Taking a Break in the Snow with the UTV

Sometimes in the winter, we just have to get out and go for a ride.  So, for recess, Gabriel and I took our 

UTV into the woods to check out the snow fall and the beautiful woods.  It was a lot of fun to have some alone time 

with him, although my oldest son, Cody, came along on his ATV to see what the woods looked like with snow covering it.

The UTV did great in the snow and we only froze a little driving in the cold air. 

Adventure is necessary for an eight year old boy.  Taking to the woods, in the snow, with mom, definitely made his day.

Our time is so limited with our children.  School days can become long and boring.  Why not spice it up a bit - get a little crazy.  

Go do something fun!

Thankful for "normal" conveniences

Living the high life...

50 amps

water

sewer

It has been a while since we had all three.  Living in the lap of luxury!

It is amazing how much we grow to appreciate the little things in life.  

Sometimes We are just NOT WANTED!

The majority of our trip has been a wonderful experience. Seeing so many amazing place, meeting the hundreds of special people who have crossed our path - have made this trip exceptional. Yet, there are times that are horrible, either physically, emotionally, or both.

This time it was emotionally. At this point all the advice and well meaning comments come to mind and even more importantly, all the scripture that has been planted in my heart comes out.

• Do not grow weary in well doing for in due season you will reap if you do not lose heart.   -God
• Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you because of Me.   -God
• If we are pleasing the world then we are not following Christ.   - God
• be thick skinned  -friend
• don't wear my emotions on my sleeves.  -family
• people can only hurt me if I let them.  -friend

I could go on for hours sharing all the encouraging words that help us through hard times. And, I must admit, I did not handle this situation like I should of. My emotions got the best of me and I cried my eyes out. I got angry and had to try really hard to forgive.

Leaving Colorado was very difficult. Our time spent there was some of the best on our entire trip. My heart continually revisits the aspen forest the kids and I found in the mountains near Mancos. Looking out over the meadows high in the ponderosa pines. So, when the time came to pack up and move on, we were all quite sad. There was not much of a choice to leave though, we had already had one big snow storm and another was coming in two days. We knew this one we might not make it out after.

I spent time making our plans for the winter and now changed them to head back to Missouri (see previous post).

It was sad that upon our arrival, the campground we came to ended up treating us terribly.  They had made promises to us and did not keep their word.

We left abruptly and stayed at my mother's.  During that time some dear friends hurt me and I had to deal with that.  Once we left my mother's, I knew I needed some private time - life on the road is anything but that.

Things are better and my heart is healing....the woods help with that.

Over the mountains and thru the woods to Missouri we go...

After spending many hours researching campgrounds and bible camps to do missions work at, I thought I had a pretty good plan. We'd leave the Mesa Verde, Colorado area and spend the winter wandering around New Mexico, western Texas, back to parts of Arizona then north again in the spring to explore Utah and then Hwy 50 going east thru Colorado again for the fall.

But, what was I thinking?  Why do I even waste my time making plans?

My dear hubby sat me down one morning, about a week before we were set to leave Colorado. He told me that  he felt we needed to go back to Missouri. There was a camp there that we loved and they would be needing new camp hosts next fall.  Shae wanted to look into taking it over. It is on about 1500 acres with two beautiful lodges, four large pools, outdoor activities, and a five bedroom log home.  The wages aren't great, but we thought Shae might be able to keep engineering some to bring in extra cash.

When I heard him say, "I think we need to go back to Missouri."  I almost tipped over.  What about my plans for the grand adventure around the south and then west again?  Zion, Bryce Canyon, off roading in Moab and Colorado.  Visiting family in Texas, Arizona, and again in Colorado. I was hoping that maybe, just maybe we could rent a condo on a beach in Texas for Christmas!

Missouri!  I love Missouri, but I had no desire to go back.  We had just been there in May and it was only November.  We hadn't been gone that long!

I controlled my tongue and facial expressions.  I love my husband dearly and decided I really needed to consider what he was saying.  Here was a great opportunity to honor him and his ideas.  Boy, I must admit, it wasn't as easy as I would have liked.  I knew I needed to be open to this not just in my facial expressions and lack of words - but also from my heart. 

If honor is not from the heart - it is not honor.

We discussed the idea thoroughly and I never really liked the thought of going back, but I love my hubby and trust his judgement.  The camp we were going to was wonderful,  a great place for everyone in the family, except not everyone in the family was looking forward to going back.  Only Shae and Cody wanted to go. 

It was growing for all of us.  Trust.  Peace.  Love.  Joy.  One thing I have learned on this trip and in life is that our happiness should not depend on where we are camped.  Our happiness comes from the Lord.  Our happiness does not revolve around our circumstances but instead around our inner peace and joy.

So, off we went. The four day trip back to Missouri was a tough one, but we made it.  The fall colors were gorgeous and we were welcomed by so many wonderful friends and family. 

We rode our ATVs and UTV in the Ozark Mountains and hiked the trails that wind through the hills.

Seeing my mom is always wonderful.  She lives in the Ozarks and looks forward to our coming back every year.  Usually we all put on weight from her wonderful cooking.