If you’re tired of me posting sunset pictures, just let me know. It probably won’t change anything, but hey, I’d love to hear from you!

Sorry for the delay in getting any updates posted. The “no internet” connection has been a good learning tool for me. I must WAIT and BE ORGANIZED for when I have the opportunity to get online. So, here is a quick up-date of our comings and goings for the last week or so….

We had a great weekend seeing the sights in the area. We did make it to Starved Rock State Park, which is a lovely park on the Illinois River with lots of hiking and interesting history. After our time there we headed across the river to the US Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. We were able to watch several huge barges (pushed by one lonely tugboat) go through Lock 14. It was very interesting, and another “first” for us. Our Sower friends Lee and Esther Smith joined us for the day. (Their “story” is very similar to ours – they are just our age, quit their jobs, sold their house, and took off in a fifth wheel trailer to be full-time Sowers. Like us, they had never done any RV-camping before and also like us, they feel very honored and blessed to be part of the ministry. We’ve had a great time with them at this project, both at work and play!) We had a nice lunch out at a local spot, checked out a couple of winery tours and enjoyed some of the lovely Illinois scenery. Yes, there is more to Illinois than corn and soybeans. Although – there is plenty of that!
The rest of the weekend was spent doing chores and putzing around Lizzie (the RV). Even though it’s small, there are always things to do. Right now Gary is in the process of waxing her. It’s a several day job – and we’ve been in such a heat wave here, that it’s been hard to get motivated to be out in the hot sun.
And now here we are with just two days left at this project. Esther & I have been busy cleaning the 14 cabins, and I will definitely hire her when I open my B&B! Gary has been doing all kinds of things, from installing sliding boards to taking a day’s trip to look at some ice machines at a sister camp. It’s hard to believe we’ll be heading out in just two days. This has been a good project – we’ve had great community with our Sower Family, and we’ve been blessed by being used of the Lord here.
By early next week we’ll be in Columbus for a week with Toby, Tammy and the girls, and Josiah and Lara are planning on coming out for the weekend we’ll be there. We’re really looking forward to that!
From there we head to Smithville, Tennessee for another project – and then we’re still trying to figure out what to do in November. The great need on the Gulf Coast is weighing heavy on our hearts, and we’re praying about what God would have us to do to be a help there. We’ll keep you posted!

Just a quick post to say hello! After our outstanding weekend in Chicago, we’re back at work at Cedar Creek. I’ve been on the door painting detail – “Sweet Chocolate Brown” is now officially on my painting clothes! Every day is a new day – I think tomorrow I’ll be hemming curtains! It’s hard to believe that this “project” is already half over. We’ve certainly enjoyed our time here. This weekend we’re planning on going to Starved Rocks State Park… Hopefully this beautiful weather will hold (though they are pretty desperate for RAIN out here).
And I’ll be planning on another trip to my new favortie Ottawa place – Jeremiah Joe’s Cafe (with wireless internet!) Oh, we did find this great little church that meets right upstairs from the cafe – Christ Community Church. Very alive in the Lord! We were blessed by worshipping with them this past Sunday, and are looking forward to being there again this week.
Keeping those hurricane victims in our prayers – and trying to figure out how we can be of help.
Later, dear friends….

September 3, 2005

We’ve returned from Chicago- and my, oh, my – what a lovely city! We arrived mid-morning on Friday the 2nd and checked into our room at the Hyatt Melrose Place (24th floor!). We had a great view, and after we gawked at the skyline, we headed out to explore the city. And SO MUCH TO DO!!! Navy Pier, Michigan Ave (and the Magnificent Mile with store after store after store from Cartier to Gap), Millennium Park, Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain, the list goes on any on. From the top of the Hancock Observatory (94 floors above the city) to the Lincoln Park Zoo (free!) we only managed to scratch the surface of all that IS Chicago. The parks were amazingly beautiful, the stores outrageously expensive (ah, the blessing of window shopping), the fountains spectacularly designed, and our two day Chicago adventure was wonderfully memorable. We walked and walked and walked, and I have a couple of blisters to prove it! We were blessed with beautiful weather and a wonderful time of celebration of our 34th(!) anniversary.
Here are a couple of the pictures from the weekend – and there are others here if you’d like to check them out.
This is the daytime view from our hotel room -

And this is the nighttime view…..

There are parks galore in Chicago – and this is just one of the sculptures found in Millenium Park. Very Cool!

So…..if you ever get the chance to see Chicago – go for it! Watch out for the parking fees, though. While we got a great deal on the hotel room (thank-you Price-line) the parking garages cost us $40.00. Scheeeeez!