Anticipating Visitors!
Last fall, my
sister Jan and her husband Glenn had planned to drive out from
California for a visit. Due to a number of different factors however,
their plans were changed and the trip had to be postponed. They
decided to come out during the spring instead, stopping to see Mount
Rushmore as well as reconnecting with some of Glenn’s relatives
along the way.
Emails flew back
and forth between us as the months passed by and time of their visit
grew closer. Family was coming! I was excited! Our brother-in-law
sent us a detailed itinerary that even showed approximate hours
driving from one place to another.
On April 21st
they left Bakersfield, California on their cross country journey with
their small dog, Herman, riding in his own special car seat. I
followed the itinerary with great interest and also enjoyed seeing
pictures of their adventure online.
We watched the
weather reports closely, hoping and praying for nice weather while
they were here. There was snow on the ground at Steamboat Springs,
Colorado and cold, blustery weather in Wyoming, while in Michigan,
winter seemed very hesitant to leave!
Al and I had made
similar road trips from California. We remembered what it was like
and knew what Glenn and Jan were going through as they spent long
hours driving every day. Herman, their “schnoodle” (a cross
between schnauzer and poodle) was a happy little traveler though,
spending a lot of time “schnoozing” in his special car seat. How
wonderful that they were willing to go through so much just to come
out and see us!
After passing
through Wyoming, they visited Glenn’s cousins in Iowa and then
drove through Illinois and Indiana, finally reaching our house in the
suburbs of Detroit, Michigan on Friday afternoon, April 27th.
It took seven straight days of driving including Mount
Rushmore, the Badlands and a few other side trips, but they were
still smiling when they arrived. And oh what a happy reunion!
Our time together
sped by, with Saturday spent showing Glenn and Jan the thriving
downtown area along the Detroit River and then driving to Dearborn
for a tour of the Ford F-150 plant and the Henry Ford museum. They
were good sports and didn’t complain about more time spent in the
car. In fact, it gave Jan and me the opportunity to get caught up on
all of the happenings since we were in Bakersfield last December.
The tour of the
Ford plant turned out to be a highlight for Glenn. He had been
looking forward to seeing the F-150 trucks assembled. It was an
impressive operation involving the use of robots, computerized
technology and ‘smart’ tools alongside skilled workers. More
about that tour in next week’s article!
After the worship
service at church on Sunday, we did a little more sight-seeing of
some beautiful areas close to home, and then Glenn and I took Herman
for a walk to Beverly Park. The three of us even climbed Beverly
Hill, formed from the dirt in the park’s pond.
That evening, our
daughter Shanda, and her family joined us for a barbecue. We had
another happy reunion because she had not seen Jan and Glenn for
several years. Shanda’s youngest son, Elliot (7) hadn’t even been
born the last time we were all together.
Early the next
morning, Jan and Glenn said “good-bye.” Their next stop would be
Niagara Falls! We had a wonderful, but too short, visit with them. It
was sad watching them drive away; however, I was so grateful for the
time we shared together. There isn’t anything better than seeing
people you love face to face! What a blessing!
Another highly
anticipated reunion is that of seeing Jesus Christ face to face!
Whether it is in heaven or here on earth, I am looking forward to
meeting Him and want to be ready. Now that will be a wonderful
celebration!
“In my Father’s
house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am
going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you
also may be where I am.” John 14: 2-3 NIV
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| Glenn & Jan and Al's knee....woops! |
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