B: West to East and Back Again

Sunday, June 30, 2019

West to East and Back Again

Wednesday evening the 12th of June, our entire immediate family boarded a jet from Boise to Washington DC with just a brief stop overnight in Denver. We arrived in DC Thursday around noon and rented a car before heading to a nearby hotel. We tried to do a bit of sightseeing that evening, but I honestly don't remember much of what we saw, we were all so weary from flying most of the night. After a good nights sleep, we started out Friday driving to Williamsburg VA with our first stop being Mount Vernon. This was probably one of our favorite things about this trip. Mount Vernon is an amazing place, packed with everything history lovers love. We left there early Friday afternoon hoping to make Colonial Williamsburg area by late afternoon. We soon gave up that idea as it took us 45 minutes to drive 15 miles. The good thing here was that after Kaite having motion sickness all her life, she wasn't sick at all on this trip. We got to our condo in Williamsburg just early enough to do some laundry and then up bright and early Saturday to visit all the sights. Colonial Williamsburg was great as well, but was exhausting too as it was hot and humid. We spent about 9 hours solid on our feet here before heading back to our hotel deciding that there was just no way we were making the 5 hour drive to North Carolina that night. Sunday morning, we kept a "morning of rest" before getting on the road where we worshiped en route to Randleman NC. We arrived just in time to go to church at the United Missionary Church where Rev Terry Bailey pastors. Monday morning we made another short drive to Mt Airy, NC to see the quaint little town and visit the local soda shop. Camp meeting began Monday night. Rick was the evangelist so we kinda needed to be there. We really had a great time there Monday the 17th through Sunday the 23rd. God blessed my husbands messages and the peoples willing hearts and we had many wonderful times in God's presence. We left shortly after evening service Sunday and arrived back in the heart of DC where we had rented a rowhouse for the duration of our trip around 1am. Monday was spent seeing The White House, Trump Hotel, most of the monuments on the National Mall and some museums. Tuesday the 26th we were at the National Zoo when Kaderick got sick and we had to head back to the house. Kaite had a little bug earlier in the week during camp and we'd thought perhaps it was "just" one of her migraines, but when Kaderick got it, we knew better. We are thankful that it passed quickly and only the littles seemed affected by it. We flew out of DC late Tuesday evening and again spent the night in a Denver hotel. We were able to meet up with Rick's parents and some cousins before flying back home that evening. It was a super FUN, extremely BLESSED trip, but a GO GO GO trip and the let down has been akin to the "after Christmas blues." We can't seem to get rested up yet. Here it is Sunday afternoon and I'm still feeling some major jet-lag. I'm sharing a small collection of pictures in no particular order, but I will take the time to label them so you know what you're looking at.

Retro's Diner near Williamsburg. The one place we found that the prices were also retro or at least more reasonable than other places.

Rick in stocks outside city hall at Colonial Williamsburg.

The toilet at one of our hotels. It was an unusual off-white color that Kaderick declared to be a "stained glass" toilet.

On the front patio of George Washington's home at Mount Vernon.

Joining in a real archeological dig at Williamsburg. They found buttons, old glass, transferware and bones.

The miracle! I never dreamed that traveling with Kaite could be so easy. we almost said no to this trip for this very reason. She colored and read and just enjoyed traveling!! Truly an answer to prayer for us!!

Kayla was picked on by security over and over again, and kept smiling.

Replica of the pews in the church where Washington and his family attended.

For some reason, both littles wanted momma's lap on the night-time flight.

In Mt Airy (Mayberry, USA) we found little Opie and treated him to a cone at Walkers Café.

Colonial Williamsburg.

Little Opie also showed up in Williamsburg and wanted icecream there too.

Williamsburg

Sooooo proud of what my husband let God help him do. I can't begin to list the people who said what a tremendous blessing his ministry was to them.

Kammy found every horse in Williamsburg.

Sheriff Andy's office back in Mayberry.

Kayla being silly with the Andy Griffith statue in Mt Airy. One of her favorite quotes comes from him.

"I firmly believe that in every situation, no matter how difficult, God extends grace greater than the hardship, and strength and peace of mind that can lead us to a place higher than where we were before."

Kammy found George Washington's best horse. Blue.

Eating in the same "tavern" where Washington and so many others ate.

Playing colonial games.

Kammy and Rick went on a special ride.

The Govorner's Palace in Williamsburg.

Authentic spinning in Williamsburg.

Oh look! There's Opie again. Never know where that boys gonna pop up at.

We were gone for Father's Day, but had celebrated before we left and I made this little picture. so much truth in it.

The blacksmith working at Mount Vernon. They make all the nails and other metals needed for repairs to the estate right here just like they did back then.

Back where it all began. 25 years ago, we had our first official date at a Waffle House. We don’t have these out west, so we thought it was time to take the kids back where it all began. Funny story, when he asked if “Waffle House” was ok, he had such an accent, and I’d never heard of the place, that I thought he’d said, “Wallflowers” and was expecting something a bit fancier. 🤪 Married him anyway, and I’d do it all over again.
I totally bought one of those mugs too!!

And then there's these guys, all because of Waffle House.

Touching the bare original boards that George Washington sawed and sanded himself. At Mount Vernon.

Pop stand time.

Kaderick declared these the most fun children's services ever.

Wonderful peanut butter twists made by Grandma Betty Bailey. Seriously about worth another trip across the country! My family loved her for this and many other reasons.

Our sweet little cabin at camp.

United States Capitol

Rev Terry Bailey, camp president of United Missionary Camp, Randleman NC

Rev Rick Bork, Camp Evangelist

Rev, Barry Jenkins, evangelist in the revival when Rick was called to ministry 14 years ago. He drove 6 hours to be there for as much of the camp as possible and hear Rick preach.

Tabernacle exterior

Tabernacle enterior

Camp cabins

My kindred spirit from the north west drove over one morning for service and an afternoon with the littles at Mc Donalds. It was great to actually meet this sweet friend in person.

I'd brag on him again, but I don't want to be that person so.....

Kammy at camp, prayer chapel in background.

Kaite and Kade in "Pioneers of the Gospel" children's service. The Highlens do an amazing job with the children and young people!

Kaderick riding on a suitcase and falling asleep.

More good fellowship at the pop stand.

Oops! Looks like Opie found ANOTHER cone!

My sweet friend, Sandy. It was so good to be with her. She knows loss in a way I can only imagine and gave me a lot to look forward to when I found out just shortly after my mom passed on that I'd be getting to meet her and spend a week attending camp together.

The preacher. He had me up every morning at 4:30 making coffee and he went all day all week until late at night. He certainly had a heart for this camp and the people just kinda crawled into our hearts. We already miss them!