We were originally planning on traveling out to the Mid-West back in March but had to reschedule when all our kids caught a stomach bug that did the rounds in our home for about three weeks. We decided to reschedule our trip in July. Since it would be much warmer than our last road trip (in February) we decided to camp along the way and hopefully find some nice places where we could celebrate Sarah's birthday and the Fourth of July. We would also be reconnecting with some wonderful friends... in fact they were the reason for our trip. And so early one morning, after another late night of packing camping gear, presentation things and clothing into and on top of the van, we hit the road for another missionary road trip! This time we would be visiting friends in Ohio, Chicago, Wisconsin and Iowa. As our van pulled out of the driveway our sleeping kids didn't know the half of all the things they'd do, the new friends they'd make and the exciting places they'd see for the first time.
Our first stop took us to Dayton Ohio where we reconnected with some wonderful friends whom we got to know a lot better during our visit. By the way, though being a missionary is often hard, we are so richly blessed! We're humbled and amazed by the many meaningful relationships God brings across our path with great people in all different walks of life. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm just saying that- our lives are richer for it. At this particular visit our friends asked such thoughtful questions. We left there greatly encouraged... our trip was off to a good start! From Dayton we went up to Chicago to share with the church Dan attended while he was at Bible College. A small church on the outskirts of the Windy City: it was clear that the Spirit was at work there. That Sunday, as people paraded rainbow flags celebrating the Supreme Courts decision earlier that week, it was refreshing to see God's people resting in His righteous reign. Appropriately, Dan shared a message about the fact that Christ IS building His kingdom both in Chicago and all around the World.
On Monday we celebrated Sarah's birthday who happens to be both a beautiful wife and wonderful mom. As a birthday gift we gave her a shopping spree at IKEA while Dan took five of the kids grocery shopping at ALDIS- Oh YEAH Baby!!! While Sarah color coordinated curtains to her hearts content Dan placed a quarter in the shopping cart and strapped Silas and Judah down. The other three children awaited their marching orders. People looked on, visibly astonished at the sight of a dad pushing a shopping cart with five kids. When Dan commented, "The scary thing is I'm doing this without their mom." one mother exclaimed, "She's not in the delivery room is she!?!" Another woman said with a smile, "Would you like one more?" Little did she know the other one was shopping with mommy at IKEA! Dan and his troop managed to navigate the looks, comments and the isles and made it out of ALDIS with a week's worth of camp food. After picking up the birthday girl we headed north for a few days of camping at Kohler-Andrea State Park along Lake Michigan!
As usual, the initial shock of camping was a bit grievous. Our camp stove didn't work and we were surrounded by campers on all sides. We wondered how we would work out marital conflict and exercise child discipline in a tent without drawing the campgrounds attention. But after a couple days our family grew to realize that camping was pretty awesome. We hiked along dunes, checked out a nature museum, met our Christian neighbors, swung on the playground and swam in the lake. All the while Dan searched for the sprawling beach that he had seen in pictures but after a couple days we still hadn't found any beach. While chatting with another family at the playground they explained to us where the beach was... 'under water!' Apparently Lake Michigan was much higher this year! We still had a great time.
From there we drove into the north woods of Wisconsin to Boulder Lake Campground where some long-time friends and ministry partners joined us. We were able to get adjoining camp sites right across from shower house: it was like a dream come true. We could send any of the kids to the bathroom without having to accompany them. Once again our kids made some amazing friendships that we hope will last for a long time (in spite of the distance). We were thrilled to find that our friends also brought their boat and so in addition to swimming the kids got to cruise around the lake, ride the 'hot dog' and even try their hand a skiing!
Then, on our last day together the oldest kids got to go white water rafting with the dads! Because the Wolf river ran through an Indian Reservation it was allowed to be a self guided tour. That morning they floated over a handful of small waterfalls and rapids. Along the way they even saw a bald eagle!
On one occasion, while going through a rapid, Dan and Eli fell out of the small raft. On other occasions everyone pulled the raft ashore, jumped out, and floated back through the rapids feet first, on their backs while holding onto their life vests!
One of the biggest waterfalls awaited us at the end: Big Smokey. Our rubber raft twisted and turned as we went into the narrow chute. We struggled to keep it straight and almost went down the waterfall backwards. Water engulfed us and we shot out of the rapids cheering: we had made it! Because it was a self guided tour our friend said let's see if we can do it again! Toby agreed to hang back as our camera man... he took some great rapid-fire shots!
Before we went ashore Toby caught some more sweet air along with the rest of the kids. It was the Fourth of July and we would be headed to Janesville Wisconsin next to celebrate with some other long-time friends... great memories.
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