Vacation Blog (Belated)

MYSTIC AQUARIUM

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This blog is a few days late because Susan and I and our two sons just got back from the East Coast visiting Susan's family. We left Friday night, August 10th and took a 14 hour drive through the night to Connecticut where Susan's dad and stepmom live. We got there about noon and had lunch with them and spent the afternoon catching up on family events.

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PHILLIP AND STEPHEN AT THE AQUARIUM

Sunday afternoon Phillip, Stephen and I went to the Mystic Seaport Aquarium, ate lunch, and toured all the exhibits. Then we drove down the the bay and looked around. We had to be back by 5:00 P. M. because the rest of Susan's family was arriving to have dinner together. Susan got to see all of her sisters except Beth, who is vacationing with her husband, Ken, in Wyoming. They all spent the evening talking and playing card games. The boys and I watched a few movies with Susan's dad, Stu.

SUSAN WITH STU AND KATHY

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Monday we spent the morning doing some more talking and wrapped the visit up with a few photos. Then it was off for a five hour drive down the coast to Philadelphia to see Susan's mother. Oh, was the traffic bad! I just can't comprehend living there and having to travel those roads repeatedly. Often we would hit a break in the pavement that would jar our teeth. They drive fast and they will cut in on you very short. Several times we came close to tail ending the car in front of us.

THE WHOLE CREW AND SUSAN'S SISTERS AND NIECES

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Susan's mom, Margaret, lives in a housing unit in downtown Philadelphia which has no parking. So visiting her is difficult without some gymnastics. First we checked into a motel for the night in New Jersey (about 12 miles away). Then Tuesday morning we drove into Philadelphia and picked Margaret up and took her to Susan's brother's house in Malvern where we could park. We went to lunch at an Italian restaurant and returned to her brother's for an afternoon of conversation. Susan has two brothers, Chris, whom we visited, and Dave, who lives in England.

CHINA TOWN IN PHILADELPHIA

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Later that evening we dropped Susan and her mother off in Philadelphia and the boys and I returned to the motel in New Jersey. They spent several hours of quality mother/daughter time in the city as Margaret showed Susan all the places she hangs out.

Susan called later that night and we went and picked her up and said our goodbyes to Margaret.

SUSAN AND HER MOM, MARGARET AT HER BROTHER'S HOUSE

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Wednesday morning we awoke and started our ten hour drive back to Indiana. The vacation was simple and short, but very necessary. It has been seven years since Susan has been able to visit her family.

With schedules the way they are, it was a miracle that our whole family could go together. It will obviously be our last family trip, but Susan and I will probably go more often as her parents continue to age.

MOTEL IN MOUNT LAUREL, NEW JERSEY

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Phillip and Stephen went back to Indianapolis for the night when we got home and Thursday morning Stephen made his eight hour drive back to Missouri. Me? I'm back in the saddle, praying in the tower, writing my weekly blog, producing the TV show, and preparing for this Sunday's services. I wouldn't say life is slow, but it is rewarding when you know God is watching over your every step.

We could sense his presence and protection every moment along our journey and also the prayers of our people over us. Thank you.

Calvary Assemblies of God | 720 N Plum St Union City IN 47390 | Pastor Brian P. Jenkins |  (765) 964-3671 | www.calvaryassembliesofgod.org