Worth Writing Home About

So I guess what I’m doing is writing home about what’s worth writing home about regarding our recent trip home. ☺

High on my priority list was to just sit and enjoy the mountains. While that didn’t actually take place as I imagined, there were still plenty of opportunities to soak up all the beauty. Whether driving up Trail Hollow Road, down Liberty, by Rooster Town or into the Smoky Mtn. National Park I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed the wide open spaces, clean environment and breath-taking scenery. I guess the old saying is true, “You can take the boy out of the mountains, but you can’t take the mountain out of the boy.”

Daniel spent most of his time in West Virginia and had a great time whether it was chopping wood, partying and visiting, shooting a .270 rifle, swimming in the river, working on his new computer, or sharing with the church. Before we left I challenged him to live in such a way someone would write to express appreciation for his life - lo and behold someone did. I would love to slip in a few quotes but suffice it to say it was a compliment for being a gentleman. I can tell you it made two parents proud and was a big encouragement to him.

We did a lot of visiting of family, friends, and churches too. While it was a busy time, it was also a soul soothing time. While I realize missionaries are just common people and not pedestal people, it did mean a lot to have those who know us express words of encouragement and appreciation. Thank you all so much.

We will not soon forget making our airport connections in a race against the clock. The day started for Daniel and I about 3:00 a.m. with our flight out of Knoxville at 8:00. That was easy enough but the connection in Memphis was a little bit hair raising. We were supposed to have 35 minutes to make the connection and be only six gates apart. Instead we ended up having 10 minutes, and we were in a completely different terminal. We literally ran through the airport and down the entrance ramp to the plane. Houston wasn’t much better; with Ike barreling down, we were hoping against hope that we could get in and out before they shut down the airport. We checked in with only five minutes to spare and were the last Continental flight to leave Houston. We made it both times by the skin of our teeth.

I was reminded over and over again that we have a long history and lasting relationships with many people in those mountains. We will look forward to reconnecting again in the future. I also made a magnificent discovery while there. My old stomping grounds now has a used book store (our favorite kind of store) called Our Place that serves a good cup of coffee. That’s worth writing home about.