Illinois Greeting

Walking through Wheaton, Il. I felt warmly welcomed when I saw the personal greeting for the Cruiser.....isn't this extraordinary. How in the world did they know I was coming?
THEN, I remembered -----Those azure and blue colors (and the giant M) meant those good folks were fans of the University of Michigan, not the Cruiser and me. Well, they might be if they just knew us.
Being an Ohio State grad, I choose to cheer for the blue of the Cruiser, not the blue of our arch enemy!
But, it still felt great to be acknowledged so far away from home.

My Kind of Town

Driving from Benton Harbor, MI to Wheaton, IL allowed me to skirt one of my favorite cities of all --- -Chicago. As I threw coins and coins and coins into their toll boxes, I remembered the years I spent in and out of O'Hare, sales calls around the downtown corridor, discovering the tastiness of Maggiano's and visits to the Art Institute. My kind of town, Chicago is!

Revive Our Hearts

I bet you don't know where Buchanan, MI is! That is where I spent my day yesterday. Nancy Leigh DeMoss is the host of the Revive Our Hearts radio ministry, as well as the True Woman national seminars.

The final taping for the Spring season began at 8:15 yesterday and ended at 5:15 on Wednesday. After receiving an invitation to sit in, I reconfigured my schedule. WHAT A GREAT DECISION.

Nancy taped 8 radio programs and facilitated an after-taping session with the audience of women. This road trip has been a time of hearing God's voice. You would think in the woods, I would be totally tuned in to Him, but not always so. The Cruiser has been anointed by the Lord to be His ministry vehicle for me. It takes me from place to place of divine encounters.

As Nancy moved from program to program, I felt the arms of God wrapping around me, warming my heart, and urging me to seek and serve Him with a heart of love and enthusiasm.

After such a long day, Nancy graciously invited her out of towners to share dinner at her lovely home situated on a cliff overlooking the St. Joseph river. Just one more breathtaking example of God's handiwork.

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/ is her website. She will be in Ft. Worth October 14-16 for a True Woman meeting. They are expecting over 10,000 women to participate.

I don't know if I told you, but one of the "learnings" on this trip has been a clarifying of my current mission. I believe God has been saying, "Feed My Sheep." I think he is calling me to an even more purposeful ministry of encouragement and hope. This day with Nancy increased my passion for God and His women.

Nancy and my Dad were friends....interesting to see how the influence of Godly Dads plays out.

Niagara Falls with No Gun and No Guy!

My friend, Reagan Gasaway, checked in with me as I started out. "Girl, do you have a gun with you?" "No, God will watch over me." "Brenda, I don't think God would care at all if you had a gun with you."

Then, we talked about my itinerary. When I got to Niagara Falls, he asked if I was still going to be by myself. "Of course ---- this is a solo journey." "What fun is that? Niagara Falls with no guy?"

Immediately, I thought it sounded like a great country western theme ---- Niagara Falls with no gun and no guy.

I have done well just doing Smith without Wesson. God has watched over me with such great care.

Niagara Falls was one of the great surprises and gifts of the trip (even without a guy!)

I planned it as one of the shorter drive days to allow myself a morning in Brockville. My dear, sweet sister in the Lord, Diana Dodge shared her morning with me, so it was a good strategy.

The reservation I made at the Marriott was for the backside of the building on a AAA rate. Fine with me.

When I checked in, the gracious woman noticed I am still a gold customer with them, so she upgraded me. And upgrade me she did! I had a gorgeous room looking out at the falls (both American and Canadian) with an unobstructed view. I was just dazzled. That afternoon's rain moved out before I checked in, leaving a rainbow over the falls......it felt like a Universal Studios set.

At 9pm the colored lights over the falls came on --- I was just mesmerized. After sitting in the Jacuzzi tub with its own view of the falls, I pulled up the luxurious linens, and took in hour after hour of God's handiwork.

"Oh, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your work in all of the earth." When we think of His voice being like that of roaring waters, Niagara gives us a hint of this powerful resonance.

I was so grateful for this quiet evening.

Oh, the pic was taken from my hotel room window!

Garden of Hope and Faith Walk - part 2

Garden of Hope and Faith Walk - part 1 of 2

I promised some pics of the Garden in Brockville, Ontario. I think this post is better left without narration. It is a work of love ---- it took 5 years to complete. I do hope you will have the blessing of walking through and experiencing the grand work of God's grace.

One word: the main sculpture through the meadow area is the Lord leading His sheep. Off to the side is one sheep with the scripture: "All we like sheep have gone astray." I loved that little sheep ---- I have been that little sheep. All praise be to the Good Shepherd and His love for us.

Amish Country

While driving through central Ohio from Cincinnati to Akron, I took the back roads....the Cruiser really LOVES the rolling hills and the freedom from the Interstate. Me, too!

I passed a beautiful farm house and noticed a clothesline in the back. Pulling into the driveway, I asked the young woman cutting the grass (with a manual rotary mower) for permission to snap a quick photo of the line. Her face seemed to say, "You crazy 21st century people.....you drive around by yourself in a bright blue car, asking to take pictures of black pants hanging out to dry." The irony of it did strike me.

Just a few miles down the road was Dick's Wicker and Buggy Makers. Oh, what a treat! I walked into his workplace seeking permission. He happily said yes, and then shared his stories of being an international wicker specialist. People from all over the world ship their badly deteriorated wicker pieces to Dick who skillfully restores them. He proudly described his web site and the way his global business has grown.

Did you know a buggy with wicker fittings can cost $10,000? And that is WITHOUT the horse! :) I think the Cruiser was feeling proud of its value ---- it seemed to wink at me as he described the cost of these motorless vehicles.

Dick was a former 18-wheeler long haul driver. After 40 years, his doctor made him retire and his hobby of wicker work fit perfectly with the needs of his Amish community. They have accepted him into their midst and he truly feels at home.

Oh, you can check him out at http://www.dickswickerandbuggy.com/