Tour Scrapbook

Sunday, January 19
Mrs. Patti's Cabin…and Mr. Jim's, too!
We spent a great day at the cabin. Alec and Charles took breakfast and headed to the hills early in the morning. Sharon and the older kids went hiking later and found lots of snow. Crislynn played with coasters and a muffin tin practically the whole weekend while Avery played puzzles. She absolutely loves puzzles and is really good at them. We ended the day by sledding on a great hill.

Pat found the only stump on the hill and literally flew through the air as he launched off the stump! He landed in one piece, still on his sled! We laughed a lot, got a few scrapes, met nice people and their dogs, then headed back to the warm cabin for dinner. That night we played games and after the kids were in bed, the adults worked. We were able to get lots done over the weekend. We know it was one of God's answers to our struggle to get work done while we are on the road.

Monday, January 20
Aunt Laurie fixed pancakes for everybody. Aunt Sharon had quiet time in the mountains. Then we cleaned the cabin in between watching "The Rookie." We said good-bye to the cabin and headed down the mountain with a stop in Running Springs for lunch. We met a sweet lady who worked in the restaurant from Corona with two small children. We told her what we were doing and encouraged her to find us on our website.
Back to Corona to pick up the buses. We were glad to see our homes again and also Patti. She came to my bus and just talked while I cleaned my refrigerator. We don't get those "girl" talk times very often, even with Laurie and I. So I really enjoyed having her "in my home."

As Charles thanked Patti for all of their hospitality in sharing their home and cabin with us, she commented, "It's easy to be hospitable when you know Who really owns it all." Wow! Oh to always have such a godly perspective on possessions!

That night we went to First Christian Church of Huntington Beach. The Autrys ate at Coco's and were thrilled to find that Monday is free kid meal night! Thanks, Lord! The Hilliards ate at Ruby's on a pier overlooking the ocean!

Tuesday, January 21
We shared at First Christian Church, Huntington Beach. Lisa Yamasaki was such a sweetheart, but had sick children. Sharon started feeling under the weather today and we later found that she and Brittlea (and then Avery and Laurie) had strep throat.

That afternoon, we had to pay Colorado taxes (thanks AnnNan for getting that together!) so while Sharon worked on that, Pat and the girls went to a park and watched the ducks. Brittlea started complaining of her throat and we canceled a stop at the library to go home and sleep. Pat picked up all the responsibilities and took care of everything in the Autry household for the entire week. (Thank you, Honey!)

Wednesday, January 22
With throats still hurting, Brittlea laid in the back of the room while we shared with the second group at Huntington Beach First Christian. † One lady was encouraged again to stay at home even when it's tough. She had seen God provide for them in ways that she had never imagined. The cost of living for these families is so high. Their staying home is such a commitment to their children. Many moms have shared that their husbands are out of work as well. Times are hard here, as they are around the nation.

When one lady toured Laurie's bus her comment was, "Oh good! I'm glad you showed me the bus. Now I won't worry about you!"

That afternoon we moved to Voyagers Bible Church in Irvine. Laurie and Abby had a date to get their nails painted and look for dresses. Sharon and Britt made it to the church before everyone else, so Britt drove around the parking lot…in Sharon's lap! Britt was feeling really bad, so that night at the church's Wednesday activities we found a paramedic to check her out. We started her on antibiotics (Sharon, too…thanks Dr. Todd and Wendy!) and she started feeling better quickly. The youth from Voyagers were leaving for a snowboarding trip to Mammoth so they were excited. We met the youth workers and left encouraged about what God is going to do through them. God is alive and working in people everywhere!

Thursday, January 23
We shared with Voyagers Bible Church MOPS in the morning and had good conversations with the ladies there. They were so encouraging and offered their homes so openly to us. I'm always amazed by the willingness of people to invite 10 people over! I'm learning so much from them. One lady gave us her husband's name (a pediatric neurologist) to call if we needed to ask questions about the kids.

The Autrys went to lunch at Irvine Spectrum (an outdoor mall…not something we're accustomed to in Texas!), and shopped…looked…for a few minutes.

That evening we moved to Target to park for a few hours until the church parking lot at Mission Hills was cleared. We had dinner on the bus then shopped at Target and the grocery store.

After getting situated at the church, the guys found a Starbucks to check email…another answer to our prayer about getting work done. We have high-speed internet access for $29 a month at Starbucks! Neat! Another prayer it answered was time alone for the guys and for Laurie and me if we ever take advantage of it. I think they really enjoy searching for Starbucks. The great thing is, you can use the service while sitting in the parking lot. None of us drink coffee, so it's perfect! We do, however, like their hot cocoa!!

Friday, January 24
Mission Hills Church, Mission Viejo
We feel privileged to have the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. The bad part is, we always leave those great people! This group was no different. We found instant friends that were excited and moved by the message we shared.
† I had the privilege of talking with one mom who held a small baby. She shared with me that he was a foster baby and that his parents were wanting him back. My heart ached at the thought of giving this precious infant back after having him in her home. She told me that God was gracious to keep her from falling in love with all the children she cares for as a foster parent. I felt so moved to pray for little Johnny and his parents…my heart ached for them, too, knowing that no matter what the struggles are, a parent would miss their child. I believe that God has a plan for every life and that He makes good out of what we see as bad. I prayed for his protection on this little life and that his parents would find Jesus, their only hope.
† Another lady shared about the leap of faith she and her husband may be taking in moving to another country with his job. She was encouraged by our leap of faith. She knew that whatever God called her to, He would give the strength for her to see it through.

After the morning, the guys moved the buses to Anaheim RV Resort while Sharon took some of the kids to pick up AnnNan (Pat's sister) at John Wayne Airport. After a quick lunch, Nancy kept the kids while Pat and Sharon had a much-needed night out complete with a full night's sleep…no children waking in the night. What a blessing! With all the events during the week, Sharon was having a hard time getting over strep.

Saturday, January 25
The kids and dads swam at the RV park…just a little chilly! The Autrys including AnnNan, and Abby went to Saturday church then, since the girls were dressed up, they asked to go to a fancy restaurant. We found one that had candles (Crislynn kept blowing them out!) and had our fancy dinner. They did really well. Davis caused a stir when he pulled Pat's fresh drink over. Such is life with kids!

After we got back to the buses, a new friend from Voyagers came by and took Laurie and Sharon to Starbucks. We stayed out…late and loved it!

-- Sharon

That face says
there's a tree ahead!

What a great
50's style shake...

...at Ruby's on the beach!

Voyagers Bible Church in Irvine