God's Plan

For those that followed our blog, you know that we had a "plan". This trip taught us to appreciate those times when God sent us in a new direction. The blown out tire in Mississippi not only kept our family together, but it reminded us that there people out there...strangers...who are living as Christ would..who would impact out lives in ways that we could not imagine.

The "plan" as we headed for Vegas was for me to catch a plane home (so I could teach). Suzi was supposed to drive home with a stop somewhere in the middle of CA. My arrival would be Sunday and the family would drive into Woodland on Monday. There was something about this that did not sit right with me. I finally shared my heart with Suzi. "What do you think about going home together?" It would be a very long day of driving, but we would finish together. We talked about it as a family and reminded the kids that we would have to leave VERY early. Everyone was game and we got excited about the idea of finishing this trip as one family.

As we settled down for some sleep before out last drive home, we learned that the Grand Canyon was flooding. Yet another example of God's hand watching over us. The "plan" was for us to be in the Grand Canyon that night...yet He watched over us and directed our path!

We got up very early and headed off to Woodland. God gave us the most magnificent sunrise.....EVER. It was so spectacular, that people were actually pulling over to take pictures. The sun was rising over the mountains and the moon was setting on the other side. We spent time just thanking God. Whatever pictures we took would never be able to describe just how great this morning was....nor how great this trip was.

We arrived in Woodland in the late afternoon. This trip was better than we could have imagined. What was once a dream for Suzi became a reality for us and we will never be the same again. Even as I right these words, all that comes to mind is, "Praise God".

Hargadons Meet Las Vegas

No, we did not gamble and we did not take in any shows! We did manage to hit the pool (one of many). There was a family from France...at least they looked like they were from France and had French accents. There were two guys acting all macho trying to impress the girls that were with them. Wanting to get in on the action, I asked Suzi if she would be up for challenging them to a chicken fight. Despite my best efforts, I was not able to persuade Suzi to get up on my shoulders.

Bed-Head Sunrise

As we left Gallop, there was the most beautiful sunrise. Michael managed to stumble out of the trailer and even managed a smile for Dad!

Who Made this?

We arrived in Gallop, New Mexico. We actually spent time on Route 66 and even picked up a T-shirt. The travel is starting to wear on us as we are running out of energy to fix dinner. Thank God this campsite provided a BBQ dinner. We spent time in the pool and then headed to dinner. We were tempted to eat some of the peach cobbler.

Suzi and I commented on how good it was. I asked the kid (actually...he was more like a teenager), "How made this?". He replied, "I did." Turns out he wasn't to be a chef...he is well on his way. Despite all the razzing I get for asking questions...this is how you get to know people!

And what better way to leave Gallop than to take a picture with the Statute of Liberty! Onward to Las Vegas.

Amarillo Fun

The only thing better than having a water park inside the campground? Having one across the street! Once we landed our trailer, we walked across the street to a water park. They had water slides, a wave pool, and one of those rivers where you just float around. It was a great way to relax after a long trip.

Suzi and Courtney took the taco water slide head on - you know...the water slide that looks like a taco shell. The boys looked on and decided the floating river was a better place to be. Besides, the river had a lot of bubbles which gave me Dad the opportunity to pretend like he was letting off some gas....or was he pretending?

Then, you could the storm coming. We stayed as long as possible and then headed back to the trailer. We stayed inside as the thunder and lightening let loose. All I remember was thinking to myself, "Jiminy...that is real close."

Wall Drug Meets Meteor Crater

Somewhere along the trip, someone told us about all the signs we would see encouraging us to visit Meteor Crater. It was supposed to be similar to our experience in South Dakota with Wall Drug.

As we headed through Arizona, I started to see the signs. We didn't have time...at least that is what I thought. I was planning on driving right by - we had a long drive to Las Vegas. Just before we got to the exit, Suzi woke up and announced she smelled burning rubber. Oh no! The tires! I immediately took the next exit (Meteor Crater), stopped at the gas station, and checked the tires. They were fine. I figured we might as well gas up.

As we finished up, I suggested we take an adventure and check out the crater. It was pretty cook to see and learn about how astronauts used to train there. Turned out to be a good stop - we managed to get some walking/exercise...fixed some sandwiches...and hit the road again.

Related by relationship

We count it a blessing to have been able to spend time with Kirsten, Savannah, and Frank in Dallas, TX. They invited us into their lives for an afternoon/evening. We had such a good time just hanging out. All too often when friends/family get together, things can get complicated. We have to prepare special meals, get the good china out, and "entertain". Not so here...just good plain hanging out and pizza.

As we left, Savannah got in the truck and wanted to head home with us!

Man am I glad to have another girl to play with

We were so happy to be able to stop in Dallas and spend some time with Kirsten, Savannah, and Frank. We caught Savannah's soccer game and witnessed as she kicked an amazing goal from the left wing position. Then we headed to their house for some swimming and pizza.

Courtney and Savannah headed to Savannah's room, where the door closed and the talking began. I had to pry them away in order for us to eat! Courtney was so happy to have another girl to talk/hang with.

The great adventure

When our family embarked on this trip, we did so with a sense of adventure...not knowing if we would actually make it to Maine, but knowing all the time that God would care for us along the way. No matter what might happen, we knew God would direct our paths.

Nothing brought this home more than our flat tire in Mississippi. I am reminded of Proverbs 16:9, which says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." We had made plans for me to stay in New Orleans and have Suzi make some headway towards Dallas. Little did we know that God wanted us to stay together as a family.

Realizing that our trailer could not be fixed in time (they told us it would take over a week), we decided to trust God and head on home together. This has truly been a great adventure.

I found a new job

When we embarked on this trip, we looked for job opportunities for me. When we visited the Creation Museum, I couldn't help but wonder if this was my calling. What could be better than working a K-9 at a Christian museum?

Before and After

After a little....OK a lot of encouragement, Courtney finally jumped off the high dive. Enlarge the second photo and take a look at Courtney's expression. What I learned about Courtney on this trip is that she is a little daredevil...just like her mother. When we were in Hershey, Courtney was the only child to go on one of those roller coasters that goes upside down. Anyone want to guess which parent went with her?

The ever-elusive license plate

By the time we reached Maine, we were down two license plates - Hawaii and West Virginia. We had written Hawaii off as unattainable....until we reached Shaw's for lobster. Joseph gets out and announces he has found Hawaii! Who would have figured.

Family/leadership application? Be careful what you write off. In case you are wondering....we picked up West Virginia in Hershy, PA.

A story told with smiles

This series of pictures tells a story...you fill it in. To me, it looks like some cousins went at it American Gladiator style!

We are family

There is nothing like a visit with Uncle Pizza and Aunt Ice Cream (my brother Geoff and his wife Patricia). The kids got to hang out...play miniature golf...and bake blueberry muffins. We are so thankful for the mark they are leaving with our kids. Courtney bakes gourmet muffins on her own and the rest have learned how to be silly in front of the camera.

Future Olympians?

Michael could be the next Phelps? Joseph in diving (pictured just before jumping off the high dive)? Courtney taking gold in trampoline? Trevor rowing?

I don't know...just thinking...amazed and humbled with the family God has given us.

No, this is not your brain on drugs...

This is what people do on a rainy day in Maine. Thanks to the Langhornes, the kids were invited to make sugar cookie creations. They could add any ingredient they wanted (lemon zest, Twizzlers, chili powder, herbs/spices...you name it). Once they were baked, Mary and Byrd came to judge the best cookie.

There is nothing like watching the judges' faces as they looked, sniffed, and then sampled these creations. All of the kids won on some level ("Most creative, Best in Gourmet, etc.).

What's Missing

Mr. Bucher....Mr. Wyatt...Mr. Clavelli...Mr. Freeman...Cap 'n Happy...Uncle Lee...Mr. Decker...Michael Hargadon...others?

Can you picture playing King of the Trampoline?

Hershey or Promotion

When I went back to Sacramento for the week to teach, they started the examination process for Lieutenant for Sac PD. Having been encouraged by Cap 'n Happy and others, I decided to "enter" the race. I knew it would be a long shot...not only based upon the competition, but also because I would be on vacation for the next three weeks.

Upon my return to Maine, I received the next phase of the examination (a written exercise where we answer 5-6 questions). I had 10 days to complete the questions and submit a resume. You would think I could find the time, but the reality is that there was so much "living" I had to do with my family. Suzi and I talked about it and we figured I would have time to complete and submit the questions when we arrived in Hershey, PA. Our "plan" was to arrive early into Hershey..Dad would have half of a day to work, then we would spend the next day at Hershey Park (amusement park). We arrived a little later than we expected and realized there was an opportunity to take a tour to learn how they make that wonderful chocolate. Needless to say, the questions did not get answered that night.

Suzi offered to take the kids to the amusement park the next day, but I decided that I wanted to make the most of this trip, which included going to Hershey Park with the family. It didn't take long at all the realize I had made the right decision. Sitting next to Michael on a roller coaster with a big smile on his face...dancing to Stevie Wonder with Suzi....I found that this time together was "priceless".

Haircuts in Mississippi

Since we had extra time, I decided the boys should get their hair cut for school. Amid much protest, I took them to Fantastic Sam's. They originally all just wanted trims (as little as possible). A boy was getting his haircut when we walked in and Michael thought he needed his hair the same way.


Trevor went first - I told the stylist to just shape it up and he didn't want much off. I told Joseph's stylist the same thing. Michael got the same stylist the boy with the cool hair had so she was good to go.


Joseph got done, then Michael. I looked over to Trevor and Canille was still working diligently on his hair. Trevor did not look happy. When he was finally finished (an hour after starting), I thought his hair looked good, but it was much shorter than he had planned. Oh well, he won't have to get it cut again for a while.

Divine Intervention

On Friday, we left Nashville for a long roadtrip to Picayune Mississippi. Our plan was to drop Dave off in New Orleans for a conference and the kids and I would leave Mississippi the following morning and take the next four days getting across Texas. Dave would fly to Amarillo to meet us.

God had a different plan for us. The trailer blew a tire in Laurel Mississippi, about 90 miles from our destination. Dave looked out the window and saw rubber flying from the left side of the trailer. There was no good way to pull over and change and left tire on the freeway. Blessing #1 was the trailer has two tires on each side so we were relatively stable. Blessing #2 was there was a truck parking area one mile from the blow-out, which we made it to safely.

Dave was able to get the tire (actually the rim and small bits of rubber) off, but our jack could not get the trailer high enough to put on the spare. In drives blessing #3. A gentleman by the name of Terry happened to stop at this parking spot (he wasn't even driving a truck!). He asked Dave if he needed help, to which Dave declined. Nonetheless he brought his jack over to our trailer and was able to raise the trailer enough to get the spare on. During the time of his helping us, the kids thanked him profusely. He replied that he liked to help people because you never know when the shoe will be on the other foot. He told the kids that maybe they would help his grandkids some day. Just before Terry left, he told us he was not a perfect man, but that he knew Jesus and that was why he helped people.

While changing the tire, Dave noticed the other tire on the left was extremely worn on the inside and looked like it would also go at any time. Even the two right tires were wearing on the inside. Blessing #4 is that the next exit had Break-Away RV which serviced RVs. Bubba, the mechanic, looked at the tires and told us the axle needed to be aligned, which they did not do. He also found a tire store about 5 miles away that had the four tires we needed in stock. While Bubba was looking at the trailer, we went into the air-conditioned office. There we met Kathy Lee, the office manager. When we left, she went out to her car and got a CD for us. Kathy Lee used to be a Christian Music artist and the CD was her singing. It is great and a great testimony for Jesus.

Blessing #5 was at the tire store. Jeremy and Bob were very helpful. The tires were changed immediately and Jeremy spent quite a bit of time on the phone trying to find a place we could get the alignment done (not an easy task). It turns out Jeremy's real calling is sculpting (web site to follow).

Of course, since the blow-out happened on a Friday, we couldn't even talk to a mechanic until Monday. The trailer is currently at Happy Camper and we are awaiting news on how long before we can leave Mississippi/Louisiana.

While our itinerary has changed (Grand Canyon will have to be another trip), we feel so blessed by how obvious God made it that we should stay together for this portion of our trip. We were hoping to be able to be good witnesses on this trip and were blessed by several great witnesses that God put in our path in Mississippi!