We left the estate on the private drive :-) and headed toward Neodesha. These are scenes along the way that caught my eye. You know I have a thing about bodies of water, regardless of how large or small.
Snap out of it, LaVon. You're back 'home' and this is reality. ===V===
About noon time today, Don was bored and wanted to go somewhere. He was also hungry and since it's very chilly here, Mexican food sounded yummy. We stopped at El Pueblitos (the small towns) and are delighted to report we have found another really fine restaurant. Reasonable, too. Didn't get lunch for $3.99/each like we did yesterday at the Chinese place, East Gourmet, but it was reasonable. This huge mural was on the wall close to our table. Sad.
Coming in the front door, you see this painted on the wall. Want to save money? Just eliminate the picture frames and glass and paint directly on the wall. My grandson, Camden, thinks that's a 'marvee' idea. 
As we drove around, we noticed that the trees are really beginning to turn colors, especially after the freeze this morning. This was beautiful.
Vickie, this is 509 Willow Street. Does it look like you remember it?
This is also on Willow Street about a block away.
I told Don that I want to spend a day taking pictures of all the churches in this town. There's one on every corner and a few in between. This is the First Presbyterian Church, also on the corner of Willow Street and {squint... I can't read that street sign.}
Evidence of Autumn. 
This tree was a really pretty purplish red (that is too a color, probably correctly called magenta or something like that), but the sun was so bright, it lost some of its brilliance in the picture. OK, so I'm not a professional photographer!
You can see this tree is just beginning to turn colors. These trees are in the part of town that flooded in 2007... that's why you don't see any houses in these pictures. 
I didn't realize this was going to be such a good autumn subject (barn, hay bales, dead tree) until I saw the picture. I was actually focused on the dead tree (shocker). This is just across the street from our 5'er, so I'm going back in a bit to get a better picture.
Here's an empty building with great potential to be a Cowboy Church. It's in excellent condition.. almost looks new.
Yes! There it is and it's truly dead. There are no leaves lying on the ground around it.
I've been wondering what was on down the road that goes past our RV out into the country side. 
Here's a close up of a three-arch concrete bridge built in 1926 over the Verdigris River, which flooded in June, 2007. "1926" is etched right in the top of the cross piece, but of course, you can't see it in the picture. I didn't see it as I was taking the picture, but Don saw it.
The Verdigris River under the concrete bridge. Doesn't look much like a flood threat, does it?
Not surprising to see levees built up on the town side of the river.
And we're back at the campground in time for mail time.
~~~Promise of God~~~
God has promised His people (those who have a personal relationship with Him) eternal life.
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,
29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004
I call these waking thoughts "sweet revelations," because they have formed while I am asleep and these thoughts are on my mind when I awaken. I have named them "sweet revelations" because I believe that God, my sweet God, has placed these thoughts in my unconscious mind to be written down upon rising. With that explanation, the following is this morning's "sweet revelation:"
"I Am God, because I said I Am God."
Hmmm. Period. He is God because He says He is God. Pure and simple. I believe that with everything that is within me, just like I believe my mama when she says, "I am your mother."
If someone says to me "Prove that God exists," I reply to them, "God exists because He says He exists, therefore, the burden is on you, who do not believe, to disprove the existence of God."
How many people, who have a name, can you disprove? I can't think of any. And if I did, the burden would be on me to disprove them. Some things have names, but they are not true and have been disproved. I could say, "Abraham Lincoln does not exist because I can't see him," yet there is evidence that Abe existed. Evidence. God exists in the person of Jesus Christ, if you need a physical appearance. But one might argue, "He only said he was God. Prove it." That's right, Jesus said He is God which places the burden to disprove Him on the non-believer. Jesus walked on this earth as the fully God and fully Man, evidence that God exists. In fact, there is more evidence that God exists than there is evidence of anything or anyone. The entire universe is evidence of God, because He created it. How do I know? Because He said He created it and the burden to disprove His creation is on the person who does not believe God created the universe. There it is all around us, the creation of the universe. Now, you, non-believer in the existence of God, prove that God does not exist and that He did not create this miraculous universe.
Then there's the Bible and the truth of it. Some say the Bible is just a story book, a fable, fiction, but the author of the Bible says it is Truth (non-fiction) and to disprove the Truth of the Bible, one must disprove the author and that has not been done, nor will it ever be done. Many have genuinely tried to disprove the truth of the Bible, the creation of the universe and the existence of God, but because the Bible is God's true and living word (inspired by the Holy Spirit), they (the "disprovers") are now.... Genuine Believers in the one true and living God. In fact, I challenge non-believers in the existence of God, to disprove Him.
God is God and all the other gods, since the beginning of God's creation of the universe, are man-made, feeble, dead mimics of the only true and living (ALIVE) GOD.
P.S. - If, with our finite minds, we could understand and explain everything there is about God, then He would, in fact, not be God. Until we are in Heaven with Him, there will always be mystery about God and this universe. Many, many mysteries, God will reveal and has revealed to us as we seek Him, which brings us right to the point He wants us to be all along... FAITH.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Hebrews 11:5-7 (in Context) Hebrews 11 (Whole Chapter)
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them.14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
15"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child* will not enter it at all."
*with the faith of a child.
Thank you, Father, for "sweet revelations."
Don and I drove around Coffeyville a little more Saturday and today. We found more homes with lots of character... you know, really nice Bed & Breakfast potential. These are all on the same block as the Episcopal Church near the down town area. These three are directly across the street from the church.
This house is next door to the church.
Ok, I 'fess up. These are houses that could have belonged to the aunt of a friend of mine. Vickie spent lots of summer time at her aunt's who lived across the street from the Episcopal church in a white two story house. In fact, Vickie said the church garden is dedicated to the memory of her aunt. So, Vickie, which house belonged to your aunt? I know the second one is tan, but it might have been white at one time in the past.
We found an excellent Chinese food restaurant... no, really... in Coffeyville. Are you ready for this? Lunch for two, buffet ... all you can eat, $8.60. $3.99 each. The food was fresh and attractive and plenty of it. I don't generally like buffets, but this was really good. They also serve dinner for $5.99. Really don't know how they stay in business. It's called East Gourmet and it's one of three Chinese food restaurants we've seen on the main highway through town.
I hope all you good friends in the south, from Florida to Arizona, are enjoying the nice warm weather. We had to disconnect the water tonight as a hard freeze is expected here tonight. Wait, wait... wait... here it comes! .... COUNT IT ALL JOY!
Today was laundry day. All the workampers use the same local laundry and we are enjoying meeting them there and visiting. Joel and Linda were there today and we had a really fun time with them. Joel owns a really true bass singing voice and has been volunteering to help me lead worship in church. Both have such sweet, encouraging spirits and we just love them.
One thing we had at Quail Run that we don't have here and I sure do miss ... name tags!!
~~~ Promises of God~~~
The Bible says: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus". That's Phillipians 4:19. Now notice, God has obligated Himself only to the extent of our needs. That would include food, clothing, shelter, companionship, love, and salvation thru Jesus Christ. It would not include the multiplicity of luxuries that we have come to think of as needs. However, I believe, that would depend on the person. Now, an electric awning on an RV for some would be a luxury, but for someone with a handicap or heart condition, an electric awning would be a necessity, if indeed an awning was needed at all. We view our electric awning as a sweet blessing from the Lord and give Him all the credit for supplying it.
Thank You, LORD, for the promise to supply all our needs according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Wow!
To Linda & Ray, who gave us the candle that lent a welcoming aroma to our home Friday, thank you. To Cheri, who gave us this slow cooker that kept the hot cider steaming for our guests... thank you.
God used both of these gifts to encourage people here and because of the hospitality they felt, we had new faces in church this morning. We even had a couple stop by Friday afternoon with their offering because they were going home for the weekend and wouldn't be here today.
You just never know how God is going to use a gift, but He can and does use all gifts given from the heart. I was just very moved when I realized that through the gifts friends had given us, they were instrumental in touching lives here and being a part of the ministry. You just never know.
This afternoon, Tom & Kathy from Indiana, Washington, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc., dropped by for a visit. You see, they have been full-time RV'ers for about eight years, but I believe they lived in Indiana when he retired from the USPS. We were thrilled to have them come see us and we had a really good time of fellowship with them. George & Nancy, Tom and Kathy have met a few SOWERS in their travels and had great things to say about them. They have also met quite a few Campers For Christ, but have not been close to a rally or been able to travel to one.
We got a long and informative email from George & Nancy Reid who we met at Quail Run last winter. They have been really busy this summer with several SOWERS (Servants on Wheels Ever Ready) projects. November will be a month of rest and relaxation as they plan to meet up with friends and head for the Caribbean via cruise liner. December, January, and February they will be back doing SOWERS projects in Texas. Nancy also had this great report: "We are staying two nights here in a coast to coast park--really nice. I spoke with the gal in the office this morning and she workamped at Quail Run, I think about 4 years ago. She said it was before Jeannie was manager, but she was there. Then she told me we just missed Les and Beverly (Fisher). They had been staying in this park. She said Bev is doing great and they are on their way (to AZ I think she said) to sell Christmas trees. Small world, eh?" That's wonderful news. Keep up the good work, you two... we are praying for you and the wonderful work you are doing.
Dino in Concert--
We went back tonight and Dino was indeed present for his concert at the First Southern Baptist Church here in Coffeyville. He jokingly said, last week we were in New York City, this week.... Coffeyville, Kansas. His dad was born on the Isle of Crete in Greece and "I was born on the Isle ..... of Manhattan." He's quite the comedian and connects so easily with the audience.
He's very talented and we sure enjoyed worshipping the Lord with everyone there. Dino, Cheryl and company will be in Branson, Mo., Nov. 4 - Dec. 4, for the Christmas Show and then they will be bringing there Christmas show on the road with their first stop being in Parsons, KS... forty miles from here.
We also learned tonight, that Dino lives in Hollister, MO (5 miles south of Branson) and that they have recently purchased a bakery in Hollister called 24 Karrot Cakes, named for his famous carrot cake.
At intermission and after his concert, folks were buying his CD's like crazy. 
Well, that's about it for today. Praise the Lord, it was a very good day.
We have a few prayer requests:
1) Leslie and Khalil had an open house today. One lady showed up and she's going to bring her husband back to see their house. They also have a showing at 11:00 AM tomorrow (Monday). Please pray that their house sells and their family can get back under one roof.
2) Mama Trudy seems to be having some high blood pressure issues. She needs a touch from the healing hand of Jehovah Rapha (the God who heals).
3) Every day, pray for God's mercy for our nation, that hearts would soften toward Him and knees would bow and we would return to being one nation under God.
If my people (art print by Jack E. Dawson)
If My People guides believers on a 40-day prayer journey in the spirit of 2nd Chronicles 7:14
"If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Did I mention how peaceful and quiet it is here in the evening?
Until about midnight.
At which time, the street RIGHT beside our 5'er becomes a race track. I do believe that last car stripped every gear on it's way to 100+ miles per hour. Mufflers haven't been discovered here, either.
We thought that Dino was going to be at a local church tonight so we drove over just to find and empty parking lot and a sign on the marquee that says "Dino Concert, 6:00 PM, Oct. 26." So we got a Braum's burger and then came back home. So, I checked his website and sure enough, he's scheduled to be at the First Southern Baptist Church here tomorrow night. Years ago, back before my niece was married and lived in Chattanooga, she and I went to see Dino Kartsonakis (very Greek) in a concert at a church there. Somewhere I have a picture of Tammy and Dino. I'm looking forward to hearing him play again, in person.
I'm in the process of preparing the bulletin and the music for church in the morning. I have no music for "Standing on the Promises" and "He Keeps Me Singing" so we will sing them "a capella." I tried to purchase them from iTunes and had no success... grrrr.
To all our praying friends, you know we need your prayers, always... for us, for the folks here at this park. One young man told me yesterday, when I asked him if he was staying warm in his tent, that he was indeed staying warm in his Field & Stream tent. However, last Wednesday, when it rained all day, he also decided to take a nap (it was his day off) so he put his laptop in a plastic bag and went to sleep. When he awoke, there was four inches of water in his tent and his laptop was ruined. I felt so bad for him. He also told me that someone had given him a small electric heater, so... I'm a little concerned about how the water and the electric heater are going to get along... praying the two don't meet with him in the middle. You know, this park is full and each person here has a story. There's the 80+ year old that's had bronchitis for days and can barely walk, but he needs to work. There's the couple whose son died recently. There's the Retired Navy Corpsman who has such a servant's heart and has volunteered to go with Don to visit anyone that's sick or in the hospital. And the list goes on. We so appreciate your prayers for these people and our desire to be used by God in their lives. Thank you so much.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our good friend, Debbie, in Montana... formerly from Norman, Oklahoma. Have a great day, Deb.
Today, being Friday, is payday for all the Amazon.com workampers and guess who has all the checks? Yep... Yours truly.
The checks arrived this morning around 8:30 and we begin to get ready for our guests.
We started our day with our devotional and prayer time, praying that God would use this time for us to have a favorable time with the workampers, getting to know them, encouraging them and inviting them to church Sunday morning.
Yesterday, I prepared a 1/3 page flyer-type invitation to be handed out with the checks enabling everyone in the park to know about church and know that they are welcome to come and worship. OK, so I got the house ready, lit a grandma's-apple-pie-scented candle that our wonderful friends, Linda & Ray Poyer, gave us while we were in Branson. Don had the fireplace going, so it was nice and cozy in our home. I, also made ready the employee 'sign-here-for-your-check' sheet that Express Pros requires.
As the aroma of the scented candle begin to fill the house really good, Don had the great idea to serve hot spiced apple cider to anyone who wanted it as they came to pick up their checks.. starting at 9:00 AM. So, off Don went to the grocery store about three blocks away to purchase apple juice and Red Hots. That's right... two quarts of apple juice or cider and 1/4 cup of Red Hots heated to steaming makes a really yummy cup of hot cider. We kept it nice and hot all day in the crock pot and served in styrofoam cups that they could take with them. Since it was a really chilly day today, the hot cider hit the spot and was enjoyed by almost everyone who came in for their checks.
The really fun part was that, usually, if no one else was here when a workamper came to pick up their check, they would sit in the handy rocker-recliner, enjoy their hot cider and fireplace, and visit with us. Today was the most interaction we have had with the workers and it was great! We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the people a little better today and we know that God was with us and answered our prayer of this morning.
Right now it's 57 degrees in Coffeyville and raining heavily. Right now in Arizona City, the high will be near 90 and the sun is shining brightly. Right now in South Texas, the sun is shining and the high will be in the mid 80's. And in Florida, the sun is shining with a 10% chance of rain in a few areas... temperatures in the mid 80's. Hmmmm.
By Friday, the lows in Coffeyville will be in the mid 30's. Hmmmmmmmm.
View out our rain covered window at 9:00 AM.
There's a faint voice in the back of my mind... there's a thought forming... something I'm supposed to remember... wait... wait... oh yes....
COUNT IT ALL JOY!
Yessssssssssssss! I'm going back to bed!
-->-->A New Song<--<--
Don preached a sermon once using this story as an illustration: "I Can Sleep When the Wind Blows." Enjoy the music and the story. (thanks to Dave Sutton for sharing this with me)
Today was laundry day. For the third Monday in a row, I saw the same lady at the laundromat and I even got a big hug from her today. If I see her again next Monday, I will have to introduce myself and find out her name.
This afternoon, we just relaxed and then folks started coming to get their mail around 2:00 PM. Amazon.com has cut back the hours per day from 10 to 9 and they have also stopped the shuttle service from the parks to the distribution center. Orders have not started coming in as they expected yet, so they've had to cut back in some areas.
Attendance was down again in church yesterday, but it was still a great day. Pray that folks will get accustom to the work and be able to get up and come to church if they are off. I really don't know how they are working that long on their feet all day long. It's exhausting. Please pray for all of these workers.
***
Well, we went to breakfast at the Sirloin Stockade this morning. Quite a large local crowd there. Breakfast was buffet style. It's a beautiful day, so we rambled around town for a bit. Most of the downtown area is equipped with these sidewalk coverings.
I can't think if I've ever seen downtown sidewalks completely covered or noticed such. Sure makes it nice when it rains.
A morning view of the Tavern on the Plaza.
There are a lot of buildings with local-interest-art painted on the walls.
Self-explanatory.
This is the Coffeyville AME Church. The stained glass windows are really pretty.
The architectural style of this church is similar to the "mother" AME church in Philadelphia. Isn't that interesting?
This is one of the nicer homes we saw while rambling around in the area where the foundry is located. 
Acme Foundry is very large. With so much industry in this area, we are quite puzzled why there seems to be so much poverty here.
This caboose seems to be used for an office space on the foundry grounds. Acme provides castings of all kinds, including train wheels. 
The street was still pavement when I took a picture of these llamas... well, you can only see that one by the barn.
We have rambled out of town.
We made our way back to Hwy 169 and decided we would take a closer look at the Brown Mansion as the sign stated: "Open 'til 4:00 PM" (check out the web site) This mansion has twenty inch thick brick & concrete walls!
It turns out that no one was here to let us in for a tour, so we'll have to come back. As we were leaving two ladies arrived and offered to let us in early... they open at 11:00 AM and we were there before that, but we told them we would come back another day. >>more pictures at this site<< This view faces West; the above view faces North.
This huge tree was beginning to change leaf color and it was glowing in the sunlight.
This old hay rake was a lawn "decoration." How would you like to ride this all day?
Behind the hay rake was a horse or mule drawn road grader.
Our ramblings over, we headed for the 5'er and an afternoon of football watching and blogging.
The title might cause you to think that Don had a big surprise for me for our Date Night, but the truth is, we were both surprised.
We decided to go back to South Coffeyville, Oklahoma (about five miles from Coffeyville, KS) and check out J & K Chop House for dinner. The exterior indicated that the decor inside would probably be western or rustic... I was thinking roasted peanuts in buckets and peanut hulls on the floor, etc. Well, the surprise was what we saw when we stepped inside. Since I was wearing brown pants, a light green sweat shirt and walking shoes, I immediately thought, "Oh, my! I'm under-dressed."
All of the tables were set with folded standing linen, crystal and very nice flatware. Soothing, easy-listening instrumental music floated softly in the dining room. White mini-lights were strung in all the decor-trees. In other words, the ambience was rather glamorous... not highly glamorous, just rather. The lights were not dim and the candles weren't lit. On the appetizer menu: escargot (which we did not order). Steak and seafood were their specialty and rather pricey. Don had fried catfish and salad, and I had grilled chicken fettuccine with really good french onion soup.
I know, you are thinking, "What's the big deal about a fancy restaurant?" If you could see the community where this restaurant is located, you would under-stand. This whole area could be classified as poverty stricken. We were simply shocked.
J & K Chop House has been open for two years and the building was originally a grocery store. It was very clean and from where we were seated, I could see into the kitchen area when the double doors would swing open by the waitress... the kitchen looked spotless. It was football game Friday night and homecoming for Coffeyville, so that was the explanation for why we were only one of three couples there at the time. We had a nice visit with the K of J & K. She said John was the J and he was also the certified chef. K is the dessert chef. (we didn't have dessert either) J & K had owned a catering business in Tulsa in years past.
By the way, I was no more under-dressed than the other two ladies present. Even so, it was a very enjoyable Date Night.
All that and no pictures.
IT WAS 39 DEGREES THIS MORNING!!!
Don got up and turned on the heater AND the fireplace.
I've been up and down all day answering the door and passing out paychecks. At least, we sure get to meet everyone in the park this way.
Don made us delicious tuna salad sandwiches and later went to the Sonic for a Butterfinger & Reeses Cup Blast for both of us. Doesn't that sound yummy? It was!!!
It is a beautiful fall day. Blue sky and cool breeze.
This will encourage you:
October 17
BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What happens when you worry? You bring tomorrow’s difficulty into today. God didn’t give you grace for tomorrow’s difficulties. He only gives you grace for today. When you reach into tomorrow’s troubles, you overload today’s circuit. Worry doesn’t take the sorrow out of tomorrow; it takes the strength out of today. [(isn't that a great quote?!!)]When you meet tomorrow, you’re out of breath because you’re already overloaded from today. Worry, therefore, does not make you ready for the future, it really makes you unready. Yesterday is just a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today has all the cash you can handle. Spend it wisely.
ACTION POINT:
Worry will eat your lunch! It’ll eat your breakfast and dinner, too! Confess your worries as sin (because they are). Put your concerns at the throne of Almighty God, trusting Him to provide.
