This past week we set out on a 5-day road trip! We were invited to come speak at one of our new church partners (Fields Memorial Wesleyan Church) in Johnson City, Kansas. Friday morning we began for the first leg of our trip - north to Oklahoma City! After arriving and checking into our hotel, we went to eat at Brian & Amanda Burchfield's house. Growing up Brian was the music minister at our church and his wife Amanda was one of my mentors. When people ask me who helped shape who I am as a Christian today, one of my answers is always Amanda Burchfield. She made a huge impact in my life - I am so thankful for both of them! We were able to catch up over dinner, and Ainsley enjoyed playing with their children. When it was time to leave and head back to the hotel Ainsley did not want to go!
We set out the following morning for a long day of driving...
We set out the following morning for a long day of driving...
(Photo Credit: Ainsley Stephens)
Traveling with two small kids can prove to be a bit challenging at times. We try to stop often and have some fun along the way. Right as it was time to stop for lunch we found a neat little park - complete with picnic tables, a playground, and ducks!
Traveling with two small kids can prove to be a bit challenging at times. We try to stop often and have some fun along the way. Right as it was time to stop for lunch we found a neat little park - complete with picnic tables, a playground, and ducks!
After lunch we loaded up and began the last leg of the day. We arrived in Johnson City that evening & were greeted by a wonderful family who agreed to host us at their home for the night. On this partnership development journey we have been blessed to meet some amazing people - as was the case with our hosts for the night! We enjoyed the food and fellowship with them. Ainsley was thrilled to find out that they had kids for her to play with! They took her downstairs to the most amazing little clubhouse and spent most of the evening playing with her. God bless them! :)
Sunday morning we attended Sunday School at Fields Memorial Wesleyan Church and then brought the message in the service. Let me just say....we loved that church! Everyone we met was amazing & we are so excited about the partnership we have formed. We are especially looking forward to when the church brings a mission team down to Haiti! After a wonderful lunch at one of the local restaurants we loaded back up in the car and set out for Plainview, TX.
Sunday morning we attended Sunday School at Fields Memorial Wesleyan Church and then brought the message in the service. Let me just say....we loved that church! Everyone we met was amazing & we are so excited about the partnership we have formed. We are especially looking forward to when the church brings a mission team down to Haiti! After a wonderful lunch at one of the local restaurants we loaded back up in the car and set out for Plainview, TX.
On our way south we decided to make an overnight pit-stop in Canyon, TX. That evening we went to see the show TEXAS in Palo Duro Canyon. Ainsley asked if there would be princesses at the show and we told her there would not be any. The show started, the performers came out on stage, the girls wearing dresses & Ainsley exclaimed, "There ARE princesses in the show!"
After staying the night in Canyon, TX we continued heading south to Plainview. We met up with an old friend of Dustin's and enjoyed catching up over lunch. That evening we went to the gym where Dustin used to coach cheerleading/gymnastics, and we saw several of the kids that he had coached in college. We were able to share a little bit with them about what we will be doing in Haiti.
We woke up the next morning and hit the road again.....this time heading "home" to The Colony! To keep from boring you with more details of our trip I will just post the remaining pictures and say we had fun stopping in Wichita Falls to visit the River Bend Nature Center.
We woke up the next morning and hit the road again.....this time heading "home" to The Colony! To keep from boring you with more details of our trip I will just post the remaining pictures and say we had fun stopping in Wichita Falls to visit the River Bend Nature Center.
Over 1,200 miles traveled, new friendships made, and fun memories along the way....God is SO good!