Pike's Peak

Glenn and I have visited Colorado many, many times. However, this year, we decided we would treat ourselves to a nice drive up to the top of Pike's Peak.  What a beautiful drive.  The weather was great.  You could see for miles and miles and miles.

About 1/4 of the way down from Pike's Peak, at Glen's Cove, Glenn unloaded his bike and rode downhill for 8 miles.  He had to stop numerous times because his brakes were heating up.

All in All, it was a fun-filled, relaxing kind of day.

Kansas City Adventure

After a fun filled Stewart reunion day, we continued our journey to the Kansas City area, where we found 2 more Letterboxes - one of which was located inside a Half Price Book Store.

The second Letterbox was located in a small Kansas City cemetery.

We enjoyed a good night's rest at Charlie and Sally's home.

My heart overflows with joy, as we spent all Sunday afternoon with Gary and Madison.  We love you both!

Gary and Madison helped us locate another Letterbox in the historic downtown Union Train Station in Kansas City.

Yes, another selfie!

Our evening accommodations were at the Gunkel's home.  We helped them with ideas about their upcoming Guatemala trip.  They stayed with us back in 2007 when they picked up Jadon from his foster care home.

Stewart Family Reunion

Last Saturday, we gathered for a Stewart Family Reunion. 

I have to look at it this way.
John Gibson Stewart (Glenn's great grandfather)
Glenn Gibson Stewart (Glenn's grandfather)
Donald Glenn Stewart (Glenn's father)
Glenn Clark Stewart (my husband)
Gary Glenn Stewart (my son)

We met new friends, descendants of the 9 children of John Gibson Stewart
James Claude "Jim"
Samuel Edward "Teddy"
Lydia Estella Pearl "Stella"
Mary Winifield "Winnie"
Margaret Iona "Birdie"
Frederick Alexander
Glenn Gibson
Harold Gailey

This was Glenn's great grandfather's family.  John Gibson Stewart had 9 children.  Glenn Gibson Stewart was next to the youngest.  He had 3 children, one of which was Donald Glenn Stewart (Glenn's father).  So the reunion was for the extended family of all the children and their

 descendants of John Gibson and Mary Stewart.

{photo courtesy of K. Gilbreath}

The Reunion was held in Garnett, Kansas, the eastern part of Kansas, just over an hour south of Kansas City.  There were 5 of Glenn's first cousins.  We met many 2nd and 3rd cousins.

It was fun reconnecting with Glenn's cousins.

The reunion was well organized.  Each family group had a different color ribbon they wore to distinguish their family tree.  There was a map we could pin our location where we live.  There were tables with family photos of the 9 children of Gib and Mary.

One of Glenn's 2nd cousins, whom we just met 1.5 years ago, did an extensive genealogy report, giving us unique stories about the Stewart past.  It was very interesting.  She even talked about the Stewart nose.

We heard stories of different families.  We learned how Rev Smith's daughter, Maggie served in Egypt for 59 years and how there is a thread of the missionary and pastoral work through the family.

It was interesting to see how God has worked in the Stewart family serving overseas!

 

Many folks brought their photo albums and were sharing stories.

family group photos

 After a morning full of making memories, meeting new and old relatives, hearing a report of each of the family members, laughing, group photos and lunch, we headed out to the local cemetery to see the grave site of Rev. James Nelson Smith who was Glenn's great great grandfather who started all this.

In summary, the day was full of making new friends with old relatives, learning about the Stewart heritage and God's faithfulness throughout.

Driver's Education 101

Katie with her Driver's Ed teacher

Last week we got an email from our co-worker, John, asking if we could be of assistance with Gail and his teenager daughters as they were flying back to the USA for Gail to help their recent High School graduate get set up and start her college experience.

You have two options to read the following

A Reader's Digest Version 

 Short and to the point

or

B Encyclopedia version

  with details on how God provided

Car #1

Version A

Friday - Glenn picked up the per-purchased used vehicle (Car #1), and Sunday delivered it to DFW for Gail to drive to Tulsa

Wednesday - Three days later, Glenn picked up Car #2, making sure it wasn't drinking oil like Car #1

Thursday - We left for our Stewart family reunion 1 day early to deliver Car#2 to Tulsa and Glenn started giving Katie some valuable Driving Lessons

Version B

When we picked Car #1, we drove it to DFW so Gail could drive it on up to Tulsa.  During the evening drive to Tulsa, Gail called us and said that Car #1 was drinking lots of oil.  That was not a good sign.  Fortunately, Glenn had purchased some extra oil and had put that in the trunk.  He hadn't had Car #1 long enough to know that it was drinking so much oil but had a suspicion about it.  Our hearts sank as we realize that Gail was driving through the night after having spent much of the day at DFW airport to see her youngest daughter head on up to Maryland to visit family.  Gail was tired.  Exhausted.  And now she had to stop very often to pour oil into a thirsty engine. 

We prayed that God would protect her.  And He did.

The seller of Car #1 was disappointed to hear the bad news but agreed to swap it out with Car #2.  This time, Glenn was able to check it over, do some maintenance on it and make sure that it was not using oil and such.  We left a day earlier than expected for our family reunion in Kansas, but since Tulsa was on our way to our Stewart family reunion, we drove 2 vehicles up there; our vehicle and also delivered Car #2.  We headed straight to the tax and title office so Katie could get correct Oklahoma state license plates.  Then Glenn offered to give Katie some much needed driver's education.  We all piled into Car #2 giving Katie some experience.  Katie needed to go to the AT&T store to get her phone working correctly, then off to the Toyota dealership to have an extra copy of her car key made.  Glenn suggested a near-by Auto Zone store for some other stuff for Car #2.  

All the while, Katie was learning how to drive in the USA.  Remember, Katie has spent the past 8 years living in Guatemala, where the driving rules(?) are quite different than in the US.  Glenn reminded her that pedestrians have the right of way here and that she must come to a complete stop, etc.

All this to say, I'm thankful for several things.  How the Lord allowed us to use our gifts of helps in connecting with the Conners and helping them with their Car #1 and Car #2.  I'm thankful that Glenn was able to give Katie some much needed tips in driving here in the states.  I'm thankful that we were able to be helpful.  We were able to be a help here in the states for a missionary family as they adjust to challenges and difficulties while getting their children set up for college and stuff.

Car #2

Friendship, El Fenix and Letterboxing

Monday morning we got an unexpected call.  Jeff and Kathy were boarding in PBI with a 3 hour layover in DFW.  I got their schedule and we picked them up at curbside, Terminal C.  Jeff chose Tex-Mex. 

 We decided to go to El Fenix.  We enjoyed some of the best Mexican food in town.

We talked a mile a minute and got caught up on family, activities and ministry.

Then we did a letter box.  It was found in a parking lot near by.  Cool!  We found it.

Thank you, Jeff and Kathy, for the fun surprise and quick afternoon visit. 
 We appreciate your friendship!

Saying good bye at the airport!

The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Our evening ending up spending dinner with good friends and co-workers from Bolivia days.  Millie was Ellen's and Karen's High School English teacher, and Laverne was Ellen's 5th grade teacher and Gary's 3rd grade teacher at SCCLC in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Our day started out pretty much as we had planned.  But the Lord is good to give us variety and flexibility and we enjoyed the opportunity to visit with Jeff and Kathy on their quick lay-over. Then the day was topped off by a nice visit over dinner visit just as planned but also with an  
ISS (International Space Station) spotting thrown in.

Dallas Skyline

With all the rains here in Dallas, Glenn and I drove downtown and walked across the walking bridge over the Trinity River.

There was Lots and Lots of Water.

Big G in Big D

Birthday, Anniverary and Gino's East in Big D

Last week, we celebrated my parents 66th Wedding Anniversary, Karen's 31st birthday at our favorite Chicago restaurant, Gino's East, and dinner with AA captain, Brad, friend from Moody days. 

I can't think of a better place to enjoy some sweet fellowship with family and friends.

Best Pizza in the World, Deep in the Heart of Texas!