Worship, Hospitality and War

Date:  November 23, 2008

Location: Manassas, VA & Bar Harbor RV Park and Marina in Abingdon, MD

Junior Ranger Badge: The one and only of the trip: Manassas National Battlefield

Audio Books:  Misadventures of Maude March & finished reading Bull Run by Paul Fleischman (Mr. Fleischman tells the story of the first battle at Manassas through short first person accounts of their involvement with the war.)

Weather: 30's, clear blue skies, beautiful!

10:45 a.m.:  We actually packed up the camper and made it to church on time!  (http://www.novagrace.org/)  After researching online we found a PCA church nine minutes from the campground - Spriggs Road Presbyterian Church.

We were met at the door by a very friendly congregation.  Our first conversation went a little like this:

(a bit of inquiry as to L's battle wound...)  Man:  "I have a M--- too.  He is a bit taller though."

Man:  Do you have a N---?

S:  Yes, we do.  How old is your N---?

Man: He'll soon be 20.

S:  Mine is 19 too.

Man:  How many kids do you have?

S: 8

Man:  We do too.

We also discovered that we both have 4 girls and 4 boys and that we home school.  :-)

Another connection was that one of the elders was an elder in our church at home around the time we moved to the area.  We didn't know each other but had many mutual friends.

After an encouraging time of worship we were invited to join several families for lunch.  What an example of gracious hospitality was demonstrated by one who could push aside the clutter a week brings and graciously whip up lunch for 26 on the spot.  We spent a delightful afternoon getting to know each other a wee bit.

3 p.m.  We pulled the kids away from the games, toys and new friends and resumed our itinerary - a tour of Manassas National Battlefield Park.  In furthering our study of the Civil War we wanted to see this place where both sides were (over) confident that the battle would be quick and victory sure.  Civilians even brought picnics and sat on nearby hills to watch the battle unfold.  How naive they were, and how quickly this war took its toll on families and towns!

** K&M work on a Jr. Ranger Badge

**A was not captivated by the museum.  She opted to nap in Daddy's arms.

Though we could have spent hours exploring, time only permitted a quick survey and a stab at completing the Junior Ranger books.

7 p.m.  After getting around DC and through Baltimore we realized we would arrive in CT around 1 a.m.  We stopped for dinner and searched for a local RV park. 

9 p.m. Once again we are sheltered from the frigid winter air (though the thermometer read 30 degrees, the ocean air felt colder).  After setting up C busied himself with writing his book while the rest of us sipped hot chocolate and watched Superman I. (The kids love that cable!)

Comments

[Carol McFarland]

It was so nice to meet you! I am glad you were able to get the Jr. Ranger badges done. That's great! You're welcome to visit anytime! :)