Day 59

Vacation Day 16: On Saturday we made the longest drive yet of our trip. 8 hours from Lancaster, PA to Bluffton, OH. If you like PA, my apologies, because we were happy to be out of it. Might have something to do with the long trip and the long day.

Got to Bluffton by supper time. We stayed Saturday and Sunday nights at John and Kristi Kohli's. We were missionaries with the Kohli's in Alaska. Very good friends. It was wonderful to see them again. Hadn't been together since we took the job in Kansas 8 years ago. Besides our kids growing up, they now have two of their own (Jaden and Owen). We had a blast throughout the weekend with their kids. Did a lot of reminiscing about camp and catching up on life.

Vacation Day 17: Went to Ebenezer Church on Sunday. Since the last time we were there they had added a new gym which they use as a sanctuary. There was a baptism so the candidates shared their testimonies. As they talked of how God used this church in their life, made me think of my time living in Bluffton growing up. Bluffton and Ebenezer Church are very special to me. Many of the people I had a chance to talk to there have invested time and energy into my life and I am so thankful for that. It was great to come back "home".

After the service our family drove down to the land where we had a mobile home. Had a Collie (Tray) that was killed by a car there. Then went over to the farm where we lived for three years when I was in grade school. I remember mowing that yard by hand. And it is still huge today! What was my dad thinking?!?

Rest of the afternoon involved swimming in someone's pond, meeting with Pastor Potter and talking with Bonnie Spallinger. Seeing Bonnie was a great surprise as she is a missionary in Germany. Home for a while I guess. Bonnie worked for me in the Program department at Echo Ranch. She is awesome!

For supper went to Kevin and Mary Gratz'. They are very good friends of my parents and somehow they decided to like us too. Had some delicious home-made stromboli. Got to hear about Kyle's home renovation project and Kara's meal with the "blind". They treat us too good. But I ain't complaining! Great friends. Great memories.