The Simple Life

(Lancaster, PA 6-9 April) Did you know that Pennsylvania is beautiful? I sure didn't. It's amazingly beautiful. We spent a few days in the Lancaster area where we enjoyed a buggy ride to an Amish farm for a tour. Two little girls made their entrance a few minutes after we arrived at the barn and stared at us like I imagine they get stared at a lot. On their turf, though, we were the odd ones. Their lifestyle seems a simple one, yet so very appealing. They work the land, raise their families, provide for their needs without the entrapment of the outside world. I certainly felt a small kinship with them as we are living a rather simple life ourselves right now. (Of course, to them we are still so connected to the world even in our simplified lifestyle). So, we did the buggy ride, went to several shopping areas catering to the tourist crowd, bought a few things, ate smorgasbord, and basically enjoyed the beauty of the blossoming and blooming spring landscape all around us.

On our buggy ride, Menno (our driver) was very willing to answer our questions about Amish life. We tried not to be too nosy but we did ask several questions. Ed asked him about the difference between the Mennonites and the Amish, his simple answer was, "electricity". Not sure that is all there is to it, we stopped at the Mennonite Information Center and watched a movie about the differences between the Mennonites and the Amish. It was very interesting, and very informative and it turns out it's not just "electricity"!!!

So much beauty in this area of Pennsylvania, I ALMOST could live there...if I didn't already know what Oregon is like!

Antietam

(Sharpsburg, MD: 5 April 2010) Before we left Maryland I wanted to take the opportunity to visit Antietam National Battlefield. While I am not an official "Civil War buff" I do find the war interesting from many angles: the struggle to preserve the Union, the indignity and incongruity of slavery in an "all men are created equal" democracy, the battles and tactics, the overall strategies and the people and personalities to name a few. Antietam was the bloodiest one day of fighting in the Civil War. Walking through a place like "Bloody Lane", where over 5500 men lost there lives in less than 3 hours of battle, is chilling and the thoughts of what happened here disturb the soul nearly 150 years later. I was reminded once again of the costly cost of freedom. The National Battlefields are here...lest we forget. I pray we won't!

Easter With Family in Frederick

(Frederick, MD 4 April) Easter provided a wonderful opportunity for us to be with family this year. My nephew, Jason, his wife Anna Claire and their two beautiful little girls, Elli-Grace who is 3 and Aria who is just 3 months old live in Frederick, Maryland. My sister Jane and her husband Phil who live just outside Dallas, Texas came up to meet their new granddaughter so we were excited to be able to see all of them over Easter. Emily and her roommate Jessica also came up from Arlington, Virginia for the day. Ed and I met the family at their church in Frederick for the early service and then had an opportunity to take Jane and Phil to our RV so they could see our new home. Then we headed back to Frederick to enjoy a delicious mean prepared by Anna Claire. It was great to be together and to get to cuddle a little baby (even though she did have an explosion on me!!!) We haven't often been able to be with family on holidays so we were thankful to have this time with them.

Quality in Quantico

(03/28 to 04/03/2010) Camping at military RV campgrounds when we can has been our routine since we hit the road full-time in January. We have stayed at some good ones and some not so good ones. We booked the campsite at Lunga Park, Quantico USMC base in advance not knowing what to expect. This was by far the nicest military campground we have stayed in. Lunga Park is actually a series of 5 separate campgrounds in a secluded area on the shores of a huge man-made lake in the shape of a large "V" that lies NNE. We were in the Pine Campground on the farthest NE point of the lake. It was a beautiful setting and the sites were aligned to the lake for good views from our parked rig. We were watching the lake late one evening and a bald eagle came out of nowhere and scooped a fish out of the water with its talons and flew off. We sat on the edge of the lake one evening for about 45 minutes watching the sun set. Just a glorious spectacular site. As you probably know Quantico is one of the largest Marine training bases in the world and is where the Presidential Helicopter is based. The base also supports the FBI Academy and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Academy. One morning we were surprised by hearing what sounding like a herd of elephants running down the road from above where we were parked. Suddenly there were about 40 men and women in PT gear spread out on the point where we were parked doing leg lifts, wrestling headlocks, buddy-carries and push ups right at the waters edge. It was fun entertainment over our morning coffee! I was told later they were DEA trainees.
We haven't blogged about the campgrounds where we're staying to this point because for the most part they are pretty unremarkable. This one was a jewel. For the pure beauty and privacy of this campground we rank it as number 1 so far on our list of about 10 campgrounds so far.
Enjoy the pictures!

Friends Are Friends Forever If the Lord's the Lord of Them...

(Springfield, VA 03/28-4/2/10) Moving around is part of the package when you are in the military. You pretty much know that you are going to be stationed somewhere for about 4 years and then move on. Living on base would at least provide opportunity to get to know your neighbors quickly as everyone is in the same situation of being away from family. Our family tried to plug into a church as soon as we could to enlarge that opportunity and because we knew we needed the fellowship of other believers. God was always faithful to bring people into our lives that we have been able to share some great times with in our 30 years of military moves (some of whom we're privileged to visit on our Oregon Journey). Sometimes it happened quickly, sometimes it took awhile. One of the hardest places for me to develop deep relationships was when we moved to Northern Virginia and Ed worked at the Pentagon. For several reasons I just didn't find someone that I clicked with UNTIL I found Pam! Pam Hawthorne and I met while dropping our daughters off for a church youth trip to Colorado. Our husbands had been roommates at a men's retreat and became friends, but Pam and I hadn't really been introduced. While we were waiting to pick our girls up after the trip we sat in my car and just talked. When the vans drove in our girls looked at each other and said "oh good, our moms finally found a friend". I think they thought we were both pretty pathetic! Pam and I both have similar sarcastic sides which makes our relationship fun. We've shared some fun times and some hard times that have strengthened our friendship. I know I can count on her and she can count on me. We both love "I Love Lucy" and she calls me Ethel (although truth be told she is OLDER than me) and I call her Lucy. Before we left Virginia the 4 of us went out to dinner and had a wonderful evening with Ron giving the waiter a lot of fun teasing. It was just what we needed. I'm so thankful for Ron and Pam and although I hope they come and visit us when we get settled in Oregon I know that we will have an eternity to laugh and enjoy our friendship on the New Earth (Rev 21:1-8)!

Old Clients...New Office

(No VA, 03/30-31/2010) One of the reasons we had to get back to Virginia by the end of March was for me to work with my first business consulting client. This is a company I have worked with before, but not in this role. I was able to help facilitate a meeting for them over 2 days. We had a group dinner (see picture above) the evening after the first day, at a small Italian Restaurant in Vienna, VA (how appropriate). This was also a trial run to see if Joy could handle being in the RV overnight alone. I stayed in a Hotel near the company's offices in Fairfax and Joy stayed in the RV at Quantico. High winds rocked the RV most of the night and she didn't get much sleep, but other than that she was fine. We are pronouncing it a qualified success, but TBD when the next opportunity may come for another test.
Part of the deal with my client was that I would compile the notes for the meeting. I came back to the motorhome on Wednesday after the meeting with roles of butcher paper which recorded several brainstorming sessions and groups exercises we did in our sessions. I hired my 105 wpm typist wife on the spot, to help me get it done. We divided the pages... she got 10 and I got 2. To make it easier to type from we hung the butcher paper notes all around the RV (see pictures) She was done in 30 minutes...it took me about 3 hours. But we got it done!
It's called teamwork! What you learn how to do after 35 years of marriage!

Finding Strength in Trials...

(03/28/2010; Northern VA) Life is unpredictable. One minute you're watching a basketball game and the next your world is shaking and your heart is in so many pieces you can't feel a thing. This is what we experienced Palm Sunday when we were given some news that put us literally into shock. As we stumbled out to our car with tears pouring down our cheeks we weren't even sure where we were or what direction to point the car. We ended up at some dear friends who put their arms around us and held us as we sobbed out our sorrow. I am so thankful for those who can comfort because they have been there and know what you're feeling. I'm thankful for those who can give wise counsel and prayers. I'm so thankful for a God whose arms are around us always.

A year ago I could not have heard this news. I wasn't ready for it and God knew I couldn't handle it. In the past 5 years my walk with the Lord has changed dramatically. I read a book called "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn that blew my mind. If you haven't read it you need to. That book led to some others that are too many to name but what they did was point me to the realization that I was not experiencing the abundant Christian life that God promises to those who believe. And, it wasn't HIS fault! I was afraid of it. Instead of opening my hands to take it I was closing my fists in fear. Over the years as I gradually opened my hands He was so gentle with me. The wonderful women He brought into my life allowed me to grow under their mentoring. In this past year 3 of us have done a Precepts Bible study together on the book of Job. Then another book by Randy Alcorn "If God is Good" came in the mail. Again, if you haven't read it you need to. But the most healing thing has been God's Word. Everyday He gives me some truth to hold onto for that day. Everyday I read His Word and am a stronger person than I was the day before. Everyday I write down where I'm at in this journey I'm going through and everyday I release this situation to God because only He can change it. Then I get up and LIVE! I open my hands to His abundant life, I laugh and sing and enjoy life and family and friends. And I do that through His strength, not mine.

I think it's interesting that my last blog was about some friends who are going through a time of testing and how God is using it. He has now put Ed and I in a position to live what we believe. God doesn't give us the test that we want, He gives us the test that we need. I might look at what someone else is going through and think "I could handle that" but that's probably not what needs refining in my life.

So again I quote the verse in I Peter 4:12, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed." There is a reason for this and I do rejoice that God has found us worthy to taste in such a small way what He suffered for us on the cross when He gave His life for us so that we have the power not to sin and so we could have eternal life on the new earth.