East Coast Summer: Tennessee

   
​  It's going to be an EAST COAST summer!  We are excited to be working our way up towards Maine, then over to Michigan and Wisconsin.  
  We have been to 37 states so far, and the best time to go up that far northeast is summer, so off we go!  We want some more pins on this pin board!

   Our first stop was seeing some dear friends in OKC, then off to Tennessee we went.
​Oh my, it is BEAUTIFUL!​

---

    We stayed at a small RV park when we first pulled in, and had a fun lake side church service the next morning.  Then worked on making up some more Blessing Bags.  
  These have been such a hit this past year on the road.  We have gotten hugs and tears, crazy looks and many thanks!

​  Here is what we chose to include in our blessing bags: (we find the Dollar Store to be the best place to find these items!) *gallon ziplock
*water bottle
*a protein (we did some pb jars, some chicken salad packets with crackers)
*applesauce AND a spoon
*granola bar
*gum or hard candy like jaw breakers
(no Jolly ranchers, they melt easily and make a huge mess, trust us!!!)
*travel pack of wet wipes
*mini shampoo, lotion and deo
*mini toothpaste and a toothbrush
*chapstick
*comb and hair band
*couple of bandaids
*safety pins
*small paper devotional (found online)
*$2, $5 or $10, up to you. We did a variety!

  The kids SO enjoy finding people to give them to!  We figured whether the people we see on the side of the road really need our help or not, our job is to GIVE, abundantly and freely.  
  That's what we are responsible for, giving.  What they do with it, and what their true need is, is up to them. They answer for their actions, not me!

  We are tightening our belts this summer, in order to focus on debt reduction so we can GIVE more freely, we are trying to focus on mostly FREE things to do in the areas we stay.  That means we did a lot of hiking and swimming, or playing games out on our picnic table, this trip, which was great!
  The Smoky Mountains are absolutely stunning and the weather was perfect. And no bugs. :)

  We hiked 5 miles! WOAH.  These travelers have gotten SOFT.  Ouchie, but holy amazing and worth it!  Check out the above photos of what we got to see on our trek through nature.

  The whole time we were hiking, Avery and I asked the Lord to protect us from Bears.  There were a lot of warnings and signs, and even no dogs allowed signs, that made us nervous!
  Dale said, but I really wanted to see one!  In my head I just thought, "Ok Lord, maybe from the safety of our car we could see ONE?!"    

  We stopped at the little grocery store on our way home to get a few things for supper. While I was inside, Dale helped a group of ladies in the parking lot, to get their car running again.  
  It took a long time, but the kids were so tired from our big hike, they just lounged in the car and ate bagels from the grocery bags.  Dale got it running again, and of course, wouldn't take a dime from them, so the Lord blessed Dale with his hearts desire: 

   Seriously!  We watched this guy bumble across the road and walk alongside it up into the woods.
  How cool is our Father in Heaven!!!!  I love how He blesses us with the "little" things that make us feel loved and heard from.

  Today we are settled river front, in North Carolina!!! I am also working on a Day in the Life Of post as requested by so many of you, so stay tuned! :)

​~T