After a flurry of packing and preparing the farm for our absence, we embarked on our Eastern trip on Friday, June 12th just after 7pm. As we left home we prayed for God's guidance and protection and for special family time. God answered each of those prayers in ways we couldn't even imagine.
Driving through Indianapolis early Saturday morning, we blew a tire and made a quick stop to change it. 
Each time we stopped Silas would do his pushups!
After two more hours on the road, we stopped to have the spare tire replaced in case of another blow out. Our tire repair was lengthy and we sat for nearly 2 hours waiting before we were on the road once more.
Each time we stopped Silas would do his pushups!
After two more hours on the road, we stopped to have the spare tire replaced in case of another blow out. Our tire repair was lengthy and we sat for nearly 2 hours waiting before we were on the road once more.
We made good time through Ohio, but not long after we entered Pennsylvania as we charged along at 70mph, we blew another tire. 
We reached the shoulder and came to a quick stop with dust billowing through the entire bus. A huge part of the left rear tire came loose and as it hit the underside of the bus it stirred up tons of dust! 
Once we stopped, the boys and Dad began to change the tire, discovering a major problem- the loosened tread had ruined the neck to the fuel tank, meaning we could no longer refuel the bus. 
Uh-oh- that doesn't look right!!
Calling the mechanics for help!
Once the tire was changed, we headed up to the nearest exit and found a large truck stop. While they could not help us, they directed us to a mechanic in a nearby town.
Dan, Donna, Drew & Dorie.
All 19 cousins!!
The Calverton National Cemetery was a sobering place to be!! Each stone represents a life that was sacrificed for the freedom of the Nation!!
The field where Grandpa & Grandma are buried.
Uncle Noah & Philip!!!!
Three generations.
At the cemetery.
Time to tow the bus.
That was a story in of itself. Dad called the towing company to arrange to get the bus towed. As he spoke with them, he stressed the fact that it was "big". They assured him that they had a vehicle to handle it. They sent a flatbed semi trailer, but after one look at the bus, they left and came back with their biggest tow truck.
Aunt Dorie cooking!! 
This is how much of the trip went for me!! :)
Heather and Philip.
We reached the shoulder and came to a quick stop with dust billowing through the entire bus. A huge part of the left rear tire came loose and as it hit the underside of the bus it stirred up tons of dust! 
Once we stopped, the boys and Dad began to change the tire, discovering a major problem- the loosened tread had ruined the neck to the fuel tank, meaning we could no longer refuel the bus. 
Uh-oh- that doesn't look right!!
Calling the mechanics for help!
Once the tire was changed, we headed up to the nearest exit and found a large truck stop. While they could not help us, they directed us to a mechanic in a nearby town.
The repair to the fuel line consumed nearly 3 hours, but were on the road again. The repair served us well and we kept on our way. Our second night in the bus ended at 4am as we rolled into our Aunt's driveway!! As we coasted into her driveway, the transmission quit!!
As the mechanics began their work replacing the transmission, they stared at the one currently in the bus. "There is no way you could have made it so far on this transmission. It's totally shot. I just can't believe you actually drove here 1,500 miles. It's impossible for it to have lasted this long!"
There is an easy explination; we serve a MIGHTY God!!
What a precious time we spent in New York. It was wonderful to reconnect with Aunts and Uncles and cousins!! Though the reason for our trip was a sad one, we treasured the reuniting of a family seperated for so long. The last time all four siblings and all 19 grandchildren were together was over 13 years ago.
Dan, Donna, Drew & Dorie.
All 19 cousins!!
The Calverton National Cemetery was a sobering place to be!! Each stone represents a life that was sacrificed for the freedom of the Nation!!
The field where Grandpa & Grandma are buried.
Uncle Noah & Philip!!!!
Three generations.
At the cemetery.
Time to tow the bus.
That was a story in of itself. Dad called the towing company to arrange to get the bus towed. As he spoke with them, he stressed the fact that it was "big". They assured him that they had a vehicle to handle it. They sent a flatbed semi trailer, but after one look at the bus, they left and came back with their biggest tow truck.
Aunt Dorie cooking!! The Janes family (Mom's sister & her family) housed us and they treated us like kings!! They took such good care of us; cooking, laundry and transportation!! Thank-you!!
This is how much of the trip went for me!! :)
Heather and Philip. On Tuesday we spent the day at the beach! This was the first trip to the ocean for Charity, Phoebe and Silas! Moses and Micah had been there before, but when they were too young to remember it!
The bridge to the Island!
Silas loved the water.
The water was quite chilly!
Someone thinks the water is cold!! :)
The water was still a bit cool, especially considering the breeze!!
Sun, Sand & Smiles!!
Beach Volleyball!
More volleyball!!
Burying Silas in the sand!!!
Three Ansons. :)
Brrr............
Some people weren't so thrilled about going into the water. :)
The coastline.
The sand on the beach is like none other!!
The lighthouse on Fire Island.
The bridge to the Island!
Silas loved the water.
The water was quite chilly!
Someone thinks the water is cold!! :) 
The water was still a bit cool, especially considering the breeze!!
Sun, Sand & Smiles!! 
Beach Volleyball!
More volleyball!!
Burying Silas in the sand!!!
Three Ansons. :) 
Brrr............
Some people weren't so thrilled about going into the water. :)
The coastline.
The sand on the beach is like none other!!
The lighthouse on Fire Island. Jess, Heather and I climbed to the top of the lighthouse and the view was amazing!!
Jess and Heather inside the lighthouse.
The bridge we took to get to the beach.
Jess & me.
The walkway.
The view was beautiful!!!
The sand dunes on the eastern shore.
Robert Moses Beach.
Gettin' a little bit wet.
Philip takes his first steps into the ocean!
Mama toes and baby toes. (And good 'ole seaweed!)
Mom and Victoria.
Burying Seth in the sand.
Taking pictures.
Hunting for seashells.
Quick Candid.
Lydia always finds the best shells.
Philip loved the beach.
The waves.
Mom & Son.
Seashell Searching.
The boys first trip to the ocean (that they can remember!)!!!
Sunny Smiles. 
Rebecca in the waves.
"When I consider the works of thy hands." Psalms 8:5
Smiles.
Phoebe told me it was too cold to go swimming, but that she loved 'gazing out to sea' .
Nana & Philip.
The fences on the beach are super cool.
Bethany and Silas!
Time for the girls to leave-- Good-bye!!
On the train to NYcity.
Jason & Silas!
Cousins.
The New York City skyline begins to materialize on the horizon!
So many sights to see!!
You don't have to be a flower-lover like me to appreciate all the street vendors full of flowers. Just goregous!!!
A (talented) street artist.
New York pizza.........mmmmmmmmmmmm....
The Staten Island Ferry!
On the ferry to Staten Island!
Esther & Silas on the ferry!
The Statue of Liberty! 
Swimming!
The boys cooling off.
Mom & Phoebe taking a little R&R.
Pennsylvania is Beautiful!!!
Making supper!
Silas the fireman.
"Okay men, I have a red and orange fire here."
Uncle Timmy and Silas.
During the final leg of our journey we stopped in Ohio to visit our dear friends the Lefchiks. A much too short visit!! It was good to see ya'll again!!
Jess and Heather inside the lighthouse.
The bridge we took to get to the beach.
Jess & me. 
The walkway.
The view was beautiful!!!
The sand dunes on the eastern shore.
Robert Moses Beach.
Gettin' a little bit wet. 
Philip takes his first steps into the ocean!
Mama toes and baby toes. (And good 'ole seaweed!)
Mom and Victoria.
Burying Seth in the sand.
Taking pictures.
Hunting for seashells.
Quick Candid.
Lydia always finds the best shells.
Philip loved the beach.
The waves. 
Mom & Son.
Seashell Searching.
The boys first trip to the ocean (that they can remember!)!!!
Sunny Smiles. 
Rebecca in the waves.
"When I consider the works of thy hands." Psalms 8:5
Smiles.
Phoebe told me it was too cold to go swimming, but that she loved 'gazing out to sea' .
Nana & Philip.
The fences on the beach are super cool.
Bethany and Silas!
Time for the girls to leave-- Good-bye!!
On Wednesday, we took the train into New York City to go sightseeing. It was a amazing day, full of exciting adventures!!!
On the train to NYcity.
Jason & Silas!
Cousins.
The New York City skyline begins to materialize on the horizon!
So many sights to see!! 
You don't have to be a flower-lover like me to appreciate all the street vendors full of flowers. Just goregous!!!
A (talented) street artist. 
New York pizza.........mmmmmmmmmmmm....
The Staten Island Ferry!
On the ferry to Staten Island!
Esther & Silas on the ferry!
The Statue of Liberty! After we got off the ferry, we waited there in the building to gather our group together. While we were waiting, Silas pulled a uncovered fire alarm. As sirens blared and the building evacuated, we alerted the security that it was a false alarm. Security released us to go, and as we continued down the street, 7 fire trucks arrived to respond to the fire alarm!! Silas can know identify fire alarms and knows that they are never supposed to be pulled unless there is a fire!!!
The fire trucks arrive.
New York pretzels.....................
The fire trucks arrive.
New York pretzels..................... 
there's nothing like 'em!!
Friday evening we left New York and headed for Pennsylvania and the home of precious friends, the McGraths. We enjoyed two wonderful days with them!!
We were thrilled to celebrate Jenna's birthday with her!!
Chocolate fountain for Father's Day.....mmmmm!!
Sharing Sewing Tips.
Jenna and her scrumptious crepes!
We were thrilled to celebrate Jenna's birthday with her!!
Chocolate fountain for Father's Day.....mmmmm!!
Sharing Sewing Tips.
Jenna and her scrumptious crepes!
Swimming!
The boys cooling off.
Mom & Phoebe taking a little R&R.
Pennsylvania is Beautiful!!!
Making supper!
Silas the fireman.
"Okay men, I have a red and orange fire here."
Uncle Timmy and Silas.
During the final leg of our journey we stopped in Ohio to visit our dear friends the Lefchiks. A much too short visit!! It was good to see ya'll again!!
Our family arrived home on Wednesday, June 24th. Thank-you Lord for a safe trip!!! A big thank-you to those of you who were praying for the many details of our trip!!
9 comments:
What a wonderful post, Elizabeth!
The pictures were lovely as usual!
We thought and prayed for you during your trip, and are thankful everything turned out for the glory of God!
Blessings~
Elizabeth
Wow! That is amazing that the bus made it! God is good!
This was a great post! With tons of pictures! Love it! You hadn't posted one of these for quite some time. I missed seeing them. :)Keep it up!
Glad you had a fabulous trip!
Lord bless and <3,
~ Kourtney ~
aww elizabeth, you're such an artist and so deliberate in your photography including your abstract shots!I'm going to steal a few copies myself :) they're gorgeous. I miss you guys -jess
* sigh * how come your pics of the trip esp the beach are SO much better than mine!? -- I guess I'll just keep on trying....they are beautiful, and your writing is as well.... hugs!
(come back to see me soon!)
Rebecca
I love the picture of Moses and Micah...
the one of them jumping in the pool that is. :o)
What wonderful memories! I am so glad it worked out for Rebecca and I to join the family! (Much thanks to our wonderful husbands!:)
LA
P.S. There aren't enough pictures of the photographer! One of her siblings needs to grab that Nikon every once in awhile and snap a picture of her!
Love ya, Elizabeth!
Your sis in Christ,
~ K ~
It is such a joy to get caught up with you guys on your blog. One of these days we will actually have to get caught up in person! Glad to hear that your trip went well!
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