sometimes it's not what you think

the vacation i went on wasn't really for me ... i mean, sure it was good for me to get out of the "care giver" mode ... but this time - i think i was sent away for leo's sake ... so he could have 2 weeks of uninterrupted time with the Lord ... to really have some prayer time and study time ... which is what he did ... it also gave him time to pray for our friend, who was given 2 weeks to live ...

sigh ... this was the first of our very close friends to die ... we've had family members die, who were also friends ... but this was a friend - who also felt like family ... i included them in a blog post back in 2006 (are we there yet?) ... it seems there have been so many earthly goodbyes lately ...

if there is anything you want to ask about this season in my life - put your email address (if i don't have  already) in your comment - and i'll answer you directly and not publish the comment ... i just felt a need to say that ...

ok - now for some vacation photo's ... because i was still able to be refreshed while away  - i just prayed when i could - believing that God had everything under control ...

 it was peaceful - relaxing - and stress free in Arizona ... i just left my cares at home and lived in the moment ... with no plans  ... *smile* ...

 this is a greek chicken dish ... i tried so many different types of foods!  i'm glad there was a pool at my cousins' place - definitely needed to swim and try and keep the  calories in check!

 here i am with my 2 cousins ... we're off to church ... since leo and i have "church" at home, it was such a blessing to be able to worship with a group of believers ... leo told me he prayed that the message would be clear, that salvation would be presented - and that i would hear old hymns that i loved ... well the service opened with a baptism (no clearer presentation of the gospel there!) AND the first hymns that were sung - count your blessings and blessed assurance  ... well, tears began streaming down my face and into my shirt!  the Lord answered leo's prayers very clearly ... i wanted to take that church home with me, the message was so uplifting!!!  the pastor's dad had died a week prior, so you could tell his heart was tender, the way he shared his message with the congregation ...

 after church -  snowbirds know where to flock for good food ... there was a group of my cousin's friends who we had good fellowship with ...

 oh, on the side trip we took - look what we encountered in the high country!  

 lake havasu city and london bridge was another stop ... it is the most lovely of places ... and it's grown SO much in the 20 years since leo and i had last been there ...

 arizona and the road runner go hand in hand ... i was happy to see one!

and those sunsets every night!  wow ... i loved taking picture after picture of them ... it seemed that a person could not take a bad picture of a sunset there ... God's handiwork was everywhere on display ... my trip encouraged me ... no matter where i am - i know that God is there too ... but i was happy to get back to our own little condo and my husband who loves the Lord and tries to be the man God has designed him to be ... i am thankful ...

home ...

i'm home ... safe and sound with my sweetie - who i missed ... the trip was really good - except during the 2 weeks that i was away, one of our good friends was dieing ... i didn't know this until day two in AZ ... he passed away yesterday ... needless to say, that added a meloncholy tinge to everything ...

and my goodness, what travail in our world these days!!

did you know that the bible tells us not to be afraid 365 times - once for every day of the year ... for folks outside of Jesus, what a scary place planet earth must be ... thankfully we know that all ends well for those found in Christ ... i'm so glad to be sheltered in His everlasting arms ...

another amazing AZ sunset

last week

i can't believe that we are in our last week in AZ ... i have talked to leo twice daily, usually, so i feel connected - i know he is well ... which allows me to enjoy my time here ...

the weather was "cool" (boy is that term relative!) our first days here, but that was ok - since we took a side trip right away ... and since last wednesday, it has been mid 70's and up ... not too hot, but quite comfortable ...

just saying hi ... maybe the next note will be from home with more pics?  blessings on you guys!