We’ve left the beautiful Ozarks and are making our way to Pennsylvania. We traveled across the top of Arkansas and once we left all of the roads marked “windy(as in curvy) and steep road next 10 miles(or 8 miles or 4 miles)”, Arkansas became very FLAT and windy (as in great gusts of wind). In fact, when we reached our stopping place – Walnut Ridge, AR- and parked in the Walmart, the wind was so strong that we opted not to stay there. After Gary made a couple of mad dashes to keep rouge shopping carts from slamming into Lizzie the RV, we decided to move to a spot that offered a little more protection. We were in Walnut Ridge to connect with daughter Lara who had come to AR to visit a friend. We had a nice afternoon and evening visit and then moved AGAIN (we were less than a block from a Very Busy Railroad Track) to a lovely quiet Walmart in Paragould, AR. (Yes, that’s the life of the Walmart Camper!). We had a great nights sleep, and continued on our trek north. Tonight we’re just north of Lexington KY where it is VERY COLD!!!! What happened to Spring? I think they’re calling for wet snow tonight. Yikes!
I have a good Cell phone signal, so I’ll try to get those SOTO and Arkansas pictures posted…….

It’s hard to believe that our time here in the Ozarks is almost over! These three weeks went very fast – and we have had an especially good time here. The work has been rewarding – it’s the first time we’ve both been working on the same job, and every day we’ve seen progress made in the building (whether it was our progress, well that’s another question!). The weather last week was cool and rainy, but ever since Thursday last week, it’s been sunny and warm. (Of course it’s calling for rain the day we have to pack up and move out – but, hey, that’s two days away!).
We had a great weekend. Friday we went out for breakfast at a friendly local restaurant (coffee was 50 cents!), and then went to the Blanchard Springs Caverns. A very impressive sight. The “room” that the tour started in was just short of four (4) football fields long – and it had a 6 story column in the middle. The tour we took was very low impact – all ramps and concrete passageway, but they offer other more advanced tours too. While we’ve enjoyed seeing these “inside the earth” wonders, I’m not really ready to put on knee pads and hard hats and do any real spelunking. From there we went to Mountain View for their annual Folk Music Festival. All through this little town were small groups of musicians – some who had played together for years and some who had gathered that day. We saw folks playing guitars, banjos, bagpipes, bass fiddles, mandolins, dulcimers (big and small), harmonicas, spoons (wow, was that amazing) and a saw (though not all at the same time). We enjoyed treats at an old fashioned soda fountain and had dinner along the White River – Fried Catfish, what else! We drove home watching a beautiful sunset. Just about a perfect day!
Saturday we hung around home and did some chores. Sunday we worshiped with our friends here at SOTO, and then enjoyed hosting a Fish Fry/Caesar Salad feast for the staff in the afternoon. Another beautiful day.
Another fun event – after work on Monday we were invited to the dining hall to help the staff decide about which steaks and desserts to order for the summer – Omaha or Black Angus, and for dessert a variety of cheese cakes, carrot cake, tiramisu, and a very decadent chocolate cake. My, my, it was a tough job, but someone had to do it!
Tonight’s a doggie roast – with S’mores and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert. (I think tomorrow we’re back to Walmart Pizzas!).
Hopefully at our next stop I will be able to post some pictures. This is the only one I’ve been able to get uploaded – so please be patient. This is a truly lovely area, and although remote, it’s been a blessing to be here. I think we’ve made some lifelong friends!

Remember that beautiful weekend I mentioned earlier? Well…….
We decided to make the most of our three day weekend and headed out to Eureka Springs for a nice over-night getaway. It was delightful indeed! The weather was picture perfect, just what Spring is all about. Eureka Springs and the surrounding areas gained popularity at the turn of the century as a health retreat (hence the “springs”) and declined during the depression and following years. I don’t know when the revival began, but the town (to me) had the feel of a Cape Cod in the Ozarks. There was a true Victorian flavor to the town, lots of quaint artsy shops, beautifully restored B&B’s in the downtown district, and lots of interesting restaurants all tucked into the up and down hills of a town whose population is 2217. I think they must all work in the tourist industry! There is a famous (at least in this area) Passion Play that runs from late April through October that also draws a large crowd. We treated ourselves to a night at a lovely Bed & Breakfast, 5 Ojo Inn, that was delightful. The breakfast we had on Saturday lasted us all day. We saw a beautiful glass and wooden chapel, Thorncrown Chapel that was magnificent in its simplicity. We visited the Blue Spring Heritage Center outside of Eureka Springs that was home to another healing spring. We toured an interesting house, the Quigley Castle, “The Ozark’s Strangest Dwelling” and not really a castle at all, but very unique. The tour was run by the granddaughter and her husband, who actually live in the house! Talk about entrepreneurship! We enjoyed strolling through town and seeing some of the historic buildings in the area. AND we went to the local Thrift shop where they were having a $5.00 Bag sale. Yep, it was a Very Nice Weekend! I’ll try to get some pictures posted on the Pictures Pages if you’d like to see the sights!
Oh, another high point (literally) was when we sat on the veranda of the Crescent Hotel and were able to call each of the kids! Ah, the beauty of cell phone service!

Since I don’t have a convenient internet connection, I thought I’d try to keep a true daily journal so you can see what a week of being a SOWER looks like. I’ll get the days posted as I am able.

Sunday
Today was a beautiful day here at Shepherd of the Ozarks (SOTO). The sky was bright blue, the temperatures warmed into the 70’s and trees are just beginning to bud. SOTO continues to amaze us with its beauty –horses grazing in the pasture in front of our home, beautiful lodges that dot the property and the Big Creek which winds through this 300 acre property. Once again, this project is nothing like anything we have worked before!
After a lovely pancake breakfast in the Buffalo Center, off to Church we went. Gary is still recovering from a nasty cold (with a nastier cough), so I joined the other SOWER couple (John and Gerri Pennington) and the director and his family at the First Baptist Church in Marshall. This is probably the closest town with any kind of stores (Harriett has a yield sign and Crockett’s Country Store) and it is over 40 minutes away. And we’re talking windy, hilly roads. I think during the week we’ll be staying pretty close to home! After church I joined Gary in the nap-taking, and then enjoyed sitting outside and reading.
Tomorrow we start working! Looks like the guys will be working on new building that is well underway, and Gerri and I will probably be joining them doing painting or other light construction chores. Hopefully Gary will get a good night’s sleep and feel better tomorrow. The weather is expected to be sunny and warm again – a little unseasonable for the area, but we are lovin’it! We’re anxious to get started!

Monday
Ah, our first day. Adam, the project coordinator, is working on completing a new lodge by June 1st. Whew – there’s a lot to do! Gerri and I were indeed painting (clear coating) the pine tongue and groove siding that is in each room. She rolls it on, I brush it smooth. We’re getting to be a team! The men are installing the siding in an upstairs room. (Guess we’ll get to clear-coat that room later in the week!). The day started out cool, but ended up being bright and sunny and warm. Gerri & I walked back from the lodge to our coaches – about a half mile. It’s a challenge since the first part is very steep uphill and the second part is just as steep down hill. We’re committed to doing it at least once a day – maybe by next week we’ll stop huffing and puffing so!
We spent a quiet evening – with no TV or internet to distract us, we spent it watching a movie – The Incredibles. It was cute. Off to bed pretty early – we’re both working on colds, and rest is a good thing!
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday –
OK, so it’s a cop out lumping three days together, but in reality they were pretty much the same. Tuesday we actually painted instead of clear-coating, but the rest of the week was spend with the roller and brush clear-coating. The rooms have a lot of interesting angles, so it’s interesting even if it is the same process over and over again! Wednesday we even braved getting up on scaffolding, but Thursday we were back on just ladders. The work is going quickly – the guys have moved on to doing some ceilings (which don’t have to be clear-coated – phew!) and we are finishing up where ever our fearless leader (Adam) tell us to roll and brush! We’ve enjoyed working together, Gerri and I, and it’s been fun to be on the same assignment (basically) as the guys. The weather has been pretty rainy and cool these last three days, but God is rewarding us with the promise of a beautiful weekend!
(And a beautiful weekend it was – but that will have to wait!

I wrote the following while we were driving to Arkansas, and even though it’s a little out of date, I thought I’d post it anyway….

March 31, 2005
We have finally made it west of the Mississippi! We left our friends at Teen Challenge yesterday around noon, and once I made one return trip to get that final load out of the dryer (ah, the blondness of it all!), we headed northwest through Alabama. It was an uneventful driving day (the best kind!) and we spent the night at a Walmart just inside of Mississippi. I’d like to say we stopped to see all of the historic parts of Birmingham and Mobile, but alas, we just drove on through! We even drove right through (well, around the beltway) Memphis, TN without stopping at Graceland. Sorry, Elvis!
Crossing the Mississippi was a little bit of a let down. I was busy snapping pictures, but out my side were some pretty darn ugly railroad bridges and the truck traffic was pretty heavy coming the other way, so I don’t feel like got any good shots. (I’m actually typing this as we drive so I haven’t had a chance to download the pictures.). While we will only be west of the Mississippi for the month of April, it still is exciting since we’ve never been this far west before. (Doesn’t take much to get this girl excited, huh?)

Our first impression of Arkansas (on interstate 40 heading toward Little Rock)? So far, it’s been flat. Oh, and more trucks seem to be heading toward Memphis than to Little Rock (and that’s good for us!). We still have 70 miles or so until we hit Little Rock, and then we start heading north. We’ll be about 130 miles north of LR in the Ozark Mountains – so we should be out of the “flat” before the day is out! =)

One final word about our time at the Teen Challenge Ranch – and our other projects as well. As we have worked together with folks from many different denominations and varying doctrinal stands, we have been amazed at how small those differences are when we all the same passion for following Christ and obeying his command to serve others in his Name. It’s been a blessing to see how diverse and lovely God’s family actually is!

So now it’s April 2nd and we’re getting settled at this beautiful retreat center – Shepherd of the Ozarks in the Ozark Mountains. I might not get any pictures posted for a while, so check out their website if you’d like to see our home for the month! We have no cell phone reception and can get only one snowy PBS channel on ye old TV, so this will be a quiet month for us to catch up with reading. The surroundings are very condusive for quiet time with the Lord! One of the staff memebers has offered her internet connection which I will be taking advantage of, but I don’t want to be too pushy and overstay my welcome. We’ll start work on Monday – mostly on a new building they are working on. The staff has been great and our other SOWER couple has been easy to get to know. I think it will be a good month! We might even get in some horseback riding! Whoee!!!