Finally, I am well enough to write about my amazing cross country trip. It was so fabulous I don't know where to begin, but I suppose I should just start at the beginning.

Sunday June 21st, I took off for a short jog to Salisbury, NC. I was to meet Kathy at Enon Baptist Church, her place of worship. How fortunate I was that she was to be the Sunday School teacher that day. Let me tell you folks, you can tell that she is an awesome Professor in the college by the way she conducted her Sunday School Class. She was very well organized, prepared and a truly anointed Sunday School Teacher. She spoke of the bible and it was AWESOME. She made a reference to El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha, and when it rolled off her tongue I knew why she was a successful Spanish Professor.  I was truly blessed to have been there on that day!

Kathy has such a sweet spirit about her, and you know in her presence that she spends a lot of time with God. She really radiates, pictures do not do her justice. Although, I too was quite surprised, she is very petite, but strong in her spirit. It was truly worth it just to tell her thanks in person, for all her prayers and wise words throughout these past few years. Oh, and it was also worth it to get one of Kathy's REAL hugs, cyber hugs are ok, but not like her real ones.





So I drove the rest of the day Sunday through Tennessee and tried to make it past Little Rock, AR to pop my tent. Cindy told me it wasn't safe east of Little Rock so I got a cheap motel because I just couldn't drive any further. Monday I woke and drove on into Ft Smith AR to meet "the clan", or so I will call them.

We met at Sweet Bay Coffee shop. Oh where to start with "the clan"? Well we laughed and carried on like we had known each other for years. I had spoke to Latonya often on the phone and also to Cindy within the last few months, so being able to put facial mannerisms with the voice was a special treat. But to meet Grammy and Ken for the first time, priceless. Oh and yes the hugs, lots of hugs. But once again for me it was very special to be able to tell them thanks face to face for all the support, prayers and wisdom.



CindyLou writes like her sweet fun loving spirit. She is just as ornery in person as she is on the screen. She is very knowledgeable and intelligent. She has a laugh that just makes you want to laugh with her. Her spirit is so full of life she just radiates life. She mentioned that she would be one of those Maxine type Grandma's and yep, I can see it. She and Ken are lovingly sweet towards each other and it was beautiful to watch.

Kenny is a friend that you really ought to get to know. Shamefully I hadn't spent to much time getting to know him out on line. This I will change, as he and I had some time to talk alone and he gave me some very wise advice. He is full of wisdom, a source that should not be ignored. He is also one of those good ole boys, the kind who always has your back.

GrammyB, what a treat to meet her in person. She is so beautiful, we convinced her to try and change her picture because it just didn't do her justice. Oh and the stories she had to tell, just like on the screen. She is such a hoot in person. She was a mommy to us all serving us delicious deserts, trying to get us to eat more. She has a sweet spirit that too radiates life.

Sugg well there is a lot to say about Miss LaTonya! As Mrs W put it well she is just sweet, yes she is sweet and a whole lot more. Her giggles are just priceless. She is just priceless! I got to spend a lot more time with her as after we left everyone she and I drove back to Bentonville to see the sugarbabies. Our time together was Immeasurable. After many long nights on the phone, to  being able to go have coffee, dinner, cruise and listen to Christian music our time together was awesome. We slept like little girls in sleeping bags at a sleep over and it was a lot of fun. At one time we were laying there I said oh Sug I forgot to pray, "Dear Lord Thank You". She interrupted and said "in Jesus Name, Amen. Now Go to sleep Becky" Just like that Sugamomma to put me in my place and tell me to go to sleep.

I had to wake up early and hit the road again, so dropping of Latonya was hard in the morning. We said our goodbyes, and I was off. I made it through Oklahoma and Kansas back home. God was so good in that he helped my family and I restore our relationships. My daughter and I had what I think was a marvelous time together.



Sadly though I hit my family during harvest so I didn't get to spend much time with them. I spent four glorious days with my family and daughter then took off towards KC on Saturday. I saw an old friend for lunch. Went back by the old neighborhood. Then I went to church with my dear friend Meredith and stayed at her house. In the morning I went to church with a dear friend I met in NC, named Sachi, at the IHOP then I took off for St Louis.

At St Louis I met Red Shirted Daddy Gene. He was a delight to meet. Wouldn't you just know it, he wore a red shirt so I could recognize him. Gene is one of those people, like the others I met on my trip that you just won't forget easily. Many great stories were told and he had a lot of wisdom to share with me, as he always has on the screen. Once again, thanking a person face to face for all they have done for you was priceless.



After St. Louis I drove to Mt Vernon, popped a tent and really met God there. Thanked Him for such a lovely trip with friends and family. After awaking I made the drive through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and back through North Carolina. Yes it was a long grueling trip, but one I would do all over again if I had the chance.

For all of you out there who have made good friends online, yes they are not just faces on a screen. Mychurch people are real people with real lives. They have been invaluable to me on my journey, I wish I could meet you all face to face. If not here, then in heaven.

Below is a small video of the entire trip, Hope you can enjoy it. Oh and please excuse the date on the photos...LOL, still need to change that thing.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=1188380907287