Trip to Colorado

Back in early July, Kaylee and I took a trip to Colorado, and it was good. And I am thankful that I was there for all that took place. Although I am posting it, much, if not all, of this blog is for me, because I am just getting all my jammed/jumbled thoughts out for me to remember the experience and what the Lord taught me. I didn’t expect it to be a real learning experience, but indeed, it was. It looked entirely different than my little organized mind had planned, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I wanted to be used as an encourager by the Lord, and the fact was, He used others to encourage me. The trip was crazy, starting with a night flight that resulted in a little less than 2 hours of sleep. So many moments, I didn’t think I could press on. But like I said, I learned so much. I learned more of what it is like to cherish every word, as my grandmother asked me one last time if I was sure her grandchildren and their spouses knew that she loved them. I learned more about God’s orchestration. I learned about grieiving. I was reminded about making decisions and living in the consequences. I learned about how much I am loved by those I love so deeply. I was reminded not to overdo. I was reminded to be where I am. I was reminded the incredible bond Brandon and I have now that we are one and how it is extremely difficult to face life’s challenges while apart. I was reminded of the compassionate brother I have been blessed with in Evan and the incredible sister-in-law I have in Jessica.  I was reminded of how natural my self-centeredness is. I was convicted by how easily discontentment enters in. I was reminded to be frustrated with sin and the ground the devil has gained instead of focusing my frustration towards being critical of individuals. I was encouraged by how God changes attitudes and works in hearts, sometimes surprisingly quickly. I learned more of how my initial desire is for people to be like-minded with me and how that can be a bad desire that leads to viewing it almost as a sin when they aren’t. I learned to view things more eternally and not through the eyes of men. I learned more about what it is to be Christ-like. I was convicted about doing our job joyfully or doing it well. I relished in the simple things. I was refreshed by the love God displayed through Trent and Stacy, refreshed by simply being around Trent and watching Stacy so gracefully work through the stresses of a wedding. And I was reminded of how God is our provider and He gives just what we need when we need it.

And.... whether it is a reflection of my bad habit of forgetting or how fast paced our time was... I unfortunately don't have a single picture from the trip. : (  Thankfully, I know others do. : )  Anyway, that's it for now.