Relaxing

Friday morning we took the RV to get an oils change. We both sat and enjoyed our books, Tim had the paper variety - true story, while I read on the iPad a fictional story. After the oil change was complete we ate some leftovers, bought a few more groceries and headed back to RGBI where I just HAD to finish my book. I did! It was very enjoyable reading.

We then headed over to Ruth & Larry's to see what was up and Ruth was preparing a big meal for the board members and their wives. We decided to pitch in and help and then ended up staying for supper and eating with the "kids", Micah and his wife Lana and Nathan. Nathan and a fellow from Bolivia made some coffee using a siphon coffee. It was pretty cool and Tim said it tasted very good as well.

Saturday morning we headed over to see Elijah, Ruth & Larry's oldest son, at the farm where he works. We went along with Peter & Martha, Ruth and Nathan. At this farm, they grow potatoes for Frito Lay, and they were almost done planting and we got to see some of the fields and the potatoes that were already coming up. They do not store any of their potatoes as they wash, bag, and ship they all directly to the processing plant. It was especially a treat for Tim so see how other farmers operate. Forgot to mention that we stopped for a $1.99 breakfast, two eggs, hash browns or beans, bacon or sausage or ham, toast or tortillas. Pretty sweet deal.

For lunch we went to Rudy's for lunch with Peter & Martha, where Tim had beef brisket and I had smoked turkey. Came back to the camper and rested for a bit before biking around and enjoying the sunshine.

We decided to walk a mile or so along the frontage road of the highway to go and see a movie. We watched "The Impossible" a story about a family and what they went though during the 2004 tsunami. It was moving and yes I shed a few if not a lot of tears as it was a true story. We walked back home in the dark and made a delicious late supper of steak, onions, peppers and zucchini all wrapped in a flour tortilla. Now to clean up and get ready for bed as tomorrow we head off to Bibleville for church.

Praise The Lord! He is always good.

RGBI

Today was our first full day at RGBI. Tim helped the guys putting a new tin roof on the girls dormitory while I did some computer work for Ruth in the morning and helped out in the sewing room in the afternoon. Had lunch with Peter & Martha (Tim's uncle) who are down here volunteering for a month.

Talking about a small world... One of the ladies heard we were from MacGregor so she asked me if I knew Dale & Cheryl, who were once pastors of the Bagot Church. Of course I knew them, as their daughter Lisa was in the same grade as our son Jordan. Well, it just so happens that this lady is Cheryl's mother.

Did some bicycling around but the streets outside of the campus are not very cycle friendly. Spent a relaxing evening at home.

Thank you Lord for all the volunteers who come down each year to help here at RGBI. Not only for the school but for many other areas. Students are blessed with homemade gifts and blankets, clothes made or hemmed or modified. Furniture is made or repaired, mechanical and electrical needs are seen to. And, there is a lady here who Loves to clean, bless her heart. These volunteers love what they do, they are not content sitting in their rocking chairs. They want to serve! And serve they do!

Praise The Lord!

No more long days (of driving)

Last day of endless driving. Leaves are on some trees, there is some green grass and the occasional palm tree. Current temperature while driving is +16, so inside the RV feels great with the sun shining down but outside there is a cool breeze. Stopped for lunch at yet another Mexican restaurant which is the easiest for me because a basic burrito doesn't include dairy or eggs.

We arrived in Edinburg, at the RGBI Campus, around mid afternoon and was soon able to locate Tim's cousin Ruth. She showed us to our camping site and then gave us a little tour around the campus of RGBI. We ended our tour at the office of the President (of RGBI) to meet up with Larry, who is Ruth's husband. Together, us couples and two of their sons and one daughter-in-law went our to eat at a Mexican restaurant. I know, another one but they taste good.

We are not sure what tomorrow will bring but are looking forward to how we can be of help.

Thank you Lord. Give us wisdom as we strive to serve you.

Winter weather?

As we began our journey this morning we were listening to the radio talking about freezing rain. Obviously this is not a good thing. So when we saw a tourist info rest stop we decided to stop and wait out the "storm". Luckily for us they had free wifi so we could check the road conditions or we could simply listen to the lovely Texas woman with her sweet Texas accent telling people as they came in or called on the phone. Soon the road was clear, the traffic accident had been cleaned up and we were on our way.

By mid afternoon we arrived in downtown Austin. We found a parking spot at the YMCA and a local man, who had spotted our RV at the stop sign and just had to check out this 'cool' vehicle, was able to give us some directions to the biking paths. The weather was not what I had hoped for, it was only about +6 but with gloves and warm clothes we were able to bike the paths and enjoy the scenery. We checked out the Barton Springs swimming pool that is normally open year round but it was currently under repairs. It was huge! We found a restaurant close by, Paggi House, which was a very nice place with top of the line food. Excellent food and superb service. I enjoyed a sea bass with persimmons and bok choy and Tim had the sole. We both decided that mine was the best tasting, and no dairy. Ya!

Back on the road. Assuming that once we left Austin we would see open areas but no such luck. Actually from Fort Worth to Austin and right through San Antonio there is constantly 'city' everywhere. We are hoping to see something other than shops and car dealerships tomorrow.

Thank you Lord for safe travels.

Driving along

Very little snow and beautiful rolling hills are the joys we were ale to experience this morning on our drive. Enjoyed a lovely walk in a nice little park in Cordova Kansas which was next to a 100 year old convent before we partook in our sandwiches and homemade bean salad.

Another long day of driving watching the scenery roll by. No snow to be seen anymore but no green yet either. Stopped on the south side of Oklahoma for supper at Louie's. Fries were really good, thin and crispy and the blackened chicken with black bean salsa was tasty. (This is for our son Jordan who loves to create food).

Decided to stop a little earlier as we felt we were missing the now darkened scenery. Spent the night at a FlyingJ in Ardmore.

Thank you Lord for another safe day of travels.

Beautiful carved wall

Another Adventure

Well, another adventure has begun. This year we are headed out to Birmingham Alabama to volunteer with MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service). We had planned to leave home on January 12 but due to a winter storm we did not leave until Sunday. After goodbyes to our children at home we headed out on the highway.

The roads were fine and they got better the further south we went. Border crossing took longer than would have otherwise due to going as volunteers but it was no problem. Observed a beautiful sunset in South Dakota. Stopped at Guadalajara, a Mexican restaurant in Watertown. Thanks to Jordan, driving in the dark was no longer boring, thanks to my iPad and the writings of Tom Clancy.

Spent the night warm and toasty under the covers in a McDonalds parking lot in Norfolk Nebraska.

Thank you Lord for your provisions, thank you for safety in our travels.

Packing

Only a few days left before we head out on another adventure. We are making sure that everything is looked after, taken care of and ready for us to leave.

We had a wonderful Christmas with family and some good visits with friends. We will miss our children at home but know that they will be well looked after.

I will be blogging along the way and thanks to the Pages App will try to make it look more "professional".

So please keep your eyes pealed for what is to come. Please keep us in your hearts and prayers as we travel many, many miles along the highways and byways.

Blond Macaroon Cookies