Walking Around DC, Day 3

Once again, the day began on the hotel shuttle. Shuttle service is 24/7; a very nice benefit.

We entered the Metro system at the end of the Yellow Line, the Huntington Station. 

And then it was to the train.

 Our first stop of the day was the Newseum -- a museum about news. It wouldn't sound like it was too interesting, but there was material for kids and adults alike. We spent the majority of our day at the Newseum.

 There is a front page from every state in the USA on display outside and inside the Newseum. Every paper included the CO movie theater shooting.

Brie found her kind of place -- somewhere to use the phone. 

We found a section of the Berlin Wall. 

One COOOOL feature of the Newseum is the 6th floor terrace. It overlooks Pennsylvania Ave, giving a great view of the Capitol.

My kind of town -- hot dog carts everywhere.

Great! Brie is running for office!

I remember this ... the first day of USA Today. The experts said a national paper could not last.

A reporter's truck from Bosnia. Notice the bullet holes all down the side. 

After we left the Newseum, we went for a walk. Chinatown was on the path.

The Verizon Center, home of the NHL Caps, the NBA Wizards, etc. 

Weather began to act up, so we went to an upscale shop to buy sweatshirts. Honest Abe's caters to the tourists with $5 t-shirts and all the other "stuff" one could want.

Our mid-afternoon meal was at Johnny Rockets, an old-style soda shop. Burgers were great.

It is a zamboni for the street. This thing is about the size of a SmartCar. I want one!

We found the Big House.

We also found the Dept. of the Treasury.

And then it was time to head back toward the hotel. We made a couple of minor, short stops on the way. Relax, sleep, prepare for Sunday and then head back to PA sometime Sunday.

Walking Around DC, Day 2

Today started back at Pentagon City Mall.

Brianna had been having iPod issues. God blessed and Apple simply replaced the device --- sweeeet!

From the mall we headed to the Library of Congress. It had started to sprinkle, but nothing bad.

Inside, the architecture and design are incredible. It is also great to see the two Bibles, the Great Bible and the Gutenberg. 

As we walked from the LOC to the SCOTUS, there is a great view of the Capitol. 

The SCOTUS is under renovation. They are whitening the marble.

Lunch was at Shophouse. It is the little brother of Chipotle Mexican Grill. There is only one location -- it is in DC. The food was pretty tasty.

On the way back from lunch, we stopped at the Navy Memorial. It is a pretty cool place.

We then went to the National Archives. Among other documents, we were able to see pages from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

After the Archives, we walked the length of the Mall. At the Academy of Science, we found Einstein just sitting around.

Finally, we returned to the hotel. we came back early, but it was nice to relax.

Walking Around DC, Day 1

Some of this may be a repeat. Oh well.

We arrived in Alexandria and checked in to the hotel. Everything originated there for the next couple of days.

Our first stop was Arlington National Cemetery. It is always a sobering visit. Today was HOT, maybe 120 degrees (at least it felt that way).

The highlight at Arlington is the Changing of the Guard. At some point I may add some video, but until then, enjoy the stills.

Memorial to the USS Maine.

Memorials to the Challenger, would-be rescuers of the Iranian hostages, and to the Columbia.

 One part of the Kennedy Memorial.

After Arlington, it was a Metro ride to the Smithsonian station so we could quickly visit the American History  museum. 

The reason we visited the NMAH was to see the Star-Spangled Banner. We had not had the chance to see it the last time we visited.

Dinner was at Union Station. The food court is wonderful.

Johnny & Justin

Brianna

Becky -- Really?!

 We stopped at the Pentagon City mall on the way back so we could walk and see the shops. Also, we needed to make an appt at the Apple store.

Walking Down a New Path

The president of Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Dr. Marty Marriott, was at Emmanuel Sunday. He spoke to the teen boys and preached in both morning services. The family and I had the privilege to take him and his wife out to eat before they left to head to WV. It was a great blessing. What made it a new path? My son and daughter are asking college-related questions. I am used to helping other kids with these decisions; now it is my kids.

Now the family is in DC for a couple of days. We really look forward to the time away. Today's big event was the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. I just need to get the guards to teach my kids how to press their clothes and clean their rooms.

I saw a great bumper sticker yesterday -- "Pave the Rainforest." At initial glance, it seems to be another Save the Rainforest sticker, but on second glance, aha. I found it humorous because it is not what was expected.

Tonight as we were relaxing (i.e., watching the NASCAR race), we heard the concussions of large fireworks. There are locations around us that do fireworks, but not tonight. Brie and I went on a hunt and found the culprit -- the US Navy. The display was coming from the Navy Depot. It was too cool.

Justin got his ACT results back. He did very well. Must take after his .... mom. I cannot believe that he is now a senior. He finished another college class tonight. OT Survey is now finished.

I am privileged to teach a Sunday School class for the next few months. Our regular teacher needs to take a break to spend time with his wife who is struggling with cancer, so I will cover for him for a while. I really do appreciate the opportunity.

The weather has felt much like south Texas the last few days. It has been HOT; right around 95 degrees. Great time to enjoy air conditioning.

Busy day recently, but great days. God has been very good and gracious and He continues to be so.

Walking a New Path (sort of)

Well, now that there is no longer a bakery to visit, I have been on a hunt for a new location to enjoy breakfast. I have visited a few different cafe/diners over the last month looking for a cheap cup of coffee and a tasty pancake. The greatest problem - few of these joints offer wifi. Today's diner was fairly pleasant (no wifi), but they are closing on Thursday and relocating. Oh well. All I ask for is whatever I want. It is that simple.

Life has been both busy and relaxed recently. I have much to get done, but the deadlines are not as pressing at this point in the year.

• Student recruiting
• Budget planning
• Parent communication
• Scheduling
• And so much more

The church/school building project is underway. There are pictures and videos on the EBC/EBCA website -- www.ebc-ebca.org. Especially cool are the videos of the blasting. I love the process of turning big rocks into little rocks. There will be more pics and videos to come.

The school now has a Facebook page and a Google+ page. You can keep up with news and announcements there. Just another tool to help to help get our name out in the community. (And one more thing for me to do -- yippee!)

I have been reading/listening to the Psalms recently. There are so many instances when the writers proclaim their absolute dependence upon God. We know that we need God, but do we really know it. How often are we like students that know the answer --- when the book is open in front of them, but cannot think of it on a quiz or test. We need to know the truth of our dependence so well that we think of it in every test we face. He is our provider and sustainer; He is all we need.

Walking around the Block

What a last couple of weeks it has been!

• The bakery had to close due to continuing struggles with a floundering economy. They just could not continue to lose money waiting for things to turn around.
• EBCA had graduation - always a melancoly time for me. Much excitement, yet a tinge of sadness with the goodbyes.
• Summer is upon us, but I miss having kids around. Buildings were not built to be empty.
• Justin is now a senior and Brie is entering high school. I guess the kids are growing up.
• Justin took the ACT this weekend. Another sign of the advance of time.

To quote (and modernize) Robert Burns,

     The best laid schemes of mice and men
     Go often awry,

Now we plan for summer events and activities.