Sunday, June 21, 2015
Weather Conditions:
High – 92
Low – 75
Skies – Partly cloudy. Stray shower or thunderstorm
Winds – W 5-10
Church! Yahoo! (See Instagram @separateboats) And yet again, when we attended church there was a water theme! (A few weeks ago the song “You Make Me Brave” by Casting Crowns was being sung as we walked into the sanctuary in Caruthersville.) God continues to remind me He is with me every step of the way. Today we were able to attend church with Wanda and Louis Logue. The priest’s homily was based on Jesus calming the waves and the storm. Until today, when I heard how the boat was rocked and swamped by the waves, I visualized the event as a bystander. Today when the scripture was read, I was in the boat. I could feel the waves, see the waves crashing on the boat, and hear the waves lapping against the side of the boat. Jesus calmed those waves and will continue to calm my waves literally and figuratively. I have a new perspective on something with which I was so familiar from my childhood. God has blessed me in ways I never expected on this trip, causing tears of joy.
Preparing to leave new friends again tomorrow causes tears of sorrow. Another unexpected blessing…. leaving a piece of me in so many places along the route. Today we spent most of our day with the Logues. Church, lunch, pictures, river notes, guitars, groceries, dinner, laughs, and talks all became part of the memories of our trip. (See Instagram @separateboats)
As we leave tomorrow, we are entering another chapter of our trip. With the river gage rising, we will be facing new challenges – stronger current, more debris, and fewer camping options. It saddens me to think we may also not be spending as much time meeting new people because we are concerned about the additional water being added to the Mississippi as a result of the flooding on the Wabash and Ohio rivers, and the rains to the north from Tropical Storm Bill. As I encounter the waves and current, I will remember how Jesus calmed the storm and continues to make Himself real to me. Tears of joy.
Lesson learned today – God’s blessings bring tears of joy and sorrow.
Thanks for following our adventure. For photos and videos of the events mentioned in this daily journal, check us out on Instagram @ separateboats.
Also, please continue to pray for and support our charity, The Fortress. Check out our “Charity Page” – you can donate using the Pay Pal button. Thank you.
Praying for your journey to be one filled with the wonderment of His Presence. May you be blessed as you bless others along your way. I truly enjoy your blog and share with the folks at church your progress. I live on the Ohio River at Grand Chain, Illinois ( I believe you stopped at the lodge and received water and toilet paper 🙂 )
Prayers will continue. Also we make a donation for the building project.
Your Sister in Christ,
Tammy
Thank you for reaching out to us and supporting Josephine and her team in Uganda. Also, we really appreciate the prayers.
Stay safe! Praying you have a joyful trip the rest of the way.
Take care and safe travels my new friends.
😉
Thanks Layne. Kindred brothers and siaters of the river.