Trip around the World

Most of you who know my family well know that we have lots of eccentric phrases... One of them is a "Trip around the World." On Friday, July 18th, my family and I went on a trip around the world. Yes, it sounds absurd, but ever since I was a little girl, my grandfather and his older brother (my Uncle Clinton) would take trips all over to visit relatives. Grandpa would always call these travels "trips around the world." One particular trip, in my mind, was given that name. The trip where Grandpa would go see the house where his mother was born, the house where his father was born, his parents' first home together, and the graveyard where his siblings were buried. Several years ago, Grandpa took Mom, Daniel, and me on this trip. But it had been so long I couldn't remember everything. Being a avid historian, I wanted to take the trip again... to see places where my great grandfather and great grandmother walked as children. Dad and I took the morning off; we all piled into the van and left on 1-79 south.

My 1st cousin twice removed (meaning she's my grandpa's cousin) owns the house where my great-grandmother was born. In fact, we believe the area around Grace's house was named for great-grandma's family: The Doak's. I loved visiting with Grace and her brothers, Harry and Kenneth. They all told wonderful stories, and Grace is a wonderful cook!

From there we went up a very narrow path to the graveyard, great-grandpa and great-grandma were firmly committed to being "fruitful and multiplying." They had 15 children!! At the graveyard, we saw graves of the three children that didn't make it to adulthood but died as little children. We also found my great-grandmother's parents' graves.

Then it was off to great-grandpa's birthplace... we visited more with Harry and Kenneth. Walked the road where, at night, my great-grandpa would run up the hill to pick his father tobacco. We saw the place where my great-grandparents' first home once stood.

After saying goodbye to Harry and Kenneth, we drove a little ways to another graveyard looking for great-great-grandfather Powell's grave. We found it: Elkanah Pendelton Powell. When his mother first moved to WV, she donated all the lumber she had to build her home to the Baptist church. They needed somewhere to worship. Wow! What a story.

I had a wonderful time following in my ancestor's footsteps... To see how God has blessed my family. I can't wait to go back again.

An interesting tidbit

~Spoilers~

Having watched The Dark Knight a second time, I noticed something interesting:

In the scene where Bruce tells Rachel he is giving up Batman, Rachel is wearing a black and white dress... Symbolism, perhaps? The Dark Knight or The White Knight ?

Trip to Jackson Shrine

After leaving CWSC,

Dee, Daniel, and I made a stop on I-95, at the Stonewall Jackson shrine.

The place where Stonewall breathed his last, never ceases to move me. He was a man of great vision, a man of great nobility, and a follower of God. I wish there were more like him. In some ways, I wish he wouldn't have died so young. But God is sovereign; He knows what is best.

My favorite CWSC pictures

Hugo and Gwen

Me and Daniel

Hannah and Heather

Dee and Me

Me and Daniel

Hugo and Gwen

Me and Dee

Gwen, Dee, and Hannah

The Best Animal Cracker

Me and Gwen

Friday Night

Each year at CWSC, Friday holds a talent show followed by pizza and dancing. Everyone is really excited for it; however, we also hate that it's the last night for our fellowship.


Gwen, Hannah, John (Or little John/MS), Hugo at dinner
Girl Group: Hannah, Beth, Me, Dee, and Gwen

Daniel and I

..., Jenna, Taryn, Anna, John (I think I missed an introduction with the girl in green)

Dancing the Waltz

Amy

Daniel and Dee (my favorite picture!)

Joe and Rachel

CWSC

No sooner had we made it to conference than we found out it would be the last CWSC ever! We were all crushed... but it did give us the desire to make it the best year ever. We succeeded. Even though Dee and I were not roommates, Dee and Beth got to room together, and I made some new friends.

Beth and Dee

Me and Libby (my roommate)

Me, Libby, Kerri, and Vickie

Our group grew by leaps and bounds, and I loved meeting and "catching up" with everyone. :)

Charades was one of our favorite activities... We also played "Who? What? When? Where? Why?" and "Sentence Pictionary."

Hugo as Napoleon Bonaparte

The Boy's Team: Daniel, Hugo, and my Goob--Daniel

The Girl's Team--Taryn, Gwen, Dee, and Me

My Goob/Robin/Daniel, Daniel, Hannah, Gwen, Dee, and Hugo

By mid-week, caffeine is must! Coffee was my drink of choice at the breakfast meal.

The lectures were encouraging and challenging; I found myself hoping that someone would take up the torch and continue CWSC's grand tradition. I will continue to pray about this, and I hope many of you will also.

Sam King was kind enough to lead the dancing, and I learned a new one called "the Gypsy" or "the Woodchuck" depending on who you are asking. :P

Charlie and Sam

Stay tuned... Friday Night pictures to come!

Visit with the Steward Family

Last Sunday, Dee, Daniel, and I started the journey south for the Christian Worldview Student Conference. We did get stuck in traffic, but we still made it to the Steward home by 7:00pm... Thankfully, we didn't get lost! Dee and I always know we're on the right road when we see signs for the "Naked Mountain Winery" -- How WRONG is that! It's the brown sign in the picture... I knew if I didn't include proof, none of ya'll would believe me.

And I always love seeing fellow Powell's... The take over will shortly begin. :P

It was so wonderful of the Steward's to let us stay with them. Visiting with Vanessa is always something I look forward to; we laughed and joked until after midnight...

Her artwork is amazing!!!

Vanessa and Benjamin

The boys playing video games

But despite the good fellowship, we still had to leave on Monday for CWSC. After our goodbyes, we hit the road to continue our journey south..