To Phoenix..... and Beyond!!!

When we last left off we were on the road making our way to Phoenix, AZ. Many of you already know that our family lived in Phoenix for a brief period of our lives (very brief... about 6 weeks!). When we first began seriously looking for a place to live in AZ we made several trips between L.A. and Phoenix. It was during one of these trips that our car broke down in the middle of nowhere, 100 miles outside of Phoenix (with the weather reaching into the 110's... but who's counting?). God protected us and got us through the trial so amazingly that we constantly use that experience as a rememberence of his faithfulness. Since we were passing that same spot again for the first time in the five years, we decided to stop and "set up our memorial stone" (which we never actually did... we did pray and take a few photos though... does that count?). Here we are at the spot we lovingly call... Hovatter Road! (okay, okay, so we aren't very original) Note the various emotions that are passing through our minds at this moment.

Well, we made it to Phoenix in time for a delicious dinner of Chicken Curry and Rice with the Simms family. We enjoyed our fellowship so much that no photos were taken of our time together. The next day we enjoyed yet more Godly fellowship, first at church and then afterwards at the Simms' home where we were to share the company of two more families. Little did we know that we were in store for a great treat that afternoon.

One of the families who had been invited over brought a woman with them who has quite a story to tell. Joyce was born in Uganda to a Jewish mother and father. Her father was an embassador to the United Nations, and through his travels Joyce was able to meet a young boy who introduced her to Christ when she was fairly young. When Idi Amin came into power, Joyce's family was rounded up and slaughtered in front of her very eyes. Miraculously, Joyce's life was spared, but when the police saw that she was still alive they sent her off to a death camp (she was around 12 years old). At the camp they tortured her, but Christ sustained her so that she didn't cry out. Eventually they let her go, and from there she began walking over 1,000 miles to Kenya. Not once did she see any lions or snakes during her long trek across the African wild, and she felt the angel of the Lord traveling with her. From there she made it to America, where she has been ever since! Can you believe that! What an amazing story, and an even more amazing testimony! We are so greatful to have met this wonderful woman. Right now she needs prayer as she is battling cancer. Please join us in praying for her! Here we are with our new friend Joyce.

Later that evening, after all of the excitment, we decided to take a walk to the park. I don't know why but this is some of the only photographic evidence of our visit with the Simms Family... we were just having too much fun!
Here are the adults (plus one unnamed teen... guess who!)

...and here are the girls, three peas in a pod.

The next morning we said farewell to the Simms and set out on the open road. The following are photos from our first "real" traveling days (real meaning more than 400 miles in one day).

Mom is a great navigator.... Here she is helping Dad as we make our way through the great state of Texas.

... but sometimes Dad just needs to take things into his own hands... LITERALLY!

Eve is really enjoying some quality reading/coloring time on the road. As we pass through each state she reads about it and then colors a picture of the state, taking care to draw our traveling route across the map.

You've got to love homeschooling!

God Bless Texas!!!!

The best part of driving across country is seeing so much of God's beauty reflected in his creation. Don't be fooled though... in an hour or two those eyes will be shut and drool will be seeping out of the corner of my mouth.

And here is the view driving towards Kerrville, TX. Wow... Dad is acually using two hands!!! It's probably because his bike is on the top of the car, and the wind is whipping (this coming from Rachel... not from me!).

And now we leave you with a final video. This was taken in Houston, TX, 3 hours ago ( I know, I know, we should have been listening to country music, but sometimes you just need a little fiddlin' to prepare yourself for the Houston traffic). This will give you a little taste of the Texan's patriotic "pride-on-steroids".

Well, its off to Florida tomorrow to see Grandma Sandy and Mr. Ray. We're planning on being up at the crack of dawn (around 8 or 8:30 for those of you who don't know us), and we'll begin the drive into the promised land. More to follow... stay tuned!

The Schreds