Wednesday

Sorry for the late post! Yesterday was extreme driving through Kansas. We loved the scenery. We learned about hay bales round and rectangular. We got the horse and cow thing figured out. We even saw some incredible, big horned, bulls. Then there were the oil rigs pumping oil out of the ground. We stayed mostly on two lane highways and passing farm equipment and semis filled with alfalfa become a roller coaster ride. I have nothing bad to say about Kansas. At one of our potty stops the girls hands flew up to their noses and they exclaimed, "Eeew! What is that smell?" My city girls weren't sure about the smell of alfalfa and manure. I instantly remembered my dad saying, "That's the smell of money girls!"

Once we finally arrived, it was the longest day of driving, a total of 12 hours. The girls still were happy, they napped on cue, they enjoyed one another, and the scenery. We sang songs. And, a few times we rolled all the windows down until stuff started flying around like crazy. Finally, we got here. The Stephens house was buzzing with activity. The twins were taking a guitar lesson with a few other kids from church and Mac the church musician was their teacher. They sounded great! There were warm hugs, big smiles and overflowing joy with the reception and kindness. It's so good to be with longtime friends. They made tacos in our honor and we were off to Southwood UCC.

Michael arranged for people who wanted to come by the church for an hour to say hi! The pillars were there, with more warm hugs, lots of excitement for the new call. It was really wonderful. I love these people who invited me in during seminary and then found a way to help me be ordained. My girls were so excited to see my picture on the wall with one of the confirmation classes and for ordination. Awesome! They have done so many wonderful things. They painted their concrete and created a labyrinth in their fellowship hall. It had Shalom written in Hebrew, Allah written in Islam, and the lotus flower to symbolize Buddism, and the globe as the center piece. This is their kind of ministry. Where the world is invited in and celebrated for all of God's beautiful creation. They'd also redone their entire kitchen themselves and it is glorious. They put many of their counters on wheels so that they can have a completely open concept. This architecture reflects their theology, open, welcoming, warm, diverse. Really awesome! They lay leadership is deep and wide, and after Michael's 8 years at Southwood, it is thriving. What a blessing and covenant they have with him and he has with them. Beautiful. I feel so lucky that they have touched my life and I had the privilege of being a part of theirs.

Today we are going to the Kansas City Zoo, playing with dogs and jumping on the trampoline. But the thing the girls are most excited about is running in the grass. Hopefully, I'll post again tonight to let you know how it all goes. I throw down to both Melissa and Karen, you're going to have to send the baked goods. It's true we're only half way, but I'm going to make it. We're having a blast. Of course, you both motivated me with home baked goods. The only thing that works faster than that is diet coke or whipped cream…no chance! We all send our love from the half way point of Missouri!