Week 23. North-South-North Carolina

We have very much enjoyed having our own home for 2 weeks at the Aqueduct Conference Center in Chapel Hill. The kids loved having their own room to dump all their Legos on the floor and play pretend for hours, and we love having the space to have conversation with some privacy. It's amazing how much that can do for a relationship!

It is Godsend to have the space to empty out the van and re-organize our belongings. We have been blessed along the way to have a few occasions where we can do this and when you are living out of a van, it is needed as things get moved around with all the weather changes and searching for the right items!

One morning the girls were able to get out as the sun was rising and run in the field of fog... Can you see them? ;)

On Wednesday we headed back into South Carolina, so Josh could do a couple of TV interviews, and stopped at the Billy Graham Library on the way. I know Billy Graham has had an impact on many but I didn't feel the need to see his life work - but I am so glad we did!

It was so encouraging to know this man served God no matter where or what was happening. He had a large platform and spoke against segregation in the church and communities when times were filled with tension and he was allowed into communist countries when no one else was - to preached the hope of Jesus to the hurting, broken and lost. What an opportunity to speak such life in such darkness!

We have visited 16 state capitals in the last 5 months and, in doing so, have learned each state's history. While in the south, it has been interesting to see how some states will find ways to delicately pass over the slavery and discrimination in their history, but others, like the South Carolina capital, place a large statue or mural on the front lawns of the capital to recognize what was and what has become.

As hard and heart wrenching as it is to see, it's a part of America and the sinful choices of many. Yet, we have much more respect for those who acknowledge it and celebrate the hard work of those who have had to overcome something so destructive to the human spirit, instead of ignoring it.  

Yesterday we wrapped up our time in North Carolina with a visit to the Natural History Museum in Raleigh.  It's 4 stories with 2 connecting buildings of amazing things from animals, to gems to space and natural sciences - all free! We saw a ton of schools with field trips taking advantage of this. Made me smile to know kids can have this opportunity to learn so much about their state and the world around them.

This next week Josh is taking me to visit Mount Airy- The town where Andy Griffith grew up and the town he based the show off of. It's as close as I'll get to Mayberry, and I'll take it! :D

Till next week!