JEAN IS BACK

Seems we have finally worked out when who will post what.  Anna or I or Grandmother Olive will be on Tuesday.  We can't guarantee every week.  Elmer offered to give up Monday for us and take Tuesday or Friday, but we decided we would go back to the way it was.  It reminds me of the children.  When you ask a child: "Why did you do that ?" and get the reply "That's the way we always did it."

Grandmother Olive, Grandfather Albert, Bishop Eli's Mother Fannie, Step - Father Amos, Porter and his wife are on a trip out west.  They left a couple of weeks ago.  It all started when Grandmother Olive said she wanted to see the Pacific Ocean.  So she and Grandfather Albert starting making plans.  Fannie and Amos said that sounded interesting - they would be interested in going.  Of course they wanted to go Amtrak so they contacted Porter.  Porter gave them advice over the phone.  A couple hours after hanging up,  Porter called back and asked them how would they like some Englishers with them. So that 's how they all got together.

Bishop Eli, Bishop Joseph and our family wanted to meet Porter and his wife.  We had never met them and just wanted to get to know these people who were going on a trip with our parents and grandparents.  Grandmother Olive was not happy.  Said we were treating them like little children.  Bishop Joseph finally said that he would not let them go until he met Porter and his wife before they left.  So we picked Porter and his wife at Amtrak in Rochester and brought them to our homes for the evening.

Porter said that he had lots of vacation coming and thought this would be a great time to take some.  His wife had never met Amish or Old Order Mennonite.  So we all made her at ease.  He also wanted  her to see what the porter does on Amtrak.  Although he is not working on this trip, she will get to see what he does. She had never been out west or seen the Pacific Ocean either.  Also, he thought it would be better if he rented a car, when needed, and drove them to places they wanted to see rather than have them on buses or subway or trolley cars. It also helps that he has been out west several times before - with his children when they were little and later alone.  They stayed over night at Bishop Eli's house.  Next afternoon, we had them all on Amtrak on their way.  Yes, Grandmother Olive got the room she wanted.

They stopped here and there along the way for a day or two to see places.  Stayed in motels and Porter rented a car to take them where they wanted to go.  Grandmother Olive will have to tell you where they went when she gets back.  We know they went to Yellowstone National Park, Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon and more.  When they got to California, I know they saw the Pacific Ocean, the San Diego Zoo and I don't know what all.

We are glad that there is someone with them who knows their way around.  Also know that someone is keeping an eye on them.  We all gave Porter phone numbers to call if something happens to one of them and he needs to contact us.  He hasn't had a need to use them yet.

Be With God,
Jean