Too bad “all good things must come to an end” huh? I mean, why can’t the good things continue, I’d like to know who came up with that rule!! Anyway, I’m just writing to inform you all that I’m back from vacation so you can now write me e-mail! Ha ha! Most of you probably didn’t even know we were vacationing, but now we’re back and yes, I’m going to tell you all about it. 
Stuart and I left icky sticky Greenville on June 24th just after a tremendous thunder,lightning,rain storm. Hence we were late to Atlanta and just missed missing our connecting flight by running like the wind through the airport. Blah- welcome to vacation, but don’t fret it was great after that. I’ve decided that I do NOT like to fly, but it’s a lot of fun to get where you’re going fast, and we had a lot to do! We waved hi to my family in Albuquerque, and headed off for Alpine Arizona where we got to see the site for Camp On Wheels!! (camponwheels.com).
We were there the Saturday before camp started (sorry Steve and Rhonae, we just missed you by about 40 min!) and met the staff and took lots of pictures for the website (stay tuned for updates!). We were only able to stay for one night, but it was enough to get us excited about camp next summer when we hope to be traveling with COWS!!
After that it was all fun and games. We got to visit with Stu’s grandparents (in Chambers, AZ) who have been faithful missionaries on the Navajo Indian Rez for more than 40 years!! The pictures and stories that they have to tell are awesome!! I don’t think our generation takes enough time to sit and learn at the feet of our wise elders. We’d probably be saved a lot of “learnin’” ourselves if we would. But we were able to visit them and also see Stu’s other Grandmother and some friends he’d grown up with in AZ. Then we were off to COLORADO!! We couldn’t wait to get into the cool mountains!
We were able to spend the rest of the first week with Stuart’s parents and a cousin of his that the family just met (she’s 20!). It’s an interesting story, but she’s a very sweet girl, and we had a good time getting to know her. We brought the rain back with us… you’d think the drought stricken states would pay us to come more often so it would rain- ha ha! So it did rain on us a little bit while we were hiking, but we still had fun. Nothing quite as refreshing as a western rain shower! The mountains in Pagosa Springs are some of the most rugged and majestic! I love it there! I’d even have to say that it’s more beautiful than where the Wilds of the Rockies was, and that’s saying a lot!!! It was refreshing to spend time with Stuart’s parents and sis and bro-in-law. We got to go geocashing for the first time!! That could be an addicting game!
After Colorado we zoomed down to New Mexico (the speed limit is faster out there by the way- very nice!) and Stuart preached for my dad’s church on Sunday night! He did a fabulous job if I do say so myself. Wish you all could have heard him. I’d send you an mp3 of the message, but unfortunately that particular church is still in the cassette tape era. They gave us one, but I don’t even think we have a cassette player!!! Anyway, we enjoyed the 4th with the church at a picnic in the Sandia mountains where we played a rousing game of water balloon volleyball! Y’all have GOT to try it! It was good to see my family as well, and what was more impressive is that 2 Uncles and their wives and in one case kids came to Albuquerque this week as well, so for the first time in 15 years all 5 of my Grandma’s kids were together. It was neat for me because I finally met one of my cousins that I’d never known before too.
This trip was full of “new” family and old family, and was very relaxing and refreshing. We were getting a little bogged down here in the swamp-like south, so it was good to breathe the free and DRY western air again even for a little while. When you’re heart is in a place that you’re body is not it’s good for them to be reunited now and then. Keeps ya going! We know that for now God’s plan is for us to be in Greenville, and for Stuart to get his education. We also know just as strongly that our “real” place is in the Southwest where our hearts are burdened to minister. Pray with us that God will sustain us through His preparation time and that we will work in the confidence that He will bring those desires eventually.
I do want to hear from everyone, so now it’s YOUR turn to write, ha ha ha!! Have a wonderful rest of your summer, and I can’t wait to read about what’s going on with you. Or you can call, that’s always a viable option too!
Take care!
