Furlough September 2007-March 2008

We returned to the U.S. for home assignment, (at one time known as furlough, one must be politically correct), on September 9th, 2007. We stayed with Dan's parents for a couple of days and then moved into my friend Tammie Lockett's house. Tammie had made a commitment to go and work in Sierre Leon, Africa for a year and basically wer were going to be house sitting for her. While this helped her out, it was a tremendous blessing for us, since it provided us a house to live in free from living out of a suitcase and having as much privacy as we desired. We were also allowed to use her vehicle, a 2005 Ford Escape. Jim Knaak, a man from our church, Wildwood Baptist also allowed us to use his Ford Lincoln Continental for as long as we needed. It was like riding in luxery! We had been doubly blessed!

In late September we visited my mother in Shellsburg, Iowa, and then we all drove to Sioux City, Iowa for my neice Megan's wedding. During that time we were able to visit with my sister Jo Ellen and her family, as well as my brother Gary and his wife Marilyn.

In October we made a multi-state trek across the country, putting a "lot" of miles on the Lincoln Continental. First we drove north to Gurney, IL and stopped and visited my sister Iris and her family. She had a new grand-baby so it was great to see the new addition to the family. From Illinois we drove north to Toronto, Ontario, Canada to visit our good friends the Vanderzwaags. We stayed about three days with Steve and Laurie and the boys and even got to go to church with them and see a few of their congregation we had gotten to meet when they came down to Bolivia with a work team. From Toronto we drove south to Allentown, Pa to visit Dan's aunt and uncle, Judie and Joel Carpenter. After leaving Allentown we drove to Washington DC where we stayed for several days taking in the sights. My favorite was our trip to Mt. Vernon, Washington's home. At that location Dan was given the opportunity to lay a wreath on his grave. We also went to the Washington Monument, Lincoln's Monument, Arlington Cemetery and much, much more. Oh yes, we went to Williamsburg as well. I wish I had the pictues with me to put on the web, but sadly I had left them it the states. From Washington DC we traveled to Fort Mill, SC to stop in at the SAM headquarters and meet the staff. From SC we drove down to Altanta, Georgia where we stayed in "the city," and took in the Aquarium, Coke World, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s home. We also stopped at a friends home just west of Atlanta, Mike and Mary Pinkerton. From there we drove to Moble, Alabama, hoping to see my youngest sister, but sadly the weather was so bad, a full blown thunder storm, we missed her completely. As it turns out she was sick anyway so our visit would have been in vain. Once on the road again we drove to Tupelo, Ms to visit my neice Jenny and her family. We had a great time with them, especially the boys, Coby and Davis. We also visited their church, Parkway Baptist and spoke to their Sunday School class. From Tupelo we drove to near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to visit my brother Larry and his wife Nora. We also got to see my neice Amanda and baby Regan. Once on the road again we drove north to Nexa, Missouri to visit Dan's brother Bill and wife Tina for a night. Then north we drove and stopped in Independence, Missouri to visit my cousin David and his wife Deanna. From there we drove back to Shellsburg, Iowa to my mother for a few days. After that trip we were ready for a "long break."

Back in East Moline in late October we enjoyed just relaxing and visiting with friends and family. We enjoyed being able to visit our church and spending time with the people there.

The one thing that we didn't like about our visit back to the states was how cold the winter was. Honestly it had to have been one of the coldest winters we have ever experienced in the Quad Cities. Dan was so tired of shoveling snow he was beside himself. In late February, 2008 we drove to Springfield, Illinois for my birthday and spent some time visiting the state house, the governors mansion and the Lincoln museum. You will find some of those pictures below.

April 8th, 2008 we caught our flight out of Moline once again, destination Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It had been a good seven months in the states, but we were glad to return to our home away from home....... the SAM Guesthouse.