While exploring the Oregon coast, we made it a goal to visit all nine of the historic lighthouses on the Oregon coast—and we did it!

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We were taking a little hike to see the Octopus Tree. We didn’t really know what to expect and were anxious to get a glimpse of this wonder of God’s creation. When the tree came into view we were quite surprised by the shape and size of the tree. But that wasn’t the only thing that was a surprise to us that day.

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It’s hard to believe that we’ve been away from Tennessee for over seven months. I intended to write a reflection on the first six months, but we were so busy in August just keeping up with our travel blogs, that I didn’t have a chance. So this morning I’m sitting in a church parking lot at 6 am, unable to sleep, and thought I’d give it a go.

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While we were at Fort Langley, two of the docents sang this song for us. Nette said this was one of the songs that was sung during the gold rush period. It struck a chord with us.

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At 8:32 AM, Pacific TIme, on May 18, 1980, the volcano known as Mount St. Helens exploded sending ash and mountain dust around the world and killing 57 people.

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Family—we are constantly reminded of the importance of the family unit to everyday living. How much more important it is to those who are undertaking a treacherous journey, as were the settlers who by the hundreds of thousands in the 1830s through the 1860s started out from Independence, Missouri to find a new life in the far west.

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Our visit to Nebraska was pretty much limited to Omaha. After visiting Union Station, and doing some letterboxing in a cemetery, we drove north along the Missouri River, which is the eastern border of the state, crossed the river again, and spent the night in Yankton, South Dakota. The next morning we drove up to Mitchell to see the Corn Palace, which is truly a unique enterprise.

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There are many folks who would agree with that statement and who would apply it across the board. There are other folks who might agree with the basic thought but who would selectively apply it. But what’s the correct stance to take? Is there a correct stance?

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We spent Friday and Saturday in Chicago, wore out our feet, and in the process saw many amazing buildings and constructions. Millennium Park and the Loop were on Friday’s agenda, with Robie House and the University of Chicago campus on Saturday’s. From “The Bean” to Trump Tower, the Chicago Cultural Center to Robie House, we were impressed with all that is Chicago, and realized that one could spend months there and still not scratch the surface of this amazing city that literally rose from the ashes of the Great Fire.

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For a few hours today, we’re in Clawson, working in the house where I grew up. And perhaps for the last time, I’m sitting at my father’s desk.

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Not all change is bad. Some changes actually are good for us or help to bring light into darkness.

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Last week we visited the Meyer May house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, in Grand Rapids. As we watched the video about the house’s restoration, and then toured the magnificently restored home, the word “excellence” kept coming to my mind.

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All of my life I have seen myself as healthy, and even though I have always struggled with lack of energy and have had what I thought were minor health issues, I had always hoped that I would be like my mom, who is 92. She takes only one medication (for blood pressure) and sees the doctor twice a year just to see if there are any changes.

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Today the cottage for Mom is “finished.”

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A new week has dawned and the Joyces have taken to the road again. Why? Because it’s Monday and moving day’s a-comin.’

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