February 28th & March 1st: I was so ready for a Road Gypsy Day! Our time in Coalinga-CA was fine, but I have been chomping at the bit for a lengthy drive and a change of scenery: today both happened. I have missed my road romances.
We took our time tearing down, loading up, and moving down the freeway …
Holland was dreading the Sunday drivers … but, Elohim showered us with grace & traffic was light, lane changes went smoothly, and Holland drove through the pain - eyes forward & thoughts on hopeful pain relief when we reach the end goal destination point:
It started raining as we started crossing over the Siskiyou's: at least the bugs were washed off the windshield; and even though it was really too dark to get decent pictures, it was nice to look at the passing scenery with clear vision.
Holland and his family members have driven this route (from Laton-CA to Vader-WA) their entire life, from job to job (Holland, himself, was working a man's job & driving his own car at age 14: he passed as much older because of his height). He can drive this highway blind and know exactly where he was at, in the moment. The landscape changes - but the road remains the same; wider, but same layout.
Elohim did well by matching me with Holland: he is the best traveling companion. He understands the ins & outs of travel - routes, finances needed, fuel mileage estimates, time & distance variances, landscape pros and cons, ect. He hates CA though; and now that Brenda and George are gone, there's no reason to ever go back. If we continue traveling, we'll bypass CA altogether. I'm okay with that.
We passed by Shasta Lake at dusk (5:07 PM); 7-1/2 hours on the road so far.
We saw a dozen deer alongside the roadway (couldn't get a picture because the 6% grade didn't make snapshots possible), and a lovely sunset before total nighttime darkness covered the land. It was raining - not heavily as we passed over the worst of the Pass' steep incline/decline; truck brakes were hot & the scorched odor hung heavily in the air. Holland was going to walk the kinks out … but decided against it when the hot brakes stench caused us both to cough.
Heading ever northward, and thinking about the Messianic testimony I had viewed earlier, I got to thinking about the miraculous life change that happened in my personal life, in 1965. I wondered if Charlie was still alive - I know he was in 2022 … but since remarrying, my thoughts have been focused on that. Tonight, I cruised the internet seeking information on a man that was a father figure to me when I needed that; and also a man who taught and exampled the life of Jesus so much so, that I knew at 8 years old that was the life I wanted for myself: Elohim set plans in motion, the Ruach HaKo'desh put the drawing fire in my heart, and Charlie was inspiration that cemented my decision to be sold-out for Christ.
{{Charles Pat Schmitt March 17, 1937 — February 5, 2025
https://www.donaldsonclarksville.com/obituaries/Charles-Schmitt
Charles Pat Schmitt was born on March 17, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York in Bethany Deaconess Hospital to Charles and Irma (Hausman) Schmitt. He is survived by one younger brother, Warren (Joanne) Schmitt.
Charles and his future wife, Dotty, grew up in the Ridgewood neighborhood. They both attended P.S. 93 Queens and Grover Cleveland High School, Brooklyn. Charles was trained at Prairie Bible College in Alberta, Canada (Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education) and Bethany College of Missions in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He earned his Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology, a Doctorate of Pastoral Ministry and a Doctorate of Theology from Logos Christian University in Jacksonville, Florida. He also holds an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Methodist Episcopal Church USA.
Charles and Dotty first met in a neighborhood youth group meeting at Trinity Reformed Church when he was 14 and Dotty was 12. Charles had a life-changing encounter with Jesus as a young teenager. He started training for the ministry at age 17 and devoted himself to a lifetime of serving the Lord and His people as a pastor and Bible teacher.
Charles and Dotty married in December 1963 and have three exceptional daughters, Laura (George) Uecker, Dianna (Scott) Whittle, and Jenny Childers. Charles carried a deep love for his five wonderful grandchildren, Chase (25), Kai (24), Dylan (23), Brooke (23), and Hunter (22).
After Charles and Dotty were married, in addition to pastoring, they co-owned seven restaurants, two campgrounds, and a 32-unit apartment complex. Charles also ministered extensively across five continents with a deep love in particular for India and Nepal. He had the privilege of helping to start Bible Schools in India and in Maryland. From his teenage years, Charles had an unwavering heart for missions (especially in the 10/40 window) and for Israel.
Charles authored seven books, including Our Tremendous Lover—a Song of Solomon devotional; A Heart for God—a study on King David; Floods Upon the Dry Ground, a historical study of revival Church history; A Firm Foundation, a study of doctrines of the Christian faith; Ephesians High Adventure; Are These the Last Days; and End Time Truths for End Time People. Two of his books were translated into several languages and used as a curriculum in Bible Schools. Charles fervently carried a passion to teach the Scriptures for the equipping of the Body of Christ and to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus to the Nations.
On January 28, 2025, Charles recorded a short exhortation video on Facebook: "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). He encouraged himself and his listeners to prepare to meet Jesus Christ. Charles fought the good fight, he kept the faith, and on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, he finished the race as he stepped into the Healing Presence of His Lord and Savior.
Charles will always be remembered for his generous spirit, lively sense of humor, sincere love for the Word of God, and his profound gift of the exposition of the Scriptures.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting a missions donation.}}
Pastor Charles Schmitt & his wife Dotty (Dorothy), founded the Fellowship of Believers in Grand Rapids, Minnesota … which started a home Bible Studies & rented storefronts before purchasing a building - it was here that I was saved in 1965. By the time I was a young wife/mother in the late-1970's, they had added 2 children to their family as well, and then moved to Maryland and founded 2 more fellowships - their last one being Immanuel’s Church in Silver Springs, Maryland in 1982, in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
I honestly can say that I never knew a time when Charlie was not smiling, laughing, saying something encouraging to someone, praying with someone/for someone. I saw his wife Dotty, angry many times … and he was always soothing & calmly meeting the situation with admirable peaceful solutions. I understand that he was a mere human being - but he truly exemplified what a sold-out Christian man should be.
Charlie lived & breathed the life of Christ 24/7/365.
Charlie was the kind of personality I wanted in my life; people (male or female friends; fellowship gatherings) had to measure up if I was to spend quality tie with them.
Bob was the heart throb I measured every male against.
Charlie was the man I measured every man against. Every pastor against. Every Christian against.
The world seems a colder place without his presence in it. MPO
We stopped in Halsey-OR around 2 AM for fuel, and I watched a little wild brown rabbit hop it's way across the parking lot.
I also remembered Bob's dad, Bob Sr. talking about Halsey … and I wondered, 'what on earth was he doing clear down here?' Holland said that Halsey used to be a logging community - then, it made sense; Bob was a logger most of our married life & Bob Sr. - as well as Rose (my Bob's mother), both drove their log truck to ferry a truck load of fallen logs to market: that would have been an all day haul for 1 load.
From Halsey, we drove straight to Castle Rock, arriving in the wee hours of early dawn.
We drove 863 miles straight through from Coalinga-CA to Castle Rock-WA; 50 mi travel time = 1 hour, Betsy pulling Independence (30,000 miles on the RV, alone); but we are finally parked in the one location that tickles my husband to no end.
And I'm going to be as good as gold while we are here.
