The exhibit hall

It was a beautiful day to haul books inside for set up. Walking in, it definitely  looked like a convention hall: the standard multi-color drapery, aisles of booths, etc. Ah, the familiar feeling of a convention!

Christopher and Jesse bringing in a dolly load of books.

The decorating company let us use their flat-bed dolly to bring books in, making it much faster than our regular hand truck.

Communication - a key to success! Cell phones come in handy when unloading.

Books were quickly placed in order - surprisingly fast, because usually our first setup for trip is harder than normal.

Bringing in a load!

Mary settin' up!

Anna, opening boxes!

We have a white board that we can use for writing what session is Dad and Mom are giving next, and Joseph was lending his artistic talent to spruce up the board.

There's always time for a little bus maintenance!

In front of the convention center.

We’re in prayer for the conference today (starts at 2) and tomorrow. Thank you for standing with us in prayer.

Sarah for the rest

“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).

Yesterday we were driving down the Pennsylvania 33, and we noticed a sign for the Martin Guitar Company at the next exit. Dad decided we had enough time to be able to stop for a few minutes! Joseph was especially happy, because he plays the guitar. We didn’t think we’d ever be near enough to the Martin Guitar Company to stop or have the time if we were close, but the Lord blessed with the surprise visit. We had no idea that we would be driving right by it! We enjoyed a quick visit, and then we headed back down the road and reached the convention in the early afternoon.

Playing some of the instruments.

Some of us walked through the museum. This was what J.F. Martin's workshop looked like.

In Christ,
Anna

“Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.” (Psalm 135:3)

Our driving day yesterday was beautiful: sunny, blue skies with cool temperatures. Most of us took naps in the afternoon, and with the cool breeze blowing through the bus, the rest was wonderful.

Late in the afternoon, John discovered the floor next to Dad and Mom’s bed was rather damp, not a good sign seeing we had just installed a new water tank under their bed! It was decided that a connection hadn’t been crimped, so, we needed to find a — you guessed it — Lowe’s. If you were to remember on our last trip, where did we have to stop our first night?! Lowe’s! Anyway, the problem is fixed, and a little time and wind will dry the carpet, so no big deal.

We had a delicious stew. Yumm.

We settled at Home Sweet Home (aka Wal-Mart) in Terre Haute, Indiana. We left a little before 7 this morning, due to trying to stay ahead of a storm. Our plan was to make it to Washington, Pennsylvania tonight, but with an early start, we’ll likely go further.

Thank you for praying!

Sarah

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God” (Psalms 42:1).

Today is a special day, and all of us Maxwell children are very grateful for our mom. What an incredible blessing she is to us!

Here are some little known facts and special things about Mom:

• She got married on her 19th birthday.
• She moved around many times in her childhood, since Grandad was in the military.
• She almost was fatherless, as Grandad was wounded in Vietnam.
• When I (Sarah) was a preschooler, she was excited that all three of us would be in school soon, and she dreaded summers. It was about that time, the Lord laid it on their hearts to homeschool .
• Been homeschooling ever since!
• Mom loves family times: her favorite activity is hiking in the woods surrounded by her family.

”Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10).