And So It Begins

Today is my final day of "finishing up."  The packing needs to be finished: Callahan hasn't helped too much! :-)  When I began packing, I thought, "There is no possible way I can fit everything for 10 months into two duffle bags & one Rubbermaid tote (plus a laptop bag & pillow)."  Well, I am happy to say--it's going to fit!  I'll be leaving North Carolina very early Wednesday morning, and arriving in Louisiana during the evening.  Please pray for safe travels, a "healthy" truck, and alert drivers--us and the other people on the road!  I update you along the way as I have access to the internet.  

Thanks for your prayers!

Coming Soon...

Christmas...

and my baby brother!

Tim will be driving down from Virginia Christmas Eve, and will drive to Illinois to be with his wife Dec. 27th.  Please pray that he will have two safe trips.  He'll be switching out cars here--I'll be saying farewell to my first car a week earlier than planned.  Tim will be getting the Saturn, and trading his car in.  

Two Weeks From Today

"Fire and Ice"

As many of you know, there is only one week before Christmas, which means two weeks before New Year's Eve--my departure date!  Over the next two weeks, I will be finishing up the dreaded to-do list, visiting with family and friends, and saying bittersweet goodbyes.  I am sad to be leaving my family & the friends I have made here in North Carolina, but I am so excited to get to Mexico!  

4 weeks out...

Cotton Harvest

Today is December 1st, leaving me only 4 weeks before I leave for Mexico.  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and during all your preparations and worries for the materialism of Christmas--please, remember Christ this year, Who He is, what He has done for us, and His coming again!  

Back in NC

New great-grandbaby Caleb

Born Nov. 13

I am now back in North Carolina, having finally finished my two months of traveling.  During the two months I visited in 6 states, stayed with 15 friends and family, and was able to share with 6 churches.  Thank you so much for your prayers as I traveled!

In Him--Carrie

Portraits by Will (More from Saturday)

Cousin Elliott taking pictures

"Pappy" massaging Mommy's pregnant feet

"Pappy Roy" in the kitchen

"Pappy Roy's" sister Rosie & friend Pauline

If you ever want to experience a new point-of-view, give a six-year old a disposable camera! :-)

Family Time!

With Mini-Me: Abby & Carrie

Abby & Will flying through the air!

"Andrew, are you cold?"

"No, the leaves are keeping me warm!"

Andrew didn't have good "playground" shoes

Toucan Sam hasn't changed much in 20 years!

Les & Elliott, Mark & Charlotte, Rob, Kris, & Me

Myrtle, Keith, Joel, Nikki, Rob

With Charlotte--the baby "great" for 5 more days!

Abby on the banister

One last picture with my mini!

A Few More Travels

I've had the chance to see a lot more of my family!  Here are a few more pictures of my travels:

This was my first view when I pulled into Pappy's:

Last year's gourd crop!

I always try to go to PenMar Park with Pappy when I'm here. 

We were looking for places in town that we recognized.

Sandwich anyone?

Pap's neighbor asked if I would help with her Christmas trees

for the Christmas parade.

This Saturday I'll get to see most of the local extended family.  I can't wait to see everyone!

Fall Foliage & the like

Railroad Bridge

CJs on the bridge

CORN!

Fall rebar

Leaves in Rauchtown

Railroad Bridge

Church in Quiggleville

Blowing in the Wind

CCCS Cross

Pleasant Valley

Family Pictures

Me with my cousins: Casey, Clint, & Jordan

Back with my Cuz!

My cousin's daughter: Alyssa

Things are going well here in PA.  I was able to share with a group last Wednesday, & I have two more scheduled for this Wednesday & Sunday.  Please be in prayer for these meetings, & the traveling I'm doing as I catch up with friends along the way.  

Continued travels:

Sonya & I took a four-wheeling ride to a stone house.

Did you know that you can EAT kudzu?! Every single part of it is edible!

After 6 years, I got to see Jim & Jo Price again!

And after 10 years I got to see the Kelleys!

My trip has gone very well so far, and I am currently in Pennsylvania. I'll be here in the Jersey Shore, PA area for about 2 weeks. I will be sharing in two separate churches while I am here, so please be in prayer about that. Thanks so much!

Georgia & Kentucky

"The Varsity" is an Atlanta tradition (and restaurant) that Amber took me to.

It almost made driving in Atlanta rush hour acceptable.

It's a little foggy...but, I missed the Tennessee Welcome sign because I glanced at my phone:
"Layla Sage was born Thursday morning!"
Congratulations Dave & Katie!

Callahan's first time to Kentucky!

Thanks for all your prayers as I am traveling! I'll have more pictures soon to show of my time here with Sonya, Prices, and Kelleys.

Carrie

Beginning the Countdown

You may have noticed the new countdown on the right side of the page, which counts in weeks. Well, today is 100 days until I head to Chihuahua--I'm almost in the double digits! (The last time I was excited about that I was 9!) The better part of these 100 days will be on the road: about 64 days! Please pray that I will be productive over the next 100 days as I prepare for arriving in Chihuahua, Mexico!

Onward--to Georgia

South Carolina

Georgia!

The drive here went well, and I have enjoyed spending time with my friend Amber. I was able to share with her Sunday school class yesterday, which was a lot of fun.

Next up: Kentucky!

Contemplations of the Pen

Someday I may learn (and comprehend) the cons of using a pen. It's irreversible--unless you get those fancy erasable pens they make for pen "learners." Pens come in many different colors and sizes, and I can organize better with color. Therefore, I use pens in various colors for my calendars. (Yes, plural...) But someday, I will learn that my calendar should be in pencil.

For various reasons, I've decided to not begin my two-month trip on Thursday. The trip is still on--I'm just skipping Florida for now. I'll begin with Atlanta, instead, and will be there Monday, if not sooner. Everything after that--at this point--is on as scheduled. So, Amendment #1 has occurred for the trip. (Should we keep track of the amendments?...I think so...)


Tomorrow night I'll be sharing with the youth group at Coats Baptist Church. I'm looking forward to this time to impact the lives of the young people. Please pray that I will have clarity of thought & wisdom as to how to best influence them. I'll put up some of what I share with them soon!

Thank you so much for your part of sharing the gospel Around The World!
Carrie

"Hurricane's A-Comin'!"

That's a great line from The Little Mermaid...but I can't say I ever wanted to use it! Thankfully, we are not directly on the east coast, but we are expecting fair amounts of rain from TS Hanna. Then there's Ike...then there's Josephine...

Tomorrow at Coats Baptist we are having a women's conference. Would you please be in prayer for this event? Tonight TS Hanna is supposed to come into our area, bringing a lot of rain and wind. Please pray that this event will go on as scheduled, and that God will be working in the lives of the women who attend!

Thanks!
Carrie

Not the Measles...

No, this is not areas that are in a pandemic (there is no pandemic, have no fear...)

This is a rough look at the route I'll be taking over the next few months. I'm currently figuring out where I'll be traveling in September, October, and possibly into November. The dots are areas that I'll be hitting for sure...care to add a "dot"? Just let me know if you'd like me to stop in & you're in any of these areas. Right now, the schedule is flexible, but the closer I get to September 18th, the more I will have filled in. Would you please pray that I will be focusing on God as I make choices as to where to go, how long to stay, and who to stay with? I'm excited to go on this trip to see family, friends, and make new friends as I share in churches along the way. Please pray that God will be glorified during this trip--not Carrie!

Thanks,
Love,
Me