Carlsbad Caverns

Last but not least, we went to Carlsbad Caverns, in New Mexico, and wow, was that amazing!!! Unlike most pictures popularized, these didn't contain the incredible colorful crystals, but all the same, it was unique and awe-ing!!

The mouth of the cave

Switchbacking down the opening.

Daniel and I were buddies, and boy, was it fun to be tag-a-long and best girl! I love my brother! :)

My amazing brother (who turned 23 today!! - May 1st).

"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in the earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist."

~ Colossians 1:16-17 ~

Aren't these pillars amazing?! I love the lighting....

Our little group :) (Plus the Gauls who carpooled with us to the TX Conference)

Who can argue that we serve an incredible God, who is Master Creator, and creates just for His good pleasure and glory?

"Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.

Hast thou not know? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding."

~ Isaiah 40:26, 28 ~

Grand Canyon Visit

Our Grand Canyon tour was amazing.... You can see more photos on my previous post: Desert Overview. My dad had told us we were going to have a tour guide going through it, but I didn't realize what 'kind' of tour guide we were going to have! I didn't know he was going to be a Creationist!!! Wow, that was a life-changer for me.

Growing up, I always kind of left the philosophical and theoretical discussions/debates to my siblings. I was always too busy living in the practical here and now, and had the viewpoint of: "If the Bible says it, then I believe it...what does it really matter how God made the flood happen, or divided the continents, or how the First Nations got to the US. All I know is that it happened, and God's Word says that. So there." :)
While that is all true and good, it is also important to be able to give an answer to those who ask of you the hope that is within you, and especially in our day with Evolutionism and Socialism so promoted, it is especially important to be able to have answers from the Bible to back up what you believe....and that goes for the Flood as well.

The weather changed incredibly while we were there....from overcast to sunny, to rainstorms! Wow..God's creation is incredible!!

Did you know that you can see the original Creation Rock under the Judgement Layers in the Grand Canyon? Did you know that there are 2 (900 foot) Buttes near both Southern entrances in the Grand Canyon, which are remains of the 1.5 miles of sediment which used to lie above? (Proven by the Grand Staircase: Zion National, Bryce Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, and the Grand Canyon).

Did you know that the Geologic Time Scale, popularized by Charles Lyell in the 1830's is only found in 2 places? In textbook drawings and museum displays! It has never been found in nature, in the order presented by the fictitious column of sediments. I really appreciate his lectures, rather than just reading them, but a more detailed explanation can be found here: Geologic Time Scale explanation.

For more information, please see Russ Miller's website: Creation Ministries. What I really appreciate about his approach, is he bases his information on what Scripture shows us and Real Science, not just the thousands of theories floating around (though since we weren't there at Creation, there is an element  of suppositions and theories to most things).

I would highly encourage you to watch this video...it is very thought-provoking and enlightening. Old Earth or Global Flood/3 Days Formation to Grand Canyon He also has other videos, and I would have to say they give the best overview for why we can trust the Bible in all things Creation I have seen. On top of that, they are straight and to the point.

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.'

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."

2 Peter 3:3-7

Is this not the truth of the day and the world around us?

May we seek to be Bereans!

Zion National Park

Well, I was finally able to hook up with 'real' internet, so here is a glimpse of our time in Zion National Park. Most of these photos are walking in The Narrows. Thanks to Daniel and David for most of the photos below..

We first took a bus tour through the lower part of the canyon, to get to the Head. It was very informational!! 

One thing they mentioned on the bus was the cottonwood trees growing alongside the river, and that though the seeds are scattered in many directions, they only grow in the particular soil next to the river, because they need the water.

It reminded me of the parable Jesus told in Matthew 13:18-23 about the sower, and how the seed could only grow in the good ground, which is abundant with water. Thus, we also are like the cottonwood seeds. We can only grow as Christians when we root ourselves deeply in the soil of God's Word, with the Water of Life flowing through us.

My two gwapa kaayo (very beautiful) sisters.. :)

We hiked a mile or so through the river, which was fun and chilly... :) I love water!

I like mountains.

Don't you love the color?!

Okay, there are 2 photos that have been bugging me that I didn't post previously.... The first is the view of the gorgeous blood moon, courtesy of David, taken from our house the other week.

And, I never did post that photo of biking in France of our family...so rather than changing the post from back then, here it is now. :) We sure had fun! Boy, are we spoiled and blessed!!

"He also that receiveth seed among the thorns is he that hearth the Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that receiveth seed into the good ground is he that hearth the Word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

~ Matthew 13:22-23 ~

Roadtrip Life

You ever wonder what a road trip for a family of 11 looks like? Granted this one is pretty mellow with ages ranging from almost 23-9 (unlike those in the past), but we still manage to have fun... I jotted down some musings and amusings for smile's sake... (You know the longest word in the world is 'smiles', because there is a mile between the 2 "s's".

Dried coconut is the best!

Today's Favorite Quotes:
(Me to David): "What size of feet do you wear?"
(During roll call): "If you're not here, speak now or forever hold your peace." =D

(From one of Tom Harmon's sermons): "I take my Bible literally, laterally, horizontally, and vertically." (And I add, 'Lord help me live that!')
"If you don't have the spirit of God, you're dumber than a stick... Luke 48 : something"

Wisdom Learned:
Being short is awesome...just don't lock your legs...you don't pass out since you are sitting down...you just feel terrible. :)


Random Musings
By 1030, I already used the Silvadene from my medical kit...on a burn from one of the rest stop's popcorn maker, of all things! Who knew, right!? Little brothers have a way of finding those things.. :-)

David does not appreciate my fascination with his adams apple. (funny how we are all naturally protective of our throats!)
After telling him that I like having him as my seat mate because he is so low key (which is awesome because the back row of peanuts is anything but that...), ;P, we somehow started a short, but quiet competition on low-keyed voice notes... Did you know if a soprano goes low enough, she can sound like a mini weed eater!? =)

John 16:13-14: "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you."

Jeremiah 6:16: "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."

I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger and am loving it, because I have the most incredible King ever, and no matter what journey or path I am on in life, He is there every step of the way guiding me! Did you know He gives the best hugs ever? They surround you like a blanket, and His peace surpasses all understanding.

Psalms 23:2-4: "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."

As you can see below, we have a full schedule of travel ahead of us...but to us, I suppose it is normal...nothing busier than any other day! :-)

Also, we are staying outside Salt Lake City tonight...the last time we drove through here was in 2001, where the smog was so bad we could only see a few hundred feet in front of us, and ended up causing my brother to have his life-threatening asthma attack which landed him in an induced-coma in the ICU for a week... yeah, things are looking up this time, praise God! :)

Looking Forward: We are visiting Zion National Park tomorrow..I am very much looking forward to it!