I came home from Colorado with just enough time to do some laundry and pack again, then get on the road again; this time to go to Ohio for a funeral. Allen could not go with me because of work.
Uncle Mahlon was my last remaining uncle to pass on. He was my mother's baby brother.
He visited us in Japan in 1958 while serving in Korea.
As I was leaving town, I found these clouds interesting.
Like men marching along. Or bales of hay in a row.
Clouds can look like many things.
Flint Hills of Kansas
Along the side of the road, there were about 7 or 8 deer frolicking about. One headed for the road, but luckily I passed them before that happened. I saw many deer along the road that had been hit. It was reminder to me to be particularly aware of the danger of deer during the months of October and November. We are also to be aware and vigilant to know that the enemy, Satan, is trying to endanger us in our "journey" from our walk with Jesus.
I took 36 from Cameron across the state of Missouri.
Much less traffic than 80 from Des Moines.
I pulled off for gas in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois. There were lots of cars pulled over on the side of the road and people were taking pictures of this train. "Do you know what's going on?" I asked several people at the gas station. People didn't know until finally a guy told me about the merger of the Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern. "They are running this train here to make sure it could make the loop" a man told me.
I found this on-line. "According to the Canadian Pacific acquisition webpage,the proposed merger would combine both networks, which is an approximate stretch of more than 20,000 miles of track between Mexico, Canada, and the United States. 'If this merger goes through, you're talking about more trains that will impact us, the emergency EMS vehicles... and that we do not need,' Gallegos said. 'Year to date, we have over 900 cases of where EMS vehicles could not get through because of stalled trains.'" There is opposition to this merger.
I made it to Urbana by nightfall, where I stopped for the night. I enjoyed doing my swim aerobics at the pool. This was the view from my room. Some trees were turning colors, while many had already reached peak and leaves were dropping.
There was much construction; many detours to Ohio. Detours onto small roads - which I actually like! I did end up going through Indianapolis, which I did NOT like. It is interesting how the GPS on Maps often foresees construction and traffic delays. "There is a speed trap ahead."
Give me old farm roads anyday!
Sometimes it means crawling along at 30mph while behind farm vehicles though.
God also sees ahead. He KNOWS what is our day will be for us. He is not surprised by things that will take us by surprise.
"Do not be afraid or discouraged,
for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.
He will be with you;
He will neither fail you nor abandon you."
Deut. 3:18 (NLT)
Unlike Maps, He is never wrong. Maps did not have Highway 224 being closed. I had to take different roads (I didn't like the way it was going to take me) and it recalculated as I went. I'm glad the GPS doesn't say "Recalculating...recalculating....recalculating" in that nauseating voice any more!
I came across this small family plot by the road. The sign lists 10 names plus "many known only to God". There are only 4 stones present. You do not see these things on the normal fast highways.
I love the narrow country roads. I had not intended to take the scenic route on this trip, but it ended up that way!
I got to Bluffton, Ohio around 3:30 and met my Minnesota and South Dakota cousins! I haven't seen some of these cousins in years!
We went to St. John Mennnonite Church for the visitation.
There were soooo many people! Uncle Mahlon was well loved!
In the evening, we went to Aunt Anne's for cousin time!
The church had provided much food for all.
Not only had Uncle Mahlon passed, but Aunt Anne's mother had passed away the day before. Grief upon grief - and YET, we do not grieve as those without hope.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
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