Day 9 of 20 Days WEST; Rimrock

Meeting People from Around the WORLD!

One year and 1 month ago, we were in Arizona. 

Today, I visited a church in our community where missionaries from Papua New Guinea were presenting their work of translating the Bible into another language and ministering to the Kuman people. 

My daughter met their family last week at Youth Group, and we were excited to learn more about their ministry. Of course learning that they homeschool their boys was exciting to me and my daughter as well.

It’s so neat to find people with commonalities and yet learn of their very unique lives and different experiences from your own. It’s especially true when you each know Jesus! He is so good to connect His people along their way.

How the past meets the present

After church, I discovered that this family was headed back home to Arizona!

Hey, we traveled through Arizona on our trip out WEST last year!

Through our conversation, we learned that we stayed and visited their home towns of Rimrock and Camp Verde! On Sunday (a year and month ago), we worshipped at a nearby church which happens to be their “home” sending church! How in the world?! 

God is so good to connect His people from across the globe. We are all busy about our work of discipling our children and reaching our communities for Jesus. And yet, God finds a way to encourage us through connecting His people.

Day 9: Rimrock, Arizona

One year and one month ago, our lovely daughter became an official teenager! “It happened before our very eyes,” as we would say with a chuckle. 

The Task of Raising Teenagers.

Tim and I have grown up in our marriage and our parenting together, and though we have a few years under our belts, we’d still say, we have no idea what we’re doing. 

Truthfully, we have some idea. God has given us the stewardship and care of these amazing people. We take it seriously and humbly. 

The task of raising children and young adults is beyond us, and yet, we willingly step into our roles as both ‘mom and dad’ and ‘husband and wife’ with intentional thought and calling. 

I feel honored to be considered both wife and mom. May the Lord give me grace and help in my weaknesses and short-comings; and may He give me courage to face tomorrow.

Two Birthdays on the Road

We celebrated our daughter today on her birthday! Both daddy and daughter share a birthday in June, so this vacation took on a special task of celebrating not one, but TWO birthdays in TWO different states! And yes, I brought along a couple small gifts and bought cakes for each day.

After morning worship and donuts at Parkside Community Church, we took a drive to see more of the “green” camp known as Camp Verde, Arizona. Surprisingly, both Rimrock and Camp Verde hold similar populations to our home-town. Being in these areas felt refreshing and familiar in that way.

Camp Verde, Arizona

We followed along the Verde River, to the south of town where many Pecan trees blossomed! Tim grew up in North Carolina with Pecan trees galore, and here, in the watering hole of a desert space, we found Pecan farms!

We also found the Clear Creek Cemetery along Old Church Road. On the map, this spot was marked as “Historic Church.” 

I was amazed by all of the greenery and lush plant life here. Verde Valley was a sweet place to stay in Arizona.

Montezuma Castle

After our ventures south, we took a stop at the Montezuma Castle National Monument. The castle is kept away from public touch, reserved in the rock walls of a mountain side. It is quite something to imagine life back then, living in a cave. 

Looking back at history sparks much contemplation and consideration; Thoughts of gratitude (thankful for the cushioned mattress I sleep on) and thoughts of sadness (the loss of life as these tribes are small or extinct today). This is yet another moment when joy and sadness coexist. Life has a lot of these moments.

The End of our Stay

After our adventures in the valley, we came home for birthday cake and presents. Today would be our last full day in Arizona. Tomorrow, we are off to California!!! 

Conclusion

As I contemplate the connection from this morning’s missionaries to our stay in Rimrock, I’m amazed at God’s creativity. He makes these connection points happen. I know He does. I then wonder, what is He doing in the midst of us? 

Two weeks ago, my daughter met a sweet girl from Germany and last week she met a family from Papua New Guinea. How does this happen in our small, Midwest town of 7,700 people? Why?

Has this happened in your life?  I’d love to hear how God has brought new friends and connections into your life whether through homeschooling or through your church family.

Please share in the comments below, or e-mail me at Christina@keepwalkingfriend.com. I’d love to hear from you!

More to come…

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I’d love connect with you. I enjoy meeting moms, and I often find we have much in common! Tis’ the nature of motherhood, I guess. 🙂

Please let me know what you’d like to read about or questions you have about motherhood, homeschooling, or just life.

We are truly not alone on this journey! If you need an encouragement, join the conversation here on the blog. I’d love to meet you.

Keep walking friend,

Christina