Mary Ellen and I headed out on July 4 after a number of gracious people helped clear and clean my apt. These were the littlest helpers:
We headed out in the afternoon and it was clear that I do not live by the Boy Scout motto of: always be prepared...
(As an aside, Kelly and Eric, the CRV is awesome and Mary Ellen figured out that there is actually a Milk Dud holding compartment in it. I knew it was a great car.)Ned and Tim cracked themselves up with a in the back window of my car, but I'll have to post a photo of that later.
ME and I got to Oklahoma City that evening. The next day went to Albuquerque, NM (the journey is Rte. 66 the whole way). This leg started a theme of ever-changing landscapes. I cannot remember a trip which headed through such varying scenery over the course of a couple days. Of course I did take this trip with my family when I was 11, but I guess I just wasn't appreciating the scenery! The first photo opp was in N. Texas:
We went through Texas and on to NM. We spent the night in Albuquerque at the McLaughlin's. Mike and I went from Junior to Senior High together. Then also in Young Life and at Covenant Seminary together. Mike is now church planting pastor for Crossroads Fellowship Albuquerque http://www.crossroadsabq.com/. I t was good to see Mike and his family. Here's NM:
A historic NM mission:
ME buying silver jewelry :-).
When we arrived at Winslow AZ, not too far from the NM/AZ border, we had to go in and "stand on the corner" FYI, from the Eagle's song Take it Easy:Well, I’m running down the road
Tryin to loosen my load
I've got seven women on
My mind,
Four that wanna own me,
Two that wanna stone me,
One says she’s a friend of mine
Take it easy, take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels
Drive you crazy.....
Well, I’m a standing on a corner
In Winslow, Arizona....
We walked across the street from this place and talked to a shop owner about where to eat. He said we should go to the historic hotel down the street that had recently been renovated. I asked if it was quick food, since we were still headed to the Grand Canyon that day. He said "no" and didn't attempt to make any excuses about that. We took his advice anyway and were so glad we did. This is inside of La Posada Hotel, the “last great railroad hotel.”"Built in 1929 for the Santa Fe Railway, La Posada is truly one of America’s treasures." Sorry about the pics turned the wrong way, not sure how to change that.
Then off to the Grand Canyon!!!!
So amazing...
That evening we got to Flagstaff, AZ. ME drove down hwy 17 to Flagstaff. It was dark lots of deer were hanging out on the edge of the forest. At least that is what ME said. I didn't see that many. And she was certifiably delirious the time we got to Flagstaff. Not a laid back drive. But the stars were amazing.
The next day we took the leg to Phoenix. Clay Smith gave us incredibly great advice about the trip saying that we should take 89a south to Phoenix instead of the main interstate. This smaller road goes through Sedona, Prescott, and Jerome. Also through the AZ snowbowl--yes it does snow in AZ, just rarely in Phoenix. I think it is safe to say that this was the leg with the most surprises...it was like an extra bonus that neither of us knew could be coming. From Flagstaff south to PHX is a sight to see!:
A mountain town called Jerome:
Driving down from the mountains, we arrived in Phoenix. ME was very low key about the desert landscape and didn't seem too freaked out! :-) Rocks, cactus, and the like! Oh, and it is hot. But this city has it's own style of arid living and like other cities there are great spots
and not so great.
Phoenix is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. I heard on a NPR a few months ago that it passed Philadelphia and is the 5th largest city in america. I guess that means metro area. PHX is like St louis in that there are many cities that are melded into one metro area. I work in PHX downtown and am staying in Chandler -- house sitting for Jamie and Vanessa. This is their house:
You can see the type of mountains that are around PHX in the back ground. They are not very tall and are desert-y, but of course nice. PHX is in a valley--called the valley of the sun. Yes, it
has been hot. I basically try to not to check the temp. It is kind of "a pain" but it is not always hot--year round. It is true that people basically just stay in AC, just like people stay indoors when it is cold. Without watering there is not grass. But one of my coworkers has grapes growing in her back yard...so stuff grows, just needs watering.
Here is Food for the Hungry's office in PHX:
Sorry, not a very stylish photo, but you get the basics. Also here is more about FH www.fh.org.
I have started actually working on some things. My first thing to work on has been a report back to a foundation that gave for HIV/AIDS prevention work that FH is involved with in Nigeria, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Haiti. They are partnering with a number of other organizations in this including Christian Reformed World Relief, Salvation Army, and others. I basically have been using a report made to USAID and making it easier to understand for a foundation that is not exclusively doing this kind of work. So, that means I am trying to understand it.
The people at FH have been kind and it is nice to think about learning with this group.
The FH office is actually a registered art gallery because there are photos up inside from all over the world. They are taken by a man who is a photographer who volunteers part of his year to travel the world and take photos for FH. Some are on this page: https://www.fh.org/our_work
The first weekend I was here I went to the Cooney's in Tucson. They are great to hang out with--friends from seminary--and also they have a great home! This is the Cooney's:
That cactus is probably about 70 years old...not kidding. This kind takes forever to grow...so if you built a house and planted one, it may be a few feet in 20 years. A little trivia.Also, on AZ trivia, it is Monsoon season right now. That means there are storms a few times a week in a afternoon. But pretty isolated.
It has been good to get to know Dave and Anne Bennett better. Dave is a church planting pastor overseeing the New City church plant. Also a couple who is Mexican-American have moved from Austin, TX to help lead the church plant. We have gotten together a couple times. Last Sunday eve was especially a nice time to hang out with them and think and pray re: the church.
I am attending New Valley, a sister church, now that is also neat. The first Sunday a former Young Life guy gave the sermon and it was good and also reminded me of YL. Providentially the scripture he taught from was Micah 6:8, which is Food for the Hungry's oft-quoted verse:
"What does the Lord require of you, but to act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
So, still seeking to discern more of longer term living situation, and there are possibilities.
Also, just lots of new stuff. I am so thankful for God's provision and then also look ahead to what He will have for the future.
If you are wondering if I put all of these great AZ photos up so you can be excited to visit--you are right!
I have had excitement and joy in this...but obviously sad times are there. This hymn has been meaningful to me of late and in another moment of providence, we sang this in chapel last week at work (I'll just put a few verses)...Kirk Ward has a great version of this on his CD:
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
So, maybe my only blog entry and surely my longest. Thanks for your prayers, emails, and friendships!
Love to you all,
Eileen
