Ya thats right, 5 minutes into the Portland trip the coppers get me... I thought he pulled me over for having my rear view obstructed, due to the fact that my car was completly packed to the max. However, when he came up to my window he said that I had "BLOWN" by him. I did infact pass him at a whopping speed of 59 in a 55 mile per hour zone. I asked him if 4 miles faster than him would constitute "BLOWING" by him and he quickly asked me for my drivers license. Long story short, he asked for and ran a computer check on every document I had to prove I was a licensed, registered, and insured safe driver and then let me off. My girlfriend,

Carmel and I praised God for his mercy and grace and headed toward Shreveport, LA to meet up with my friend Jeff Austin for church and lunch. It was a cool gathering and we got to check out a little of the Shreveport afternoon scene. (Thanks, Jeff, for your amazing gift of hospitality and generousity along our journey.) Afterthat, we headed toward Dallas, TX to have dinner with my Aunt Charly and Uncle Thane. They are amazing couple, full of sincere love. They not only treated us to a great TexMex dinner, but also generously took care of our hotel expenses at the hotel where I'm typing this blog. God's provision on this trip is already very apparent to me. I thank you for your continued prayers and hope to tell many other stories this week of God's blessings.

We head out for Albuquerque, NM early tomorrow morning, so I best get some sleep.