Daddy has moose antlers!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Cowboy Church
Praising God with the others at the YWAM base last night was great. Cold but great. As Thomas said we did look a little out of place. We lacked the hat, blue jeans and boots; yet the message the pastor gave was most definitely for us. "Don't look back!" We need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, not on the waves and wind that sometimes surround us or the life as we used to know it. Peter was rebuked because he started out following Jesus' call, but then looked around instead of looking to Jesus. Lot's wife became a pillar of salt because she looked back. There are very few times when looking back is beneficial. We become very ineffective when we look back. Of course there are always reasons; but this, but that, but, but, but... We need to get our buts out of God's way.
We do not know all the details of what God has for us, but we need to just trust in Him. Focus on Him and He will lead the way. It would be easy to be tempted to go back to life as we knew it. That's the safe route. The comfortable. But we know we can't because we want to be where God wants us to be so we'll keep on this journey.
Adriana has really struggled. Change is very uncomfortable for her. Of course, change is a daily reality for us. So Adriana has been anxious. Last night's message was an encouragement for her. When she went forward, the pastor prayed for her. He prayed, "God loves you. Be released. Have peace. Be bold, God has a very special purpose for your life."
We do not know all the details of what God has for us, but we need to just trust in Him. Focus on Him and He will lead the way. It would be easy to be tempted to go back to life as we knew it. That's the safe route. The comfortable. But we know we can't because we want to be where God wants us to be so we'll keep on this journey.
Adriana has really struggled. Change is very uncomfortable for her. Of course, change is a daily reality for us. So Adriana has been anxious. Last night's message was an encouragement for her. When she went forward, the pastor prayed for her. He prayed, "God loves you. Be released. Have peace. Be bold, God has a very special purpose for your life."
Day 4
We made good progress today. We caught up to our planned stop at Cody, Wyoming. Not as much tourism today, although we still did some sightseeing as we drove. We were again awed by God's creativity. The mountains were spectacular. They looked impressive from a distance with the snow still on them. As we drove through we were captivated by the size and elevation. (I think our highest point was about 8900'.) Unfortunately, the clouds obscured our view of the top when were were at the bottom and pretty much everything when we were at the top.
It wasn't mentioned early enough for me to act on. But we did talk about stopping and having a snowball fight. Just so we could say we did - on a mountain, in Wyoming, in June. But not all was lost, I did drive through snow today. (On the car and pavement, not just along the sides of the road.)
The scenery was beautiful. As I have already mentioned, we have enjoyed the variety of terrain. We have also enjoyed the different animals we have gotten to see such as antelope, moose (see pictures below), porcupine, and prairie dogs (yesterday in the Badlands).
Before we left the park, we stopped at the Shell Falls. Once again, our compliments to the Creator. He really does good work!
The girls have done very well travelling. They have gotten along pretty well, especially considering the situation. That has been a real blessing. Today, Annalise told me she liked it when I take a day off work.
We then headed to Meeteetse. There is a YWAM base there: Western Frontiers. We were able to talk with a few folks there before we joined in Cowboy Church. They are having Rodeo Bible Camp this week. I am certainly no cowboy and my shorts, tennis shoes, and lack of a ten-gallon hat were certainly out of place. Besides the fact that it was about 50 degrees and rainy during this tent meeting. Someone was kind enough to share an extra coat with me and a blanket with the girls. (I had brought a sweater in the luggage that is easily accessible, but two of my daughters left theirs on the table at home, so we were redistributing.)
Adriana really seemed to have had a deep spiritual experience. In the morning I look forward to talking with her about it. It didn't seem appropriate to do so tonight. There was an altar-call and she went forward. I was torn as to what to do. I wanted to join her and stand with her. Yet, I felt it was important for her to have spiritual experiences without me being right there, so it could be hers. She did mention it was a little uncomfortable to be there without Lisa or me standing with her. I suppose a little bird feels a little uncomfortable the first time it leaves the nest, also.
Then it was off to Cody to find a hotel for the night. This was a somewhat difficult process. For some reason, most were booked or outrageously priced. In the end, we are here. Everyone is sleeping. I carried Annalise and Alayna in from the van and put them to bed. We didn't even bother getting our luggage from the van tonight. (Other than the computer and a battery charger since our camera batteries died on us.) It will be a busy morning and a long day of travel tomorrow. Hopefully, the weather will be conducive to a walk in Yellowstone.
Grace,
Tom
p.s. We love to get blog comments...
It wasn't mentioned early enough for me to act on. But we did talk about stopping and having a snowball fight. Just so we could say we did - on a mountain, in Wyoming, in June. But not all was lost, I did drive through snow today. (On the car and pavement, not just along the sides of the road.)
The scenery was beautiful. As I have already mentioned, we have enjoyed the variety of terrain. We have also enjoyed the different animals we have gotten to see such as antelope, moose (see pictures below), porcupine, and prairie dogs (yesterday in the Badlands).
Before we left the park, we stopped at the Shell Falls. Once again, our compliments to the Creator. He really does good work!
The girls have done very well travelling. They have gotten along pretty well, especially considering the situation. That has been a real blessing. Today, Annalise told me she liked it when I take a day off work.
We then headed to Meeteetse. There is a YWAM base there: Western Frontiers. We were able to talk with a few folks there before we joined in Cowboy Church. They are having Rodeo Bible Camp this week. I am certainly no cowboy and my shorts, tennis shoes, and lack of a ten-gallon hat were certainly out of place. Besides the fact that it was about 50 degrees and rainy during this tent meeting. Someone was kind enough to share an extra coat with me and a blanket with the girls. (I had brought a sweater in the luggage that is easily accessible, but two of my daughters left theirs on the table at home, so we were redistributing.)
Adriana really seemed to have had a deep spiritual experience. In the morning I look forward to talking with her about it. It didn't seem appropriate to do so tonight. There was an altar-call and she went forward. I was torn as to what to do. I wanted to join her and stand with her. Yet, I felt it was important for her to have spiritual experiences without me being right there, so it could be hers. She did mention it was a little uncomfortable to be there without Lisa or me standing with her. I suppose a little bird feels a little uncomfortable the first time it leaves the nest, also.
Then it was off to Cody to find a hotel for the night. This was a somewhat difficult process. For some reason, most were booked or outrageously priced. In the end, we are here. Everyone is sleeping. I carried Annalise and Alayna in from the van and put them to bed. We didn't even bother getting our luggage from the van tonight. (Other than the computer and a battery charger since our camera batteries died on us.) It will be a busy morning and a long day of travel tomorrow. Hopefully, the weather will be conducive to a walk in Yellowstone.
Grace,
Tom
p.s. We love to get blog comments...
Day 4
My Girls at Shell Falls, Bighorn National Forest
Leaving the parkNote the road near the lower left corner; beautiful views, no room for errors.
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