The end is in sight!  Carrie was gracious enough to let Ruth and I sleep in her bed, which meant her sleep was rather miserable on futon mattress.  Our plan was to leave her house, exercise at the local YMCA and then hit the road again back to St. Louis.  Alas, when looking for my shoes I realized that I left them at the Murfreesboro YMCA.  Frustration at myself and the potential of my lost shoes pretty much took the wind out of my sails.  So, with a mopey face we hit the road instead.  A few traffic jams didn't slow us down too much, and after 3 weeks and 3,300 miles we returned safe and sound to St. Louis.  A little road weary and glad to be home, but better off.

Morning:  Left Murfreesboro after some exercise at the YMCA and headed back to Nashville.  Spending some time over hear at Fido catching up on this blog and the task of emails and letters (that we are thankful to have but recognize that it never seems to end).  Then spent a wonderful afternoon with my dear, sweet sister Carrie:  walk around the park, frozen yogurt, sushi making, conversation....

Ruth and I were given the opportunity via Eric Youngblood and Rock Creek Fellowship to share a bit about what we are going to be doing in Seattle.  We are/were extremely grateful the opportunity and appreciate the abundance of prayers and love.
We then left for Murfreesboro to spent the evening the the newly engaged couple, Summer and David.  Once again, it was a pleasure to see you both; and we are grateful for your hospitality and willingness to spend time with us at such short notice.  

Rob and Petrina (and Evan!), Kiko and Vincent.  We love you all.

Abby, the baby, Ashley, Ron Lowe and the Conrads.  Thank you all.  :)

Saw the Weavers off to the great North.  Shaved.  Went to Starbucks.  Ruth went to Covenant College to see some folks and then went out with the ladies.  A good day.

Catching up on emails, letters and notes.  Thank you to all our friends who do such a great job loving us.  And thank you especially to Ben and Bethany for letting us stay at their apartment, even while they are gone.  Have fun storming the castle.


Also had the opportunity to play a little soccer.  Skill level quickly deteriorating.  Fitness level is even worse.

Ruth and I arrived late into Chattanooga on Monday night.  On Tuesday morning exhaustion finally hit me.  After two weeks of traveling and going from one meeting to another without much of a break to speak of, my mind and body finally told me it needed to rest.  Fortunately I had all of the morning and much of the afternoon to do just that.  Letters and emails have begun to be caught up as well.  whew.


At night we went over at Charity and Lang's house to meet up with some amazing people to tell them what we will be doing in Seattle.  Thank you Bethany for the amazing food, thank you to the Martins for being amazing hosts (again), and thank you to everyone who came by to chat.  I hope it was as encouraging for you as it was for us.

Last day in Greenville:  Coffee in the morning with our new best friend, Pastor Bradley Cox, wrote thank you notes afterwards, lunch with Ruth's sister, Mary Grace, and then more coffee with Ruth's old friend Jessica.  We then left for Chattanooga and "had" to go through the mountain pass so as to avoid Atlanta rush hour (as anyone knows is a disastrous experience).  Of course, the mountains were amazingly beautiful as the pictures below can slightly attest.