey.   Brianna was so-o-o thrilled to finally have found the music to the dances she  has loved to watch, and always wanted to learn.  Yea God!!  Another memory maker.

  “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before any of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16  Imagine that!  God so knows us and our struggles and failures and has a purpose for our destiny!  Being in His presence that weekend and reconnecting with some of the friends we have made along the way thrilled us and encouraged us.   God met us there, healed us, blessed us and has given us a hope and a future.   Brianna & I also reconnected on a deeper Mom- daughter level and it felt good.  Praise God. 

Mom & daughter enjoying the beautiful porch bench @ convention!

      We taped Sat. the a.m. session where we were commissioned to go out and be the influencers that God has called us to be.  Foursquare Womens’ International Grandmas were present and Tammy Dunahoo gave thanks & praise for their inspirations and visions.  Their challenge:  you are destined for greatness.  Dare to dream.  Do what you can do.  This challenge left us women wanting to get off of our donkey seat and go influence our world.  Shirley West, after the a.m. sessions gave Brianna a hug, looked at her and said, “You have an anointing on you”, and hugged her again.  (She’s wearing the red suit coat in the picture below.)   Thank You Lord for the confirmations we received while in Atlanta.  What a privilege we had to attend and enjoy God’s presence!

International Foursquare Woman Leaders and Shannon singing 'Story of My Life'

 

Wondering…

the veiw out my window

You may indeed be wondering where we are and what we have been doing (that is if you have been keeping up with us at all) the last month or so.  Well, a lot has certainly changed for all of us.  God is doing a new work, and sometimes it is all that we can do to keep up with Him – so the blog gets neglected – sorry!

As I write I am sitting in a quiet library, gazing across an open field, white with snow.  The wind is rustling the trees, and delicate snowflakes are whirling in circles as they make their slow, vertical descent.  My family is in Virginia Beach, VA minus Dylan, who, as most of you know, is no longer with us, but flew home at the end of January.  We are no longer seeking after churches to minister to in the way we were formerly, but are listening for God’s voice as He directs us in new ways.   

Many of you have heard that our renters ended the year-long agreement with us early and moved out of our house February 20th.  This leads to the natural question of, “What’s next?”  I, Brianna, have the privilege of staffing several classes with TeenPact (the Christian organization which goes to state capitols and teaches teens about government and being leaders) this spring and so we are hoping to stay on the road and on this half of the country until May 1st.  That is when the last class I have committed to staffing (Illinois) ends.  From there we will probably head straight home. 

So, what will life look like until that time?  Only God knows!  As I tell all my friends that ask where we are headed next, “We are following the cloud by day and occasionally the pillar of fire by night, and whenever God leads us on, we follow!”  Really, we are in the best situation anyone could ever hope to be – the center of God’s will!  The journey we take in this life will not always be on streets of gold, for if that was the case we would have nothing to look forward to in heaven.  Our journey may go through green pastures, or dark valleys; along still waters or raging oceans.  I do not know what path I shall walk from day to day, but one thing I do know and upon this I stake my life:  my God shall never leave me, nor forsake me, and though He slay me, yet will I still trust Him!  Therefore I have no cause to fear what man may do to me or what my future may hold. 

Many lives have been touched by our tour thus far.  Hearts have been drawn to our Savior and given new passion.  My family has been changed.  I have been changed.  My faith has been challenged.  I have grown in tremendous ways.  And I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God is not finished with us yet – nor will He ever be!  As I write, new possibilities are arising and new plans forming.  Details will come as soon as they come to us.  Some of you may have a hard time comprehending the position we are in – comprehending how little our plans are set in stone and how much we are trusting God on a day-to-day basis.  But to you I offer this encouragement: try it sometime!  It will scare your pants off, but you will grow so much and know Father in ways of which you can only now dream.   

Ah, now I was going to talk all about the National Foursquare Women’s Conference, and my experiences with staffing two TeenPact classes, but I’ve rambled on about life and filled up a page… I guess you will have to come back later…

 

Protect, Defend, Contend

 We’re coming up to the end, cohorts!  Are you ready?  Here’s something the Lord gave me in the middle of the night to share at St. George, Utah.

Three words:     PROTECT,  DEFEND,  CONTEND

Protect  yourself and your family – Put on the helmet of salvation (Eph. 6:17)

Defend  the Body of Christ – use the shield of faith (Eph.6:16)

Contend  for your world – wield the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17)

I’m sure you have noticed an outward expansion of these three terms:   you – your loved ones – your brothers and sisters – your world.

1.   Our first and most basic responsibility is to protect ourself, our family, and the vulnerable ones among us who may not have family to spiritually protect them.  We do this by making sure they have the helmet of salvation in place.  Much of the spiritual battle we encounter is in the mind, so it is appropriate that the Holy Spirit uses the imagery of a helmet for salvation.  Protect the mind by keeping it “stayed”, fixed, or focused upon God.  You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. – Isaiah 26:3.  God has given us a spirit of a sound mind.   (II Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 8:10, 10:16, Mark 12:30   Look these up; they are a great help!)

2.   Our second responsibility is to defend our brothers and sisters, the body of Christ.  John 13:34 & 35 says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also loved one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  Use the shield of faith to defend against the devil’s “fiery darts”.  When our brother or sister is attacked, we must instinctively go to their aid with our faith on their behalf.  Defend and take care of one another.  Share the same focus and vision.  Link up tightly!  the enemy is looking for weak spots.

3.   Our third responsibility is to wield the sword; take up our rightful position in God’s kingdom and contend for what is right.  Our sword will drive the enemy back.  It will bring others into the kingdom of God.  Read it, speak it, digest it, meditate upon it.  The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Hebrews 4:13  

But remember to use it against the enemy, not against people.  Some people forget who the enemy is and use it as a weapon upon the very ones they should be loving, just to prove a point (see John 13:34-5 above). 

We belong to Christ; Christ is in us.  His – and our – enemy is deffeated by the sword that goes out of His mouth (Revelation 19:15).  We have the victory over the enemy if we contend with our sword!  And the world will be won for Christ one person at a time with that same sword!

Be alert; the time is short!  Use it to the Kingdom’s best advantage.