Tour Scrapbook

Sunday, November 10
It felt weird not going to church on a Sunday morning. But that comes with the territory of Saturday night church, I guess. Anyway, we slept late at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Lake Havasu City, AZ...then to lunch at Bob's Big Boy (which brought back pleasant childhood memories of California for Laurie and Sharon!)... and finally on to a classy RV park on the lake. The lake water was freezing, but the pool was very warm. Can you guess which one we chose?!

That night we viewed the London Bridge and ate Mexican food. We are quite the international tourists!

Monday, November 11
After laundry and more swimming at the RV park, we loaded up and headed the buses out over the bridge and onto California. We arrived in Lancaster after dark and dry docked at the Central Christian Church.

Tuesday, November 12
We had an especially fun time with a small MOPS group at Central Christian and met some neat ladies! Then the party continued at The Olive Garden as we celebrated Pat's 37th birthday!

After moving up to an RV park in Bakersfield, all of the kids piled into the Hilliard's bus for supper and a movie while Pat & Sharon went on a date to extend Pat's celebration.

Wednesday, November 13
Today was filled with "bus school" and swimming after the fog lifted.

Thursday, November 14
Home schooling and packing to move to another dry docking location at Valley Baptist Church. But before the Hilliards pulled out, a "bus nut" named Bob questioned Charles about every aspect of converting an MCI bus.

Interestingly, as Charles shared about the 2MOMS ministry with another RVer at the park, he commented that we must have $1 million invested in our buses! Rusty, Bobby, Phil and entire crew - what a huge compliment to you guys! Now, if only we can sell these purple monsters for that much when God chooses to end our traveling days!

After settling in at Valley Baptist, the Autrys picked up Pat's mom and sister at the airport and enjoyed a night at a hotel.

Meanwhile, the Hilliards went to the home of Charles and Margie Emig - friends from Hardin-Simmons University and Elmcrest Baptist in Abilene, Texas. The kids had a ball taking rides on Charles' skid steer loader and playing with the Emig's three beautiful, energetic girls! And Charles H. was happy that Charles E. could help him replace a busted thermostat on the minivan that had been hampering extended travels.

Friday, November 15
While Sharon and Laurie put the last minute touches on their seminar notes, the men and kids enjoyed time at local parks and restaurant playgrounds.

Later that afternoon, we set up our product table and did a quick sound check. Then, the adults headed to a 2MOMS planning dinner - thanks to the kindness of "Nonie" and "AnnNan" who watched the kids!

Later that night (or rather, early the next morning) Charles fumbled his way through the fog to Kinko's to make copies and transparencies for the girls' seminars.

Saturday, November 16
This conference day started early around 7:00 for additional sound and Power Point checks. Then ladies from all around Bakersfield began to pour in at 8:00 for a day full of helpful workshops and speakers at the "Heart of the Home" women's conference hosted by the Valley Baptist Church. Interestingly enough, this conference was envisioned and "birthed" by a godly woman, Janet Ables, who grew up in the Sherman/Denison area!

Laurie led a workshop entitled, "Precious in His Sight: Reaching the Heart of Your Child" and Sharon spoke on "What Memories Are You Making?" They were also able to share 4 songs in the large general sessions.

Several notable testimonies were shared with the girls throughout the day. † One lady thanked Laurie saying, "I appreciate your letting us know that it's OK to 'protect' our children." Laurie had encouraged the ladies in her seminar to protect their children in the areas of media and relationships, which can be difficult in today's society in which even Christians don't have the same standards.

† Another sweet lady who was going through a custody battle for her son shared that she'd been in an abusive relationship for many years and was "beat down" emotionally. Laurie just held her as she cried and reassured her of God's love and her worth in His sight.

We thank God for the privilege to share in the deepest hurts of so many wonderful people.

Afterwards, the "Heart of the Home" staff provided a wonderful meal for our families. The kids especially enjoyed Mr. Rudy who made them many balloon animals and helped them find "sweet things" in God's Word.

We then loaded up and moved to a Wal-Mart parking lot for the night. But the Hilliards smelled a different odor in their bus which was causing Alec to feel sick. So we called our friends the Emigs and slept on their floor for the night.

Charles and Charles Emig found out the next morning that the odor was sulfuric acid coming from a defective battery. So again, the Lord watched over us to get us out of the bus! PTL!

- Charles