This past summer my family went to Zion, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. In addition to connecting with God through His breathtaking creation, we also had a chance to connect as a family.

Today my just-turned-17-year-old son Josh and I did some college visiting. It was really fun for me being back on my old stomping group - Arizona State University. I loved school, and ASU has gotten even better since I was there in the early 80s. There are 4 - count 'em - 4, Starbucks on campus. The school of business even has their own Starbucks in the lobby. That's training for real life if I've ever seen it.

At each stop on our student-guided tour, I got more and more excited about my son attending ASU. I reminisced all the way through (when the guide wasn't talking of course). "That's where your dad and I met for lunch - well actually he was there while I waited somewhere else." (That happened way too often in the days before cell phones.) I pointed out where I worked on the school paper, the building where I took most of my classes, and the fields where his dad played intermural softball but never won a t-shirt. It was great fun.

At the end of the tour I fully expected my son to be as excited about it all as I was. I was ready to register. Him or me. I didn't care which.

You will never believe what he liked best. Not the 250 options for a major. Not the opportunity for advancing his education. Not the free tutoring. Not the computer lab with free computer repair. Not even the really cool student recreation center with state of the art weights and cardio equipment. No. None of that.

He liked the dorm room best.

Huh? (heavy sigh)

So, I guess we'll take it slow. God is still working on this boy, and I need to remember that at 17 I wasn't sure of what I wanted to do either. But Josh does have it narrowed down at least to being a chef, or going into business, or music, or full-time ministry. They are all on his "radar" as he puts it.

I also need to be careful to back up a bit when talking with him. I just keep forgetting he's basically an adult, and needs to make his own decisions. At some point, his dad and I need to move from coach to counselor and I think we are very near that line. Josh loves us so much that I'm afraid we could guilt him into making a decision that would please us more than him.

Yes, we'll take it slow, and I'll ask more questions, than I'll offer advice. Maybe I'll get to know my son better if I'm not talking quite so much. This could be a learning experience for all of us.

In His Love,
Glynnis

"The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth." Psalm 50:1-2

My first trip to Zion National Park was probably 20 years ago. Back then, my husband Tod and I had a small group of really good friends. There were four couples, all without children. Our pastor's wife got us together in a Bible study, and we became best friends after that. My friend Joni loved to go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon ever year in the fall. And one year suggested that we make the trip together.

It was an amazing trip filled with laughter. The next year, we wanted to do it again, only this time we suggested going to Zion and Bryce canyons in southern Utah. Again, we had a great time. Zion is known for its hikes, and the most dramatic is likely Angel's Landing. Let me tell you about this hike. It's actually two parts. The first part is two miles and while it is challenging, it's doable. Looking around at the incredible red rocks takes your mind off the fact that your heart is pounding from exertion. After two miles you arrive at Scout's Landing and you have the most amazing views of the canyon.

Then you look up at the last half mile of the trail to Angel's Landing. It's imposing. It has sheer drop offs and basically looks impossible. At some points it's only about 4 feet wide. People do it every day, but you better not be afraid of heights. So that day, only three of us made it to the top. I was one of them.

About four years ago, my family went to Zion. At that time we just had the three boys, who were about 9, 11 and 13. Once again we headed up the trail to attempt Angel's Landing. Of course, those three boys took the first part with ease, while my husband patiently walked with me while I stopped multiple times to "enjoy the scenery. " We arrived at Scout's Lookout and I fully expected to go to the top. But a few minutes into the hike, while holding on to chains and stepping across rocks with no ground underneath them, I panicked big time. I knew my fear would be a hindrance to my family, and so I turned back and prayed while my husband and boys made it to the top.


This past summer we went to Zion again. Memories of that past hike to Angel's Landing were fresh in my mind, and I was planning on stopping at Scout's Landing with my daughters while the boys once again went to the summit without me. Fear has a way of controlling my decisions, and even the thought of being that afraid again stopped me.


However my youngest son Robbie kept asking me to try. "Please Mommy, you can do it," he said. I didn't think I could, but to appease him I told him I would think about it - fully intending to say no. But he kept at me. And a question started to form in my mind, "Could I possibly do this?" A few other thoughts joined that one. "You weren't afraid 20 years ago" "If you are afraid, your daughters will be afraid." "You aren't a quitter."


Those thoughts could only have come from God, because in my flesh, I wanted to stop at the safety of Scout's Landing.


Well, we arrived at Scout's Landing and I looked at the trail before us, and in an instant decided to go for it with all the family. My son Dylan suggested we pray (thank you God for that boy) and we gathered in a little circle and prayed for safety. Then we lined up boy girl boy girl and headed up the very narrow, very steep climb, hanging onto chains, and turning to help each other up. Step by step we climbed. (It's really not a hike at this point.)

Amazingly I felt no fear. I don't even remember hiking past the same spot where I panicked a few years ago. That last half mile took us 45 minutes, but we made it to the summit. Praise God.

While I don't think I'll ever be a mountain climber, with the peace of God and the encouragement of my family, I managed a hike I never thought I would do, and got to see some amazing sights, including the look of respect on my son's face when he said, "I'm proud of you Mommy."

In His Love,
Glynnis

Today I did something I never, (and I don't use that word lightly) thought I could. I ran three miles. Now to the average person, that might seem like a "nice" accomplishment. However, to someone as completely un-athletic as me, it's almost miraculous.

I've never (and again I chose that word specifically) have accomplished anything athletic. I tried out for numerous sports teams during my school, always at the encouragement of a friend, and never made one team. I got hit on the head with the ball trying out for girl's softball. Didn't make the team. Was one of the tallest girls in school. Didn't make the girl's basketball team. And so on.

When I see a "beginner" class of anything, I know it will be a step above my skill level. Someday I'll tell you about my beginning step aerobic adventure. Uh ... let's just say it wasn't pretty.

My husband is completely aware of my lack of athletic skill. He was there at the infamous softball-hitting-my-head tryouts and still married me. But somehow, he has had this idea that I can run a half marathon some day. I think he's crazy, but it's kind of cute.

So he made me a training schedule (read about our vacations and you'll know he's big on schedules) which includes running and a tough cardio circuit class. He also took me to the Runner Den, where they diagnosed my "running" (such as it is) style and recommended a certain type of shoe. What a difference that makes - my shins and knees don't hurt any more.

When I first started running I could not make it from one light pole to another without thinking my head was going to explode. I just couldn't do it. Every time I'd try and stop panting, the self-defeating thoughts were unbelievable. I won't bore you, but imagine every negative thing you can think about yourself, and I thought it. (No - don't think them because I don't want you going there) Actually, I still think those thoughts - but I just tell them to be quiet and keep going.

This week someone sent me a link to a video on GodTube about this father and son triathlon team: Team Hoyt. I've heard of this family before, but watching this video really inspired me. Click here to watch it. I was especially touched by the ending, and the one word that it typed on the computer: can.

I have filled my head and heart with too many "I can'ts" in my life. What a great reminder that I can ... but I'm going to need help. In spite of knowing the God of the Universe is on my side, and that He is always working on my behalf, I fall into the trap of thinking it's all up to me. When that faulty thinking starts, I neglect to accept the hand of help that God is holding out to me. What a shame to have missed that.

God knew exactly what He was doing when He designed me. That's why I've got a nice round seat to sit on when I'm working at the computer. (grin) But He certainly didn't intend for me to put so many limitations on myself that He never intended to be there.

Three miles is a far cry from 13. But it's closer than I was last year.

So, although my progress is muuucccchhh slower than an athletically-included person, I guess I'll keep going.

What "I can'ts" have you told yourself? Is it time to start thinking "I can"?

Love,
Glynnis

Ocean cabana or mountain cabin?

This was one of the questions in a great little book I bought for our recent road trip from Arizona to Wyoming and back. The book is called "Coke or Pepsi" and it's filled with discussion starters for friends. So, the ocean or mountain question was posed somewhere on I-15 in Utah.

One by one my family answered, "ocean" "ocean" "ocean" and so on. I knew their answers before they spoke. They L-O-V-E the ocean. They love playing in the sand, body surfing, boogie boarding, jumping over waves, collecting sea shells, and just exploring the wonders of a world so very different from our normal desert life. I love the ocean too - especially since I discovered snorkeling in clear, calm water. But honestly, it just makes me too nervous.

It's always changing. The tide moves in and out. Rip currents (or rip tides) appear and disappear. Dolphins look like sharks (at least when my children are in the water they do). And I'm just always afraid the ocean will whisk my children away from me. So while I love the ocean for its beauty, when the question turned to me, I answered "mountain cabin."

For as long as I can remember, the mountains have brought me peace. Living in a valley, I've been hemmed in by mountains all my life. When I went to Iowa years ago, I felt exposed. It was flat as far as I could see. Beautiful in its own way, but I missed my mountains.

Part of our recent vacation was to the Grand Tetons. You might not believe this, but I didn't know we were stopping in the Grand Tetons until the day before we left. My husband completely planned this vacation with some input from me on a few things like National Park Lodges. (I'm was very happy to have him to this because he's great at it.)

As I stood in front of the Grand Tetons, I just gaped. They are unbelievable. They are a 50-mile-long section of the Rockies with a series of soaring peaks side by side. Their proximity to each other, and the fact that they have no foothills, creates an imposing sight. Snow still dusts the tops, and the snow melt made for numerous small waterfalls cascading down the sides and spilling into stunning lakes. Ahhhh. I love mountains.

I'm reminded of the Scripture verse in Psalm 121:1: "I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?"

Solid, unchanging, strong, awesome and beautiful. Sounds a lot like mountains.

Sounds a lot like my God!

I pray you experience God in nature. Scripture tells us that this is one way God chooses to reveal Himself to us:

“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made,
so that men are without excuse.” Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Amen!

Love,
Glynnis

Sometime I wonder if vacations are worth all the effort it takes to get ready for them. You know the routine, all the clothes must be washed (I dread the thought of dirty socks left for 10 days in the bottom of the dirty clothes hamper), house must be cleaned, house plants watered, pets arranged for, bills paid, mail stopped, neighbors alerted, car cleaned, kids packed and so on. Whew!

Then there's all the unpacking work when you return ... plus all your work work that piled up. I'll admit I get a little stressed about going on vacation.

However, all I have to do is walk down a shady path holding my son's hand and it's worth it.
Or I'll hike to the top of a mountain and look down at Zion canyon, and it's worth it.
Or sit around the dinner table laughing at an inside family joke and it's worth it.
Or relax on a patio listening to the wind whisper through pine trees and it's worth it.
Or watch my daughters wade through a river for the first time and it's worth it.
Or see my husband really relax and it's worth it.
Or see a black bear and her baby cub and it's worth it.
Or gaze at a canyon so immense that only the hand and will of God could have carved it so beautifully (no matter what geologists say - with all due respect) and it's worth it.

You see, some things just can't be experienced to the fullest in my hurried life. I do "shallow" with ease, but for me, it takes getting away sometimes to do "deep."

So I'll be signing off the for the next 10 days as my family and I head north through Zion National Park, and up to Yellowstone. If you are reading my blog during this time, welcome.

I'm trying my best to practice an unhurried life. Honestly, it takes more will power for me to slow down than to speed up. So I'm submitting the next 10 days to God, and asking for His help to enjoy every moment with my family, and in His stunning creation. I pray to see God's hand everywhere. It's already there. I just need to slow down enough to see it.

In His Love,
Glynnis

Here are some random thoughts about my personal writing retreat:

1) It's worth it!
2) Take your own pillow
3) Make sure there's a desk ...
4) the right height for a keyboard!
5) Kitchen tables aren't good to type on for 2-1/2 days straight ...
6) because your shoulders cramp up when you type on a kitchen table for 2-1/2 days
7) Starbucks helps ... with everything
8) Trader Joe's makes the best pear, Gorgonzola & dried cherry salad
9) Diet Coke is good too
10) Take a candle in case the lights go out due to a thunderstorm (uh-huh, that happened, but thank the Lord, they came right back on)
11) Save your writing on a flash drive, every few minutes ...
12) in case the lights go out due to a thunderstorm ...
13) but my laptop had batteries so I was okay.
14) But save your writing every few minutes anyway ...
15) because you never know when you might accidentally close everything down (uh-huh)

And most importantly ...

16) It reminded me how much I LOVE to write and how much I LOVE Jesus.

Grace & Peace,
Glynnis