tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53288384656141942742024-03-13T07:25:25.538-07:00Faith Ministries: The Thomas Family, On The Road For JesusWe are Derrick (38), Michelle (35), Michaela (8), and Riona (3). We moved into our 5th wheel in April of 2009 and are on the road full time doing ministry work. We will post pictures and stories of our adventures in here. And when we know where our next stop will be we will post that as well.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-3848135924520335402009-06-02T17:30:00.000-07:002009-06-02T17:38:16.965-07:00It's Been Too Long!!It has been way too long since my last post on here!!<br />We are currently in Klamath, Ca on the coast and loving it. Michaela and I found sand dollars and tide pools. The girls loved the aquarium in Crescent City. Riona was over excited to pet a starfish and Michaela enjoyed the shark petting.<br />Dylan will be here in a few days to spend the summer with us. We are really looking forward to this. Thinking I will take him to Trees Of Mystery here in Klamath.<br />As usual we have the big tent up and revival is happening here. It is going good. It is a 15 day set that runs to June 11th.<br />Before Klamath we spent 2 weeks in revival in Big Pine, Ca followed by a week at Joe Ferguson's tent set in Lake Isabella, Ca. After Isabella we did a week in Fish Lake Valley, Nv.<br />Some where in all of that God blessed us with a bigger "house". The girls finally have their own room and we finally have a living room again. The "house" is a 36 ft 2010 Sundance by Heartland 3300RLB. It has a rear loft bedroom that gives the girls tons of play area and their own tv!! I am creating a website for the family and will post pics of it on there. Once the website is complete I will post a link to it on here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-69132449263068013432009-01-13T14:52:00.000-08:002009-01-13T14:58:32.711-08:00Quartzsite, Arizona!!!After Dylan went home we came over to Quartzsite. And of course we are still here!! If you have never been to (or heard of) Quartzsite you should see it. The population gets to over 200,000 in the month of January. Rv's from all over the country flock here. I will have to get some pics and post them.<br />The rv show starts up this coming Saturday and goes for a week. We cannot wait to go look at the big big tent they have set up!!<br />We have a get-together starting tomorrow with the FOTR (families on the road) group we belong to. A few families will be pulling into our campsite tomorrow.<br />Our friend's Joe and Betty Ferguson could not make it down with their tent this year so they called a friend of theirs. We went over and met David and his family and hit it off. We have joined them in their ministry here in Quartzsite and will travel to Parker, Az with them in a few weeks. Looks like we may be doing a lot of traveling with them also.<br />Well it looks like after a full day on here I finally got caught up with posting. For now on I will try and stay on top if it (yeah right LOL).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-45672474777752150442009-01-13T13:38:00.000-08:002009-01-13T14:51:07.705-08:00Christmas and New Year's 2008/2009<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0UrhOlaMI/AAAAAAAAANA/Dp5KJK3-pX4/s1600-h/family.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290907875116673218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0UrhOlaMI/AAAAAAAAANA/Dp5KJK3-pX4/s320/family.jpg" border="0" /></a> We picked Dylan up from the airport in Las Vegas on December 20th. He came to spend his 2 week vacation with us. It was his first time ever in Vegas so we took him down to the strip to see the different casinos. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Snow in Las Vegas!!!!</span></em></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290907618872333682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0UcmpLFXI/AAAAAAAAAM4/7SnEkJ-rUKE/s320/snow.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>We tried to do a lot with him while he was here so this post may have a TON of pictures in it.</div><div>Derrick and my dad caught a huge scorpion in the yard back in October and have been saving it for Dylan to see. He was not thrilled with it at all!! He was so scared it was going to get out of the container.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290908127990993298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0U6PQhUZI/AAAAAAAAANI/4_E81wWEYSc/s320/scorpion.jpg" border="0" />We took him on quite a few quad rides in the dessert. He really enjoyed the different rides we took. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290910154290438434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0WwLz9ISI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/0lbAOaldmes/s320/dylquad.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290908917680426386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0VoNFJzZI/AAAAAAAAANo/OxlM_bsQ0wc/s320/quads.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290910154351754146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0WwMCku6I/AAAAAAAAAOY/upj2JV6Y-3k/s320/girls.jpg" border="0" />For New Year's we went to Lake Havasu City to camp with my parent's and my aunta & uncle. We were there just about a week.</p><p> <em><span style="color:#333399;">My dad and Derrick sitting by the fire talking</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290909832912774514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0WdeljJXI/AAAAAAAAAOA/QmT-YI0Yxcg/s320/camp.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Rion (my dad) and Riona sitting by the fire</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290908504503142690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0VQJ4AySI/AAAAAAAAANY/tMNUTNlb6pQ/s320/rys.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>We took a short drive over to Oatman on old Route 66. The town has wild burros that come down out of the hills. You can feed them carrots and apples. Michaela and Riona went last year and Michaela loves the burros. Riona wants no part of them. Dylan just was not too sure about them. They get a little aggressive over the carrots and Dylan was skeptical of feeding them. They do not bite just push each other trying to get close to you.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290909829626129298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0WdSV865I/AAAAAAAAAOI/BArpyAgVSsY/s320/donkey.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290908910863087922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0VnzrxeTI/AAAAAAAAANg/6hWUeU4fvd4/s320/route66.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>In Oatman we met a lady that invited the kids to look at some tortoises. Michaela was too scared to feed them so Dylan gave it a shot. The tortoises were VERY aggressive with each other. They kept trying to flip each other over. And they run super fast.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290908502787498578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0VQDe-IlI/AAAAAAAAANQ/OqozWLYk7Ag/s320/turtle.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Before Dylan had to head back home we took im to see the London Bridge. Yes, the ral London Bridge (that was falling down) is now in Lake Havasu. It has been since the 70's.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290909462886338674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0WH8IX0HI/AAAAAAAAAN4/6b49KOrL510/s320/bridge2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290909462278936674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0WH53jmGI/AAAAAAAAANw/VVgN0RWk5pw/s320/bridge.jpg" border="0" /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-50853851255422006142009-01-13T12:23:00.000-08:002009-01-13T13:26:28.330-08:00Tombstone/TucsonAs a Christmas present Derrick took us to southern Az to visit the Tombstone area. We camped at Parker Canyon Lake for a few days while sight-seeing Tombstone.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>The lake is VERY close to the Mexican border.</div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290878996231032034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz6ai_tDOI/AAAAAAAAALE/kDalJxHo0Q8/s320/travel.jpg" border="0" /></p><em><span style="color:#333399;"> She earned another Jr Ranger Badge </span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290879538973324322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz66I3jNCI/AAAAAAAAALM/kB5omf9gZn8/s320/tombstone+ranger.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em><span style="color:#333399;"> We toured the town of Tombstone on an authentic stagecoach.</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290879537286441266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz66ClXaTI/AAAAAAAAALU/QxSAE5EvAYw/s320/stagecoach.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><p>After Tombstone we headed to Bisbee. We camped on a ranch owned by Belle Star (relative of the infamous outlaw Belle Starr). She owns 40 acres and invites campers to come stay with her. She has a variety of animals on the ranch that you can pet. Horses, mini donkeys, peacocks, chickens, dogs, birds, and more.</p><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Petting one of the horses</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290882651661116354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz9vUiJo8I/AAAAAAAAALc/xk9qDvfBfQA/s320/horse.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>We spent a day in the town of Bisbee. The museum there was very nicely done and we learned a lot there. We also did the Queen Mine Tour. It is a very large copper mine. They suit you up in hard hats, rain slickers, and lights then take you into the mine on a narrow mine train. Well worth the time and money to see.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290886916096721874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0Bniy1A9I/AAAAAAAAAME/FbrL6wtSRRE/s320/tour.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290886917644107266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0BnojwPgI/AAAAAAAAAL8/ziHnbc_Fcwc/s320/minetrain.jpg" border="0" /> The next day was spent in Douglas, then exploring area ghost towns such as Gleeson and Pearce.16 miles east of Douglas is the ranch of Texas John Slaughter. We drove out there and spent a few hours walking around. The historical society has done a great job of preserving the ranch. The house is full of antiques, toys, clothing, and more that belonged to John and his family as well as tons of old photographs from his life in Douglas.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290883610450248322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz-nITSwoI/AAAAAAAAALs/0cijfT9djdo/s320/slaughter.jpg" border="0" />From the property you can see the Mexican border clearly. At one time 75% of his ranch was in Mexico.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290883604052106370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz-mwd23II/AAAAAAAAALk/P-jpU-doU-I/s320/border.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><p>From there we headed north to Tucson. We went to the visitor center and bought a Tucson Passport for $15. It was well worth it!! It is loaded with 2 for 1 admissions to all major attractions in the area. We saw so much!!</p><p>On the first day we visited Old Tucson Studios and the Titan II Missile Museum. No pics from the missile sorry, but it was one of the best places we have been. We got to go down in the missile silo and see the missile, see the equipment, and even simulate a launch (Michaela was the lucky one to get to do it!).</p><p>Tucson Studios was a blast!! It is still used as a movie studio where tons of western films are filmed each year. Most of John Wayne's movies were filmed there as well as the tv show High Chapperal We rode the mini train several times as well as the merry go round. We saw a few shows in the Saloon, a gunshow outside and a really good comedy stunt show at the mission (the mission was in the movie Tombstone).</p><br /><p><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Michaela and daddy on the merry-go-round<br /></span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290885120717063026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz__Ce9g3I/AAAAAAAAAL0/DWOu-q8UHmw/s320/merry.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Michaela </span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290889896773162370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0EVCreFYI/AAAAAAAAAMM/R1NDZWXTJzo/s320/tucson.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><p>We saw a Christmas musical in the Saloon. "Trixie" came and danced with Derrick. The girls really got a kick out of it.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290890370946423906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SW0EwpHL3GI/AAAAAAAAAMU/RrAnlj_c0X0/s320/show.jpg" border="0" />The next few days were spent at the Arizona-Sonora Dessert Museum (a must see!!), the San Xavier Mission, The International Wildlife Museum (headquarters for Safari Club Internnational), the postage history museum (where they gave stamps and stamp albums to the girls), the Reid Zoo (for holiday lights), and the T-Rex Museum.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-86797563879533378352009-01-13T12:02:00.000-08:002009-01-13T12:23:16.751-08:00We're finally in Arizona!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz3mIwii1I/AAAAAAAAAK8/z1IQG__Mgv4/s1600-h/az.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290875896811653970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz3mIwii1I/AAAAAAAAAK8/z1IQG__Mgv4/s320/az.jpg" border="0" /></a> We made it to Az just before Halloween. We stayed at my parent's place for a few weeks before heading out to Quartzsite. While at their house Michaela and my dad celebrated their birthdays. <div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290873543131432786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz1dInch1I/AAAAAAAAAKM/TAF7buTQyyM/s320/bday.jpg" border="0" /><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Grabbing candy from their pinata<br /></span></em><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290873549168879218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz1dfG4pnI/AAAAAAAAAKU/2ZhKA23ha9s/s320/pinata.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><p>After their birthdays we headed out to Quartzsite where we spent 2 weeks. Then we headed back to their house for Thanksgiving.</p><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Riona making yummy pumpkin cookies</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290874578722889298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz2ZafsHlI/AAAAAAAAAKc/ir8Y6dhyNLM/s320/cookies.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Thanksgiving dinner<br /></span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290875104994030354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz24DAgcxI/AAAAAAAAAKs/xwQbMl-PN_c/s320/thanksgiving.jpg" border="0" /><em><span style="color:#333399;"></span></em></div></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#333399;"></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Hunting for rabbits after dinner</span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#333399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290874583459921762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz2ZsJFf2I/AAAAAAAAAKk/-P58OoGz_G0/s320/hunting.jpg" border="0" /></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Decorating the Christmas Tree</span></em></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290875106193177858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWz24HeZ_QI/AAAAAAAAAK0/fi9WsGxoWHs/s320/tree.jpg" border="0" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-18847684990408588972009-01-13T11:54:00.000-08:002009-01-13T12:01:58.421-08:00Back to Nevada!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzyJtVdqGI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/nrRJqxe_iFg/s1600-h/nevada.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290869910855854178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzyJtVdqGI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/nrRJqxe_iFg/s320/nevada.jpg" border="0" /></a> We camped in Nevada at Lake Mead for a few days before heading into Arizona (our winter destination). While there we made a trip over to the Hoover Dam and also into Vegas. Michaela loved seeing all the lights on the strip. Her favorite was the Statue of Liberty with the dancing waters a close second. We took them down to Fremont Street to see the Fremont Experience. They really enjoyed seeing the show on the ceiling.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290870895167140978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzzDALj9HI/AAAAAAAAAKE/GKeH9i2kDLQ/s320/lakemead.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-38844041268798482912009-01-13T11:44:00.000-08:002009-01-13T11:51:27.948-08:00After ZionAfter Zion National Park my parents headed south to Arizona. We followed but took longer. We stopped off at a very unique gift shop a few mils from Zion called Fort Zion. They sell gifts, homemade ice cream (I had prickly pear cactus coconut ... it was so good!), and candy. They also have a small collection of animals that they allow you to feed carrots to (llamas, a pony, and a donkey).<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290867553245634034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzwAejYnfI/AAAAAAAAAJs/hITvbnrNH_8/s320/llama.jpg" border="0" />The owner was a arcitect in California and has built several small cartoon style buildings that you can walk through.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290868056572520770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzwdxl3aUI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/I5QRnZ-dCqM/s320/bank.jpg" border="0" /></p><br />Next stop: Nevada!!!!! (as close to home as we will be since May, 2008)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-32233681521191520242009-01-13T11:01:00.000-08:002009-01-13T11:53:13.902-08:00Bryce Canyon and Zion National ParksWow!! I did not realize how long it had been since I came on here and posted. I m so sorry. i will do my best to catch everyone up on where we have been and what we are doing.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>After leaving Salt Lake City, Ut we headed south and caught up with my parent's at Bryce Canyon National Park.</div><div>Bryce Canyon is absolutely grogeous. If you have never been I highly reccomend going. It is a huge canyon filled with "hoodoos" that are formed by freezing and thawing that happens daily there.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290857068366618898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzmeLVbYRI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Z5L-0lyg-V4/s320/hoodoos.jpg" border="0" /><br /><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Her 2nd Jr Ranger Badge </span></em></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290863792426401362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzslkaNPlI/AAAAAAAAAJM/8Cqf0k8K_UY/s320/jrranger.jpg" border="0" /><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Derrick talking to a raven.</span></em><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290859200483498578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzoaSFtGlI/AAAAAAAAAI0/f5J2wWWnaCQ/s320/raven.jpg" border="0" /> After a few days at Bryce we headed over to Zion National Park.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290861462764945554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzqd9vogJI/AAAAAAAAAI8/qCy78WD0fHM/s320/zion.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><p>Zion was just as beautiful as Bryce. The canyon was formed by water. </p><p>The Junior Ranger program has been real good for Michaela. It helps to her focus more on what the parks have to offer and the history of them. It also teaches her to respect nature and to help preserve the parks.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290863146242009474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzr_9L16YI/AAAAAAAAAJE/0GLGUtmpZ9c/s320/zionranger.jpg" border="0" /></p></div></div><br /><em><span style="color:#333399;"> Me and Derrick at Checkerboard Mesa</span></em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290864583256186418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWztTmeuHjI/AAAAAAAAAJU/IS3Ep9ff5HI/s320/checkerboard.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#333399;"> My mom and Riona on the tour bus</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290865162604803170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzt1UuMdGI/AAAAAAAAAJc/prOFBR-LeEk/s320/momry.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p></p><em><span style="color:#333399;"> My dad and Derrick</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290865631870612242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzuQo34cxI/AAAAAAAAAJk/UA-4Ncbtd2E/s320/rion.jpg" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-41978428077534032092008-10-11T17:29:00.000-07:002009-01-13T11:01:10.924-08:00Montana/Utah UpdateIt has been a while since I posted on here and really need to catch up.<br />After Glacier we went to Ulm, Mt and Derrick taught the Bible study and the Sunday sermon. It was awesome and the people were great!! We had dinner with the pastor and his wife as well as their neighbors. It was a delicous homecooked meal!! Thank you Pastor Joe and Colleen. Ulm is a cute country town and I look forward to visiting again next year.<br />After Ulm we headed south to Helena, Mt. We had a interesting but great dinner with the pastor's family. We were introduced to "chicken slop". They have kids the same age as ours and the girls really loved being able to relax and play. Thank you Pastor Toby and Barb for a great evening and great fellowship.<br />After Montana we headed yet south again to Ogden/Salt Lake City, Ut. God took us to a Spanish speaking church to teach at. Derrick taught the morning Bible study and did the evening service. We had to have a translator, but God provided!! It is awesome where God takes us when we trust in Him. Thank you Pastor Jorge for having us and thank you for lunch/fellowship.<br />While we were in the Ogden ara we got to visit my step brother and his family. I finally got to meet my "new" nephew that is now 9 mths old. He is the cutest baby ever!!! We enjoyed a great visit and my step brother bbq'ed for us. It was such a treat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290853128869947938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzi43kOqiI/AAAAAAAAAIE/GyD7F4arI_g/s320/meandian.jpg" border="0" />A few days after that visit his girlfriend, Sidona met us at the children's museum with Ian (the baby) for a fun visit and outing. Thank you so much Sidona for meeting us there. I am glad I had this opportunity to get to know you. </p><br /><br /><p><em><span style="color:#333399;">Derrick and Riona playing with blocks.</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290853556516938082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzjRwrN4WI/AAAAAAAAAIM/I1ILBkj3TtQ/s320/derrandry.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p><em><span style="color:#333399;">Me and the girls playing a game on the huge map.</span></em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290854248680512594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SWzj6DL33FI/AAAAAAAAAIU/aub0JpvDPFo/s320/map.jpg" border="0" /><br />Our backyard next week will be Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks!!!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-40547887742213983232008-09-19T08:20:00.001-07:002008-09-20T07:56:02.825-07:00Glacier National Park part 2<em><span style="color:#333399;">Jackson Glacier</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248112201879273906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNUKPe5oQbI/AAAAAAAAAGM/HwPeos0wqXY/s320/jacksonglacier.bmp" border="0" />We spent Thursday 9/18/08 exploring Two Medicine. That is a very beautiful area with a lake and a lot of hiking trails. Friday 9/19/08 we went to the east part of Going To The Sun Road and drove 20 miles on it. There are tons of waterfalls, streams, glaciers, wildlife, etc to look at. I took over 120 pictures yesterday of nature alone. At Weeping Wall Derrick soaked the girls. It felt good in the heat though. They are doing road work and the road ends at Weeping Wall so we were able to walk right up to the wall. When the road is open you can not do that. The road is VERY narrow and there is a lot of traffic.<br /><div><div><div><div><em><span style="color:#330099;">Derrick holding Riona up to Weeping Wall</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248113650778443330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNULj0eHDkI/AAAAAAAAAGU/y_HhNaemLkQ/s320/weepingwall1.bmp" border="0" /><em><span style="color:#330099;">Michaela after Derrick held her up to the Wall<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248113654725305074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNULkDLHYvI/AAAAAAAAAGc/rT5OZpovcmc/s320/weepingwall2.bmp" border="0" /></span></em></div></div><p>We stopped off at the visitor center at Logan Pass and hiked about 20 minutes toward Hidden Lake Overlook. We had about 30 more minutes to go when we all 4 gave out. Derrick had to carry Riona and Michaela could not walk it anymore. It is all paved and has stairs but is VERY steep. We got a good look at some glaiers though.</p><p><em><span style="color:#333399;">Derrick and Riona looking at the trail to Hidden Lake Overlook</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248115467577662450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNUNNkkzG_I/AAAAAAAAAGs/OE0cIqD-Qhc/s320/loganpass2.bmp" border="0" /><em><span style="color:#333399;">Some of the glaciers near Hidden Lake Overlook</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248115463805970866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNUNNWhjqbI/AAAAAAAAAGk/CbHop8VTI60/s320/loganpass1.bmp" border="0" />The lakes up here are a bright blue with bright green in them. The streams and Rivers are a bright blue/green. This is caused by rocks being dropped into the water from the glaciers. The glaciers crush and grind up the roacks making "glacier flour". The glacier flour is what makes the bright blues and greens.</p><p><em><span style="color:#333399;">St. Mary Lake</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248116617248980722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNUOQfbzPvI/AAAAAAAAAG0/W6aivihaZxU/s320/Stmarylake.bmp" border="0" />The pictures do not do the glaciers justice at all. They are amazing to see in person. They are saying that by 2030 the glaciers up here will be completely gone.</p><p><em><span style="color:#333399;">A close up of a glacier</span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248117111932678098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNUOtSRlb9I/AAAAAAAAAG8/ir1Mo_QhVWc/s320/glacier.bmp" border="0" /><br /></p><p><em><span style="color:#333399;"></span></em></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-77193904105918495712008-09-19T08:20:00.000-07:002008-09-19T19:23:58.782-07:00Bear Bait<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNPD6pUPVhI/AAAAAAAAAF8/_9AUPw3nT9M/s1600-h/bearbait.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247753403107333650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNPD6pUPVhI/AAAAAAAAAF8/_9AUPw3nT9M/s320/bearbait.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Every time we decide to hike down a trail Michaela lags behind. When we start out on the trails there is a sign that warns that we are entering black bear and grizzly wilderness. It also warns that visitors have been attacked and killed before for no apparent reason. It then tells you what to do when hiking with bears. I keep telling Michaela to walk in front of me so I can see her, but she insists on walking way behind me then gets distracted by things and lingers while checking them out. So we have nick named her Bear Bait. </div><br /><p>So far we have not seen any bears while hiking ... but we have seen bear poop!! That is close enough for me!!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247923533848580978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNRepjt1E3I/AAAAAAAAAGE/1U-EyV2Cdzw/s320/bears.bmp" border="0" /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-46656082467901192312008-09-17T15:02:00.001-07:002008-09-17T15:35:51.481-07:00Jr. Ranger Michaela<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNGGMAykExI/AAAAAAAAAF0/d1DEo-R9dHo/s1600-h/glacier3.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247122581791970066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNGGMAykExI/AAAAAAAAAF0/d1DEo-R9dHo/s320/glacier3.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Michaela picked up the Jr. Ranger Book at the Apgar Visitor Center in Glacier National PArk last night and completed all her requirements to become a Jr. Ranger. She had to fill out 6 pages in the workbook (she did 8 pages!) and then interview a park ranger. This morning we turned in her workook and Ranger Denver Beddington swore her in as a Jr. Ranger and presented her with her badge. I am so proud of her. She did the 8 pages with very little help at all!!</div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#330099;">With her certificate and badge</span></em><br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247122051551160722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNGFtJfTaZI/AAAAAAAAAFs/Q8Gsxpu94pI/s320/glacier2.bmp" border="0" /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-37861229861597232902008-09-17T15:02:00.000-07:002008-09-17T15:29:01.808-07:00Glacier National Park part 1<div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNGAQniNZ5I/AAAAAAAAAFE/JybaxQZvP9E/s1600-h/glacier1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247116063842068370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNGAQniNZ5I/AAAAAAAAAFE/JybaxQZvP9E/s320/glacier1.bmp" border="0" /></a> We have a week before we are scheduled to be in the next town so we decided since we were so close that we would come up to Glacier National Park. We are staying 2 nights on the west side and then we will head to the east side and explore that area for 2 days.<br /><div>Today wrapped up the west side for us. We saw some swesome waterfalls, a huge lake (Lake McDonald), what is left of the glaciers, did some hiking, and went for a few real nice rides.</div><em>*In a couple days I will add part 2 of this post with experiences from the East Side of Glacier.</em></div><div><em></em><br /><div>Here are a few of the pictures we took today. </div><br /><em><span style="color:#330099;">Riona and Michaela standing next to one of the famous tour buses<br /></div></span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247116753540489458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNGA4w3IIPI/AAAAAAAAAFM/56YRRXkvkSA/s320/glacier4.bmp" border="0" /></div><br /><div><em><span style="color:#330099;">The closest we have gotten to a bear so far<br /></span></em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247117873962552114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNGB5-wkCzI/AAAAAAAAAFU/3Sp4_NSmutA/s320/glacier5.bmp" border="0" /><br /><em><span style="color:#330099;">Riona and Derrick hiking down to the river to see some waterfalls</span></em><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247118484807730978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNGCdiVZxyI/AAAAAAAAAFc/gIDKJPhLFWI/s320/glacier6.bmp" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><em><span style="color:#330099;">Michaela and Riona taking a break at Lake McDonald </span></em><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247119579435693570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SNGDdQJC9gI/AAAAAAAAAFk/cDMB7AEbzpw/s320/glacier7.bmp" border="0" /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-55437171559819869332008-09-14T16:02:00.000-07:002008-09-14T16:16:10.205-07:00Thompson Falls, Montana<div>We arrived in Thompson Falls, Mt yesterday afternoon. Derrick spoke at the Community Congregational Church here this morning. It went awesome. Afterward we had an awesome lunch at Minnie's Cafe with Dan. </div><br /><div>A very nice couple from the church has let us park on their property while we are here, Don and Jane. They have a wonderful view of the river. Don just took us for a ride in his boat and while out on the water we saw a big Ospry, a Great Blue Herron, and a Bald Eagle. The one time I forget my camera!! Thank you Don for the wonderful boat ride.</div><br /><div>There is a place here in Thompson Falls that they call Power Plant Island. The river goes around the island and they have built 2 dams (one on either side). We took a walk around that and it was very interesting with beautiful views.</div><br /><div>Our time here has been great. The people are very friendly.</div><div> </div><div><em><span style="color:#6666cc;">Riona and Michaela in front of the larger dam.</span></em></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246019399387209410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SM2a2WFIXsI/AAAAAAAAAE8/GBIBjOqdGzA/s320/dam1.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-58820431204022906452008-09-08T08:56:00.000-07:002008-09-08T09:03:44.309-07:00Kellogg, Idaho<div>Our first stop after St. Maries was Kellogg, Id. Derrick spoke at a four day event at the United Church of Kellogg. We had a great time and met many wonderful people. I cannot get over how nice and welcoming the people here are.</div><br /><div>Our first night speaking a very nice lady offered to let us take the girls swimming in her indoor pool. The girls had a blast. Many many thanks to Jim and Norma Seaton for doing this for us.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>While in Kellogg we stayed at the Crystal Gold Mine. They offer free rv camping and the sites are very clean and nice. Even though the campground is right up against the freeway it is relatively quiet here.</div><br /><div>We took a tour of the Gold Mine. Very interesting. There is still veins in the mine and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. After the tour the girls got to pan for gold. They found tons of fool's gold, amathyst, star garnets, and some pretty rocks.</div><div> </div><div><em><span style="color:#330099;">Thomas family in Crystal Gold Mine</span></em> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243681411999139042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SMVMdkWHBOI/AAAAAAAAAEU/-6vbdoQW4QQ/s320/mine.bmp" border="0" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-23608465764337406352008-09-08T08:38:00.000-07:002008-09-08T08:56:27.483-07:00St. Maries, IdahoWell our time in St. Maries has come to an end. I am happy, but sad. I became very close to many people there. We attended St. Maries Foursquare church for 2 months. While with them we went camping at Loop Creek and took a drive up to Shefoot Mountain Summit, we attended their annual potluck/picnic at Cherry Bend Park, we played softball with them a few times, and we attended many potlucks. They will be missed greatly.<br /><p><em><span style="color:#330099;">Pastor Steve Cox pitching at a softball game</span></em></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243678828728882882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SMVKHM6fFsI/AAAAAAAAAEM/yFyZDyy4TOQ/s320/steve.bmp" border="0" /><br />We were in St. Maries on Labor Day weekend. That is when they have their Paul Bunyan Days. Let me tell you, It is HUGE!!!! They have a carnival, parades, races, water events, logging events, and so much more. We tried to attend as much as we could. The girls had a blast, especially at the carnival.</p><br /><p><em><span style="color:#330099;">Michaela in the Kid and Doll Parade</span></em><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243677706941357506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SMVJF57f3cI/AAAAAAAAAEE/6P4tq4jdjf8/s320/parade.bmp" border="0" /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-24850941894026771302008-06-15T22:02:00.000-07:002008-09-08T09:08:23.595-07:00Happy Father's Day!!<div>I want to wish all fathers out there a Happy Father's Day. I hope you all had a very blessed day. I know we did. Church was awesome!! We tried out the St. Maries Foursquare Church today. What an awesome worship team they have!! I have been missing good worship since we left Living Faith Christian Fellowship. We spent it at my parent's house visiting and bbq'ing. The rain here finally stopped and the sun was shining. The water in the river has gone down a lot and the girls were able to enjoy a pedal boat ride with Nana and Papa.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243682945258824850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SMVN20LtJJI/AAAAAAAAAEc/9S1Y1pyzF8U/s320/pedal+boat.bmp" border="0" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-20569313884857561072008-05-22T21:56:00.000-07:002008-05-22T22:02:55.609-07:00Let's be serious...I thought I should post up a little bit about what we are doing, why we are doing it, and what our mission is. First, a little about myself. I have felt the calling of God on my life so strongly for several years now. I knew years ago that God had called me into full time ministry, but I also knew that I wasn’t ready yet. I thank God that he didn’t let me jump in before He decided it was time, or I most certainly would have failed miserably and returned with my tail between my legs. The devil would have loved that! When I made the decision to enter into this ministry, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was God telling me that it was time, and that is the assurance I have that this ministry will succeed; God started this ministry, not me, therefore it cannot fail.<br /><br />I have felt for quite some time that the Body of Christ, that is we the church, is falling short of its duties and expectations as followers of Christ. I would estimate that in most churches the “true believers” or the “true Body of Christ” is made up of about 10% of the members. Those are the ones that are actually involved in the different ministries of their congregation; the children’s ministries, the food pantries, the clothes pantries, the bible studies, and any form of outreach, etc. The rest are only seen on Sundays. Perhaps to make an appearance?<br /><br />Where did we get off track? Where did we lose the vision? Show me anywhere in the bible it tells us to “take care of my four and no more”? The church is supposed to be a place we go to get filled up and educated, in order to go out into the world and give it away. “Freely you have received, freely give”. The original twelve were only in “church” for a few short years, then they were sent out into the world to reach the lost. Where would you be now if someone hadn’t told you about Christ? So make a decision, are you a doer of the word? Or a bench warmer?<br /><br />I really have a heart to see the church brought back to it's original intent. The church was never intended to be just a "place of worship" that it is today. The purpose of the church is to build up and equip the body to go out into the world and preach the gospel, with signs following. The church was never intended to be a place for people to gather once a week to "look religious". Church is not meant to be "fire insurance". I hope to be able to reach the body of the local churches in towns all over the northwest and even farther, to bring them away from the self serving mind set, and turn their hearts back to evangelizing the world - to reach the lost. I know that by going out into the world I have the potential to reach tens of thousands, but how many more souls could be saved by "descipling" the churches to go into the world as well? That is my vision, to see the entire body reaching out, not just a few individuals. To see every believer actually living by the word of God. We have so many opportunities to reach out every day, in a grocery store, in the doctors’ office, at the dmv, or just walking down the street. I have seen people healed, I have seen people get up out of wheel chairs, I have seen broken bones healed, cancer disappear, damaged vision and sight restored, I have seen prophesies come to pass, and so many other miracles of God.<br /><br />Jesus said all these things we can do, and even greater. All we have to do is believe, the rest is up to Him. If we do our part, He will do his. I have decided to do my part, how about you?<br /><br />If you are interested in having us come to your church, email us <a href="mailto:faithministries@getjesus.net">HERE</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-63436291135419053092008-05-21T14:28:00.000-07:002008-05-21T14:34:47.355-07:00The Flat Tire32 miles out of Winnemucca, Nv we blew a tire on the 5th wheel. I got out with Derrick to look at it and while he was getting it off the trailer I saw a big motorhome coming and told him to not stick his feet out too far. The motorhome pulled over in front of us and I saw a cool magnet on the back of his tow vehicle. It was a yellow ribbon for the soldiers and it had a cross coming up through it. I half jokingly told Derrick that God must have sent the guy to check on us. The guy came walking up and said "Only 1 God (our truck license plate is nly1god) I like that." I looked at the guy and he had a huge brass belt buckle that said "Jesus First". I think God really did send someone to check on us.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-1975033234042963582008-05-21T12:00:00.000-07:002008-09-08T09:14:37.032-07:00St. Maries, Idaho<div><br /><br /></div><div>We arrived in St. Maries, Id yesterday afternoon. The trip went real smooth. We did have a blow out of a trailer tire near McDermett, Nv, but thankfully we had a good spare.<br />Michelle's parents live a couple miles down the road and are on the river levee. The waters are real high right now and are above flood levels. They have sprung a leak in their driveway from the river water. So far they are ok though. Please keep them in your prayers.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><em><span style="color:#330099;">The view from the back porch. The water eventually came up higher and was right against the dock.</span></em></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243683953592704434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SMVOxghPHbI/AAAAAAAAAEk/tpNysVp0YQQ/s320/flood1.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#330099;">Michaela and Papa fishing in the flood waters.<br /></span></em><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243684335323556626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SMVPHuk9qxI/AAAAAAAAAEs/KUBc6rr-bFE/s320/flood2.bmp" border="0" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328838465614194274.post-13925143607077584902008-05-13T17:09:00.000-07:002008-09-08T09:18:22.303-07:00It's Almost Time<div>We will be leaving our "hometown" of Fernley, Nv on Monday, May 19th, 2008. We are heading north to St. Maries, Idaho. Michelle's parents are there and we plan on helping them with some work that needs done on their land. The plan is to leave on July 14th after her son leaves from his summer visit. To where? We have no idea yet. We are waiting for God to tell us. Check back often for updates.</div><div> </div><div><em><span style="color:#330099;">Our setup</span></em></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243685430497807442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QADvCBDyQBs/SMVQHea2jFI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8Aay7dtVMu8/s320/rig.bmp" border="0" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0