What Happened to July?

June ended with a kind of fog rolling over our journey. If we were still in California, fog rolling in in June is called June Gloom!

Keeping our balancing while juggling on a unicycle going across a tight rope, describes how it has been feeling.

To catch up, I'll begin by spinning off the prompts from FMF that I missed while figuring out some of the paths to take on an adventure that literally just fell into our laps.

Like this adventure that was surely a blessing to find this teeny tiny kitty, near death in my drive way.

Had I not found her that morning, she wouldn't have survived the 115+ degree day we had. She was called Faith! There was a reason she was where she was and where I was for this to all turn out like it did. She was one very sick kitty. Given a 50/50 chance of surviving the weekend. We didn't get to bring her home for another 2 weeks after it looked like she was going to be okay. She is surely creating some comfort around here. For two weeks she was loved on by this little girl and since by this little man.

I also had the pleasure to watch these six play around for a full week. These kiddo's created some incredible memories that will stick with them for years to come. I can't believe how fast they have all grown. The oldest ones are in the middle of their high school years. The young ladies are ending their last year at middle school or junior high. While the two youngest are very eager to begin the 1st grade.

Of course, we were missing four others that fill in the last of the grammar school years as well as the middle school gang. Let see, all that adds up to; 3 - 1st graders, a 4th grader, a 6th grader, 3 - 8th graders, a 10th grader, and an 11th grader. Wow! I did have the opportunity to see them briefly for an afternoon the beginning of July. We will get to see them again next month, too. Knowing when always brings me comfort! Try as we might, getting schedules to coincide with everyone has been near impossible. Fortunately, we have a plan. Something else to look forward too and brings even more comfort.

If you think raising kids can go by fast, watching your grandchildren grow up seem to go by even faster.

With so many blessings and the comfort knowing God leads the way, allows us to collect so many memories while we continue to take some time to play on our journey through life!

And play is just what we did at the beach with this little man!

It was a much-needed escape from our hot days, even if just for the afternoon before it was time to pick up his brother and sister. I have wanted to check out the sandcastle competition in San Diego for a few years now. We went a long time ago when our kids were teens and have been wanting to get the "Grand's" to it someday. That day finally came, but it was with only one! Insert a sad face here.

While exploring Imperial Beach, we found a few options that just might work for future visits. It also allowed me the opportunity to find many items on the 9th Annual Scavenger hunt that @Clickinmoms does each July. I posted some of my photos on my 365 Days a Year page. Other's are on my Instagram page.

Like any "Grand" time a "Grand" Finale is needed to celebrate the wonderful time we had.

 Oh and what about that new addition to our family?

In the beginning, Bella just nosed and licked her a lot. Now they are best buddies! It's almost like Bella has a baby she never had, and Faith has a mommy she never had.

That pretty much covers what's been going on around here. Other than catching up on the yard work, our first week back to normal, well as normal as it can be for us, was just as busy as it had been all summer.

School started this week for the "Grand's" in town which means Grandma Wednesdays resume. I can't believe how fast July went. Or the year for that matter? Is it too early to say Fall is just around the corner? I am looking forward to the weather it brings and giving my dead garden some new life. Each year I learn something new about gardening in the desert.

Five Minute Friday ~ Inspire

Needless to say, I've missed a few Five Minute Friday's.

Four to be exact!

What better week to jump back in, then with inspire.

Ready. Set. Go!

Over the last month, I have been inspired in so many ways. Facing an unknown can rattle me in such a way that I just dive head first into my bible.

Each week as I checked in to see what the prompt was for that week, then prepared to write my five minutes, I wasn't one bit surprised when blah, blah, blah, blah, blah was all I was able to muster. Words were just going out of my mind and in every direction. Making any sense wasn't even close.

In fact, I haven't even written about our adventures in over a month! Being vague right now is all I can be until we know exactly what we are facing and how we will be inspired to get through it. Every prayer is that it will all be something simple. Prayers that the right people are contacted to assure the best outcome possible.

God sends us messages all the time. It's up to us to hear and see them.

Being faithful, going to church, praying and participating in bible study is just the beginning of what He wants us to be inspired by. I believe He also wants us to inspire others with His words through our words. Sharing how His answered prayers have strengthened us to go after what His plan is for us. Through trials and errors, as we learn how to navigate a particular path, sharing how faith got us from point A to point B, sets an example of the work others might have to go through to get to their destination as well.

I can look back over the last 50 years that got me to here, and I can still see the many faces and remember the many words that inspired me.

Stop!

UPDATE:

I am not breaking the rules! In editing this post from last week, I did not touch a single word in my five minutes. I just wanted to separate my update of our journey from what I am inspired by.

God has and will always will be my number one inspirer.

Throughout my 10 years of blogging, I have been inspired by so many wonderful writers, photographers, grandma's, mom's, crafter's, gardener's, and some really awesome Christians. Every visit brought new insight and inspiration during times of searching for answers, reasons, and why's to then the how's. Growth doesn't happen without some type of water. All of those things that have inspired me, has been my water for my soul.

After 40+ years in the water business, 23 of that as owners, growing through the many different changes in business to new technoglogy, we wouldn't have or be where we are without the inspiration of so many. Everyday, be it a customer or a colliege, someone has given us something that inspired us.

 

Thanks for stopping by to read about Our Journey Through LIFE! I really appreciate you visiting, and if you leave I comment that you were here, I will visit your blog as well. If you're not familiar with Five Minute Friday, click the link at the beginning and check out what others have written.

See you next week.

Five Minute Friday ~ Steady

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Seems Friday has turned into Monday once again for me! 

It was an interesting end to a week that began with many blessings. I didn't want to boggle my mind over the weekend with anything else other than those things that won't be changing. I need to just take it slow and steady for right now. The one thing I do know right now, is "He is that Steady!"

Yes, He is!

Yes, He does!

Over the last month we, and that really means my daughter, has been jumping through hoops, dotting other's i's, and not getting cross over their t's not being crossed, with the insurance company. I can only watch in awe as she continues to advocate for me as she navigates this crazy healthcare system. We now have dates for scans and referrals to doctors that will help get us started to wherever we are heading. 

Steady, the road ahead just might get a bit bumpy!

Ready, set, Go!

I don't know what this journey would be like without Him.

At a young age, Jesus captured me and has held on tight ever since. Even when I didn't include Him in my life, He was still there and He knew the day would come when my life would be all His. 

It hasn't been easy and it's even been a bit crazy at times. I wouldn't say I turned my back on Him through those time, but I can say had I given Him more of the burdens He would have gladly taken them from me. Silly me didn't want to burden Him or anyone. But oh no, instead I took my burdens upon myself and tried to deal with them the best I could. Well, that really didn't work out all that well. 

When I decided I couldn't do this without Him and excepted wherever this path would take me as His, He continually answered my prayers in a way only He does. They might not have been the answers I was looking for but when I looked back at it through what His plan had been, it made sense. 

To get here I had to be there. 

To get there can only be with Him. 

Even when I am so weak or tired, one pray, one praise, He delivers strength that enables me to continue on. He already knows what He plans to do, and waits patiently for my human form to catch on, react, share or spread His words in a way so that others might find the same with Him as well. 

Isn't that what He wants from us?

To be stewards of Him?

1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

This journey I have been on has allowed me to share with others in ways I couldn't have had I not been going through what I have. As you reach out to even one person as He needs you, it's a blessing to watch how His words and works can take things to a whole new level. 

Stop!

The HEAT Is On!

It's been all over the news that we were getting some pretty high numbers in the temperature around here, but that's not really unusual for this time of the year.

We expect it.

We just deal with.

Our monthly service at Cibola National Wildlife was scheduled for today way before the forecast even came out. To beat the heat we got on the road early. Thankfully as by 9:00, driving through the desert the temperature outside had already crept up to 107 degrees.

The road to Cibola winds up and around some low mountains before it drops back down into the valley around the Colorado River. By the time we reached the crest, it was up to 109. Within minutes of descending down into the valley, that when we reached the turn off for Cibola it had dropped to 95 degrees. Amazing how the agriculture and the river effects the temperature.

Nice view to work from, right!

It didn't last long! Once we finished the service on the system at the river, we headed towards the visitors center and maintenance yard. The route requires us to drive along a canal road with alfalfa growing in the fields. It's always exciting when you see deer grazing. This morning there was ayoung buck enjoying the cool morning breeze eating his breakfast.

The further we got from the river caused the temps to creep back up. As I sat in the air conditioned truck under an awning I was able to watch the temps increase right befor my eyes! Granted the engine heat was adding to the outside temperature rising, but inside it remained a very comfortable 78 degrees, while the thrucks gauge outsdie temps read:

No walking about exploring this trip. Best activity for a day like this, read and play games on the computer. When hes was done at the maintenance yard, it was time to move up to the visitors center. Again I just waited in the truck. Usually it's a matter of minutes to turn in the paper work and answer any questions. On a day like today, every minute outside, along side a building reflecting even more heat, the gauge on the truck went all the way to 128. Without the shade even the air-conditioner was struggling. So thankful it was just a few minutes.

Back on the road allowed the thermometer to cool down and by the time we made it to Blythe, it was reading 110 degrees. Which matched the thermometer at the gas station. It was only 10:45 so there was still more to come!

After lunch at what has become our favorite restaurant we headed home. As we traveled back through the desert, it surely had life standing still. The border check point was opened but everyone was inside until a vehicle came through. As we crossed the railraod track we could see a train stopped on the tracks and a vehicle ahead of it, checking the tracks. It was so hot that the even the steal is effected by the temperature. We decided to watch on the right side so not to be blocked. When we made a turn we found something we never knew was there.

A Cemetery.

There must have been a sign at one time?

Up the way was the remains of a foundation.

When I googled it I learned it was once the town of Ogilby.

Here are a few links that mention it.

GhostTowns.com

JoyfulRide.guru

Interment.net

What a blast of heat that hit me when I rolled down the window to capture some pictures. I can't imagine anyone working it but they do. Including my hubby! I said a pray for the guys doing the highway work. NO SHADE what so ever for those walking and working on the ground! Well maybe some shade from the BIG trucks who drive around with AC blowing in their cabs. Still it must be treacherous! 

As we got closer to home, even the harvesters were out working. 

Praise God for giving talent to a man who thankfully came to invent air-conditioning! I wouldn't live here without it! 

Once home, my indoor thermometer read:

Even the birds were panting!

So I turned on a sprinkler for them!

That one guy in the lower left corner soaked up so much water he could barely fly. I also crack the valve a little more on that pipe with the moss, allowing more water to drip out. I placed some shallow tubs of water about in shaded areas for them to refresh with. They really seem to like it.

So yep, the Heat is ON! More high temps will be coming, then the monsoons.

 All part of Our Journey Through LIFE!

Five Minute Friday ~ Worth

Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All!

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W. Oliver Cooper wrote "Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All" 

Often I'm hindered on my way,

Burdened so heavy I almost fall;

Then I hear Jesus sweetly say;

"Heaven will surely be worth it all."

Many the trials, toils and tears,

Many a heartache may here appall;

But the dear Lord so truly says:

"Heaven will surely be worth it all."

Toil and pain I will endure,

Till I shall hear the death angel call:

Jesus has promised and I'm sure

Heaven will surely be worth it all.

Heaven will surely be worth it all.

Worth all the sorrows that here befall;

After this life with all its strife,

Heaven will surely be worth it all.

I'm setting the timer, ready, write...

I am not a scholar of the Bible. I read. I listen. I learn. I grow from my understanding and experiences of what God expects from me. I search out His answers the best I can. He gives each of us our path, one that is not the same for everyone but gets everyone to the same place, which is an eternity in heaven. The people we encounter along this journey add to our growth. We share, they share, we all praise Him and are so thankful for the time and experiences given during the good and the not so good stuff. 

It's knowing this, and more that makes it worth it!

Eternity, the final destination of our journey. 

What is worth?

Such a powerful word.

From here to heaven it can be:

Advice worth taking.

A place worth visiting.

How much is that job worth?

They are worth millions!

Our net worth.

Your worth to the world?

My worth to the world?

Women of worth!

With the Bible as my road map, I can be women of worth! The advice and directions given throughout the Bible are worth taking. I am useful and necessary to not this world, but for God's eternal glory. He calls each of us to a task. He never claims it will be easy, a breeze. It will be easier with Him than without Him.

Romans 8:18English Standard Version (ESV)

Future Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

That pretty much means that all our present or past sufferings are so little in contrast to the glories of heaven, that by comparison, they are simply unimportant. All those bumps, stumbles,  challenges, successes, failures, to surviving, will it all be worth it?

I believe so!

Worth it to you?

Beep, beep, STOP!

Even with preparation, trying to gather all my thoughts before the 5 minutes started, still needs more work, which is nothing new! I am and will probably always be a work in progress. It's okay; God loves me this way. He loves what I do for Him, no matter how weird or funky it gets. I love what He shows me of this world, that will take me to His for eternity.

Yep, I believe all of this is worth it!

With views like this along the way, yep, it's worth it!.

Till next week, Live, Love, Laugh and write your heart out in His name. 

It's worth it!

Five Minute Friday ~ Expect

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Once again I am a bit late to the party, but for good reason at least.

I won't waste any more time and just jump right in.

On your mark, get set, GO!

I was thrilled with the prompt for this week, expect. 

Absolutely perfect!

Since we just got back from the most incredible week with our daughter, her husband, and the three grandchildren, to say it was what I expected it to be, doesn't even come close.

Along Our Journey Through LIFE, I have learned to expect just about anything, and at the same time accept the best of it as well. 

Sure we had planned for this week for a while. Made plenty of notes and checked out numerous sites to visit, but until we actually got there and it became real, did we know if any or all of that planning would work out as expected.

From our very first stop at Montezuma's Castle to our last stop at the Wupatki Pueblo, the kids were excited about learning all the facts about each place right down to what kind of lizard was just running across our path. As expected they weren't afraid to ask the Ranger a question about anything. The youngest got right into the Jr. Ranger Program, doing the booklets, answering the Rangers questions, then raising his right hand to be sworn in as a Jr. Ranger at the parks we visited. I think he earned 6 badges this trip.

The week created some of the most memorable moments. From seeing the Grand Canyon through the eyes of our grandchildren after going down the Colorado River with them raising their arms as if in flight, and then at the Red Rocks of Sedona, soaking up all its energy to even sliding down the Slide Rock, was everything I had hoped to expect and beyond.

I surely didn't expect to fall in love with the area as I did. I thought I would always be a Northern California gal. 

I can't believe this is what has been in my backyard for our last 23 years here. I mean I knew it was always there but this was my first time actually getting to create some of the most wonderful memories there.

Whatever took us so long? 

"Why" came to mind a lot along the journey! 

Why didn't we stop the numerous times we have driven through?
Why did we only stay one night back when?
Why did we only visit the Grand Canyon a number of times?
Why didn't we take that road before?

Why did the timer have to beep when I wasn't expecting it to?

I expect it's time to stop!

Expecting to share a week's worth of memories in five minutes is simply impossible! Even trying to get all the words out of my heart and head is a challenge without the timer causing some anxiety.

We've had some pretty awesome vacations before, that is for sure, and this one gets to be right up there with them.

 Montezuma's Castle                                      Meteor Crater

Full Day With Colorado River Discovery

Their First Views of the Grand Canyon

Red Rock State Park                                      Slide Rock State Park

Sunset Crater Volcano                                 Wukoki Pueblo

      National Monument                                                               

Wupatki Pueblo National Monument

We already plan to go back and more often.

We have one last trip planned for Northern California to visit my sister and have decided it will be our last for a while.

With all this beauty we have been discovering right here in our own state, and the other states that surround us, it's time to cut those ties that had kept us going back, freeing us up to enjoy other places while we can.

One last thing.

As I was making my way down to the Slide Rocks, others our age that had attempted it was happy to share their experience with us. Though I agreed with most of what they said like it was for the younger kids to enjoy, I wasn't going to let their thoughtful tips stop me. My comment back and one that I plan to remember was this, "Just because something is on my bucket list doesn't mean it is going to be easy!"

With a few prayers, a faith in God that has no boundaries, along with the courage to do what I can, when I can and how I can, along with the help of an awesome grandson, I DID IT!

It is 80 ft long! I completed about 20 of it! It was cold! It was slippery! It was a blast! 

Check that off the bucket list!