The longest journey begins with a single step

How can we tell a story this big?  How can we share the emotions, the pride, the work, the donations of time & money and the LOVE?  Love both given and received.  “Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap”. (Luke 6:37) 

I am writing this as one of those “left behind” and I wanted to share pictures taken Monday morning that Penny and the other gals won’t have access to. 

A journey involving many people and many miles has to begin with a bus.  Check out this picture - that’s not a bus, boys and girls, that’s an enchanted chariot.  All it lacks is 6 white horses!

If you can’t make out the words,  it says:  Quilts of Valor, Comforting our wounded soldiers one quilt at a time.

The beautiful group of ladies -----

 

Before entering the bus, the groups came together in Underwood, Minnesota.  “Lift-off” was scheduled for 7 a.m.  Tony Aafedt, the soldier in the camouflage uniform is just back from Iraq.  Tony’s mother is on the bus as one of the quilters and his father is one of the motorcycle escort riders.

Just because they have a really big bus, doesn’t mean that it’s easy to find room for 610 quilts!  So, here’s what you do.  You vacuum seal them so there’s no air taking up important space!!  All the quilts are loaded into the bottom storage of the bus. 

Part of the motorcycle escort is ready and waiting.

As Americans, we take so much for granted but some citizens realize how important it is to honor the men & women who serve.

 Just before entering the bus, 3 clergymen spoke words of encouragement and blessings.

 

 

Perhaps the veterans seeing off this group of women didn’t know HOW to say thank you.  They absolutely knew how to SHOW how they felt.

Along with the motorcycles, Underwood and Dalton sent fire & rescue vehicles to provide additional escorts to begin the journey.

 

The journey has begun – the hard work is over, your reward awaits. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a safe journey and God Bless!