Dialing it in before 9:00am

How do you spend your morning?  With a planned power outage at work this morning, Ted worked on his computer at home for a couple of hours.  Then he took some time to do something "fun" before he left for the plant.  This activity is unique for us!  Being able to go outside a few steps and shoot at your target as you try to dial in the sights.
 

Traveling on Good Friday

We enjoyed a decent night's sleep.  The dogs got us up earlier than we had planned, but that was ok.

We put our sights on a Dunkin Donut for our morning coffee and got moving.  It was a beautiful morning for traveling.

I passed time crocheting as we listened to music pointing our attention and thoughts to the events of Good Friday and what it cost our Savior.

As we came through Effingham, IL, we saw this huge cross along the interstate.  What an interesting sight!  In this world full of darkness, every once in awhile we see objects that represent the truth of the Gospel.  Without the manger...no baby.  Without the cross...no Savior.

And all around us...the reminders of spring and new life...traveling on Good Friday...is good!  We filled our hearts and minds with Truth and the blessings of His Word.  I am thankful for this new season of life and the reminders that God is always is control and at work because of Calvary.

Morning snack...

Traffic was light the whole way...even through St. Louis!

Coming out of St. Louis, we started getting into more hills which reminded me of Kentucky and Tennessee terrain.

It was so pretty!  

I guess we needed the punch of sun more than we thought!  We know Michigan has beauty of its own, but it is also very cloudy and dreary through the fall and winter!  It does affect us.

Destination...West Plains!  We drove about 6 hours with one stop...until...

another unplanned stop.

Well, no trip is complete without a little drama!  As we drove into the small town of Cabool, MO, Ted did not slow down fast enough and at the new speed limit sign on the opposite side of the road sat a patrolman who was just waiting for someone!  Sure enough...he nabbed us.  "That is so dirty!"

Velle was a little mouthy and had to be shushed when the officer came to the window to collect the necessary papers.  The officer stated he clocked Ted at 65 in a 45.  EEk!  The metro Detroit mentality does not work well in the south.  We know it but it takes a while to hit when we travel.  Uh, this hit hard.  "This is going to be an expensive souvenir!"  When I looked at the ticket, I started to laugh, "You are not going to believe what his name is!  We cannot make this stuff up...Patrolman Charlie Brown!"

By the time he turned around and came up behind us, we were on the edge of leaving town.  Coming into town from the south...the speed limit is 35!  "Kari, you are driving the first leg of the trip to get us through these small towns, then I'll take over on the way home."

We made it West Plains without any other issues.  The airbnb is comfy and cozy.  Ted was able to meet a work customer.  We hugged Aunt Pat and enjoyed supper with her.  We got to meet her fur babies.

 

Heading south for Easter weekend...

We took off on Thursday after Ted got done at work to head south to Missouri.  I had the van packed up and picnic lunch/supper packed.

It was a pretty afternoon for a drive into Indiana.  There was no traffic and the farther south the more green and warmth.

Yummy chicken salad wraps for the win.

Touches of purple...the reminder to me that spring is coming to the north soon!

The sky was so pretty!  

Our little travelers did well.

And they were happy to get out and go for a walk and cuddle for the night.  The Econo Lodge in Cloverdale, IN was nice and clean and pet friendly!

"I am really liking road trips lately!"
 

Captivated by the Inauguration of the 47th President

Yesterday was a historic day.  In my lifetime, there have been twelve Presidents now.  Wow!  Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th President the year I was born...1969.  Now...we are to the 47th President.  There have been some pretty important events that have happened in those years.  The moral decline in our country has been steep in the last two decades of my memory!

"Oh America" sung by tenor Christopher D. Macchio was beautiful!  I had never heard it, but as I listened and then later read the words, I know exactly why Trump would have had it sung!

O, America you're calling,
I can hear you calling me:
You are calling me to be true to thee,
True to thee... I will be.
O, America you're weeping,
Let me heal your wounded heart:
I will keep you in my keeping,
Till there be... a new start.

And I will answer you, and I will take your hand,
And lead you... to the sun:
And I will stand by you...do all that I can do,
And we will be... as one.

O, America I hear you,
From your prairies to the sea,
From your mountains grand, and all through this land,
You are beautiful to me.

And... O, America you're calling,
I can hear you calling me:
You are calling me to be true to thee,
True to thee... I will be.
And I will answer you, and I will take your hand,
And lead you... to the sun:
And I will stand by you... do all that I can do,
And we will be...as one.

O, America you're calling...
I will ever answer thee.

When we think back to the foundation of what our country was based on...it makes my heart sick!

Charles Spurgeon once said, "Pray that we may have a government that will do that which is right and not be guided by evil."  The influence of God's Word has been set aside as men think their way is best.  Satan has deceived men and has waged war on America.  Most Christians have gone silent.

It is hard to not react negatively to the people that held a position of leadership.  There are so many misguided thoughts and actions represented in this picture.  Depending on what foundation you live according to, you may be bothered by what has been or may be more bothered by what will be.  Satan wants people to live without a solid foundation built on God's Word and way.  The foundation is crumbling there is chaos and corrupted ways.  With the final actions in the final moments of power, I know that the truth will eventually come out.

I found it equally interesting that while waiting for the new first lady to enter, the song that was played was "Great Is Thy Faithfulness".  With all the pomp and circumstance of the proceedings of the day, I couldn't shake the thought, "Do these people who chose the music for the day and the people in the room really understand the words that go with the notes of this beautiful music?"

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

 

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
  Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
    “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

There is hope and determination on the faces of these men.  They know the evil that has been bubbling under the surface.  "The kings of the earth wear their crown and sway their scepters by the license from Jesus' throne."

The solemn oath to "...support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic...bear true faith and allegiance to the same...without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion...well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office...so help me God."

I wonder what the wives were thinking!  There is hope in the new VP.  There is determination and soberness in the returning President.  He knows from experience how much evil in under-current and it almost cost him his life.  I wonder if that is why his wife wore a hat...to hide the fear and concern that have to be in her eyes.  This is a sacrifice on the part of both of their whole family!

"...solemnly swear...faithfully execute the office of the Presidents of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."  The seriousness of this statement rested on their faces...knowing it has cost them much already.  How many of us would be willing to take on that task?

"The golden age of America begins right now!"  Not sure exactly what he means by that.

I would not have wanted to be in the seats right behind the President as all America watched as he called out some drastic failures of the past four years.  The hardened hearts toward evil have twisted and distorted the truth for so long, they were able to hold their expressions blankly.  Oh that we would not be so hardened in our hearts toward evil choices and the consequences those choices bring.

And I am so thankful that God works over and above the frailty of the humans on this earth...and in this great country of America.  May God continue to bless those that work to keep America free...till He comes back for His children.
 

Taking note of November happenings

A sweet treat for the teachers is always appreciated and enjoyed!

"This little light of mine! I'm gonna let it shine!"

My new favorite fall activity...favorite storybook character pumpkins!  They were so fun!

Our boy has been busy...a new profession?  A mime for a college and career party.

K5 has been full of new fun activities for learning!  

And now I have more leaves to cleanup!

Bees for sale!  Alisa is a crocheting ninja!

I ended up with a conglomeration of all the germs!  I went down and out on Friday night.  I missed work at the rental house...so I made Ted a pecan pie!

And then I sat in the chair drinking hot beverages...trying to fight off the fever and yuck.  Cooking shows and oldies...hoping I would make it this week!  Election time in K5 was all about favorite cookies...and the kiddos had fun with it!

I'm making it through the days on sheer willpower and drugs.  It is too hard to be out...especially when I have fun things planned and had conferences.

Beautiful fall skies to enjoy before the full moon rises again tonight!  uff da!

Our date tonight...to the polling place...praying for our state citizens to vote the opposite of what is being shared on mainstream media!  Talk about slanted agendas and bias!  Whatever happened to truth...presenting all the facts...not just the couple that help your narrative?!  And whatever happened to the skills we were taught in school to research and read for yourself?  We were always told that was why we had to do the dreaded research papers each year for English grammar and composition!  Uff da!

God, protect America...us...our homes...our families...from the skewed thinking and lack of truth of this dark world.  Help us shine as lights in the darkness...no matter what!