After about an hour and a half drive through central into northeast Missouri (and a Walmart stop for a toothbrush), we arrived in Kathryn's country. It was an odd experience driving into the eastern part of the state. At some point, it really started to feel like it was an entirely different world. Which felt odd because I know we didn't actually travel that far...
We ate supper with her mom and brother at a little cafe in Heartland which looked like an old diner and had fully restored antique car collection, along with some very new and priceless cars.
I learned something very interesting about this little community. Kathryn asked me if I'd noticed the crosses everywhere, and when I told her I did she explained that this was a planned community that's purpose was to be a safe place for healing to take place through the love of Jesus Christ. It has its own school, Bible college, restaurant, dairy, store and other facilities. It was very interesting, and most interesting to me was the emphasis in the community on faith and agriculture- the two topics that are the closest to my heart.
After supper, we continued the short distance to the Coon ranch. I carried my oh-so-heavy suitcase (the plastic Walmart sack) in and settled down to a nice evening with the Coon family. Just like Kathryn had said about visiting my home, I really felt at home with the Coons. It's kind of like our families were cut from the same cloth. I would say from a sturdy sort of fabric that reeks with a love for God, family, community and life.
Soon enough it was time to prepare for the next day- we were to go to a small town just past Jefferson City to pick up some material for Kathryn's internship this year. I was in for another day full of excitement and experiences!
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