Vacation 2011

Brunch the last morning of the Focus on the Family Clergy Conference
This is in "Whit's End" at Focus - my children love this program

H.B. London - a Great Man of God - A Pastor to Pastors

30 degrees & very windy/...loved it!

I love this pic. The contrasts in color, texture, & space is interesting

Two Big Horn Sheep near the top of Pike's Peak Odd to see snow in June

On Top of the World

I lost my head in Kansas...We left steamy Macon Georgia at 9:55 pm June 1st. We pulled into my in-law's drive around noon the next day. Not a bad trip but we were beat...all of us. Emma did the best. She was nothing but a delight. An amazing gift of a baby. God knew that we'd need a sweet content baby in our old age.

I was able to preach at Liberty Baptist Church that Sunday then we left Monday morning for Colorado Springs for 5 glorious days - just Beth & I. We attended the Clergy & Spouse Conference at Focus on the Family. It was tremendous! Every thing there was first class but not in a showy way but in a God honoring way. The purpose of the conference was rest, relaxation, & encouragement. They pulled that off in spades.

The other wonderful aspect of Colorado was the time alone together. It has apparently been a very long time since we've been together for several days alone. It reminded me of how much I not only love Beth but I 'like' her too. We 'fit' each other & that is the grace of God & His working to make us 'One' over the past 23 years. It took 11 hours to get to Colorado Springs from Kansas City. We didn't talk for the first 10 hours. We literally just enjoyed the quiet...which is a rare commodity in our home. On the way back to K.C., Beth began reading an excellent book that I highly recommend - "Give them Grace" by Elyse Fitzpatrick. It is really the only 'grace/gospel' parenting book that I've ever heard of. We had some excellent discussion, repentance, & laughs. We got back into Kansas on Friday evening. Ben didn't do well in our absence. That night when I put him to bed, he wouldn't let me leave because he was afraid I would go away again. Even now, over two weeks later, his still gets a little panicky when I grab the keys.

We traveled over 3,400 miles round trip. It was a great time & one of the best vacations in recent memory. Thank you Lord.