Travels

How is everyone?

This weekend was a lot of fun. Sister Jackie Zimmerman and I traveled to Michie and Milan, Tennessee, for a Ladies' Day and a boost. So I thought I'd tell you about our journey.

We left on Friday afternoon around 3:00 for Jackson, Tennessee, which is a somewhat decent "halfway" point between the two cities. Normally, it would have taken probably around 5 1/2 hours to make the trip, however, the weather was horrendous. (Thanks, by the way, to all who were praying for us, because we really needed it.) We had to stop a few times because the rain was so heavy that literally you couldn't see the road. And it was daylight. The very last time we stopped before arriving in Jackson was at an Arby's...which was inside of a truck stop. But it was very nice. Suddenly as we were enjoying our meal, a voice comes over the loud speaker and says,

"NOW SERVING SHOWER CUSTOMER NUMBER 68, PLEASE USE SHOWER NUMBER 3. NOW SERVING SHOWER CUSTOMER NUMBER 68, PLEASE USE SHOWER NUMBER 3."

It reminded me of being at the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport trams, and as you approach a concourse, you hear this pleasant, poised voice say, "NOW APPROACHING CONCOURSE D, AS IN DAVID. PLEASE STAND CLEAR OF THE EXIT AT ALL TIMES." While eating Arby's! Ha!

We finally arrived in Jackson probably around 8 local time to a nice hotel and comfy bed. Then the next morning, it was off the Michie for the Ladies' Day.

It was really an encouragement to be there! Probably about 25 ladies attended, if I estimated correctly. Sister Leslei Moncreif used the theme "That Your Joy May Be Full," and there were four different speakers with the topics Joy Is a Requirement, Joy through Trials, Joy Must Be Visible, and Joy in the Word. Then Sister Jackie preached in the afternoon about how our love for one another affects the fullness of our joy. It was really good. The church building was an old bar (or, "joint," as Brother McElmore told me in only the way he can) but it was nicely decorated and you just felt right at home. The only sign I found of this building's days of old was the horseshoe suspended from a pulley that served as a weight to hold the restroom door open when unoccupied. Ha! Pretty wild. I must confess, as much as I love to travel, I have typically avoided going in places that are out in the middle of nowhere, and especially where my cell phone has no signal. But it is amazing how the Lord has completely taken that aversion from me, and being in Michie on Saturday was definitely proof of that. It was so cool to be able to fellowship with the ladies there. They are quite a ways further from everyone else in Tennessee, and it was an honor to encourage them and show them that they are loved.

The next morning we headed off to Milan. Milan is only about 30 minutes from Jackson, and the drive was pretty easy. Of course, I say that because I wasn't the one driving. Anyway, it SEEMED easy. The Sunday School lesson and service were very good. Again, good fellowship and such a privilege to have been there! Sister Jackie and I both gave a boost, then we dismissed and chatted for a few minutes before hitting the road to come home.

And thank the LORD that all the rain and severe weather that was supposed to hit the area went further south on Sunday. Of course, I hope the other areas were not hit too hard with it. We made it all the way to Nashville before running into any really hard rain, but it didn't seem to last too long, and by the time we reached Murfreesboro it had slacked off. I think we made it home around 8:30 last night.

Well there you have it. The Chronicles of a State Booster, Part Two. But before I go, here's a good picture for you:



That's right...Bucksnort. There is actually a town with that name. I tried to take a picture of the exit sign on I-40 that said "Bucksnort", but my camera didn't take it fast enough. I had heard of it before, but just in case any of you hear me mention it, and don't believe it actually exists, here's some proof.

Have a glorious week! Until the next time.

*Shanna*