One full and busy day in Chattanooga.  Great to see folks.  Like Vincent here, we're pooped.

Day 2:  Meetings with dear, old friends and great new ones.  Thank you all for your kindness and care!  Then, Kiko and Vincent, played the hosts again to many other sweet friends in Chattanooga. 

Without a doubt, people make a place.  Thank you all for being such great friends for whom our heart has been attached to.

Day 1 of the "Galpin Fundraising Roadtrip Version 2.0":  I (Tom) dropped Ruth off at the airport and the ridiculous hour of 5:00 am.  Why flights leave that early I have no idea.  I then cleaned the house and packed the car for the drive down to Chattanooga, TN.  With a little traffic and a short (suprise) stop in Nashville for my sister Carrie, I arrived just in time to play a pick-up soccer game.

As I can tend to make foolish decisions, I didn't stretch a bit but rather put on my shorts and cleats and diretly ran out to play.  (I'm still not used to this "getting old" thing).  After driving all day and playing ulitimate frisbee the night before, 40 minutes of poor play was all my legs could take.  The pain and ache was too much to go on and every touch I had on the ball was reminiscent of junior high days. 

Alas, Kiko and Vincent played the wonderful hosts for me (of whom I forgot to take pictures of). 

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.