Saved, Sitting and Sour

Sunday Helen and I attended worship at our RV park clubhouse, led by a truly country Baptist preacher. He did well. Gramma, etc, was interesting, but his message was good. Made me think. Funny part of his message: he said there are three kinds of people in most churches...those who are saved, those who are sitting and those who are sour! Yes, I've known many like that. We had a good time in 'church', singing patriotic songs (many of which my politically corrent colleagues think inappropriate for 'Presbyterian' worship.) Hope you have had a blessed Memorial Day weekend. Larry

A Guy Named 'Ron' & Great Party

Saturday Helen and I had to waste some hours before going to a graduation party. So, it seemed logical to visit the Outlet Mall on GA 400 above Cumming, GA. While Helen was scoping out a shop of women's wear, I sat down on a bench next to black guy named Ron and we began talking. (I try to strike up conversations with people whenever it seems appropriate...and when it's not.) He asked where I was from and when I said, "Texas", he asked what I was doing in GA. I related our RV trails and tales of the last two years (25,000 miles). We talked for 15 minutes before Ron asked what I 'retired from'. When I said I was a pastor for 45 years, he lit up and exclaimed, "I gave my life to Christ two years ago!" He told of his life in drugs and wild women until a friend invited him to church where he said he sat with his arms folded until God, in his words,'woke me up'. He talked about not realizing what a great woman he had married, about not appreciating God's gifts to him, about his eagerness to worship the God who loved him in spite of his past life. Now, he said, he can't do enough to thank God. When Helen came out of the shop and met Ron, we talked about RVing and his and his wife's desire to do what we are doing across the country. We gave him some counsel about selecting an RV, how to begin to get ready to travel even though it will be some years before they do so. It was a delightful conversation. As we parted, Ron said, "Now I know why God told me to sit down on this bench." I might say the same thing. Ron was a blessing on Saturday.

Then, Saturday evening, we enjoyed a great party at our friends' home to celebrate Jackie's graduation. During the evening I had an interesting conversation with Leeman Bennett, former Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He has a friend in the Boise, ID area I will look up when we're back west. Small world, big contacts.

THANK YOU PARDNERS!

THANK YOU PARDNERS! From ‘The All-American Cowboy Grill” 5/21/10
-- from Helen

“THE LONE RANGER CREED”

I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.
That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.
That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.
In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.
That a man should make the most of what equipment he has.
That “this government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” shall live always.
That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.
That sooner or later…somewhere…somehow…we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.
That all things change but the TRUTH, and the TRUTH alone lives on forever.
I believe in my Creator, my country, my fellowman.

“HOPALONG CASSIDY’S CREED For American Boys and Girls”

The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be truthful at all times.
Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their instructions.
If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way.
Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don’t be lazy.
Your good deeds always come to light. So don’t boast or be a show-off.
If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways.
Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them.
A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean.
Our country’s laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully.
Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you.
Be glad and proud you are an American.

“ROY ROGER’S RIDERS CLUB RULES”

Be neat and clean.
Be courteous and polite.
Always obey your parents.
Protect the weak and help them.
Be brave, but never take chances.
Study hard, and learn all you can.
Be kind to animals and care for them.
Eat all your food and never waste any.
Love God and go to Sunday school regularly.
Always respect our flag, and country.

BIRD'S OF A FEATHER STICK TOGETHER!

Reading the ESCAPEES Magazine this month led me to this new post. Many have asked us "What is it like to live on the road?" If you are a member of "Escapees" RV club you would realize how many friends and connections we have with us as we travel. You can go to ESCAPEES.com, read all about us and even JOIN!

Here are the different groups of interests now listed in the Escapees Magazine this month:

Alternative Medicine, Lazy Daze (Class C Motorhomes),

Radio Amateur, Medium Duty Trucks,

Barbershop Harmony, Military Veterans,

Bikes, Boots N'Paddles, No Limits (physical limitations),

Boomers, Nomads(Ministry of the United Methodist),

Boondockers(dry-camping lifestyle), Penwheels (assists writers),

Buff (self explanatory), Pet Lovers,

Christian Fellowship, Prospecting and Metal Detecting,

Computers, Quilt Lovers,

Disney Lovers (Friends of the Mouse), Red Hats on the Road,

Dove (works closely with the Red Cross),Rockskippers,

Dows(diabetics on wheels), Silver Bullet Skps (Airstream RV'ers),

Escapees Elk, SOLOS (singles),

Four-Wheelers, Sowers (servants on wheels),

Freethinkers(all who reject supernatural beliefs), Square Dancing,

Friends of Bill W., Stonewall (gays and lesbians),

Full-Time Graduating Class, TLC Sharing (Catholic group),

Genealogy, Traveling Threads (cross-stitchers),

Geocache, Woodcarvers,

Habitat for Humanity, Workers(work-camping, for pay or volunteer),

and Worldwide Travelers.


Pot luck party at Waggonhammer RV Park, North Fork, Idaho on the Salmon River!
Good friends.

A very diverse group and full of information. You can ask for help with any problem on the Escapees chat forum and you will receive an answer almost immediately. There are Escapees parks and one Escapee park with assisted living facilities. Only Escapees can park in the Escapee parks and it is at a much reduced rate. They also provide a mail service and much good information in their monthly magazine. Caravans are listed plus the Escapade events. We feel very much connected in our Escapees club. When you meet a "SKP" you always give and get a hug! You do not have to be a full time RV'er to be an Escapee.

There is a place for you in the Escapees too!!

Have a blessed May 11, 2010

Helen

"YOU CAN'T GO BACK AGAIN!"

You know the old saying "You can't go back! It will not be the same!" is very true.

This past month of April, Larry and I parked in Cumming, Georgia, and revisited many of our old haunts and friends. He was invited back to preach at the church that we organized and parented for 15 years. It was great to see old friends and see all of the grown up children - many of whom he baptized. The services that morning of April 18th were packed with old and new friends. It was wonderful to be back and very strange. No! "You can't go home again." Many changes have taken place which is what happens as time passes. However, there were some changes that shocked us and made us wonder "How good a job did we do of teaching and mentoring?" It has been a chaotic few years for this church family and they are still searching for strong leadership. We know God will provide in his time and season. Meanwhile, we pray for all of them.

We spent the other Sundays of the month attending services with our new friends at Parkway Presbyterian Church on Bethelview Road in Cumming which was just around the corner from our RV park. We found some of our old friends from COH there also. The pastor Bill Ford and his wife Teresa are full of energy, passion for Jesus and seem like "Happy" people. The church feels like a "Happy" church. Bill has been there about 18 months. We first discovered this church a year ago Easter when we returned to visit my ageing Mom. Besides parenting and leading a bouncing, growing church Bill and Teresa have five children which she homeschools. We look forward to visiting there in the future.

Today we are parked in an RV park in Cleveland, Georgia, just 5 miles south of Helen, Georgia. This retreat to the mountains has given us a chance to re-group and rest. We loved seeing everyone "in town" again but after many, many miles of traveling the backroads (where there is NO traffic) and communing with the cactus, we were wearing out. Actually, after noon and night partying solid for three weeks we were "POOPED" and not entirely coherent anymore.

But, we slept for about 48 hours and then grabbed our flyrods and went traveling up the "HOOCH" (Chatthoochee River) until we found it narrow enough to wade across and running crystal clear mountain water!! Heaven!! Soaking in the mountain laurel and watching the crystal clear mountain stream bubbling over rocks and feeling the deep forest breezes - WE BECAME RENEWED. I caught the first fish! Here's Larry in mid-stream:How, blessed we are!

Life is not all a bowl of cherries. We had hoped to see more of our grandchildren that we helped to raise and who live here. This has not been possible for family choices and reasons. However, we know they will grow into adulthood soon and our paths will meet more often. We will attend our oldest grandaughter Erica's graduation on May 29th and applaud her full four year scholarship to Virginia Tech. God will give her the knowledge that we love her and her brother the same as always when we nurtured them thru the chaos of their younger years. I know that God gave us the church to build and the lives of these precious babies at the same time for love and care. The ties will never be broken no matter how far apart we are. Aaron was the first baby baptized at The Church of the Hills. Larry's last duty here will be to baptize the baby son of Leslie Horne whom he baptized at First Presbyterian in Savannah and married at The Church of the Hills. It will be completing the family circle. He will baptize this baby on Sunday, May 16th at the 9:45 am service.

We look forward to more special times with other old friends here. Larry is going to play some golf in Alabama with one of his two golf buddy groups. We are attending the graduation of another daughter of COH on May 22nd. Her family were strong supporters during the formative years of COH. We will applaud beautiful Jackie Burleson as she moves on into college at Georgia Tech.

Life is good on the RV trail. We move on to Michigan where I have such deep roots and we will bury Mom on July 20th. All or most of the family will be there. Larry will conduct the graveside service.

Then we move WEST to Idaho. Idaho golfing and fishing buddies have been calling. You might say it is "The Call of the Wild"! Westward Ho! The west has become home for us too! And, we will be with "our girls in Idaho!"

God is in control. We pray for all our children daily everywhere. We miss those that are miles away and love being with those who are near. One day, we will all be together forever and there will be no goodbyes! And, I am beginning to believe that Heaven will have a distinctly western flavor! Bring your boots!!

Many, many blessings this Mother's Day!

Helen



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