Pikes Peak

Pikes Peak from Garden of the Gods visitor center

Sara and I played tourists for a day after our training in Colorado.

We had a fun trip on the Cog Railway even though the train can't make it 

all the way up to Pikes Peak in winter months due to all the snow.

a little stop on the way down

so many incredible views

near Inspiration Point--
Inspiration Point was the view that inspired the songwriter to pen America the Beautiful!

just look at that blue sky!

It was a special privilege to visit Colorado.

Certain

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, 

we do not know what a day may bring forth. 

This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, 

it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. 

We are uncertain of the next step, 

but we are certain of God.

~Oswald Chambers

Garden of the Gods

Last Saturday Sara and I visited Colorado's famous Garden of the Gods.

Gorgeous.

We Went to a Castle (!)

It was amazing.

(don't you think so?)

Painting Pictures of Egypt* [pro.cess.ing]

I’m in Colorado for a week long “reunion of strangers” (I borrowed those words from a friend). The technical term for this week’s program is DAR (Debrief And Renewal). It’s a time to hear stories, to connect with friends who share the experience of living cross-culturally, to process, pray, rest, rejuvenate.

This week has been a gift in so many ways—the chocolate on the pillow the first evening, the fireplace and quiet setting, the endless hot-drink bar, the sweet company, the snow-covered pine trees… time away from work, kindred spirits, hot showers… oh so many gifts!

my meeting room

We share memories. Good times. Bad times.

(We’re honest)

And in the grief and joy,

We share renewal.

And we find God to be true and faithful

-just as He promises.

Another gift this week has been seeing a “real” mountain every day from the huge dining room windows! Pike’s Peak is amazing and so beautiful.

(real mountain = snow covered… not the hills of Pennsylvania)

Pike's Peak

*Link to Painting Pictures of Egypt song

along the way

we spent the night on the 8th floor of this ritz

I spent Saturday and Sunday in airplanes, customer service queues, and shuttle buses. Travel is always an adventure when I'm along, and this weekend's trip was no exception with multiple snowstorms, flight delays, and, of course... a cancellation or two.


There were lots of great perks of this trip, though:
-- traveling with a friend
-- a cell phone that worked in ALL locations of the trip!
-- occasional wi-fi
-- an airline hotel voucher (first.time.ever.)
plus... two $7 vouchers to cover two partial meals in the airport! (I've always wanted a $5 airport smoothie...)
-- a lush down comforter and a warm room for the night

We arrived safely Sunday afternoon, [though I wanted to beg our shuttle driver to please stop repeating the story of the shuttle van that was t-boned earlier that afternoon in a snow-related accident...] and are nestled in the cutest little bed and breakfast under snow-covered pine trees somewhere in Colorado. It's going to be an amazing week.

ps- we even have a real-live fireplace here! sooo lovely.

remember this gal?

Me and Heather on the Zambezi- October 2013

Once upon a time Heather and I signed up for a year together in Zambia.

We didn't know each other before we moved across the ocean.

not. at. all.

So we sent a few emails back-and-forth before our departure,

sharing

a few of our favorite things.

We discovered...

we both love MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM!

But, Heather was aghast to learn that I

-way over in Michigan land-

had never before heard of

Philly-style-white-mint-chocolate-chip

ice cream.

Heather insists said flavor is the BEST the world over

(and this gal has trekked a good bit of the globe).

In that first email exchange in the summer of 2012,

Heather and I agreed that one day I would come to Pennsylvania...

and she would introduce me to her favorite

mint chocolate ice cream.

AND...

She did.

Last Saturday, Heather braved the elements,

[there were Pa-Ingalls-style-blizzard snow squalls and zero-ish temps]

and came to our halfahouse,

and we shared

the BEST!

it was worth our 2.5 year date wait.

If you want some too... here's what to buy:

{and these are the specs}