Day 1 & 2

Here's our first update...

Elsie reports that we have traveled 2 days and consumed zero total ice creams.  This must change quickly.

Tanner reports that so far we have seen a deer, a mother turkey and 4 babies, and one rabbit.  He looks forward to getting further west where there are bigger mammals.

Lucy took the photo of the day above.  More below about the story that goes with it.

Tobi's quote of Papa overreacting is: "shhhhh....we have neighbors you know!"

Coolest thing after 2 days: a field filled with hundreds of fireflies which we tried our best to catch.

We are now 1000 miles into our journey, and camping for the night at the Michigan Dunes near Sawyer, MI.  Beautiful spot and we were able to take an evening swim before the thunderstorms came rolling in.  Tomorrow we will head up the amazing coast of Michigan, heading for the UP.

Our first opportunity to serve came this morning, when Ann went into the tiny, time-warped to the 1940's office of the Rustic Acres Campground outside of Clarion, PA.  She talked with Quintin, the longtime owner, asking if there was anything that needed to be done, or anyone that needed help.  He asked why she wanted to know, and she explained about our trip across country to see the NP's and serve in Christ's name along the way.  He was deeply touched by this and talked about a weekly worship service they did there at the campground.  He then mentioned a single mom who lived at the campground who had just undergone surgery.  She was behind on her rent, and he was worried for her.

What a blessing that on our very first day we could make a difference in someone's life.  We were able to pay for half of her rent for the month, a surprise that Quintin couldn't wait to share with her when she returned later today.

I admit that I wasn't really thinking about helping anyone today...I wanted to get miles under our wheels, and figured our serving would be out further west.  But like the story of the Good Samaritan, we can't be like the priest or scribe and be in such a hurry to do God's work that we miss the needs right in front of our eye.  I'm grateful that Ann led us this morning to be mindful of that.

The RV is running well.  We're all excited to finally be moving.  Gas costs a lot!  We picks up trash on the beach after our swim.  God is good.  We are so blessed.  May we be a blessing to others in return.

Thanks for your prayers!  Keep them coming!

Peace,
Johnny