iCrucified

Taming Chi-Town and Covering Ground

We started with a hearty breakfast for ourselves, topping off our “tummy tanks” and then likewise with the fuel tank on our moving truck as we set out for Day 2 on the road. Our goal was to tackle the metro area of Chicago; this was a task I was not looking forward to with our big ole truck and mega-hectic traffic. I asked for prayers from you, our prayer partners, and was praying nonstop during the ride myself. God’s Presence was strong with patience, peace, and calm permeating the cab of our truck. The traffic was everything I feared and expected, but we navigated the insanity as if we had been seasoned veteran Chicagoean Truckers. Thanks for the prayers and encouragement we received from you along the way; I am sure it made all the difference.

I set Joshua to the task of being our photojournalist (Laurie gets a little antsy when I want to take pictures and drive at the same time), and he did a fine job. He was pretty funny being so pleased with himself for figuring out how to point a camera and push the button. He’s like; “who’s the man!” I’m like; “Josh, it’s a point and shoot camera… how can you mess it up?” He thinks he’s Ansel Adams or something now, buy it is great comic relief for me and I get someone to record the journey for us, so it’s a win-win in my book.

Highlights for the day…

Illinois has toll roads. No. Seriously… Illinois has TOLL ROADS. I felt like we were traveling the roads of the Roman Empire. Every few miles there was a toll booth and fee. The fees seemed arbitrary at times with little explanation or notices of what the costs were. I bet we served up close to $50.00 in tolls and maybe even more. This was a cost to the trip I had not anticipated. Did I say that Illi-annoys has a toll system? Oh well, render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s right? Aside from the skyline of Chicago, we didn’t get too much scenery to look at.

Wisconsin (the area we traveled) was fairly plain to look at… (Sorry Wisconsinites, I’m sure you have beautiful areas of your state to take in…we just didn’t see them on this trip; maybe next time). One thing we did notice along the way of our route through Wisconsin; it had a resort or waterpark every 5 miles. Well, maybe not every 5 miles… probably closer to 8.3 miles. Also, there was incredible amounts of traffic for such empty stretches of highway (except for the waterparks I mean). I couldn’t understand it and still don’t… maybe it was all the locals doing the waterpark circuit. Wisconsinites are probably the best water flumers and innertuber sliders in America… we should introduce it in the next summer Olympics. I bet Wisconsin would take gold. Oh Yeah! I almost forgot… Waterparks and RV dealerships. We saw tons of RV Dealerships along the way too! Sadly, even with all their RV Dealerships… they don’t have the claim to fame of Elkhart, Indiana (also along the path of our journey this day) with hosting the RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum. I was very disappointed that we couldn’t check this place out (Indiana gets all the good stuff…).

We’re having fun along the way and plan to take on a large chunk of South Dakota today. We’ll catch you up on the day’s adventures live on facebook, and a photo slideshow tomorrow. Here’s yesterday’s slideshow below. Keep praying for us as we make ground headed west!

An elder said: “The reason why we do not get anywhere is that we do not know our limits, and we are not patient in carrying on the work we have begun. But without any labour at all we want to gain possession of virtue”  (Desert Fathers: XXVI)

O Almighty God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord.