My last memory of being at a train station wasn't one I would find joy in recalling. Despite being around 8 or 9 years of age the trauma is as vivid today as it was then. On one occasion there was a shooting and another a conversation I had with a drunk man who was sitting opposite me. This was on a New York train around 1993. Today Amanda would have her first train ride. We would be taking the train from Arlington to the US Capitol.
Day 7 of the 12minrvconvos podcast journey started with us parking at the home of Brian Nelson Palmer then walking to the nearest subway entrance then getting our metrocard from metal robotic machines that to say the least were very intimidating if not for our hero, Ryan.
Amanda is a pretty cool cookie. She followed Ryan's lead being sure to have her attenna up being .
Next up Custom Home Exteriors founded by Stephen Scoggins. Stephen made an appearance on my podcast as episode #69. Stephen is someone I admire tremendously. I first met him briefly at Entreleadership 2013, then after our #12minconvo I attended his phenomenal event "TransformU Live" in North Carolina in 2017.
Stephen is a supporter and an encourager. When I started my campaign to raise funds for this trip he stepped in with a donation of
Dori Staehle, Valerie Stover, Divya Parekh and Sheyenne Kreamer. Dori was episode 768. I first interviewed her on November 21st 2016 then met her when I visited North Carolina in 2017. Dori's story can be listened to below.
Valerie Stover, I met at TransformU Live but had never interviewed her before. Luckily, we caught her on her final day working at CHE. She graciously accepted my offer to have a #12minconvo.
Divya Parekh, visited and showed the power of synchronicity with a gift of Stover chocolates after I interviewed Valerie Stover.
Then Sheyenne Kreamer visited. Sheyenne was episode #1198 on the #12minconvos podcast. I first spoke to her on the 23rd of September 2017 and it was just as fun as meeting her virtually as it was in real.
Having amazing conversations but then not having a planned place to sleep. We went to Arby's to come up with a plan. Why Arby's? Ryan had a coupon.
We had dinner and Ryan came up with the next planned stop. We would go to his home in Virginia. This was a great idea. There is so much we are thankful to Ryan for, he helped us tremendously.
At his home we had a warm place to spend the night. This would be something Amanda and I would cherish in the near future.
All good things come to an end. Our time spent with Crystal and her family was a milestone marker. Crystal has literally been one of the persons present in the waiting room when Engel gave birth to the idea of the 12minrvconvos quest. Her encouragement and support has been steadfast. After having a night's rest, goodbyes were exchanged with Crystal and her family. We were blessed with food, both for our body and soul.
I remember vividly that there wasn't sufficient time to have tea. Crystal poured mine into a travel cup with the words scribed on it, 'With Brave Wings She Flies'. Every morning thenceforth I was greeted by those words and they spoke to me. Words of love, words of encouragement, words of determination. A simple kindness brought profound comfort.
Highlight: I had my first Cracker Barrel breakfast, on this trip, in North Carolina.
For North Carolina I was excited, mainly because Engel had been there before and he spoke so highly of his experience. Well, it did not fail to deliver. Thanks to Stephen Scoggins we were provided with a space to meet and record Engel's guests. I must say each guest brought their own uniqueness to share with us, which we appreciated.
After a day of amazing conversation recordings, we had to figure out where we were going to stay for that night. Uncertainty hovered over us a bit. While having dinner Ryan suggested we go to his parents home in Virginia. With the address entered into the GPS we were off and away. The kindness extended to us by Ryan's parents cannot go unmentioned. They cared for us as if we were their children also. One more peaceful night's sleep, not that I was counting then, but the memory of it made the not so good times a bit more bearable.
On our drive to Virginia I streamed live on Facebook as we were driving by naval bases as Ryan pointed out. One of my cousins was looking on and messsaged that she was living nearby. We exchanged numbers on Facebook messenger and planned to meet the next Day.
When we arrived at Ryan's home his parents were most welcoming. His parents and Samson. I have a picture below on the camera roll with Samson. Check out the size on that guy.
If you missed out on Day 3 and you are curious to catch up click HERE.
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