Columbia, SC - Capitol #30

Came out of the SC welcome center to find... our first flat tire of the trip! (Not bad for over 20,000 miles of driving so far!)

We got the wheel on and headed to the gas station to make sure all the tires had good air pressure. Didn't want to cross a double yellow to enter so we went in the next driveway which not only didn't connect but was such a small lot we couldn't turn around. Thankfully, there was a grass lot that we could turn around in - unfortunately, because it rained last night, we sunk almost a foot into the "grass"/mud! One more adventure before the Capitol. And thankfully, we got out pretty quick after practicing this technique in Pennsylvania last month. (:

Finally! The Capitol.

126 house members' matching computers

Inner dome not connected to outer copper dome.

Senate (where somebody forgot that there's a separation of church and state - what's that Bible doing in here?!?)

Praise the Lord... Wise men still seek Him

Beautiful mosaic with over 37,000 shining colorful pieces

All ready for Christmas! This is the 4th Capitol we've found celebrating CHRISTmas with a tree.

So, this is South Carolina's 3rd Capitol  building and it was in the process of being built when the Civil War started. When the fighting came to Columbia, cannonballs hit the Capitol. The stars you can see on the building, mark the spots where the building was hit. Notice the middle window sill is missing a big chunk of granite. The star directly underneath marks that spot.

So much history here at the South Carolina capital. We were bummed that with all our car drama we missed the formal tour, but excited that we got to see the Capitol.

On to see the grandparents in Atlanta!

Billy Graham Library and more friends from the past

So fun to see another friend formerly from California, Tiffany Greene!

I first met Tiffany when she was a freshman in high school and entered the youth group at Eastside. I proudly watched her grow and get through a gajillion years of college and am so happy to call her friend. We so enjoyed our bit of time catching up with her! What a treat. 

The other part of our day was spent at the Billy Graham Library. 

Live nativity

The Billy Graham home and library is much like a presidential library, telling the story of this man's life.

First we saw his home.

Then, in the barn out back, Bessie the cow begins the story of Billy Graham's life that started right here in Charlotte, NC growing up on a dairy farm.

Making our way into a replica of a revival tent in 1949 Los Angeles. 

Walking through the museum took about 1 1/2hrs and laid out the gospel over and over again.

True to Billy Graham, there was an alter call at the end. The whole experience was great and really fleshed out our timeline point "U.S. Evangelist Billy Graham".

Right now, for the Christmas season, the library is also open in the evening.

They have story time for the kids,

beautiful Christmas trees and lights,

 and a live nativity.

McDill Family Fun!

We spent four fun-filled days with this amazing family! You can't imagine how many games of chess were played!

Matthew and Scott were friends in junior high. The families were both skeptical. We're going to have dinner with who? You haven't seen him since when?

But everyone became fast friends!

Love my sweet sister. I was so encouraged by her patient way of life-ing with 9 kids.

They made room in their home and hearts for our family. What started as dinner turned into four fabulous days.

Friday night was the Christmas Ball, one of 2 annual homeschool dances. So our extended stay started with just staying for the dance.

Everyone had so much fun!

Even the mamas got out on the dance floor.

The next day we got to celebrate a birthday!

And more friends came over to take family photos.

Our stay was extended again with an invite to experience their church. They have a unique meeting with teaching then  open mic, then potluck - every week! During open mic (that's not what they called it), anyone can share what they're learning; ask questions about the sermon, theology, whatever; etc. It was encouraging to see the body at work  growing and learning together. Matthew taught from Luke 2 beginning the Christmas season. Afterwards, the men went to play basketball while the ladies took the youngers home for a cozy afternoon.

We stopped by the local dairy to gather the family's weekly supply of fresh milk. Country life had lots of fun differences. I was amazed at Dana's preparation to keep her household running now smoothly while 40 minutes from a Walmart (a place we've grown to depend on almost daily!)

By the time we left in Monday, there was sadness at parting from what had become dear friends. Thankfully, there  was also an exchange of email addresses so everyone can stay in touch and a hope of seeing each other again soon. 

Thank you McDill family!

Raleigh, NC - Capitol #29

North Carolina has provided our country with three presidents, shown below.

This statue of George Washington is pretty interesting. He is dressed and has a Roman general because North Carolina wanted to honor him as a general and not necessarily as a president because they were very much for states rights and against a large federal government.

House

This building was built using the classical style and as such did not require microphones as a speaker from anywhere in the room can be heard anywhere else in the room clearly.

We were invited to join a homeschool Girl Scout group for their tour because there weren't any scheduled two hours but the tour guide really wanted to give usto come on into her. And he had very unique perspectives to share. For example, to him, the Confederate flag represents states rights, more or less.

Historically, this was the state geologist's office.

Senate

State library