There aren't any more holes in the middle!

So we left off in Illinois while staying at Scott Air Force Base.  While there, we got in some fishing, had to have some work done on the RV, and took the truck in to have some minor things done.  Well, we met a fine feller' who loved our story and family and did a massive once over on the truck...and...did we ever appreciate that!  While we thought we were just going to be getting some fluids changed, we found out that we had a leaking axle seal and leaking water pump.  Both of which are no good by themselves.  They're even worse when pulling an RV full time.  We left the truck for a few days and got an SUV.  All I will say is that we missed our truck.  Don't get me wrong, the vehicle was a 2018 Chevy and was great...but it wasn't our truck.  Anyway, we ended up with the truck back, everything covered by warranty, and a new friend to call on.  While there, we not only get to spend a great amount of time with parents but David Lee (our 20 year old) also drove in for a few days and stayed with us.  We had a blast!

This was our chariot for a few days.  Couldn't pull our house but got us around while the truck got worked on. 

David's favorite meal that his daddy makes...chicken and dumplin's. He's in on it this time.  I told him this is about the time that I start teaching him the tricks of the trade.

David and Kamryn doing a little fishing.

I had heard of albino catfish but hadn't seen one.  Zachary pulled this one in

There was something special on base for the kids and they got to experience a "deployment line"

On top of seeing our parents while in Illinois, we got to see many other members of our family.  Cousins of ours have something called "Redneck Days" every year and it involves cool/funny games, shooting, eating, shooting, bows, shooting, and more!  So, a simple idea of us putting on a few t-shirts turned into a full blown outfit for us to wear that day.  We introduce Bub, Bubba, Bubber, Bubby, Bubble, and Mrs B.  We had a blast (no pun intended).

Getting ready to go. 

Grandma, grandpa, and their grandkids. 

This led to some sore arms the next day!

David told me later that night, "...I didn't know you could do that...".  This was right after I got to fix his finger with some Super Glue when he cut it open. 

 So we left Illinois and headed to Iowa.  We stayed at an Army Corps of Engineer campground and loved it.  We were right on the water and had a great time and met a ton of people here.  We even got to watch someone's boat for them while they took care of some family business.  They knocked on our door and said we looked like "trustworthy people" (little did they know...just kidding!) and we kept an eye on it.  We actually ended up getting to get to know him and his family a bit, spending some time on his boat, and he pulled the kids on the tube.  We also met a family that we spend a bunch of time with that was from the same area that I used to visit in California when I was a kid all the time.  They lived very close!  We laughed with them, their kids, and their grandkids and have an invite back for a BBQ next time through.  We also had the pleasure of meeting a family from Chicago that were there on vacation.  They were great to talk with and let us know of a little ice cream joint that I decided to go on a date with my wife to.  Yup, we had a date.  We don't get too many anymore, but we had some good ice cream that night...and then we took the kids back two days later! Kamryn also had a friend right next door to us that was a granddaughter of some great folks that lent me a ton of stuff, he had everything and I was thankful!  We even got to dog sit (Kelly and the kids were ecstatic at the offer) and they fell in love with another neighbor's pugh puppy.  Personally, I enjoyed the adult company and thought the pugh was funny/cute but I was happy for my family! Then, Zachary saw a guy with a tshirt that we received from a YWAM base and asked him where he got it.  That led to a night full of chatting about what we have been doing for 2 years and how they have talked about doing the same thing and would love to do so.  We met so many people at this park it was amazing!  It was like we were making us for lost time while were enjoying time with family in Illinois and Missouri.  We also had the chance to use our new sandwich makers.  Our friends Mike and Holly showed these to us years ago and we made some pies but I have never bought any even though I have wanted them.  We found some cast iron ones at a store (and they had a rebate) and we got them cheap!  I seasoned them for about 60 minutes.  In the fire, oil, cool, fire, oil, cool, etc and they were ready.  We used those things for about three days straight for every meal and loved them; yo name it and we made it! 

Getting closer to filling in the holes.  We just filled in Iowa!  Nebraska is the only one left besides the East Coast!

Caleb is becoming quite the breakfast chef.  Here is cooking on the lake in Iowa. 

This is how Kamryn naps.  If you have been reading for any time at all, you have noticed that she loves puppies and taking naps ANYWHERE!

Just hanging.

Playing on the Iowa River.

Zachary reached down and caught a fish with his hands (this is not the first time he has done this by the way) and Kamryn wanted to kiss it before it went on its way. 

We had the slackline up and some neighbors came home.  Yup, we all had a shindig, everyone ended up on it and we all had s'mores and some great conversation that night.  This is why we love this journey so much. 

These were the kids that played on the slackline and we had s'mores with. 

She was so happy when they were going to get to puppy sit. 

I think they wore each other out. 

I "schooled" the kids on the ins and outs of catching lightning bugs and told them that they could stay up late.  They poked holes in a mason jar lid, I lit them up with some glow sticks, and they had a blast!  They said, "This is the best night ever!"

We came inside and there was a hitchhiker on Kamryn's forehead!

Doing some laundry. 

Out on the tube with new friends. 

 While in Iowa, we visited another National Park (duuuh).  This time we visited the home of Herbert Hoover, our 31st President.  He had quite a nominal upbringing.  Father had a blacksmith shop but died.  "Bert's" (Herbert Hoover) mother did all she could to continue to support her three children by earning income but died and he ("Bert) was orphaned at nine years old and the story continues from there.  He was raised in a Quaker community and this greatly influenced his "Peaceful" philosophies.  We learned that he started many organizations that still exist today.   

This was "Bert's" home as a boy.  his family of five lived in this two room house. 

We thought this was neat.  This is a statue of "The goddess of life" that the people of Belgium presented to Herbert Hoover for his actions during WWI.  They wanted to show their appreciation for his humanitarian actions.  It was placed looking directly at his boyhood home about 50 yards away. 

They are getting their workbooks checks by the ranger. 

 We left Iowa and headed to Nebraska.  When we went through Kansas, it was windy.  When we drove through Nebraska, it was very windy.  I was quite thankful for the diesel instead of our old gas engine.  We made it to Offut Air Force Base and got checked in on a beautiful lake.  The wind continues to blow but we were able to hook up with a very special someone here.  It is Kelly's youth leader from when she was about 13.  We are hanging out and sharing stories and being blessed by him and his house and his mission/calling; he's great.  He invited us to hang out with a few Airman a few nights ago during a get together in the dorm which was quite neat.  Something else interesting happened also...while at church on Sunday, I asked Kelly to take me to the Emergency Room (it had little to nothing to do with the preaching :)   )  I have had some issues with my heart over the last few years with extra beats but it was BAD this day.  She took me and dropped me off and I got to stay in the ER for a few hours.  Everything ended okay though and had great conversation!  I have some follow up to do and we will see how things end up. 

The hole is gone!  We now have to move to the East.

Tons of fun! 

This is Ivory.  He was in out wedding and we haven't seen him since.  We sure are enjoying his company though. 

  

I don't know if you can tell or not but Kamryn is holding a turtle.  It is the largest box turtle I have ever seen!  It was in the road and we stopped to move it (in a straight line for you turtle lovers). I thought it was a snapping turtle because it was so large.  But of course they wanted to show it a little love before we told it, "Bye."

We just wanted to show that we have routine house maintenance also. 

 While here in Nebraska, we have completed our 78th National Park.  We visited the first homestead site of the Homestead Act of 1862 and learned all about it.  I continue to be amazed at the amount of history there is to learn about this country!  We had to drive about 1hr 45min to get here and I wondered what there would be to see at a "homestead monument" but I was floored at the education that we received today.  How many people succeeded, how many didn't, who and how people came to claim their homesteads, how they survived, the negative of what this Act caused...the education just kept going on and on...again. The kids also said it was worth the drive and they enjoyed earning another Jr Ranger badge so that made it all worth it. 

A part of today's school day was learning all about the Homestead Act of 1862.

Getting their Jr Ranger badge

12 people lived in this 14 ft x 16 ft house for 15 years.  Amazing, isn't it?

#78

Well, a typical few weeks, huh.  Many miles covered, many stories to tell.  I didn't know which ones to tell so I rambled for a bit.  I didn't even share all of the ones of all of the people that we have met.  The Lord has put so many people in our path over these last few weeks, it has been amazing.  As we go into this third year of travel, we wonder many things.  Some of those things are where will we go next (we don't really plan too far ahead), how long will it last (this was supposed to be a 12 month trip and we're on our third year), and how will the Lord use us?

Until next time...