When we left off, we were headed to Arkansas. As plans tend to get diverted, and rightfully so, they did, a bit. Just a few hours after the last post, we followed signs to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Where we thought we were, wasn't where we were. But putting annoyance aside in the hopes of divine intervention, we kept following signs toward the primitive camping sites. They took us to some country roads and at around 11:30 PM we pulled to a fork in the *deserted, dirt* road. To the right was Passover Rd., to the left, another name of less importance. So we turned right and drove about 1/2 mile on a dark, one-lane-pine-tree-surrounded road. Suddenly, a vast blackness and only a sandy colored gravel leading to it, filled our vision. It was rather frightening, but Mike inched the car along and we saw the gravel continued to the right, so he followed. The lights splashed across numbered posts and an outhouse. Noone in sight. We turned off the car and jumped out into the daunting, thick darkness.
Honestly, it was terrifying. The silence and complete lack lights was so foreign, my wild animalistic instincts had me on high alert. When I thought I was hearing something bounding through the woods toward me, I realized it was the mist falling off the leaves on the trees and landing on the bed of organic mulch below. Yes, that's quiet. In times of past, we've had to hike in for six or more hours to get that kind of silence. This was an unexpected treat. Some of our hobbies in life include finding the most silent places we can. We knew it was a blessing.
Mike and I walked toward the blackness and realized it was a lake. The lake of the Ozarks. The water was so crystal clear, he walked right into it. When we're in such a pristine, sacred and natural place, it's hard to use flashlights or other worldly devices. It's special. The vibes are so unadulturated and we feel the presence of the Great Father, the Creator, when we're around that environment. We spent the night.
The next morning was beautiful and we got some video that we'll be sharing soon. We drove to Arkansas and arrived at Ouachita (pronounced Watchitaw) National Forest. Similar story, drove on a back road for a few hours and when we couldn't drive anymore, we stopped and made a little campsite beneath the pines (video to come also). What a silent and wonderful retreat. We love to be in nature. The night was peaceful, no wild animal sounds that are so typical in places like that. The next morning we heard some sort of military missile range or some such place. But that didn't last and we had a peaceful time. Spent another night there and left in the morning for Emory.
Arrived in Emory on Friday. The weekend was full of fellowship, services and meeting lots of new people. We learned more names just this weekend than we have in the last six or so months. And the people were all so wonderful. Naomi came down with a chest cold and fever and we're getting over that slowly but surely. There were so many little kids for her to run with. What an amazing weekend. There are so many great people around here and that traveled into town for the event. We were so blessed. We played two songs after the Sabbath service and had some late-night musical sessions with various people. The weekend was full of music from many gifted people. It was a prime time to sit and be blessed by their gifts.
FINAL REMARKS-
Some of our new friends have opened their home to us and we are so thankful. They are wonderful and worthy of great blessings! In the morning, the plan (we'll see how that goes. he he) is to leave and be on our way to Cisco. One of the many things that has touched me this weekend was realizing just how many people my grandfathers ministry affected positively. People are always telling me how his ministry affected their life and lives of their family. I've heard such beautiful things. When you're on the road travelling, you're vulnerable and your senses are enlivened. Things can get intense fast. We have been blessed beyond measure while traveling!
Til we meet again,
lynays
Honestly, it was terrifying. The silence and complete lack lights was so foreign, my wild animalistic instincts had me on high alert. When I thought I was hearing something bounding through the woods toward me, I realized it was the mist falling off the leaves on the trees and landing on the bed of organic mulch below. Yes, that's quiet. In times of past, we've had to hike in for six or more hours to get that kind of silence. This was an unexpected treat. Some of our hobbies in life include finding the most silent places we can. We knew it was a blessing.
Mike and I walked toward the blackness and realized it was a lake. The lake of the Ozarks. The water was so crystal clear, he walked right into it. When we're in such a pristine, sacred and natural place, it's hard to use flashlights or other worldly devices. It's special. The vibes are so unadulturated and we feel the presence of the Great Father, the Creator, when we're around that environment. We spent the night.
The next morning was beautiful and we got some video that we'll be sharing soon. We drove to Arkansas and arrived at Ouachita (pronounced Watchitaw) National Forest. Similar story, drove on a back road for a few hours and when we couldn't drive anymore, we stopped and made a little campsite beneath the pines (video to come also). What a silent and wonderful retreat. We love to be in nature. The night was peaceful, no wild animal sounds that are so typical in places like that. The next morning we heard some sort of military missile range or some such place. But that didn't last and we had a peaceful time. Spent another night there and left in the morning for Emory.
Arrived in Emory on Friday. The weekend was full of fellowship, services and meeting lots of new people. We learned more names just this weekend than we have in the last six or so months. And the people were all so wonderful. Naomi came down with a chest cold and fever and we're getting over that slowly but surely. There were so many little kids for her to run with. What an amazing weekend. There are so many great people around here and that traveled into town for the event. We were so blessed. We played two songs after the Sabbath service and had some late-night musical sessions with various people. The weekend was full of music from many gifted people. It was a prime time to sit and be blessed by their gifts.
FINAL REMARKS-
Some of our new friends have opened their home to us and we are so thankful. They are wonderful and worthy of great blessings! In the morning, the plan (we'll see how that goes. he he) is to leave and be on our way to Cisco. One of the many things that has touched me this weekend was realizing just how many people my grandfathers ministry affected positively. People are always telling me how his ministry affected their life and lives of their family. I've heard such beautiful things. When you're on the road travelling, you're vulnerable and your senses are enlivened. Things can get intense fast. We have been blessed beyond measure while traveling!
Til we meet again,
lynays
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