Vacation & Field Trip Update

Greetings from cool Northern Arizona! We have had a very busy few days since we started our journey on Wednesday. We flew out Wednesday morning and then were able to visit with family friends in Phoenix. We were greeted with a cold wind (that I hear came from Washington) and cloudy skies - the sun was shining but boy, the clouds were dark. I thought I was back home except for the palm trees!Thursday we went to Montezuma's Castle and Well. The weather was sunny with a few clouds but VERY COLD! WOW! I can't believe how the early native people lived! They had to climb the ladders with their babies, water or anything else that needed to be brought into the living spaces (and I complain about carrying the laundry up and down the stairs. Here is a link to the castle's website http://www.nps.gov/moca/. Check it out because the history is amazing! The boys even found a baby rattlesnake crossing the path at Montezuma's Well. It was so cold the poor little thing could hardly make it across the sidewalk and he was trying to shake his little tail but it wasn't working very well.

Below is a picture of the well. The water is a constant 74*. The people lived around the well and also used the water for irrigating their crops. Check out the website here http://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/exploring-montezuma-well.htm.
After we got warmed up in the car.....we headed to Prescott to visit more friends from the past. You will never guess what happened while we were eating dinner....it SNOWED! We couldn't get a picture of it but it was very fine snow BUT it was still SNOW! Brrrrrrrr....... The boys got to play video games with Matt and thought they had died and gone to heaven!

Friday morning we went out for breakfast at Waffles 'n More and it was YUMMY! Then we headed of to Sedona to see the beautiful sights. WOW! God is amazing in his creation. How can people look at things like this and not believe in Him? Here are some of the beauties we saw.

Scriptures for Focusing on

Yesterday, I was with our Mom's In Touch prayer group and Julie from Herding Grasshoppers did the prayer focus on purity. WOW! When I used to think of purity I always thought of the sexual and physical dress aspects. She pointed out how our children would be saved much heartache if they could filter their lives, actions, and attitudes through Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

After a powerful prayer time yesterday where we prayed that scripture over each and every one of our children, I decided that I needed it printed out and PLASTERED around my house. I am putting one on the fridge and in the bathroom. I should put one on the steering wheel to remind me when I am driving! ;o)

I also added a couple more scriptures to this page -

Ephesians 6:12 - 18
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.


Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:17 - 19
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

I am hoping the ones from Romans will help with a bit of sibling rivalry that is going on (and also for my driving frame of mind!) SHEESH! I didn't realize I had so many things to work on too!! It's like God is chuckling when I find scriptures to share with the boys about behavior and attitude and He says, "Really???? I think you should look at those and learn to apply them to your life too!!!" Boy, do I still have a LONG way to go! But THANK YOU, JESUS that you could look on me in all my impurity and still love me enough to die on the cross and rise again - conquering death for me ONCE and FOR ALL!