Saturday, June 21, 2008

Back in Maryland

After a whirlwind trip to Philadelphia (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, cheese steaks) and Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, we are back in our home state of Maryland, enjoying lovely warm spring weather after a mercifully short-lived heatwave blasted this part of the country for a few days.

We've now visited Williamsburg, Yorktowne, and Jamestown, Harpers Ferry and Gettysburg, Philadelphia and Mystic. Oh, and we saw a French and Indian War skirmish reenacted in Pennsylvania. We've experienced camping and Vacation Bible School. On the day we drove north from Philadelphia to Connecticut, Boo is certain that she saw, on the road all at one time, more cars than she has seen in the rest of her life put together. Traffic was a bit overwhelming. We were also impressed by a rest area bathroom with 36 stalls. That was just in the ladies' room, and yes, we counted. In case you want to know, there were also 19 sinks.

Today is a quiet rest day. Tomorrow we'll have a family dinner with one set of grandparents, along with one uncle and his family. Too soon, we'll be headed back south for the end of our trip, but there are several exciting events still ahead, including a day in Disney!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Church

We attended our home church this morning, which was a lot of fun. It was especially interesting seeing it through Bethany's eyes. She was helping set out coffee and donuts, and she asked why the church had a kitchen. She'd never seen a kitchen in a church in Honduras. Then she went on to relate that most of the churches she's seen in Honduras were smaller than the kitchen of our US church.

It's been wonderful to reconnect with those in the US who are involved with us in the ministry in Honduras. This week, the kids will have a chance to participate in Vacation Bible School for a few days, and they are looking forward to that.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Yes, we're in the states now . . .

I'm sure you've already guessed this, since I've not posted for more than a week! We're having way too much fun to blog, but since I have a minute online today, I thought I'd just write a quick update.

We've driven from Miami to northern Pennsylvania, and Bethany, who hasn't been in the states for 6 years has enjoyed re-acquainting herself with the wonders of: mailboxes, squirrels, chipmunks, string cheese, and good-tasting milk!

I've learned just how quickly a purchase at the gas pump can add up to $70 - but I haven't enjoyed this as much.

During our first week, we visited Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown, all in Virginia, and had a wonderful, educational, exhausting time!

This week we are camping with a bunch of friends, and it's extra nice for the kids to have some North American friendships. Today, while I'm in town using the internet, the kids are inner tubing down a river with their new friends. Oh, I'm such a bad camper! I forgot all about raccoons, and the first night the raccoons found our unguarded cooler, and stole a package of bacon. Now, we try to be much more careful, but the raccoons haven't forgotten to check our site every night. Last night, I heard a rustling in our tent, and I thought it was Rachel stirring in the night. I was in a separate part of the tent, and I had the lantern, so I quietly asked her if she needed a light. After a pause she replied, in a remarkably calm voice, "That isn't me, mom. There are animals in the tent." Happily, the animals chose that moment to leave the tent.

The weather forcast is for severe thunderstorms most nights this week, in the area where we are camping, so I'm not sure how that's going to work out. But, we're always up for an adventure!

I'll try to post again in a few days