North Carolina, Job One

Having completed the work of driving us to our destination, now George's carriage rail work begins in Smithfield, North Carolina. We spent ten days in Smithfield including several  getting the airbag ordered and installed.

"Home"
The lack of clarity in this photo is due to the high humidity, and it was 104 degrees. Ugh!

One nice thing about George working late afternoons and weekends is that it sometimes gives us  time to see some of the surrounding area. We set off early one morning in hopes of a walk on the beach, forgetting how much of the east coast has no public access. The closest we came to an accessible beach was this finger of water at a public park near James City, a widening of the Neuse River before it joins the Atlantic. 

We drove around the town of New Bern, through  tree shaded streets of beautiful old houses. Paulee was thrilled as there was an abundance of squirrels scampering about.

Then walked around this old cemetary for a little, enjoying the moss draped trees. In spite of missing a walk on the beach it was a good drive out.

Whenever there is a Civil War Battlefield close George sees that I get to visit :)

This old house was along the road to the Battlefield and the tri-faced front caught my attention. On the way back I noticed this newer house about 1/4 mile down the road with a similar tri-faced front, also with a boat in the side yard.

I'm thinking someone built a newer version of an old family homeplace. Maybe.

The best part of our time in NC!
The following is from a post I sent to our children, to which I have added a little:

I would like you to meet our new friends in North Carolina, Nate and Hattie Cooper.With all the ugliness of racism swirling around us, our time here in Smithfield has been an example of how, with the love of Jesus, His rule of our affections and attitudes can be so precious. We met this couple at their garage sale on Friday and almost instantly I felt drawn to Hattie. As we were paying for an item Dad found, I noticed a Bible and study guide on the table and asked if she was working on it when business was slow. The end result was an invitation to church on Sunday. We went. Unfortunately, there was only Sunday school class as the pastor covers two churches and they rotate services. But it was a blessed  time and we felt so welcomed and accepted into the group ( six women, one man, and a teenaged boy). The topic was from Amos 6:4-14 and titled "Rebuked for Selfishness". The discussion was down-to-earth, focused on practical Christian living, loving and sharing with others, being content with what God provides, and trusting Him to supply our needs. We ended up at their house in the afternoon after going back to the church to take a picture and meeting Hattie's brother Earl,brown suit, and nephew Chris,white suit, (next picture) who were in the parking lot for some reason. They were not in Sunday school earlier, but when George walked up and they saw the Oregon license plate Chris said, "Well hello! You must be the ones who attended here this morning." Word travels quickly! Chris was going to see Nate and Hattie and insisted that we come, too. So, we went and ended up staying and visiting for quite some time. It was a very special time. Dad, Nate and Paulee sat on the porch; Hattie and I visited in their cozy little living room. It was a very special time, finding so much common ground and fellowship as we shared our love of God and His ways. Tonight we went out to dinner with them and the result was the same - a fun and blessed time. We have exchanged addresses and phone numbers and Nate told Dad if we are ever in NC again and need anything to give him a call. Sweet people, for sure. God is so gracious to introduce us to these members of His family! And had the wrong airbag not been sent to the repair shop we would not have been in Smithfield that weekend. A divine appointment, in my view.
"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9