We were on a road trip this week where I had the honor of speaking with women in the southeastern portion of our state. W-a-y across the state and very close to neighboring Idaho, and along the Columbia River dividing Oregon and Washington. The drive is a beautiful one. But the best part was meeting people, often from a different walk of life than ours. When I am invited to speak to the women’s groups, we are provided a host with and a place to stay. The first night, we stayed with a widow named Ardith. She had prepared a lovely place for Jim and me and invited her neighbor, Fred, to join us for dinner. Fred 94 years old, had an interesting past. He was a survivor of Pork Chop Hill, the battle in the Korean War. Fred and Jim sat in the bright living room, that looked out onto a hops farm across the road and Ardith’s beautiful flower beds where bright asters and roses were colorfully displayed. Fred told his story of the terrible battle that he survived. There were 6,800 soldiers of the 67th division that were involved in 1953 summer battles for five days, among them 533 were killed and 1,242 were wounded. Less than three weeks after the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed by the UN, PVA and North Korean People’s Army, ending the hostilities. “How did you get through that?” Jim asked Fred.

“It was only through the Lord that I did,” he quickly responded. His story was published in the book, The Lost Two Years:an autobiography by Fred L. Holland. These delightful individuals, who lived in the same neighborhood enjoyed friendship together, sharing evening meals each evening. Ardith is a writer and wrote Fred’s account of Pork Chop Hill.

Here I am with them, below:

After meeting with the women in the small town of Grandview, we drove to our next location further east and south: Dayton, Washington. It is very close to the Idaho and Oregon borders. Our drive there was beautiful through The Palouse, one of the seven wonders of Washington State.

Aerial view of the Palouse

We stayed in Dayton with Dave and Lois. Lois had prepared a lovely meal for us and a comfortable bed that night. Again, we had wonderful conversation where we shared with each other, our lives and past experiences. From their house, we traveled east to the town of Pomeroy, where I would speak to another group of women. The meeting place was held in a unique building that had been preserved and was now used as a restaurant and church–an old flour mill. The owner loved musical instruments.

During those three days of our travels, we met some wonderful people who loved where they lived and so generously provided meals and accommodations for Jim and me.

I have traveled a lot. Across the ocean to places that have ancient buildings and astounding cathedrals. Mountains and plains. Wonderful people who are happy with where they live. The sights we saw as we traveled more than 400 miles in our home state were beautiful, too.

 

We are glad to be home once more. To our familiar surroundings and comfortable bed. I’m so blessed I get to see so much when one day, I may not be able to travel.

God has created for us a wonderful world. He has given us creativity in building–from cathedrals to flour mills, to musical instruments. To be able to drive through gorgeous scenery. To hear stories of lives with harrowing experiences of war, and loss.

What stood out to me in this trip were the sturdy people who make up our nation. Farmers, those who served our country, collectors of antiquity, writers who record our past, and those who show hospitality to others.

This morning I read about what God is preparing for those who place their trust in him. What I am looking forward to the most in my future home, is the presence with Jesus. He is waiting and excited to be with us.

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am (John 14:3 NLT). And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died (I Thessalonians 4:13-14). 

I like it that what I read in the Bible is true:

“Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5) Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven (Psalms 119:89). Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear (Matthew 24:35).

We have hope for an eternal home. We are blessed with beautiful surroundings and people.

“Lord, today, help me remember although we live in a beautiful world, You have prepared for us a lovely place and You are waiting for me to arrive. Thank you for the magnificent world You have placed me in and that one day, I will see you face to face in the place You have ready for me. Amen.”

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