Packing for a Journey

August 2, Wednesday

1 Timothy 6:17
. . . nor trust in uncertain riches,
but in the living God,
who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Who (GOD) not only has all good, but dispenses it liberally for the supply of the wants of all his creatures; and he does not give merely what is necessary, but he gives what tends to render life comfortable. He not only gives us a bare subsistence, but he gives us enjoyments.
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When I pack for a journey-
it doesn’t matter if it is for a few days
or an around the USA marathon-
I invariably take the same type of treasures.

My Books

my Bible, a note pad, pencils and pens,
and at least 3 three books for pleasure reading

My own coffee cup, or two or three.

Can you tell I like red?
I’ve been known to bring a coffee maker
if I wasn’t sure there was one in the room.
I’ve brought my own flavored coffee, #1 hazelnut,
and usually a variety of tea bags.
A real plate and bowl, flatware and cloth napkins.
If I’m on vacation, even my casual dining,
i.e. McDonald’s is eaten from a china plate with a cloth napkin.
I don’t like paper or Styrofoam.

Candles – my favorite is Ginger Peach from Pier One.

My Pillow – and sometimes another

because I like to sit propped up in bed,
sometimes reading, sometimes handwork.

A hand work project,

knitting, crochet, counted cross-stitch or embroidery.
Usually two or three projects,
because I might finish one
and then where would I be?
I have even taken my sewing machine just in case.

Something alive.

Miniature orchids and African violets are my favorite.
They are hardy and the blooms last a long time.
This last trip I took a small pot of succulents given to me.
I don’t know why but they didn’t like to travel
and came home almost dead.

Audio books.
I love being read to while driving,
doing hand work and as I fall asleep.
Sleeping books are stories I know
and are like white noise, only better.
Imagine a picture of a phone,
that’s where my audio books are.

I like the balance of seeing and experiencing the new
while having the comfort of the familiar.

July 28 – Day 78 – Friday

July 28 – Day 78 – Friday

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Let us deeply consider our own frailty, and the shortness and uncertainty of life, that we may live for eternity, acquaint ourselves with thee and be at peace; that we may die in thy favor and live and reign with thee eternally. Clarke’s Commentary
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We started our day at the Black Bear Diner
having breakfast with Matt and Jamie Topper,
my nephew and his wife. They have just moved to
Carson City from Las Vegas and they’re settling in well.
We’re glad they live closer and will be able to visit oftener.

Next a thimble hunt

We found a thimble hiding in the 1914 Sears & Roebuck kit house,
I wanted to take the house home with me.


Yes, a Christmas tree.
This trip has been a gift.
Our Fifty years have been a gift.
Each and every day we have left to be together will be a gift.

On the road again.

We didn’t see a sign like this anywhere but in Nevada.

Lake Tahoe

Back in California at Stateline, CA

Isn’t this a pretty sign.

At the California Agriculture Inspection station,
they ask to look in our fridge and at our firewood.
They took the Farmer’s limes;
not in a marked bag and no label.

On Wednesday, May 10, I filled the gas tank
at this gas station on San Juan and Madison.
24.02 gals. @ $247.9 per gallon, $59.95 odometer read 139026.

On Friday, July 28, the Farmer filled the gas tank
at the same gas station
25.01 gals’ @ $2.479 per gallon, $62.00 odometer 152367.

the Farmer’s first words as we entered the property
Look at the weeds!

One of his first actions after unhooking the Suburban from the trailer.

Stats:
In 79 days We drove 13,341 miles through 38 states.
After I get a thimble in Carmichael,
I’ll have 37 thimbles, 2 bobbins, and one mini bolt of woven cloth

We spent $11,155.= 0.87 cents per mile
52% went for gas and lodging.
1.7% went for thimbles, etc.

Sequence finally score the Farmer 40, the Grannie 41!

On July 14, i goofed on my day count,
today is really Day 79.

The Morning and and Evening of the seventy-ninth day.

Thursday and Friday written and posted on Sunday, July 30
because I had no internet when we arrived home
and I didn’t want to go to McDonald’s.
A few catch-up comments may appear in the near future.

I was asked today if I would do this again.
I answered ‘In a heart beat, but it wouldn’t be 79 days”
(these old bones, don’t like that much bouncing around
on the United States Highways and Byways,)

Thanks for jorneying with us,
praying for us,
sharing your homes with us,
feeding us,
letting us feed you
and for all the love we have received.

May God bless you all is our prayer.

July 27 – Day 77 – Thursday

July 27 – Day 77 – Thursday

Psalm 88:2
Let my prayer come before thee:
incline thine ear unto my cry;

My Prayer is weak and helpless, though fervent and sincere: take all hinderances out of its way, and let it have a free passage to thy throne. Clarke’s Commentary
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Leaving Antelope Valley Fairgrounds RV Park, Lancaster, CA,
we’re starting to get that anxious feeling, I wanna go Home!

Yes, we are in California.

?

From Lancaster we took hwy 14 north to 395.
THe drive up the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountains
was varied and beautiful.
Mountains with patches of snow,
Lakes, valleys, rivers and high desert’

[

Mono Lake

Conway summit 8138 feet and 6 cell towers.

Friday, 5:39pm entered Nevade
our drive for the day is almost over.

My view at Comstock County RV Resort, Carson City, NV.

The Morning and Evening of the seventy-seventh day.

July 26 – Day 76 – Wednesday

July 26 – Day 76 – Wednesday

Psalm 86:11
Teach me thy way, O LORD;
I will walk in thy truth:
unite my heart to fear thy name.

Instruct me in the steps I should take; for without thy teaching I must go astray.
Clarke’s Commentary

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Once more I’m missing dear ones in Phoenix before I even leave.

We’re on the road again
after a break from getting up every day
and getting in the sub to be bounced and jostled
beyond our control.

Yes, that part is getting old.

Ahhhhh, California

all the way to Lancaster, CA

My view

And open windows and door, comfortable wind
airing and drying our little home.

The Morning and Evening of the seventy-sixth day.

July 25 – Day 75 – Tuesday

July 25 – Day 75 – Tuesday

Psalm 85:10
Mercy and truth are met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Mercy and peace are on one side; truth and righteousness on the other. Truth requires righteousness; mercy calls for peace.
They meet together on the way; one going to make inquisition for sin, the other to plead for reconciliation. Having met, their differences on certain considerations, not here particularly mentioned are adjusted; and their mutual claims are blended together in one common interest; on which peace and righteousness immediately embrace. Thus, righteousness is given to truth, and peace is given to mercy.
Now, Where did these meet? In Christ Jesus.
When were they reconciled? When he poured out his life on Calvary.
Clarke’s Commentary
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I enjoyed being back in Phoenix,
a city I’m somewhat familiar with the streets and
how to get around without depending completely on Google.

Tuesday no rain, but humid.

the Farmer did more yard work in the morning.
Brother Klemstein came to the church and
they had a good visit, or so I’m told.

I got a girl’s day out again.
Sister Cindy Klemstein invited me to lunch.
We had a lot of catching up to do.
How the Lord had blessed both of us
since we last were together!

A short visit at Sister Bonnie’s,
Sister Cindy is the Grandma to Sawyer.
So some spoiling needed to be done.

Brother Klemstein and the Farmer met
Sister Cindy, Sister Donna and I
for a Mexican dinner. Yum
Then all, but sis Donna,
went to the Klemstein’s for ice cream and visiting.

The rear acres of the property is planted
in alfalfa, I think, It’s just coming up.
It looks so nice.

If you come to visit,
you may see many varieties of birds, including doves,
a brown horse, a big black cow, little cotton tail rabbits,
a kind of ground squirrel that looks like a gopher,
lizards galore and red ants.
I like watching the cotton tails.

The Morning and the Evening of the seventy-fifth day.

July 24 – Day 74 – Monday

July 24 – Day 74 – Monday

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield:
the LORD will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

To illuminate, invigorate, and warm; to protect and defend all such as prefer him and his worship to everything the earth can produce.
To pardon, purify, and save the soul from sin: and then he will give glory to the sanctified in his eternal kingdom; and even here he withholds no good thing from them that walk uprightly. Well, therefore, might the psalmist say, Clarke’s Commentary

“O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.”
Psalm 84:12
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Our morning was cloudy, grey and raining,
not hard but consistent until about 1:00pm.

Then the Farmer went out and puttered around the Church property,
trimming, raking and weeding.
Activities high on his want to do list.

I left about 11:00 for Tempe, AZ
(which is like Elk Grove to Carmichael)
and had lunch with my cousin, Trisha Topper.
We haven’t been together very much as adults
so it was a getting to know you – becoming friends.
My Favorite kind of time.

I found a Wholefood’s in Tempe and bought ice cream.

I went on a thimble hunt in Chandler, AZ
(Tempe to Chandler is like Carmichael to Fair Oaks)
and had success at Merchants Square

The black dot marks the hiding place.

See the sun burst design, that is on the Arizona flag.
ANNND, see the waffles – I didn’t make it to the Waffle House,
maybe next time.

A little necessary shopping at the outlets
about 32 miles north and east from Chandler,
I’m not sure any thing is close in Phoenix area.

Home again, Home again

watching this beautiful sunset and

enjoying my dinking around day,

Sequence was on the agenda again.
we started 39 the Farmer to 37 the Grannie

I won all the games until the last one
the Farmer ended the game with his 1st win of the evening.

The Morning and the Evening of the seventy-fourth day.

July 23 – Day 73 – Sunday

July 23 – Day 73 – Sunday

Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Being able to attend services regularly
is a blessing I’ve really learned to cherish.
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I love this Phoenix valley,
surrounded my mountains and on this west side
green fields of cotton and alfalfa.

Sunday Morning Worship Service
with the Church of God, on Jackrabbit Trail in Goodyear, AZ
We have come to love and appreciate these dear Saints.

Bro James from Long Beach, CA brought the lesson

Proverbs 12:1-5
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge:
but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD:
but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
A man shall not be established by wickedness:
but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:
but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous are right:
but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

‘hateth reproof’ – secretly despises God’s law

There are some who on the surface seem to love God’s way
but inwardly despise the teaching of God,
picking and choosing to obey what they want.
What a dangerous place to be found despising God’s law.

Proverbs 15:10
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way:
and he that hateth reproof shall die.

What a sobering thought!

We had lunch with Bro Bihn and Sis Bonnie’s family and
Saints. Sharing fellowship and burdens.

Later in the afternoon, we attended the Rest Home Service
held where Bro Jerry Albert is staying.
Those seniors seemed to really enjoy singing
the gospel songs they have known for so long.

the Farmer and I went to Sprouts for groceries,
the to Safeway to use the internet.
I posted four days of our journey.

Our spot

The Morning and Evening of the seventy-third day.

July 22 – Day 72 – Saturday

July 22 – Day 72 – Saturday

Psalm 81:10
I am the LORD thy God,
which brought thee out of the land of Egypt:
open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Let thy desires be ever so extensive, I will gratify them if thou wilt be faithful to me. Thou shalt lack no manner of thing that is good. Clarke’s Commentary
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Good-by, Dear Friends
It is so hard to say good-by.

On down the mountain to hot Phoenix.

We meet with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Bev Topper for lunch
at Black Bear Diner in Tempe.
We got caught up on the news
and shared experiences of our trip.
We so enjoyed our too short time together.

West of downtown Phoenix, isn’t she pretty.

Always good to see a flag flying,
even if not on a pole.

We arrived at the Church of God property in Goodyear, AZ
safe and sound, then set up in the place we call ours.

Dinner invitation was waiting at
Bro. Bihn and Sis Bonnie Nguyen’s family
and Saints.
A perfect end to our day.

The Morning and Evening of the seventy-second day.

July 21 – Day 71 – Friday

July 21 – Day 71 – Friday

Psalm 80:17-18
Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand,
upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
So will not we go back from thee:
quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.

The only person who can be said to be at the right hand of God as intercessor, is Jesus the Messiah. Let him become our Deliverer: appoint him for this purpose, and let his strength be manifested In our weakness! Clarke’s Commentary
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We helped Margaret and Chuck with some yard work
the Farmer mowed,
hit a sprinkler head,
replaced the sprinkler head,
and weed-eated ( that sounds strange).
nd put together and hung their new porch swing,
i did some sweeping, raking and cleanup,

The porch is a nice place to visit.

Elk travel through their yard,

looking for snacks, They ate all the apples on this tree they could reach,

Weather was comfortable,
in the high 70’s and humidity in 70’s
not at unbearable.

Good ol’ thunder storm in the afternoon,
after our work was done.

Dinner and a delightful evening,
again of laughter, stories, and bonding friendship.

The Morning and Evening of the seventy-first day.

July 20 – Day 70 – Thursday

July 20 – Day 70 – Thursday

Psalm 79:13
So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever:
we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.

Of whom thou thyself art the Shepherd. Let us not be destroyed by those who are thy enemies; and we, in all our generations, will give thanks unto thee for ever. Clarke’s Commentary
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New Mexico’s beauty to my eyes.

Hello Arizona, my old friend

At Holbrook, AZ on Hwy 40, we stopped for Lunch about 1120,
found out it was really 1020.
We ate any way.

Sign on restaurant wall.
the Farmer thinks this is true.
We did a little thimble hunting at a
Quilt/Antique shop, nice fabric , limited antiques.
no thimble except those packaged on the wall.

From hwy 40 we drove to the end of 377
to the end of hwy 277, turning right onto 260.
through the Apche-Sitgreaves national forest.
Signs starting on 377 and continuing,
state we were driving on the ‘Hash Knife Pony Express route’.

What a contrast to be driving through beautiful trees
instead of high desert (as high as 7200 elevation).

Acres and acres of forest

We found Chuck Code and Aunt Margaret’s home easily down this road.
WE had an enjoyable visit with Aunt Margaret
while waiting for Chuck returned from Phoenix.
Then we all went to dinner at Tiny’s,

the Farmer riding with Chuck in this.
Much conversation and laughter.

View from my window

The Morning and Evening of the seventieth day.