“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Here’s a “Maxwell” plans, but the “Lord directs” sequence.

• Start trip with plan for Flagstaff, AZ, conference Monday night; Burbank, CA, conference Thursday.
• Friday morning, we decide to make lunch plans for Tuesday after Flagstaff with Uncle Roy and Aunt Phyllis, who are in Sun City for the winter. From there, we would drive to Joshua Tree National Park and hike on Wednesday before going to Burbank on Thursday.
• Saturday morning, Flagstaff conference rescheduled due to a snow storm. Rain is predicted for the entire Arizona/California area, so we decide not to go to the park because it’s going to rain.
• We have thoughts of just staying put in Tucson until Wednesday or so, and then heading on to Burbank.
• Decide that’s not a good idea due to all the rain and needing to get to Burbank in case there’s flooding that would hinder travel. We begin our drive after church on Sunday night. It doesn’t work out to meet Uncle Roy and Aunt Phyllis Monday morning when we are in Phoenix.
• On our way to Burbank on Monday, the wind is picking up, and as we near the exit for the park, Dad thinks we might stay the night there, avoid the high wind predicted in L.A., and maybe hike a bit since it’s not raining.
• We enjoy a great family hike, despite the wind, and our first “real” camping experience with Uriah. (Dad’s becoming quite the expert handler of Uriah in tight spots!) Dad decides we’ll stay at the park two nights, and leave for Burbank Wednesday sometime.
• We drive out of the park Tuesday morning, so Christopher and I can get some things done on the internet (as well as a few blog posts uploaded), because there’s no cell phone signal up at the park, but 10 miles from the campground at the edge of the park there was. As we’re working on the internet/e-mail, Joseph thinks we have a major problem with the black tank (would have been a huge issue), but we find we don’t.
• Go back to the park, and while we’re filling up with water, John announces we have a real problem in the fresh water tank! Water is everywhere.
• Decide we can’t go hiking: we have a bigger issue–no fresh water. We see that all we need is a small part: praise the Lord! So, on to the closest Camping World, which will have the part.
• We then plan on parking at our coordinator’s house in L.A. until our conference Thursday.
• Then, as we have Internet access again, we receive an e-mail requesting we speak at a church in Simi Valley Wednesday evening. Dad agrees (happily), and then it’s decided to drive to the church and stay overnight, since they have a plug-in for the bus so we don’t need to run the generator.
• Wake up Wednesday morning and discover that this area is expecting torrential rain and wind up to 60 mph. We are grateful to be here and not have Dad driving in the wind and rain.
• That’s where it stands right now.  The Lord gave us a Wednesday evening service, and it’s been a wonderful, exciting several days!
• We make the plans, but the Lord directs our steps. What a joy to rest in a faithful Savior! — Sarah

The broken part, so small, yet so necessary!

Full rainbow!

This was our first time to give a new conference that we have been working on very hard. After many hours invested in preparing for each session, we were excited to finally be to the conference weekend.

Friday night had an hour and a half of music and testimonies by each of us. It’s a joy to watch the faces of those listening and see the delight on the little children’s faces.

Friday afternoon during set up.

Jesse and Anna working on sound.

Dad had prepared a new men’s session that correlates with his latest book Redeeming the Time, while Mom had a new ladies’ session where she goes through the encouragement she shares with those who come to her with problems. Dad also gave sessions on being a Christ-led Family, being a Christ-led Leader, and Harnessing the Power of a Team. Together Dad and Mom gave a session about anger. Plus Mom dealt with the practical aspects of being a Christ-led woman in daily life.

Christopher had a session for the young people and children teaching them how to share the gospel and use balloons to interest people. The rest of us children were going to help pump balloons. As we observed child after child walking into that session, we knew it was going to be an interesting proposition to pump up enough balloons! I wish you could have heard the excitement when we walked into the room about 9:30 a.m. carrying all those balloons. Christopher thought everyone was attentive during the first part of the session because they knew the balloons were coming!

Two moms browsing the book tables...

Pumping up balloons!

Joseph helping a boy twist a balloon.

Christopher, Joseph, John, and Jesse gave a session called Spending Time Productively; and I heard it went very well! Anna, Mary, and I gave one called Keepers at Home. I loved working with my sisters and seeing the responsiveness of the girls attending the session.

I believe the last sessions of the day were some of the most powerful. At the same time Dad was speaking to couples, John and Anna were giving Dwelling Together in Unity to the children, and it was also an incredible session! For those coming to Sacramento, Vancouver, BC, and Fallbrook, we’ve decided to add the Unity session in our schedule. From my view in the back of Dad’s session for husbands and wives, couples appeared to be listening intently and soaking in the information.

John and Anna giving their session.

Closing out the final session...

Mom with our coordinator and her baby.

We were very grateful for the positive feedback we received concerning the conference because it confirmed the direction the Lord has placed on our hearts for this conference. We will have this conference available to give in places where we have already given our Encouragement for the Homeschool Family conference.

Our coordinator, Mrs. F., was amazing and very kind to our family.

Thank you again to those who were praying for us! It is our heart’s desire that there was lasting spiritual fruit from the weekend.

Sarah for the rest
PS-For those who may be wondering, we’re heading on to L.A. today, and because of the big rain system, I think we’re going to be hearing rain, rain, and more rain on good ole’ Uriah’s roof for the next few days!

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalms 34:7-8).

We’re on our way to Tucson, and it’s simply beautiful this morning. Mountains are on both sides, and the road stretches straight in front of us. The fields are full of Joshua trees, scrub, and sand. It’s easy driving for Dad because there is no wind–a wonderful blessing.

Anna will be reporting on Las Cruces sometime today!

Sarah

P.S. Thank you to Joseph for working on our new blog look!

‘The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalms 19:1).

After we visited Mom’s childhood places, we headed out of town. As we drove, we saw the flag of Mexico flying not too far from the interstate. Going along the interstate, we were amazed to see that Mexico was literally just right next to us–it was so clear by the stark contrast. The border was seen clearly by a large fence stretching for a long distance. We saw small, humble dwellings scattered across the hill, dirt roads, and more: showing the poverty that many live in.

May we never take for granted anything that we have. So many have so little. Speaking of another country, let’s look forward to our Heavenly Country!

“For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. . .  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:14, 15).

We are now in Las Cruces, parked for the night.

Sarah

We made a semi-quick trip to WalMart early Friday afternoon to purchase some items, and then after lunch, family Bible time, and miscellaneous things, set up was begun. For the most part, set up went quite smoothly, which is a little unusual since the first set up of the trip tends to not be so easy. By the end, we’re all experienced .

Joseph setting up Friday afternoon.

John

Praying before the conference.

Friday evening

Hearts were very open and receptive to the message shared throughout the weekend. We often hear that families have much to think about and ponder after the conference.

Jesse

Hearts session

After attending church this morning, we are attempting to visit Ft. Bliss to see the area where Mom lived when she was a little girl (Grandad was military). Then, we’ll be on to Las Cruces this evening, where we’ll have a conference Tuesday night. Tomorrow morning we plan to visit White Sands, and then catch up on school, work, etc.

Thank you for praying.

Sarah

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Our hearts filled with what the Lord did in this weekend’s conference. We’ll be posting an update with pictures tomorrow! THANK you for praying. Truly, we feel them and are very grateful.

Sarah for the rest

“And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord” (Psalms 40:3).