Headed home to Kansas

We had enjoyed our 2 plus weeks house-sitting and "baby" sitting our granddaughters.

When Jill and Adam returned from their study trip to Turkey/Greece, they handed out gifts and we tried out various snacks, including Turkish Delight.

They showed us pictures from their trip (Paul's Missionary Journey) with Albert Mohler.

When they showed us this, I had to pull up the picture from the same place!

We went in 2016.

Early Saturday morning we packed up the car and left.  Al was going to teach Sunday School so we needed to skedaddle home. We had given everyone hugs and kisses the night before because we knew they'd still be asleep. Jill woke up though so we got extra hugs and kisses from her before we pulled out.

The trees were displaying their beauty!

We ran into rain along the way.  A cold front had come through.

Only 1/2 hour out of Des Moines, we noticed that icy weather had hit the city.  We were glad we were ahead of it!

Flags were at half staff for former vice president Dick Cheney.

We got home at 5:40.  With the time change, it was nearly dark.  We had listened to sermons and enjoyed cello/piano music on the way and the time seemed to go fast.  I guess it was!  We'd made it home in 11 1/2 hours!!  Usually it takes us another hour, but maybe someone was driving with a heavy foot?  Grateful for a safe journey!  The LORD watched over us.

"Every day I praise You."  Psalm 145:2

The next morning, we saw that our trees were nearly bare!  They had not even really begun turning when we left.  How can they lose their leaves so fast?  We didn't get to enjoy them this fall.  The neighbor boy raked them for us.

We unpacked our bags but did not put away our suitcases as in less than a week we'd be headed off for Colorado!

We found out the house next door has sold and we have a new, sweet neighbor!

On Tuesday night we began seeing posts that people were seeing the aurora borealis so we jumped in the truck and headed out to the country where we wouldn't have city lights.  The phone camera showed them like this, but in reality, they weren't that bright.  But it was cool!  Since we didn't get to see them in Wisconsin, this was a treat! 

On Thursday I had Bible study with my lovely older women's group.

I walked with my neighbors.

And best of all, I got the most amazing picture from my friend Sachiko in Japan. This is from the town my parents were missionaries in. The church now has an English service and several Filipinos attend. And this day 7 young adults were baptized!!

"I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart;

       I will tell of all Your marvelous works.

   I will be glad and rejoice in You;

        I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High."

                  from Psalm 9