Traveling
Though it's been only a few days since my last post, I am not sure how to catch our interested readers up. We had a great time with our great friends, the Kirbys. I've known Kenneth since 1990, I think, and the bond of friendship is still very strong. What great supporters and encouragers and listeners they have been over the years. They took great care of us while we were there. Besides the trip to Baltimore, we enjoyed dining out at some local eateries and a trip to downtown DC to eat at the cafeteria of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. The building itself is incredible, the cafeteria is superb (a little pricey though), but I wasn't too excited about the museum. Didn't have much in it considering how big the building is. The cafe was great though as it served simulations of Native American dishes. Loved it.
Then, we headed out of DC after saying good bye to the Kirbys. We had hoped to go to Jamestown before returning to Knoxville, but long delays in traffic to Richmond would not allow that dream to come true. Instead, we saw an exit for Mt. Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington and so we pulled off the highway and spent the afternoon with the Washingtons. Definitely worth a visit for any American history fan. I loved it.
We then spent the night in Richmond. The crazy hotel had their sign turned off so we barely found it. We were driving through neighborhoods trying to pick up a wireless internet signal to get better directions from Google maps. We did this several times, actually, since I had yet to figure out it's probably better to just buy an atlas. Guess I wasn't ready for the American road.
On the way from Richmond, we visited the University of Virginia and the Rotunda Thomas Jefferson designed. I looked for the room Edgar Allen Poe stayed in before he dropped out, but I couldn't find it.
We then ate at Cafe Europa where the Greek owner asked me if I knew what Christopher means after he saw my name on my credit card. "It comes from two Greek words--Khristos ..." Well, if you've seen the film My Big, Fat Greek Wedding you know where this was heading. It was an odd moment and not a very good sandwich. The potato salad was just some sliced, boiled potatoes. Guess the Greeks don't know what to do with potatoes.
We made it back to Knoxville and called the people we were staying with to tell them we were near only to find out they were waiting for us before they ate! Ouch. We had a great time with the Milams and their house on the Tennessee River. We watched hummingbirds, chipmunks, red birds, squirrels, etc. and managed not to be eaten alive by the German shepherd guard dog. While eating dinner, we were invited to go to the early service at Laurel. Weren't expecting that but we went and I made a 2-minute thank you speech. We then went to Sunday school and then worship again where I made a 4-minute thank you speech. I was just glad I didn't have to preach!
After the service, there was a great Southern-style potluck dinner. Our friends there had bought quite a few housewarming gifts for us and they had made a money tree. I don't know if they do this in other parts of the US, but someone cuts a tree branch, puts in a bucket, and then people put money in envelopes and tie it to the tree branch---a money tree!! I can only congratulate whoever created that wonderful tradition! We were immensely blessed by the church's generosity. What a great church you are, Laurel.
That afternoon our friends Gary and Danny repaired our car a bit (had a gas leak--don't ask...) and then we went for a swim in the Browns' pool. Muriel whipped up a quick lunch and we noticed that the Cheetos we were eating were turning out tongues green! They were the Shrek version. America---gotta love it.
Sunday night we were back at Laurel and enjoyed a late supper with Regina and Mike Buckley. After we finally got home, the Milams talked to us for quite a while about their ministry in Guatemala. We were exhausted by the end of the day. And thankful to have been a part of the Laurel church.
Then, we headed out of DC after saying good bye to the Kirbys. We had hoped to go to Jamestown before returning to Knoxville, but long delays in traffic to Richmond would not allow that dream to come true. Instead, we saw an exit for Mt. Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington and so we pulled off the highway and spent the afternoon with the Washingtons. Definitely worth a visit for any American history fan. I loved it.
We then spent the night in Richmond. The crazy hotel had their sign turned off so we barely found it. We were driving through neighborhoods trying to pick up a wireless internet signal to get better directions from Google maps. We did this several times, actually, since I had yet to figure out it's probably better to just buy an atlas. Guess I wasn't ready for the American road.
On the way from Richmond, we visited the University of Virginia and the Rotunda Thomas Jefferson designed. I looked for the room Edgar Allen Poe stayed in before he dropped out, but I couldn't find it.
We then ate at Cafe Europa where the Greek owner asked me if I knew what Christopher means after he saw my name on my credit card. "It comes from two Greek words--Khristos ..." Well, if you've seen the film My Big, Fat Greek Wedding you know where this was heading. It was an odd moment and not a very good sandwich. The potato salad was just some sliced, boiled potatoes. Guess the Greeks don't know what to do with potatoes.
We made it back to Knoxville and called the people we were staying with to tell them we were near only to find out they were waiting for us before they ate! Ouch. We had a great time with the Milams and their house on the Tennessee River. We watched hummingbirds, chipmunks, red birds, squirrels, etc. and managed not to be eaten alive by the German shepherd guard dog. While eating dinner, we were invited to go to the early service at Laurel. Weren't expecting that but we went and I made a 2-minute thank you speech. We then went to Sunday school and then worship again where I made a 4-minute thank you speech. I was just glad I didn't have to preach!
After the service, there was a great Southern-style potluck dinner. Our friends there had bought quite a few housewarming gifts for us and they had made a money tree. I don't know if they do this in other parts of the US, but someone cuts a tree branch, puts in a bucket, and then people put money in envelopes and tie it to the tree branch---a money tree!! I can only congratulate whoever created that wonderful tradition! We were immensely blessed by the church's generosity. What a great church you are, Laurel.
That afternoon our friends Gary and Danny repaired our car a bit (had a gas leak--don't ask...) and then we went for a swim in the Browns' pool. Muriel whipped up a quick lunch and we noticed that the Cheetos we were eating were turning out tongues green! They were the Shrek version. America---gotta love it.
Sunday night we were back at Laurel and enjoyed a late supper with Regina and Mike Buckley. After we finally got home, the Milams talked to us for quite a while about their ministry in Guatemala. We were exhausted by the end of the day. And thankful to have been a part of the Laurel church.
posted by Kyivmission at 3:17 AM
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