A couple of days in Wisconsin

Getting behind here...back to my trip to Wisconsin.  On Saturday, I attended the Awaken conference at Jill's church.  Laura Sandreti, author and blogger was the keynote speaker.  

The title of the weekend was "Fearless" based on Philippians 4:6-7.  She spoke about finding her identity in Christ, and not in labels people give you.  About believing in God's Word to the core, not just mental assent.  She shared about having struggled with panic attacks for years.  It is not something that holds her down now, however.   She was so funny; a delightful speaker!

Claire enjoyed breakfast with me before having the day with her daddy.

It was fun to meet Laura and find our connection with Japan.  Her mother is Japanese.  She knew just a few words.

The day was wonderful and I enjoyed going to 2 workshops also.   Next year's keynote speaker - my beautiful daughter!  I will have to be sure to go back to Wisconsin for that!

Al made record time driving all day from Kansas.  God answered prayer in giving him safe travels and not falling asleep at the wheel!  And he brought the new mattress for Hannah!  And Kobi.

Hannah's twin mattress went to Sophie and Sophie's old mattress was one we were taking back to Kansas for us (for when the kids come to visit).

On Sunday morning, we went to church.  We are enjoying Adam's sermons on Revelations.  Satan's desire is to destroy.  He is like a rabid animal that wants to kill as many as he can before he dies.  He is a dragon who has been slayed but not dead yet.  He has been defanged, but his power is in his accusation.  As believers, we have a target on our back.    We need not fear.  Jesus is always interceding for us.  We are not alone; He is with us!

For dinner, we went to Schmitty's.  So good and such big helpings!  We were able to take lots of leftovers home!

Monday, the children went to school, Adam had work, Jill had on-line classes.  

Allen and I did studying of our own.  I also did some reading and talked with my friend Grace from back home.  She told me her mother grew up here and she just happens to have cousins who live around here!

Allen and I picked Claire up from school and took her to gymnastics class.  She was so excited that we would be able to watch her perform!

We enjoyed playing games in the evening.  (Hannah was at choir practice)  After the family went to bed, we packed up what we could.  We would be leaving for home in the morning.  Such a short time with the family.

To Wisconsin with a stop in Sully, Iowa

Leaving Des Moines, I did not take Highway 80 going east.  You fly on that highway!  Truckers and cars alike think 80 is the speed limit.  And usually people go 5-10 miles faster than the suggested speed limit, so...  It is ranked the deadliest interstate in Iowa, killing about 19 people a year.

I purposely chose to take 163 this time, which is south of 80, taking twisty back roads.  After Prairie City, I was on another paved road, 85, that would take me into Sully.  The roads were clear, although the land was covered in snow.

It would have been hard to know where to turn, had it not been for GPS.  

As I curved around Reasnor, there was this house on the hill.  I bet their views are pretty!

"You are the light of the world.  A town (or house) built on a hill cannot be hidden."  Matthew 5:14

My friend, Mary Ellen, is an author.  You can Google her and order her sweet children's books.  Here is one of her books:

The most recent book I am reading of hers is of her growing up years in Sully, Iowa.  I decided that I would visit this town on my way to the grandkids.  Sully is named after Alfred Sully, a railroad man.  Population 821 in 2010.

When I told Mary Ellen that I was going to drive through town, she told me where her house was and I looked it up on Google Earth.  She also told me about the church she attended that was in the same block.  It is no longer a church, however, but a winery.

The winery

Her childhood home

"Freedom Rock painter Raymond “Bubba” Sorensen II of Greenfield finished the Jasper County Freedom Rock in 2014, the 17th of the 99 county rocks in the Freedom Rock Tour he is painting in Iowa. The Jasper County Freedom Rock includes the east side sketch based on Sgt. William Jasper rallying the troops at Fort Sullivan, S.C., and is located on the East side of the Sully square." 

She told me about a little coffee shop.  When I entered, there were tables filled with old men shooting the breeze.  I enquired of the lady at the counter if she happened to know Mary Ellen.  "Her mother was my Sunday School teacher!"  Evidently, this cafe is known for it's "made from scratch" food, especially it's pies.  I should have got some!

A couple of doors down was a little bakery that I was curious about.

How cute is this place?!

Mary Ellen said I should stop at the locker and purchase some bologna sausage and brats.  In Sully, they know if you are a "stranger" and not local.  I found out that the lady who checked me out was a dear friend to Mary Ellen's older sister.

Such a cute meat locker!

Continuing on the journey...

Satchquash is in Deep River, Iowa!

Hempstead, Iowa Population 24.   

The 2nd governor of Iowa was Stephen P. Hempstead who served 1850-1854.

In Cedar Rapids, there were many cars in ditches and one overturned on it's roof, due to a snowstorm that had come through earlier.  Good thing I chose to come later!

I got to our kids' home in time for a delicious supper!  What joy to see the children!!

After supper, we had treats at Culver's.  Hannah's shift had just ended.

Sophia was at a birthday party so I saw her later.

To be continued....