Day 1- Washington's Office

After our opening breakfast, we continued on to Washington's office in Fairfax County, Va. which he used as a surveyor during his early years. The office itself was quite small but well preserved. I believe one of the museum workers said it had been owned and cared for by one family through many generations until it became a museum. The building was also used later as a surgery during the Civil War - there are marks on the floor of the second room alleged to be blood stains from the surgeons knife.

At the office, Mr. Horn spoke on Washington's early life, the steps he took to attain his goals, and the purpose his life had. Great men don't happen, they become -was one of Mr. Horn's points in this speech. Faithfulness in the little will lead to faithfulness in much. Washington was a man who proved faithful and was promising in his youth. He desired maturity and sought to make himself acceptable to society in all situations. Washington was a man able to carry a conversation over a campfire and in a lord's mansion. He was ambitious, in the best sense of the word, and worked his way up in society through his faithfulness in whatever task was at hand, be it surveying, farming, soldiering, or acting as President. The Lord's blessing on Washington's life is evident and George Washington stands out as an example of an exemplary life for us to learn from and follow.

Two or three museum workers were also on the grounds telling fascinating stories and interesting tidbits of history concerning the office. A few small trees were scattered across the property - just the right size for a little boy to climb. Elijah went up to one worker- a kindly older gentleman who, after inquiries, reported to be 84 years old and a veteran of WWII, - and asked, "May I climb a tree?"
"What's that? You gotta pee?" came the reply. Laughingly, mom explained what Elijah had really said.
"Oh!" exclaimed the gentleman, putting his arm around her shoulders and joining in with a hearty laughter. Elijah then received his permission and joyously began to climb. Only then did one of the older children notice the sign that read: Please do not climb the trees.