Tour Scrapbook

Sunday, March 23

This morning Laurie had a migraine headache and Davis a snotty nose, so Pat and Charles took the other kids to church at Mariners.

Later in the day, Charles met the next door RV neighbor who was from British Columbia and curious about who 2MOMS is! Floyd himself is a neat Christian man who gathered all of his kids and grandkids to enjoy Disneyland together. He also led his family to start the Teddy Bear Angel ministry for children with cancer in Canada. What an encouraging and inspirational man he is!

Tonight we returned to Disneyland to enjoy some rides while the crowds were gone.

Monday, March 24

Today we bit the bullet and had a total of 10 new bus tires mounted for our buses! (PTL! We actually got them for around $350 each rather than the $425 that we expected!) (Any of you readers want to help us buy a tire???!!!...... click here!)

The Hilliards returned yet again to take advantage of our SoCal passes for Disneyland and California Adventure.

Meanwhile, the Autrys lunched with Pastor Lance Witt of Saddleback Church (as in Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life/Church!), who formerly was pastor of Hagerman Baptist in Pottsboro!

After picking up the buses from ABC Bus, we headed north to Pasadena, where Laurie made a Starbuck's run to get acquainted with the leadership of the Lake Avenue Church MOPS. Again... some neat ladies who showered us with gift certificates to help meet our needs!

Tuesday, March 25

The Lake Avenue MOPS group was terrific and the sound man, Eric, was also encouraging and helpful! Following the meeting, two of the leaders, Ann & Sarah, prepared delicious sandwiches and trimmings for our lunch.

That afternoon, the Autrys took food, which both families prepared, to a former Whitesboro High classmate whose wife is battling cancer.

The Hilliards walked through Old Pasadena and enjoyed a meal and dessert compliments of the Lake Avenue ladies! Delicious!

Wednesday, March 26

We again ministered with the Lake Avenue MOPS ladies. And following the meeting, one of the mentor moms commented, "I think our discussion time went deeper after your program today than after any speaker we've ever had. You could tell the moms were open to the discussion and to the message of hope in Christ that you share!" Wow! That assures us that we're doing exactly what the Lord desires!

That afternoon the Hilliards picnicked on the beautiful grounds of the Tournament of Roses Parade. We met the head caretaker who was concerned that avocados might fall on our heads. He then gave us the grand tour, souvenirs, and oranges from his own garden! He let us in on the theme of next year's Rose Parade - "Music, Music, Music!"

We then traveled a little further north to Santa Clarita and set up camp at a beautiful RV park ...where we were buffeted all night by 40+ MPH winds all night long!

Thursday, March 27

We awoke to a branch-strewn RV park and battled the ongoing winds to make it to Grace Baptist Church for their MOPS group.

This was a large group who supported our ministry very generously with purchases and by giving us all of their breakfast leftovers!

Our families then enjoyed a lunch together at The Olive Garden and rested and played at the RV park.

Friday, March 28

The Hilliards left Santa Clarita after lunch and headed north to another RV park in Bakersfield. After setting up the bus, we went to the home of our college friends, the Emigs, to provide overnight childcare for them while they enjoyed a night away. Meanwhile, the Hilliard and Emig children enjoyed the game of "Life" and the Veggie Tales movie, "Jonah".

Saturday, March 29

We were awakened earlier than expected by the Emigs who came to take their girls to YMCA soccer games. After attending the games, the Emigs allowed us to have a childless lunch!

We then returned to our bus for naps to prepare for tonight's "Family Night" hosted by "Heart of the Home" ministries at Riverlakes Church.

The "Family Night" went well and was attended mostly by ladies (and their husbands) who had previously heard 2MOMS when we were in Bakersfield in late-2002.

After the concert we debriefed at Del Taco before the Autrys returned to the RV park in Santa Clarita. (We had decided that the Autrys would "commute" to Bakersfield from SC just to save money by not having their bus travel the 150 mile round trip through the Tejon/Grapevine Pass.)

-- Charles