Archive for May 2016

My time in Tucson always seems to go too fast.

There are so many people to see...lives to catch up on...FOOD to eat! :)

But this time I purposefully scaled back.

Tried to make intentional time with people that fill my love tank and feed my soul.

That might have been selfish...

but it was definitely necessary given the season we have been in for the last year or so.

I was desperately ready to be around people that KNOW me...

knows my quirks and still loves me...knows my downfalls and exhorts me...

knows my weaknesses and strengthens me.

Aside from my husband, my parents do this the best.

So I was extremely thankful for the uninterrupted evenings we had together...

and occasional talks during the day.

We were able to celebrate my mom's birthday....

and meet up with my dad for lunch!

We were also able to spend an entire day with my friend, Mandy and her sweet kiddos!

The kids had a blast playing with their friends...and left us semi-alone to have our adult conversations!

We also got to steal away for a girls night!

It was a sweet time of encouragement and exhortation.

Varying hardships forged this friendship...dark nights and broken hearts.

But I am so thankful for the way that God has used His Spirit through each of us to minister to each other.

For the wisdom that has been poured into my life through her counsel...

and the continual truth of the Word she speaks over me.

My mom (brave soul) loaded up all the kids and took them to the Ostrich Farm.

Along with the ostriches...the kids got to kiss some sheep...

and hang out with some very friendly birds!!

They had a blast!!

The sun was shining bright the entire time we were in the desert....

so a trip to the splash pad was a MUST!!

The last night in AZ before heading to CA to meet up with Jason, we were able to celebrate Grandma Alice's birthday with the Jimenez family!!!

The next morning I left these sweet kiddos in the very capable hands of my parents and Jason's parents to head up to California!!

I'm trying to look like I'm sad about leaving the kids...but I was more than a little excited to see my man!!!

From Colorado we headed down through New Mexico and into Arizona to meet some of our favorite people!!!

It was a long drive from Summit all the way to Tucson...so rather then stay halfway...we met up at the Grand Canyon.

It was the kids' first time seeing it...and it had been a LONG time since I had last been there!

We started with an incredible IMAX movie...

which only made us even more excited to see the real thing!

It was incredible.

Awe inspiring.

Each and every direction you looked in screamed of a Creator...a brilliant...mastermind...beautiful Creator.

Almighty and everlasting God,

You made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies,

and the infinite complexity of living creatures:

Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of Your creation,

we may come to know You more truly,

and more surely fulfill our role in Your eternal purpose;

in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

After walking around the rim for awhile we headed up the Desert View Watchtower.

Inside there were Native Americans showing each of their different trades.

Moccasin sewing. Pot painting. Rock carving. Story telling.

The view from this point was stunning...

there were fewer crowds..

and we got as close as dared to the edge.

We debated about staying until the sun set...but the kids were pretty tired after hiking the rim.

Back at the campsite, Grandpa and Grandma took all the kids on go-karts...and then made s'mores!

The next morning, Sunday, Grandpa had all the kids pile on his bed for cabin church.

It was such a fun time getting to share these memories together!!

Jason was scheduled to teach at a marriage conference in Southern California at the end of May.

As it started getting closer...a plan started to hatch in my mind.

What if...turned into a cross-country road trip for the kids and I.

After we had already figured out logistics...Jason got another offer...to come to Colorado and be the resident-scholar at Summit.

It was an incredible opportunity...and with a little finagling we were able to adjust the road trip to fit in Colorado!

It was a bit daunting to think of five thousand miles racked up with four kids in tow...but it sounded like a fun adventure...with family waiting on the other end!

With Colorado being on the map...we were able to take a different route that included a stop in Illinois to see Jason's Grandma Fran!!

The last time we were at Grandma's house there were only two little ones with me.

It was over six years ago!!!

But Hailey and Jackson wasted no time in hopping in her lap and lavishing her with love!!!

Grandma showed us some fun parks...took us to the movies...and spoiled us with all sorts of yummy food!!!

We were sad to say goodbye...but so very thankful that our trip allowed us to spend some wonderful time together!!!

Next stop was Colorado to see DADDY!!!

Jason had already been at Summit for a few days before we arrived...so he was settled into the routine.

The kids had a BLAST hanging out at the hotel...playing foosball...hanging with the students...attending the sessions...and watching their dad in action.

It was such a blessing to watch Jason as he ministered to students and staff alike.

He is definitely a shepherd...stopping to hear the hurts and hearts of those he ministers to.

(Amy sitting in on the open forum with Frank Turek)

Tyler and Amy were able to sit in on Jason's session and a couple of others.

They both were challenged to think deeper...and definitely want to return as a student some day.

Jason is publishing a book with Focus on the Family and had several meetings with his editors.

While there....

...he asked if we could get a backstage tour of the Adventures in Odyssey!!

Nathan Hoobler (who is the senior writer and producer)
took us behind the scenes...told us all we wanted to know about AIO...

and even let us go to the sound production room and make our own sound effects!

We stayed there for most of the morning playing and exploring.

One morning, the kids and I decided to visit the Garden of the Gods.

It was absolutely breathtaking!

Pike's Peak in the distance...this was the only day the clouds cooperated and let us see it!!

We had to do some quick hiking as the clouds started to darken while we were there.

We had barely made it to the car when the deluge came down!

After a few days with Dad, it was time to leave for the next stop.

He still had a week left to teach and then on to another speaking engagement in SC before we would meet up again in CA.

It was a tearful goodbye...but we were so glad to be able to get to see him in action!

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