Missouri and Iowa

Sunrise in Lubbock.  We were leaving and going up to Joplin, Missouri

Never saw a wild boar as a roadkill.  Clash of nature and man.

Alexa loves abandoned homes, so she wanted to check this one out!

Untouched for many years, obviously

Don't go at night, just don't go there at night!

Some good ol' Great Plains Cotton.  They grow everywhere there!  

Oklahoma Capitol.  

Finally to our destination - Ozark Christian College.  It was very cold that night and pretty much the rest of that week!  

The college provided us with a stay at a hotel room.  We were preparing for our classes that we would teach!

The first of many classes that we would teach - we talked about mission trips, deaf ministry, helped students with their signing skills, and interacted with many college students.  Nice college!  

Tuesday Morning Chapel

The Alexs telling about their upcoming mission trip.  They only could talk for three-five minutes, so we tried our best to summarize it.  I think we did all right.  Alexa is saying, "Canada"!  

Tuesday evening.  Alexa telling about our mission trip!  

Wednesday morning.  One of our classes!  Alexa telling about her experience in South America.  In the picture, she's holding a rabbit that probably would end up as dinner.  Alexa is gesturing, "goodbye" to the rabbit.  

Alex telling about his time at Rancho Sordo Mudo.  

Wednesday evening.  There was a huge christmas play, and we went to the rehearsal.  The interpreters practiced and we watched.  It was an amazing performance - we felt like we were at a Broadway musical.

Makin' music that we can't hear!  

O  La La Merry Christmas Santa Round The Clouds O La La Rudolph Lead The Way O La La 

The interpreters.  Check out the choir in the christmas tree!! You ever seen anything like that?!

Another rotation of interpreters.  

The students, the coordinator/teacher Mary Alice, and the Alexs!  

Thursday morning.  We were only five hours away from Iowa - and since we had a few errands to take care of, we decided it was best to go up there NOW - and we would be able to see Alex's parents and some of the Deaf Missions staff at the same time.  

All drivin' and no play makes Alex a little bit dull...

Oh yeah, you know you like Hot n Ready.  Only five bucks!  Perfect budget road trip food.  Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in that box.  

Nearin' Council Bluffs!  

Nothing like a homemade meal!  

Not sure what was the topic of the conversation at the time, but enjoy guessing.

We were thrilled to see our baby Axel!  He's in good hands.

Friday afternoon.  We left Iowa in the afternoon and went towards Cincinnati.  But we would stop for a night as it was a 11 hour drive that we didn't want to take through the night.  

That's the destination.  

We suddenly ran into some snow past Iowa City.  Chaos.  Accidents everywhere.  We are grateful we made it through all right, but feel bad for those who got their cars banged up.  We saw a couple flipped semi-trucks, a few flipped cars, and many cars in ditches with police sirens and ambulances.  

Yeah, it's cold.  

Aw, you want evidence?  All right, here it is!  

CINCINNATI, HERE WE COME!