Day 12

Starting off the day with a fresh start I decided to salvage the remaining good pieces of of the bikes: seat, handlebars, and brake pads. While struggling with it, my friend came back from his five minute errand and opened up the garage door.  "Can you help me get this undone," I said trying to do a three armed job with two.  He looked at me and said, "Why are you messing with those old bikes when you can ride your new ones," pointing to two brand new bikes next to his truck.  After being stunned, these questions popped out of my mouth, "Wait...how...ahh.. how did you get those in 5 minutes? NO WAY! Are you kidding me? Uh a." I went and got Patti also, only watch her go through the same emotions of shock, gratefulness, and blessing that I had just went through.  

Then it was my friend's turn.  He went in the house and opened up a check that came to him in the mail from a mistake someone had made a while ago and was now paying him back.  He was surprised and had no idea about it. So now he was shocked and blessed while wearing a smile. After good-byes to him and his wife, we drove three hours to our next stop to see other friends of ours from way back.  We were able to see our first snow in many years and the amazing fall colors of the northwest.  

Driving up to their house at dusk was a welcomed site, because my body was and is getting tired of this traveling. Being welcomed by warm hugs, warm house, and warm food is more than I deserve but I appreciate greatly and enjoy. What a blessing.

Day 11

Leaving the sweat embrace of our friends was difficult. The prayers were still in our hearts as we headed out for a quick 30 minute drive to meet my uncle that I have only met once before. We arrived at a fun Mexican restaurant in a slight drizzle. Inside sitting patiently was my uncle, aunt, and my cousin. It was encouraging and fun to hear stories of my dadf and his childhood. After some amazing stories and encouragement we said good by and headed out into more pouring rain. After only a quarter mile before heading on to the freeway while sitting at a light we we thrusted forward with the dreaded crunching sound. Realizing we were just rear-ended, we pulled over as soon as we could to exchange information, only to find ourselves sitting alone. It was a hit and run, that left us with two totaled bikes and a crushed hatch that would not open. 

After calling the insurance and the police we headed to our next stop. I must admit that the wall of gray fog that  we drove into as we headed into Oregon matched how we felt. We were a bit shaken up. It was hard, so we prayed and thanked God for what we have and released what had happened.  We arrived to meet our good friends that we have known for a long time, way back to early camping days.  Their familiar love and comfort was wonderful as we laid down for the night.  

Day 10

Walking up to the ouwie dance
by Patti after she accidentally
smashed her finger so bad that
 it turned blue instantly.

It made for a difficult day but she danced her way through the morning and got packed and ready to go. In the middle of our six hour drive we stopped for gas. As we were stopped we noticed a man trying to break into his car. After 40 minutes we helped him get in his car that he had locked his keys wallet, phone, and left the radio on. We were happy that the engine started up without a jump start. We had a new friend and headed out on our way.




Half way on our drive, I caught Zakita (our car) in a Car's moment. It was a cool moment.

(Yes that is a reflection in the hubcap of a semi that we passed)

We arrived at a dear friend of ours that receives us as a mother and father, they rejoiced and encouraged us and had a wonderful time visiting. They are amazing at ministering to neighbors and leading them to Christ.  They are so welcoming and willing to adopt many into their family.  They have grand children that are not their own but hey love them and treat them as their own. We give the glory to the Lord. We want to grow up and be just like them.

 

Day 9

This day was spent visiting a dear friend who is doing time in Prison.  Because of her bad choices she was stripped of everything that was important to her (including her two children).

Since in prison she has grown into a beautiful and fruitful tree bearing amazing fruit.  Though prison walls contain her she is free spiritually because of the redemptive work of our Savior in her life.  The hope and anchor she has found in Jesus she shares with many prisoners to help them to grab hold of Him also.  She leads multiple support groups for victims of domestic abuse, grief support, and she even vigils with the terminally ill that are dying in prison.  She shares Jesus with sooooo many inside those prison walls.  She is able to reach inmates that the ministries that come in cannot reach.  She is really walking out being the hands and feet, heart and mouth piece of Jesus in side those walls.  She is doing a very important work.  This once intimidated and shy introvert has become a bold and strongly rooted soldier for Christ, that she said "I am so comfortable with a microphone that I can share and preach for 2-3 hours straight."


As I pulled out of the prison parking lot and prayed for her, the thought of the one strong lesson I learned this last year over the pain and difficulties that we have walked through, is to focus on today.  We are not promised tomorrow, all we have is today.  We need to follow Jesus in the moments He has given us right now.  Don't get distracted on the "what ifs" of tomorrow and the uncertainty of the future even if it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel.  He has given you the light of today, step into it, embrace Him in it, He is with you, trust Him and follow Him even if it feels dark, and He will bring life and light and purpose to you in your today.

Day 8

Waking up after a good night sleep we began getting ready to go which takes awhile. In the process we met an older man that had broke his foot but did not trust doctors to take care of it. He did allow me to pray for him. So taking off driving into the desert we discovered after 15 minutes that there probably wouldn’t be any gas stations when we needed one, so we got to go back to get gas. So after take two, we drove for 6 more hours to our next stop. Enjoyed listening to a godly book on CD and enjoyed the sunset as we drove in to Fresno. Stoping to get some traveling stuff we were blessed to meet some great people at the store.  We were able to encourage each other and share what and why we do what we do. I can honestly say we said good bye as friends. After some good Mexican food we called it a night. 

Day 7

Another beautiful morning topped off with great hospitality, gifts, and prayers. A night of very little sleep because of pain. Put Mark in the back to sleep as Patti drove Zakita (our car) away early in the morning. Our next stop was on the way to visit a friend in California, it was the Grand Canyon, which was 3 hours out of our way. Since we have always wanted to see it, and never have, we put it in our way. I had heard many stories both good and bad about it. I did not know what to expect. After stopping for gas on the way up I saw the, “Welcome Martians” sign, and was really confused. 

We stopped at the visitor center and saw bus loads of foreigners heading into the store. Some rushed to get in the building to get out of the cold brisk morning air.  Recognizing there situation, being in a different place and feeling different, I held the door open and greeted the people.  Not many people noticed or cared but the few that did, it was very special and worth it. If no one recognized it was ok, because I represent America, Zoe, and Jesus so that is good enough. Had lots of fun doing that even when we got to the Grand Canyon or “the big hole” as one man said.

We were shocked at the site, overwhelmed, speechless, jaw dropped, and eyes welling up in appreciations of God’s beautiful creation.  We thought we knew what it would looked like, but it is a whole new experience being there and seeing the vastness of it all. One of my favorite things was to help families take pictures of themselves with the beauty of the canyon as their backdrop . We were there only a little while before we had to go ahead to our next stop. Upon leaving and getting lost to leave the park we saw elk doing a fashion show on the road.  Driving into the valley at sunset we were thoroughly blessed and enjoying the handiwork of our Lord.

Day 6

   Leaving Prescott with love and prayers from our old youth pastor, we head 3 hours to a friend of ours that we had met in Texas many years ago. In doing some preventive maintenance, we stopped by the tire store to check our tire pressure. Surprised to find out that we were missing a lug nut, because it simply fell off but because the stud was stripped. They were not able to fix it, so they sent us somewhere else which took an extra two hours to fix. Looking at what was to gain, we found us at a quant place for lunch to proof pictures and write emails.







Being back on the road, we found us descending into the valley at sunset at another beautiful place. Thinking it was our friends birthday, we were going to pick some things out to surprise her. The surprise was on us because it really is two weeks later. Since we were late, we did not stop and get birthday surprises, so it worked out. The evening was filled with wonderful food and stories of God’s goodness and miracles from all over the world as they have done overseas missions for many years in many places including locally were they both work at a school. Going to bed I was reminded that God can do any thing with any one at anytime.