The Great American Journey

GAP WALK JOURNALS - VIII

Saturday and Sunday - October 25 - 26,  2008

Day -  234 - 235

Walking Days - 106       Total GAP miles 1832.7

Saturday we packed up our stuff, loaded the car, and then
headed to the hospital where we went up to see Lois and Isaiah
and his family as they waited in ICU where his brother, Josh,  is
a patient.  We sat and talked with the family awhile, then Isaiah
asked if we’d like to see Josh since we’ve been praying for him
and all. I instantly said, “Yes.”

Isaiah took us into Josh’s room where their dad, Jim, was
waiting with him. After greeting one another, I introduced
myself to Josh, not really knowing if he could hear me or not.
He began to move his hands a bit, so I do think he understood.
Then I asked if it would be alright to pray together for Josh, so
we all gathered around his bed, and I prayed. We stayed only a
little longer, then went back into the waiting room.

There we talked just a bit more with the family, then had prayer
with them before taking Lois with us to go have some breakfast.
We decided to eat in the hospital cafeteria - pretty good food.
We had a great visit with Lois again. While we were there we
heard a lullaby played over the loudspeaker. A nurse behind us
said that meant that a baby had just been born. We thought that
was pretty cool.

Then we had to say good-bye to Lois and head on our way to
Louisville, Kentucky. We had a wonderful time with Lois these
two days. It was really good to meet Isaiah’s family, though we
all would have preferred to meet under better circumstances.
However, it was also good to see how Isaiah’s family really
came together, and how much they cared for one another. What
a great family.

I drove as we started out. It was a beautiful drive through the
hills covered with beautiful trees - some showing their full
colors, and others beginning to turn. Our road took us into
Virginia for awhile and back into Tennessee again and then into
Kentucky. This route had taken us through the tunnel at
Cumberland Gap. Then at last we came to Louisville, via
Lexington.

After we got settled in our motel we went to get a little dinner,
then over to visit Jim and Carol - missionary clients of Dave’s
that he had never met - and their two teenagers, Nate and
Rebecca. What a delightful family. And, of course, I don’t want
to forget Cocoa, their happy, curious, fun puppy. They were
training him in manners with guests, and doing a great job of it.

We stayed only a short time, but had wanted to meet them all.
Carol is a doctor at a local hospital, and is on call Sunday. The
rest of the family we would see at church on Sunday.

Back at our motel, I got into bed as soon as possible. Dave
worked on the computer. He tells me that he went out to the car
later to get something, taking the key with him. Only when he
came back he discovered it wasn’t the key he had taken, but our
Choice Privileges Card. That doesn’t work too well as a key, so
he knocked on the door, tapped on the window, all to no avail - I
was sleeping soundly. Finally he went to the office and got
another key made. I guess I was tired.

Sunday we got up and ready for church, and headed out to meet
Jim, Nate, and Rebecca at St. Paul’s Methodist Church. It is a
beautiful old building, though we were meeting in a newer,
more modern building. The church service was a contemporary
one, and very good. We enjoyed the music, the people, and the
message. The message was an excellent one on stewardship. I
thought the youth pastor did a great job with this subject.

After church we talked with a few people, then went on to find a
place for lunch. We ended up at the Golden Corral Buffet where
we had a wonderful meal.

Back at the motel I worked on pictures, then the journal. I still
have to do the bookkeeping, but I left all the papers I needed for
that in another bag in the car. So the bookkeeping will get done
later. For now Dave and I are planning to go to an ice cream and
pie shop we saw down the street, then back here where he’ll
work on the computer for awhile while I relax for a bit.