On the Road Again

Inauguration Morning on the Metro at 4 a.m.

The Swearing In January 20, 2009

Academy of the Canyons from Santa Clarita, California

Well, Jim begins his fourth season as a course leader for WorldStrides/Christian Discoveries. He made his first trip this year during the Inauguration. What a week it was! The temperature only got above freezing once. The celebratory mood was one he had never witnessed before. The crowds were like a Super Bowl for each of the five days he was there. On a Monday in January that may see a couple hundred visitors to Mount Vernon, he encountered over 17,000. The whole week was filled with closures, reroutes, long lines, and cold weather. The students were a blessing to be with. They were all seniors (just like Jim :)) and very responsible. Leading any group of 41 individuals through a throng of people is a test of patience and courage. The week was successful, and the students were able to witness a moment in history never seen before. Jim's heart filled with joy as he saw older black men and women filled with pride as they witnessed the inauguration of the first black President when during their lifetime they had been denied some of the services we take for granted, even sitting on the same bench with a white man. With all of the tensions and wranglings of the campaign, here the kids got to witness once again the peaceful transition of power. Now no matter what our personal political feelings are, the Scriptures command us to pray for those in authority, which Jim did as he stood on the National Mall at 23 degrees for 6 hours on the Inauguration Tuesday.