I'm using the word "old" in a generic sense ~ no reflection on our friends! We attended Coastview Christian Fellowship in Huntington Beach with the Willingers. So "old" is the length of our relationship with them.  

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The drive to Owensboro took us into Indiana for a stretch. The countryside was beautiful and green. Then highway took us over the William H. Natcher cable-stayed bridge which crosses the Ohio River from Indiana to Kentucky. Before crossing the bridge, there was a large power plant by the river. To us, it looked like a nuclear power plant because of the coned stacks. But later Joe told us that this is a coal-powered generating plant. The coal comes by barge on the Ohio to the plant. The coned stacks were cooling towers.

Joe and Jan became foster parents while in California before moving to Owensboro. Besides their three children, Celeste, Shannon and Andrew, they fostered, then adopted twin boys, Michael and Marcus. This is the family that we were acquainted with when they lived in Huntington Beach. After moving to Owensboro, Joe and Jan fostered and adopted eight more children. I get tired just thinking about it!!!! Fostering and adopting is not without its trouble and heartache, which Joe and Jan have walked through with support of family and friends. I don't know how they did it, except by the grace and love of God! 



We wound up arriving at their house about 11:30. After visiting for a while, we all went out to "Midnight BBQ", well-known for smoked and barbecued meats, including mutton. We sat in the restaurant for quite a while continuing our visit until Joe and Jan took us to the waterfront area of Owensboro. The city had built a wonderful waterfront park that is child-friendly with a great playground. The first thing I noticed was the Memorial to Servicemen. At the entrance to the memorial are the words, "Enjoy your freedom, it is paid for." How true these words are ~ and may we never forget them!
 

All too soon, it was time to say goodbye and head back to La Grange. Last minutes pictures with the Willingers and their children. Isaac did a great job taking a picture of the the four of us.  We enjoyed our time hearing about their family and where the children are and what they are doing.