Go big or go home

Week 18
Welp. Christmas break is over and the Ranch thrives with interns once again!
It has been reunion week here. First was the TNT reunion of a bunch of high school kids who work during the summer. This reunion included 80's dodgeball, hay ride, dance party, football, ice skating, and tons of fun. Next was the staff reunion! more dodgeball! more dancing! more football... a lot more football! and a trip to Baltimore for New Years Eve.
Phew. Tiring. But I loved every minute of it.
It's the best when you do things 100%. go big or go home is what I always say. yup.

But remember that the energy to do everything to the fullest comes only from God.
"Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure." Philippians 2:12-13 (The Message)
The energy that God gives us is for HIS pleasure. So please him with the things you do.
What do the things you invest your time and energy in say about your life?
Does it bring God pleasure?
Maybe ice skating and dodgeball and football don't seem like the most productive uses of energy. But its not the activity. It is the people.
I am thankful to be in this place where we play football to build community within God's church. I will not waste a single moment of it. And will continue to pour out every ounce of my energy, trusting that God will fill me up again.
Mean what you do. Do it with the energy that God gives. And do it together.

It's hard to take pictures while you're skating :-).

O come all ye faithful... every day

Week 17

My favorite Christmas song is O, Come All Ye Faithful. Hands down.

Lets just talk about this for a minute.

O come all ye faithful. That's us. I think... are we? Are we faithful?

I know you all know the refrain... O come let us adore him.

Over and over we sing this. It is plea to let us come. We are so unworthy of his love and his presence on earth that we find ourselves begging to adore him. Other renditions include additional refrains... I like to combine all of them:

O come let us adore him. We'll praise his name forever. For he alone is worthy. They all fit so seamlessly together. Once we decide to adore him, we realize our necessity to praise his name forever because he alone is worthy. Isn't that the truth? Forever. Every day of our lives... not just on Christmas or Christmas Eve.

And then there's this verse:

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,

we would embrace thee with love and awe

Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly? O come let us adore him...

Poor and in the manger. THAT'S US! At least I can say for certain that that's me. He came to save us sinners. Who wouldn't love the one who loved us enough to save us? Christmas is not about snow, it is not about giving, and it is not even about family. It is about the birth of the fulfillment of God's promise to his people... Jesus. poor and in the manger. Through this promise we can know true love and true life. It all starts with HIM. It all starts Today. But it only just starts today. 

That is something to celebrate. This glorious day is only the beginning. How lucky is that! If we lived every day of our lives begging to adore Christ, I think our lives would look different. Mine would.

That's what O come all ye faithful means.

Jesus fulfills the promise of truth, love, and redemption. We need to be faithful, adore him, and praise him forever.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever and love me I pray. 

Merry Christmas!

This only do I seek

Week 16

In the last few weeks, in my desire for discipline, I have been quietly encouraged.

By friends, by scripture, but most importantly by God.

Yes. Really.

Let me tell you a story:

A few summers ago, while trying to find my way through life and the streets of Aix-en-Provence, I found myself alone.  But lucky for me, I was met in that brokenness by the Lord and creator of life. As I stood at the base of Mount St Victoire, with a paintbrush in my hand and my toes in the grass, He met me. Right there. He showed me who He was and who I was meant to be. He loved me and saved me. That's where I first met God.

My final semester of Truman, when life was running me down, I found myself alone. Alone in the quiet creepiness of my art studio. He met me. Right there. In Kirksville. Paint spattered on my clothes, brush in hand. He told me who He wanted me to be and showed me how. He loved me so quietly, but so perfectly.

This week, when stresses of life and future had me uneasy and anxious, you guessed it... He met me. Right there, in my room in Manchester, MD all spread out on the floor, paint brush in hand.

It never fails to comfort me when I realize how well God knows me. He made me to love painting. He knew that painting is where I can be reached every single time. He created me to love the thing that brings me nearest to Him! Thankful for that.

No matter the circumstances of your life or of your heart, no matter where you are physically or spiritually, God will meet you right there. If you slow down long enough to let him.

Figure out where God waits to meet you. And go there.

You will be amazed by His encouragement. In that place you will feel complete. If that isn't worth it, I don't know what is.

"One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: 

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

 to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4

Once you find it, go back there. ALL the days of your life.

This place will always be so special to me (Mount St Victoire, Aix-en-Provence, France).
Now you know why.

Discipline part II

Week 15
Since we last talked, I have been all about having quiet time every day and its been going well.
I love when God is teaching you something. It is everywhere. Everywhere you go, every conversation you have, everything you read spells out what he means until you finally get it. So here we are talking about discipline again... I opened up a daily devotional that I hadn't read in a while and this is the first page I saw:

"...present [our] bodies a living sacrifice... (Romans 12:1). Sanctification means more than being freed from sin. It means the deliberate commitment of myself to the God of my salvation, and being willing to pay whatever it may cost.

If we do not sacrifice the natural to the spiritual, the natural life will resist and defy the life of the Son of God in us and will produce continual turmoil. This is always the result of an undisciplined spiritual nature. We go wrong because we stubbornly refuse to discipline ourselves physically, morally, or mentally. We excuse ourselves by saying, “Well, I wasn’t taught to be disciplined when I was a child.” Then discipline yourself now! If you don’t, you will ruin your entire personal life for God."

-Oswald Chambers

You hear that? Not just mentally, but morally and physically too?
I feel as though all this discipline talk is preparing me for something.
I don't know what it is but I'm excited to find out. Okay, and a little scared.

Deliberate commitment of myself to the God of my salvation, and willing to pay whatever it may cost.

Whatever it may cost.

I am willing.

These are old photos because both of my cameras are currently out of order :-/

Discipline

Week 14
High energy. That is something true of me. But what happens when that high level of energy starts to get in the way? Then it is called restlessness. I looked that word up just now and this is the definition: marked by a lack of quiet, repose, or rest.
So whats going on Aubs?
Rest? Repose? Quiet? Uh oh. when was the last time I was truly quiet? ...why won't the word never leave my mind?


Because being quiet requires discipline. I'm not talking about the kind of quiet that you are during a movie, or when someone is sleeping. I mean absolutely and peacefully quiet. Quiet to hear the Lord. Quiet to spend time in the word. Quiet to pray. Quiet to breathe, think, and live apart from the busy, scattered, self centered, mixed up world we live in.
But I lack discipline. And I lack quiet.


Proverbs 5:23 says, "He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray." Hello! He dies for lack of discipline. Dies. This is for real.
A good friend of mine honestly reminded me that this sort of discipline requires sacrifice. 
Sacrifice.
This discipline is worth it. To live. "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11). Discipline is worth it. To not sin against the Lord who loves and gives abundantly. Who am I to not sacrifice a single minute of my day for the God who sacrificed his only son?
That is absurd.
I'm not perfect. But I will try.
Will you help me?

Thankful to live at the Ranch. Where true beauty can be found every day.

Family Traditions

Week 13
Family traditions. We all have them. Are they silly?
Every Black Friday instead of shopping, my family piles into our van, drives north to choose the finest Christmas tree we can spot at Richardson's Farm. We point to one we think looks good. Dad says its too tall for our house. We find one that looks shorter and we walk over, but they are always taller than they appear. We discuss and debate the pros and cons of each tree: trunk shape, fullness, needle sharpness, overall shape, height...
"Is it leaning?"
"There is a hole on this side"
"We can put that side against the wall"
Usually a snow ball fight or game of tag breaks out.  Someone probably trips on a tree stump.
We decide to just pick a tree... after all, they all pretty much look the same anyway.
Dad saws it down. We wait in line for free hot chocolate. We tie the tree to the top of the van.
We go to eat at the Cubby Hole Cafe. We sit in "the big booth" (the only one big enough for the 5 of us). We drive home and listen to the Nsync Christmas cd. Yes I said Nsync.

This is all sort of silly if you think about it. We do the same thing over and over every year. Why?
Is it because it is familiar, it is stable, it is comforting? In a world where things are always changing. In a family where kids grow up, schools, cities, jobs change... the day after thanksgiving never does. It is comforting.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction..." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Maybe those traditions aren't so silly after all.


In the spirit of Thanksgiving: I am thankful for my family. For a family who cares enough to have traditions. For a God who uses such a family for love, warmth, and comfort. 

We missed you this year Kev-o.

All things are possible

Week 12
Outdoor education.
Some staff may say that it is exhausting, chaotic, and stressful when those buses unload 150 5th graders.
And they're right.
Aside from keeping everyone safe and having fun, we want to make sure they learn something.
And they always do.
I love it. I love watching their eyes widen as they walk up to the high ropes course. Or watching them back away from the platform at the zipline in fear... all to discover that with a little determination, hard work, and trust they can do it.
And they will love it... and probably want to do it again!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5)
"...with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26)
Don't ever let your doubting expectations keep you from trying, believing, or trusting.
There's nothing better than watching a kid accomplish something they would have never dreamed possible.
All things are possible.
Simple as that.

God is in the details

Week 11
I am reading a book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

It is rich, full of beauty, and full of truth:

"I know there is poor and hideous suffering, and I've seen the hungry and guns that go to war. I have lived pain, and my life can tell: I only deepen the wound of the world when I neglect to give thanks for... the rivers that run and the stars that rise and the rain that falls and the good things that a good God gives. Why would the world need more anger, more outrage? How does it save the world to reject unabashed joy when it is joy that saves us? Rejecting joy to stand in solidarity with the suffering doesn't rescue the suffering. The converse does. The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world. When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of grace and let joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let joy soak into our broken skin, life grows. How can this not be the best thing for the world?"

I do not want to be one who deepens the wound of the world.

I am learning so much about the necessity of gratitude.

Not just in the great and good things but in every breath, every trial, and every triumph.

If we fully accept God's grace and salvation, we should be thanking him for every detail of every moment of our lives. "Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if not with thanksgiving?"

"As long as thanks is possible, joy is always possible. Joy is always possible."

Specifically I am thankful for the Ranch. I am thankful for the friends and people  that God has enhanced my life with. I am thankful for the moments of joy that I receive so often.

"With an expiration of less than 12 hours, what does Jesus count as all most important?"

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them... (Luke 22:19).

Refreshed and Ready

Week 10
This past week we went to the beach.
Chincoteague Island, Virginia... land of the wild ponies and the tastiest ice cream.
Intern vacation.
"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God." (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13) 
God gave us the gift of intern vacation. With a beautiful beach, great company, and a hot tub to relax in, who could ask for more.
October was a busy month.
Refreshed and ready for November!

Believe in beauty

Week 9
They told me it was supposed to snow.
At first we heard 1-2 inches, then 4-6, then 8-10 inches.
Of snow? In October? Yeah right I said.
Now I love snow. Like really, I love it. But my skeptical mind did not allow me to get excited or even acknowledge the possibility of snow.
"I'll believe it when I see it." And so I went to bed.
...
I think so many times the practical/skeptical side of our brains mislead us. Why is it so hard to believe that it would snow? As if God can't create snow wherever and whenever he pleases. That is something to get excited about. This isn't just about snow. Our skepticism often keeps us from having hope and faith in beautiful things. Why. Why do we do that? Why is it so hard to believe that the God of all creation knows and loves us? That is something to get excited about. But no, we act too cool... "I'll believe it when I see it."
Don't you see it???
Look around you! Every single blessing that you have is from the Lord. Because He loves. Because He cares.
...
Woke up the next morning with flurries of excitement... hoping there would be snow but still too skeptical to believe there would be.
There it was, a winter wonderland. Right outside my window. Yes!
Not only did the snow warm my heart, but I know it was a gift from God.
He gave me the most lovely day of colorful fall leaves, bright white snow, friendship, adventure, and joy.
He knows me so well.

"A faithful man will abound with blessings" (Proverbs 28:20).
So please, have a little faith in something beautiful. You won't be sorry.

Count your Kernels

Week 8
I change my clothes, getting ready for bed, and 20+ corn kernels fall to the ground. If we measured success by corn kernels, I think it is safe to say that today was a successful day at Maizefest. You know what made today such a good day?
The little things.
I gave pony rides all day... walked in small circles over and over. But it was worth it for each adorable smile from a three year old. Not to mention the fall colors and pretty leaves.
I also had maize maintenance duty which consists of walking around in the maze fixing the tape that people rip down while cutting through the corn. Elijah, Chris, and I fixed a lot of tape in the cold and dark maze. It was worth it for each person we scared... all while noticing the abundant stars overhead.
First ones to work, last ones to leave. But it was worth it for the hour we (Emily, Elijah, Chris, and I) spent playing in the corn wagon like children... wrestling, burying people, and dancing. Especially when our boss (Matt) joined in for a bit. All the while realizing how awesome our jobs are.
It is great working hard when it is with people you love.
It really is the little things in life. When you add up all the little things in a day that made you smile, it really counts for something.
In this case, the count is 38 corn kernels on my floor.
Those messy little things...

Lost in the Maze

Week 7
Each weekend in October is what we call Maizefest, here at The Ranch. It is a 6 acre corn maze accompanied by some pretty sweet fall festival family fun activities. This Saturday, over 1,300 people came through our gates... they came to get lost. in the maze.
My primary job has been hosting. This means that I walk them to the entrance of the maze, put a time stamp on their map, send them in with a "good luck", and walk back to the front to meet the next group.
Group after group entered the maze and to each one I playfully prompted, "You ready to get lost?" Surprisingly, most of them said no... they weren't planning on getting lost. Some of them were kidding, but many of them sincerely thought they were not going to get lost. Well guys, it's a MAZE. You are supposed to get lost. It's designed to do just that- get. you. lost. But hey, maybe they would be the exception...
We have a tower set up that overlooks the entire maze from the inside. Many people call out asking for clues, tips, or ideas on how to reach their final destination. There are many groups, however, who get frustrated and even a bit mad that they are lost. I had some people tell me that the maze was wrong, that the map was wrong, and even that I was wrong. I had other people tell me a whole story about how they got lost because of this or that... like they were the only ones who experienced that. Like they weren't supposed to get lost or something. Like they were supposed to be the exception.
Truth is, there is no exception. You are no exception. Not in the maze and not in real life. Often we are too prideful to see the truth in that. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." We all have struggles... even those who didn't expect to struggle. But God provides the escape! Your struggles are not unique. This is good, so that when you are troubled, someone can help you.
When you do get lost, somebody can help you find your way if you let them.
Life is like a maze. You are intended to get lost- it's how we learn.
It will happen. But you are not alone.

As a host, two songs play on repeat all day. One of them goes like this: "We lose our way, we get back up again. It's never too late to get back up again."

Isaiah 43:19

Week 6.
You learn something new every day. Isn't that a saying?
Well by golly is that true if you live at The Ranch.
I have done more things in the past week that I have never done before. Seems like I have learned, and experienced something new, different, and exciting as often as I have breathed. 
For example, in the past week alone I have:
moved lots of hay bails, driven a tractor, learned to weed whack, mowed a lawn, zip lined at night, fell off a ladder, bought a banjo, got stuck in a swamp, worked in a corn maze, and written my doctrine of belief... yes I said bought a banjo (ebay. no I don't know how to play the banjo. gotta start somewhere).


This may seem like a list of trivial activities and chores, but if we do whatever we do "whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17)" then it all becomes a little less trivial, don't you think? I truly am thankful for the opportunity to be here and learn constantly.
When I see the staff working around me, it is evident that they are working in the name of Jesus. The life, energy, and diligence with which they work is inspiring. It is a beautiful place to be. C.S. Lewis says, "the sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing...to find the place where all the beauty came from."
Each of these little daily events are part of a bigger picture here at The Ranch and in my life. It is all part of this great journey I am on. A journey to make an impact and to love God wholly. Along the way I have found true friends, joy, and laughter to take with me on this spiritual journey. To see where the beauty comes from. If weed whacking until my arms fall off allows me to spend time here in this place with the Lord, then I will take it. Hands down.
I can't wait to see where the road takes me next.
I bet its gonna be sweet.

     For I am about to do something new.
      See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
   I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
      I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

Life is but a vapor

Week 5.
I am writing to you tonight with a bit of a heavy heart.
I am back in Chicago for the death of my uncle Tom (my Dad's brother). I can't begin to imagine what my Dad and his siblings are going through, not to mention Uncle Tom's three sons. Tom was a great man who no doubt is in heaven. That is comforting... but now what?
There is something really heartbreaking about watching your father weep. This was different than the passing of my Grandma or Grandpa. This cut deeper, especially for Dad.
For the past few months, my heart has felt the fragility of life. Feeling the weight of the world. Sickness and death. Its for real. Gosh is it real.
So now what? Well today it overwhelmed me. The sense of urgency that we need to live life with. The intentionality we need to have behind every word and every action. Our time here is short. James 4:14 says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." You are just a vapor.
Tom was a man of honor and compassion. He lived it well. His life an example to all.
Not only within our lives should we impact and uplift those around us, but even in our death. With our every decision, intention, and attitude. So that we can inspire and encourage the way Uncle Tom did. It would be easy to make excuses... living the bare minimum. But living a life close to Jesus asks us to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us" and by doing so, lead by example (Hebrews 12:1). Live by example. Meet and exceed expectations so that even after we pass, our lives point to Christ.
Run. Don't walk. Don't stand still. Run with perseverance.
Others will desire to follow.

Thanks Uncle Tom.

Trees and Me

Week 4

Maybe its the way the sunlight streams through the trees, or the sound of the Gunpowder river flowing smoothly past me, or maybe its the gentle sway of my hammock... but there is something about being out in the woods relaxing that just makes you think deeper. Like really ponder stuff...

This week, all of the RVR staff went on a staff retreat for 2 nights. It was a great trip filled with games, fun (human huntdown), and getting to know each other. We discussed our identity in God both individually and as a ministry. We took personality tests and analyzed how we best work together. It quickly became clear that the room was filled with many talented people; all with unique gifts to bring and different roles to fulfill. 

God created us that way. He created me to be me and no one else... if only I could remember that always.

Back at the Ranch, it is officially fall and I couldn't be more stoked. I have been patiently (or not so patiently) awaiting the changing of the leaves. Here it is upon us!!! In the past few days I have seen hints of red, orange, and yellow among the masses of green.

As I lounged in my hammock in the back woods of camp, I continued to think about who God created me to be. Soaking in my surroundings, I looked at the trees. They all stood so tall and proud knowing exactly what God created them to be. Ever growing. Ever reaching upward. They were created to do just that. To be green, to turn orange, to shed leaves, to grow them back, to create shade, to give oxygen, and to hold my hammock. They do a great job. Every single time. They know what God created them to do and they do it so faithfully. Every single time. Every time gosh darn it.

If only we could be as obedient and faithful to God's intent for us. Every single time. Maybe we would be as beautiful as the trees. If only...

Have you seen God in His splendors,

heard the text that nature renders?

(You'll never hear it in the family pew).

The simple things, the true things, the silent men who do things --

Then listen to the Wild -- it’s calling you.

-Poem by Robert Service

Go outside. learn something.

Learn by doing

Week 3.
Our intern training is officially complete and I feel sore, bruised, scraped up, and accomplished.  I am certified to belay climbers, facilitate the giant swing, the zip-line, and the high ropes course... also I can tie all sorts of knots that I didn't even know existed.
To sum it up in one word: intense. 
It all started in the classroom where we learned the goals and philosophies behind outdoor adventure  ministry.  We talked about the importance of challenging participants to overcome fears and hesitations and encouraging growth physically, mentally, and spiritually through these struggles. It sounds good on paper, but does it really work?
Well hook them up to a couple ropes and send them 50 feet in the air to complete a series of seemingly impossible tasks (in the pouring rain). That'll do it. I can tell you from experience.


Walking up to the high ropes course, it is easy to miss the boulder with "Col 3:2" painted on it. This is what the verse in Colossians says "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Pretty appropriate.
The course is intimidating.
Because we will be coaching kids and groups through all of these activities, we had to successfully and safely complete them all. I was challenged. I was scared. I was hesitant... and I even know how it all works! It was intense. I was pushed. I grew. And I was joyful in victory at the end. After all of this, I truly believe in what this ministry does and am excited for all the kids and groups who will get to push their limits here at The Ranch. Can't wait.


We have had so much fun together as interns helping, encouraging, and laughing at one another. I learned that everything is more intense in the rain. I learned that shouting "I am intense!" when you are scared helps. I learned that it is more than possible to have fun even when you are terrified. I learned that your friends will laugh at you when you are stuck upside down with rain in your eyes. I learned that the knot that you/your friend tied will hold you if you did it right. I learned to trust myself and my friends. I learned to trust the Lord in all things.


The best part are the very real and uplifting relationships that are being formed through it all. What a gift from God.

This photo is partially similar to last week's, but I wanted you to see what the river is supposed to look like.

The Flood.

Week two.

Gosh you guys. I am lucky to have found such a beautiful little camp tucked away in a valley between the rolling hills of rural Maryland. But isn't it always a bit overwhelming walking into a place where you have never set foot and you know no one? I think yes. 

On my first new day in a brand new place, I was prepared  to step into a world that I would come to know for the next year, just waiting to be discovered. 

But first I stepped right into a huge puddle. 

See the thing is that valleys flood...

Four days straight of rain and counting. It seems to be God's way of saying, "Welcome! Grab an umbrella, a pair of boots, and jump on in (or try to tread carefully, but either way your feet are going to get wet)!" Just like that, myself and the 5 other college aged interns were out there playing in puddles, becoming family, and standing in awe of the power of water.

The small creek that used to run through camp became a raging river. The bridges were under water and all we could do was observe. We sat, looked, and listened, waiting for the rain to let up. This is what we heard:  

"You clothed the earth with floods of water,

      water that covered even the mountains.

 At your command, the water fled;

      at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.

 Mountains rose and valleys sank

      to the levels you decreed.

 Then you set a firm boundary for the seas,

      so they would never again cover the earth.

You make springs pour water into the valleys,

      so streams gush down from the mountains...

You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home,

     and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor."

                                                     Psalm 104:6-13

Matt (the boss) read this Psalm aloud as we simply sat under the porch watching the river carve through our new home.

Just makes you think. If days 1-3 have been flooded (literally) with new experiences, awesome new people, and a new perspective of the power of God, what do you suppose the next 350 or so days have in store? I surely don't know. But with an open mind and an open umbrella, I'm ready to find out... and ready to see the sun again :-)

And even when I fall I'll get back up, for the joy that overflows my cup. Heaven filled me with more than enough, broke down my levees and my bluffs. Let the flood wash me.                                                         "Further Along" by Josh Garrels

On the road again... again

Week One.
This first post speaks for the entire summer, so it deserves more than 1 photo...

This has been a summer of transitions and car rides. I have moved from one place to another to another and back again. There were good times with friends, quiet times alone, beautiful places, and some very boring open roads. This is how it went:

Kirksville (school), Schaumburg (home), Kirksville, Branson (kamp), Kirksville, Schaumburg (flew to San Francisco), Kirksville, Kansas City, Colorado Springs, Grand Canyon, Rock Springs TX, Branson, Kirksville, Schaumburg, Kirksville, Branson, Kirksville, Schaumburg, Milwaukee, St Louis, Schaumburg, And it isn't quite done yet. 


On Saturday I will be leaving from Schaumburg to drive to Manchester, Maryland... 
for a total of about 8,561 miles in the car. Which is about 150 hours (9000 minutes/6 days 6 hours).


I didn't realize exactly how far that was until I looked into it.
Literally across the country (Maine to California) 2 and a half times.
That is from Chicago to Alaska and back... twice!
Chicago to Paris and back if you could drive it.


... all that and I only broke down once (in Branson) and only got 1 ticket (in kirksville. for going the wrong way down a one way road. oops my bad).


The real photo of the week. me. in the car. are you surprised?