After being home for 2 weeks, we were off on another trip. This time to Mason City, Iowa to spend the night at a Frank Lloyd Wright hotel, on to LaCrosse for a wedding and then to Wisconsin to see the kids.
Crossing the Missouri
My "Aunt" Mary Derksen, fellow missionary to Japan with my parents, wrote a book about her life. I read it out loud to Allen. Much of the book is so very similar to our experience in Japan! I could relate to so much of what she said. We lived in the same house (different years) and town. "Uncle" Peter ran the kindergarten for a time while we were on furlough and for a couple years after. Their kids went to the same boarding school as us. Rosie and Wanda, their children, were dear friends! Even after all these years, I know their birthdays. I hope it helped Allen understand a little more about what my life as a missionary kid (MK) was like.
Our friends, RJ and Mary Ellen and Dave and Marilyn were several hours behind us and were going to stop in Story City, Iowa for the night. Isn't that an interesting name for a town? Why is it called Story? There has to be a story behind it.
Looked it up: Story City was throughout much of its early history known as Fairview. The named changed in 1881 when the town established a post office and discovered that Fairview was taken else where. Story City was then renamed after Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story.
As we came upon Story, I saw an advertisement on the highway for an authentic 1913 merry-go-round in the town.
"Let's stop, Al! I would like to ride it!"
The city bought the carousel from TP Gifford of Grundy Center. Between 1938 and 1977 the carousel was assembled each summer and operated in the downtown retail business area.
In 1977 the carousel closed from deterioration. But with a lot of spirit and many fund-raising efforts the carousel was restored and reopened to the public in the North Park by the swimming pool.
The carousel retains many of the original materials; the wooden structure, animal figures (including real horse hair for the horses' tails), two benches, lover's "whirling" tub, and the 1936 Wurlizer 105 military band organ. We got on for $1 a piece. The music began and it played "Jesus loves the little children!"
Ole and Lena
After the fun ride, we kept going on to Mason City. Iowa is so pretty!
After the beautiful drive along the coast, we turned north. See the dotted lines? That means it is supposed to be a scenic drive. This was the Louisiana Scenic Route.
Most of the roads we went on were 2 lane.
The countryside was so pretty!
We found a car wash to wash off the ocean salt.
I find driving through little towns so interesting. I wonder who lives in these towns and what kinds of jobs they might have.
Below: Old Cemetery Inn - no thanks.
Oh, I read it wrong. "Old Centenary Inn" I looked it up, it looks interesting!
At this town, I asked Al to stop. I wanted to see what this was.
History - not a good time, but history, no less.
A tour bus was also on this road.
There were signs for many plantations along the way, but we did not have time to stop and visit. Al needed to get back to work. When he is retired, perhaps. I did visit a plantation once and it just breaks one's heart to see the slave quarters. I cannot even imagine owning another person. How?
Pit stop
I asked the lady in at the information desk why we saw so many homes flying American flags. Was there a special holiday? No, just being patriotic!
As they were driving through Nashville, Jill's texted:
We saw Carry Underwood in a car. She wasn't the one driving. Jesus had taken the wheel.
The kids sent photos of their drive home to Wisconsin and Arkansas.
See the tubs Jill uses for the kids to put their food in or crafts too.
Passing time making a tent out of foil. Ha!
The girls were watching a movie and a song came on with the words "try everything". Adam said, "That's not true. There are some things you shouldn't try." Teachable moments. The older girls began to list things you shouldn't try. And 6 year old Claire had to add one too. "Yea, like fighting bears!" True, Claire!
Speaking of bears.....?!!? That would have been interesting to see. And, Claire, I would not even try to fight one!
Emeri and Eli
There were Dollar Generals in every little town!
And churches everywhere! Many styles.
This church was having a party.
This was interesting. Wonder what it is?
There really is a town by this name!
There were lots of rice fields in Mississippi and Louisiana .
crop duster
Mad? He seems to be pretty happy to me.
Arkansas welcome center
My friend Sarah texted me to let me know that there were storms along the way and we should keep our eyes open on the drive home. It changed the route we had planned to return on.
It got pretty gusty with torrential rain.
When we got home, our plants were well taken care of by Sarah's son. He does such a good job!
We enjoy those roads less traveled. You see things you would not see if you flew by on an interstate highway. It is slower for sure. You get to see places you'd otherwise miss. And meet people as you stop to take a break. The Christian life is like this. It is traveling the "narrow" road. The way most people don't want to take.
Jesus in his sermon on the mount preached that, “…wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Mt 7:13,14 The road which leads to eternal life is a difficult road that few are even willing to try.
"Road Less Traveled" by Al Denson
To follow what you've never seen isn't easy
Guess it all comes down to a matter of faith My destination is where Jesus leads me Where ever He's going I'm gonna walk that way Not gonna follow the masses down the path that's wide Don't wanna bear my regret on the other side
The road less traveled is no easy street But it leads to a place where faith and glory meet It carries the sinner to the mercy seat I wanna feel the road less traveled beneath my feet
Sometimes I go for miles without a sign Wondering how far it is I've got to go With nothing but a promise, I take it in stride "Cause you gotta believe to walk this road Not gonna follow the masses down a path that's wide Don't wanna bear my regret on the other side
Bridge: I want a heart of hope Feet of faith The will to keep walkin' Come what may
