We went to Portland, ME for a day this past Thursday. The park provided tickets for the Red Socks farm team. While in Portland we had a delightful boat tour of the bay and the many light houses in the area. It was even more delightful being in the cool bay breezes as the temperature in Portland hit 90 that day.

Opening weekend broke records for high temperatures. The first day we worked together on the balloon chase (a Ferris wheel type ride). The second day Ginger was back on that ride and Richard was on the flying fish (a fun ride but very hot). The third day Ginger went to flying fish and Richard was on the Tractor ride. Next weekend Ginger does the Safari Jungle Tour. She gets to sit but must memorize a lot of speeches. It should be fun.

On Thursday we go up north somewhere to meet up with some friends we worked with in Adventureland, Shirley and Dick Green. We look forward to that day trip.

We were delighted with a phone call from son David. They have arrived safely in Melbourne for some R&R before going to their new assignment. We plan to fly down on Monday, June 4 to see them. We will have to return on Thursday as we work on Friday. Three days are short but better than none. We will update after our trip on Thursday.

Orientatiion

We spent Saturday and Sunday in orientation. On Sunday, while being trained on one of the rides, Richard look down the path, about 25 yards, and saw a black bear loping across the path toward the pavilion where we had just eaten lunch. There are a lot of bears here. They fence the dumpsters with 12-foot high fences and fence the fence with electrical fence. The bears still get in and make a mess. Sunday night, Ginger had to take Glee out around 3 AM. Needless to say, she was a little nervous in the dark. She didn’t want to make noise as to wake up others. She did survive (and so did Glee).

Monday, the sun finally came out for the first time since our arrival. We were able to see Mount Washington. Today we are going to two places, Echo Lake and something else (we’re not driving). Friday they have given us tickets for some kind of ball game in Portland. We will spend the time up there looking around.

Arrived at Story Land

Sorry for the delay. Ginger's computer caught a virus at the last posting at a Panera's. Richard is busy trying to restore it. Richard asked Ginger what she wanted for Mother's Day and she said, "Sit still." We found a Passport America campground and went to a Methodist college church Sunday morning. We sure miss the friendliness of our church. After church we drove to the "Grand Canyon of the East Coast" It is a steep, thin canyon of black granite rock with 3 levels of water falls. It was beautiful and we will try to post some photos. On Monday we continued up the road and stayed in another Wall-mart for the night. We discovered cool weather. We arrived in Story Land on Tuesday to find snow still on the surrounding ski slopes. Today, Thursday, the high will be in the low 50's. Our friends from Adventureland arrived yesterday and are in the site next to us. We've met the manager of the park and a few of the employees and think the work atmosphere will be delightful. We report for orientation on Saturday morning so will spend today and tomorrow checking out the surrounding area. This is a high tourist area with many attractions. We are enjoying the scenic views. There are moose, deer and bears here. Because of that, there is no dumpster near the RV's. It is chained up behind a fence.

Travel Part 2

We are sitting at Panera's enjoying their AC and good food and free Y5 in Columbus, Ohio. It was, finally, a very uneventful travel day. We seemed to hit rush hours in every major city. The heaviest was here in Columbus -much heavier than Cincinnati. Cincinnati looked very old and dirty but we did stop for lunch at White Castle. White Castle preceded the Crystal burger. Richard enjoyed it and Ginger waited to eat some left overs in the rig. Tomorrow we head through Cleveland Ohio and are hoping to find cooler temperatures. We are parked in a Super Wal-mart which was a challenge to find in the traffic. Of course, while here in Panera's we will forget our food plan and buy some goodies for breakfast.

On the Road, Part 1

Tonight, May 10, we are in a PA park in the Kentucky hills. It is nice to have full hook-ups after 2 nights in Wal-Mart parking lots. This has been a very memorable trip. It started out at home when Richard was backing up in our driveway with a blow out tire (of course, the inside dully). The road service could not get anyone out until 10 the next morning. After the tire was changed we drove the rig and car into town and bought a new spare. We hit the road around 1 in the afternoon. The next day, while Ginger was driving, the spare that they said was good and on the inside dully, spit off the tread. She was able to pull over to the side of I 40 (Memphis area) saving room for placement of a jack. We waited on the side of the interstate for 3 hours for the service to come. They are very polite drivers in Memphis during rush hour. A female truck drive let us in the rush hour traffic. We pulled into the next Wal-Mart/Sams parking lot to search for another new spare. They didn’t have our size but a Goodyear store across the road could get one by 10 the next morning. It was a hot and stormy night.

We left Memphis around 10:30 this morning and had an uneventful drive. The trees in the Kentucky hills say it’ early spring but the thermometer is higher than in TX. We will spend the evening in AC comfort and head on in the morning. We passed Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby and are just down the road from Mammoth Cave. We gave some SKP hugs to our neighbors then went inside to enjoy the AC. We look forward to whatever tomorrow’s adventures bring but will not take off very early. More next time we have a free Y5.

Leaving for New Hampshire

We were planning to leave for New Hampshire on Monday, May 7 but the night before, we were both so tired we decided to wait another day. On Tuesday afternoon we were going to back the RV out so we could put the car behind it and attached it but the RV wouldn't move. We discovered a big bubble on an inside tire. We let the air out and moved the rig over to the concrete during which that tire popped. The auto service said someone would be out within 3 hours. After an hour and a half the service called. It seems the tow truck driver didn't want to work any later that day and would not be available until 10 am the next morning. We are grateful to God for His timing and protection. It was so nice that this happened in our drive way and not on the side of a road somewhere. We have a good spare so will just go to town with the rim of the bad tire and have a new one put on. Then, we will head off this afternoon as we only plan about 3-4 hours on the first leg of our journey (Texarkana). We've heard from friends who say the further north they get the cooler it is and we are looking forward to that. Our next blog will be from Story Land NY. We plan to be there around the 17 as orientation is on the 19.

Escapees Chapter 10 Rally

We have just returned from our rally held just west of Tyler, TX. We had a wonderful time of eating, fellowshiping, eating, sightseeing, fellowshiping, eating, etc. We di d spend part of one night in the camp ground office waiting for the all clear of a tornado watch. Just to the west of us, much of Texas was flooded. Some areas were also hit by tornados. We were just wet.

We did visit the gigantic flee market in Canton, TX. It was mostly just more of the same stuf in any flee market but a whole lot bigger. The azailas were absolute beautiful throughout the area. The famous Tyler roses were not in bloom yet.

We visited a fish hatchery and enjoyed their .8 mile nature trail. We made a DVD of the hatchery and have made coppies available to those who want one.

Now we must catch up on business and get ready for our six month trip to New Hampshire.

March Update

We had a wonderful time in Florida, with Debbie and horses in Melbourne and with Tammy and grandchildren in Pensacola. We arrived home needing racing shoes. We are reworking part of our rig inside and catching up on a variety of business. We have a rally the end of this month and are preparing for our six month sojourn in New Hampshire.

While in Melbourne, we had the opportunity to meet up with a couple of friends we worked with in Adventureland. One of them had just finished six months in Europe by RV. Even though they kept us up with their travels via e-mail, it was nice to hear between the lines in person.

Ginger's supply of her devotion book is running low, so if you don't have one and would like it, let us know. We are asking for a donation to Goodrich United Methodist Church organ fund for the book. Postage is about $3. She's been getting a lot of positive feedback and is happy they what the Lord had spoken to her heart is true for others.

We will try to update this site once a month. Look for the summary of our rally to be added the first of April.

A New "Grandson"

On Saturday night, January 27, the mom foald a heathy son. Mom's and son are doing fine. Debbie is tired from checking on the new foal throughout the night. The photo was taken Sunday at 10AM. It's amazing how fast they get on their feet. Glad our human babies are slower.

Old Lady

Ginger just celebrated a really big birthday. That gives us a pay raise since we can now drop the company insurance. We had to pay for both of us just so Ginger could stay insured. We had a delightful day with daughter, Debbie. We ate fondu at the Melting Pot and relived memories of the family fonduing 35 years ago.

We will visit with our 106 year old friend next week. What a blessing she is. What a glorious witness. Still bright, alert and smart and passing out the love of God. Aging in the Lord is a beautiful thing. We praise Him Ginger is experiencing that joy.

We will be getting together with Richard's Harris cronies in early February. There are fewer to see each time.

The weather here has been glorious. Plants are budding thinking it is spring. A cold, rainy front is moving through tonight but it will only drop it to the high 60's or low 70's.

We are doing our internet at Panera's and I forgot to download new pictures. Sorry. Tune in again in a couple weeks.

We Know When to Leave Town

From Melbourne Florida

After a few days with Tammy, Kevin and six grandchildren in Pensacola, we moved on to Melbourne to spend some time with Debbie, sister-in-law, Bernice, old friends and for Richard to play disc golf. After two days of disc golf, he can hardly move. We are incredibly busy but thoroughly enjoying the warm, balmy weather here compared to the sub-freezing weather in Livingston. We sure know when to leave town!

Our air conditioner went out which we expected when we purchased the rig. We will probably replace it on the way home in February. Next week we will take a day trip to visit some friends, Peggy and Jerry Martin. We worked at Adventureland with them and will be working together in Storyland in New Hampshire this coming summer.
We hope this finds you enjoying the sunsets and praising our Lord God.

Advent Season

This has been a very busy Advent Season. Besides all the normal extra activities, Ginger is having to play the organ (It's been over 42 years since she's done that) as both the organist and the pianist are out of town.

Richard had a new experience playing Santa at the local elementary school. He got some hugs and some colored pictures of Rudolf accompained by the question, "Where is Rudolf?"

We pray everyone has a blessed Christmas rejoicing in the coming down of God's Son, Jesus, to bring us into His Family.

Isaiah 17:40 (SV)
And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd`s bag which he had, even in his wallet; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

Stone and Slingshot

He was just a small young boy sent on a simple errand. When David arrived to bring supplies and check on his older brothers he could not understand why no one would answer Goliath’s challenge. What was different about the boy, David? None of the men trained in warfare would face Goliath. David had a gift of faith. He knew he was of God’s chosen. David knew if he walked according to the will of God, God would protect him. He stepped out in faith and trust. David did not wear man’s armor. He knew that armor was not made for him. He chose to wear God’s armor of faith. He walked with calmness to face the giant. He calmly picked out a few small stones. Then David declared God’s power. I too, can be like David. Wherever, when ever and however God would use me, I can walk in faith. He will equip me for the task at hand. My job is to be willing to obey. When I walk in obedience and faith I can leave the results to God. The question is not the size of the task at hand. God equips for every task regardless of size or difficulty. The question is, am I willing to go, do and speak what He bids? It only took a small stone and a slingshot in the hand of a boy to save a nation.

Prayer

Father, help me stayed tuned to your voice and walk in immediate obedience to any task you have for me. The size of the task is not the issue. The act of obedience brings you glory.

Copyright: Ginger Chapman

Nature Center Photos from Palacios, TX

Photo 1 - World's Largest Catapillar (don't recall the name)

Photo 2 - Nature Center Water Cascade

Photo 3 - Butterfly on flower - Nature Center

October News

We spent five days in Palacios, Texas at an Escapee Chapter RV Rally. Our rig was surrounded on 3 sides by docked shrimp boats. Sunrises were beautiful as well as the sunsets. Some of the highlights included a tour of a shrimp processing plant. The end of their conveyer that sorts sizes had a bucket of the biggest shrimp we've ever seen. We also toured a Nature Center and enjoyed the flora and the birds. Eating at restraunts was really nice. We feasted on fish and seafood. Of course, we purchased a bag of processed (cleaned, pealed, devained and butterflied) shrimp from the plant we visited.

Just before we left for that trip we had Octoberfest here in the park. We enjoyed seeing old friends and won a very nice door prize - an awning carpet. We've looked at it and wanted it for many years but considered it too pricey. We look forward to using it.

Ginger's first devotional book is selling well. All proceeds go to the church organ fund. She is working on her second book now.

If you haven't gotten e-mail from us it is because Ginger's computer went terminally down. Please e-mail me so I can rebuild my contact list. I've not had time to download my pictures from the rally but will post them as soon as I can.

Richard preached in church on Laymen's Sunday. He did an excellent job. We have no travels planned until January. We will try to post samples from Ginger's devotional books from time to time.

As Christmas preparations get on the way, we are once more in charge of decorating the outside of the church. Along with our little house we will be pretty busy. Our cards are designed, printed and in addressed envelopes to be stamped and mailed right after Thanksgiving.

For Thanksgiving we will probably serve dinner to the less fortunate through a ministry called Manifest.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

End of Summer

We have been at our home base for the past month. We are looking forward to the end of a hot and humid summer and traveling this fall. We've been taking care of the home fron doing some cosmetic changes to our home and to our rig. Check back in the end of October and there should be some interesting pictures and travel tidbits.

Devotional Book

Ginger has published a devotional book to make mone for a new church organ in our church. All profits go to the organ fund. Here is a sample of one of the devotions.

The Onion

All these years of earthly life
have made me just the same
as the layers of the skins
of the onions God made.
Layers upon layers more
have hidden me so deep
until not even I could see
what lay within the core.

Then, my Lord, You took Your knife
and pierced the outer skin.
One by one the layers left
to only show more skin.
Somewhere down below the deep
I know there is a core,
for I am in Your Image made
through Jesus Christ my Lord.

As each layer peels away
I think I’ve found the core.
Then I find that there’s much more
Before I see the core.
I think, my Lord, it will take
all of my earthly life
to peel all layers off of me
and show Your glorious Light.

Even in this process, Lord,
as years and layers fade,
each one allows Your light to shine
more glorious every day.
Keep peeling off the layers, Lord,
until all men can see
Jesus Christ shine out through me
bright and pure and free.


Prayer: Father I release You to peal the layers off of me. I want to become translucent that Your Love and glory will shine forth through me and light the path for others. Give me patience as you peal away the layers my old nature and this sinful world have surrounded me. Help me learn to trust as You peal away.
The Onion

Scripture reading: Romans 8:17-27

Do you sometimes wonder if you’ll ever learn? Does it seem as if God is always having you walk out the same things over and over? When I complained of this to a friend he said that we are just like onions. To someone who is going through the process of finding out who they are, this was not a comforting thought. There was also the fear that when all the layers were finally gone, there would be absolutely nothing left.
To have Jesus within us is an instantaneous event. He comes within us to reside through His Holy Spirit the moment we invite Him by accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. He will not leave unless we push Him out. To become translucent enough for others to see Jesus in us is a long, painful process. We must shed the artificial layers we have built around us until we finally see our inner core. If this were accomplished instantaneously we would be in mental and emotional shock. God works slowly and steadily within us giving our minds time to comprehend and our emotions time to adjust.
Even in this process our loving Father already sees us as perfect and loves us with His perfect love. Allow Him to love you as He clears away the layers that cover His Image in you.

Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral, FL

We've just returned to Texas after taking 2 of our grandsons to our daughter's horse camp in Melbourne, FL. After the week-long camp we went to Jetty Park. This is a beutiful destination. You can watch the cruse ships go in and out. Ginger particularly enjoyed the sunrises. Kennedy Space Center is just 15 minutes away but quite expensive ($38 ages 11 and up).

The camp sites all have concrete pads for level rig placement. If you're in the area, we recommend a couple nights so you can enjoy the morning sunrises.