The Craziest Summer Vacation...the final part

While we still had five days left before we really needed to be home, we decided it was time to head back to see what damage had been done to our neck of the woods. (In case you missed the previous post about this vacation you can find it here part 5 )  By the Grace of God, our  home and our street were not affected by the blaze.  But we weren't quite sure what to expect.  So with excitement and a little trepidation, we packed up our stuff.

Of course, the drama of this trip couldn't quite be over.  As I was packing up suitcases, Craig took the kids to play a little basketball.  Within minutes of being gone, they returned because Caleb managed to get stung by a bee.  Aaahhh, home was really starting to sound good.

One of the last nights of these two having to share a bed.  They didn't really complain, but I knew they were both ready to have their own beds back.

Even though we were still on the east coast, seeing this sign felt like home!

 Nothing like sleeping the time away!

Surprisingly, we actually saw three different Mann roads on this journey.  This just happened to be only one I captured on film!

Just as the sun started to set our car started to act up again.  Of course!  Another reminder for us to place our trust in Jesus and not in material possessions.  It was a nuisance to have to stop every 100 miles or so, but at least we had the confidence that we knew weren't damaging the car.

After about 10:00 we decided to sleep in Columbia, MO.  We woke early the next day.  Drove through the heat of KS and made it home around 6:00.  Lots of stops to reset the car, given that the temps were between 80 and 95 all day.  

Our home never looked so good!

We really do love to travel and realize that vacations are a blessing which many cannot afford to take.  We will forever be grateful for this trip...complications and all!


*Fire Update*
Just two weeks after returning home, all of the roads in the Forest opened back up.  The damage is devastating, but God's grace shines.  The grass is already poking through the blackened ground. People are cleaning up their home sites and beginning the long road to repair and rebuild.  The fire burned about a mile from our home.  We really are so thankful.  While our home and the things inside are just that--things--the idea of having to start over felt a little overwhelming.  I will always be grateful to God for sparing our family the pain of having to start again.