The Most Amazing, Beautiful Trip

Christmas came early for me! It was a National Parks tour annual pass from my hubby. I have always wanted to take this tour for the longest time and I always thought we would do this during the summer, but we went during Christmas and it was so fun and absolutely breathtaking. Only our God could create something so magnificent and we are so fortunate to be able to enjoy His handiwork.

Our first two days we hiked Zion National Park. We climbed Angels Landing and hiked Emerald Pools, both involved going behind and under numerous waterfalls. We were soaked through and through but enjoyed every minute of it. So we hiked 7.5 miles the 1.5 days we were there.

Next we went to Bryce National Park. This is when it got really fun...it started snowing! We were at a higher elevation looking at the Hoodoos and the snow was quite heavy. Then we walked to lower elevation and no snow, just lots of mud. We decided to hike down to the canyon and look up at the Hoodoos! I'm so glad we did that, it was so much fun! We only hiked two miles that day.

Then we went to Arches National Park. My dream was to hike up to the famous Delicate Arch and we got to do that, plus three other arches. We hiked 6.6 miles that day.

We then spent the next two days in Moab, my favorite place, just enjoying the city and a little off-roading.

Next we drove to the Grand Canyon. We've gone a couple times during the summer, so going during the winter was a new experience and it was so pretty to see the snow.

We made it home on Christmas Eve and we drove 1,685 miles and hiked 15.6 miles. My little man was such a trooper. He is such a great traveler, always has been. Never complained in the car, kind of hard to when you're the only one in the back seat :) He loves to hike and just seemed to really enjoy getting wet and making snow balls.

He is here

God has, is and will exceed anything I could have ever though up for myself and with that reminder I can lay down beside the still water and find peace.
God is such a tender Father as He restores, leads and shows forth all of His marvelous acts in my life.

Can't Wait!

Zion

Bryce

Arches

Grand Canyon

I love the outdoors! And I have always wanted to take a National Parks Tour, buy the pass and just drive and hike and off-road. We haven't been off-roading in Utah in a few years, so I am looking forward to this trip! Luke is now at that age where he will appreciate it and he is even excited for this trip.
Oceans and mountains and places like these just show off God's handiwork and I just love taking all these scenery in.

Family Photo Shoot 2010

Anniversary #13 getaway

Awesome, deep Jacuzzi tub.

Our corner room. There were two Padre games and we had a good view.

We went to San Diego again for our trip, and we always enjoy staying in the Gaslamp District.
Our good friends Nate and Min Young met us down there for dinner Friday night and we had a blast with them.
When we got to our hotel room I noticed that we were upgraded complete with an awesome jacuzzi tub. There was also a bottle of wine, chocolates and a card that said Happy Anniversary.
The next day during breakfast, our server bought our drinks and then for dinner our server bought our drinks. We were really spoiled! I guess telling people you're celebrating your anniversary goes a long way!

I forgot my camera, so we had to buy a disposable. Some photos didn't come out that well.

Soothing to my Soul

This song is my new Favorite. "What it feels like" by ffh.

So this is what if feels like to walk the wilderness
and this is what if feels like to come undone
So this is what if feels like to loose my confidence
unsure of anything or anyone

So this is what if feels like to walk the desert sand
and this is what if feels like to hear my name
and to be scared to death cause I'm all alone
but feel love and peace just the same
And this may not be the road I would choose for me
but it still feels right somehow

And I have never felt you as close to me as I do right now
So this is what if feels like to be led

So this is what if feels like to have it fall apart
to be totally unglued
and find out if I accept my brokenness

I get more of me, I get all of you
If this is what if feels like to be on shaky ground
Careful of every step I take
Realizing as I stop to look around
I look around and see everything a different way
and this may not be the road I would choose for me
but it still feels right somehow
cause I have never felt you as close to me as I do right now
So this is what if feels like to be led
and this is what if feels like to be led

So this is what if feels like to just walk away
from everything I thought kept me safe
to depend just on you for every meal
and find it's better this way
oh it's better this way

And this may not be the road I would choose for me
but it still feels right somehow
And I have never felt you as close to me as I do right now
like i do right now
And this may not be the road I would choose for me
but it still feels right somehow

And I have never felt you as close to me as I do right now
And this is what if feels like to be led
And this is what if feels like to be led
And this is what if feels like

There is Hope

Anniversary #13

Sunset dinner in Laguna

I do have to say that God has blessed me with a a great man. He does so much to help me around the house and is such a great dad. I can't believe we have been together this long, we really have had our share of ups and downs. Infertility, moving overseas, having to come back to the states, dealing with infertility again and just life. I am so thankful that Matt is so sensitive to the Spirit and leads this family to draw closer to our Lord.

Happy Father's Day

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

WOW

I just LOVE it when God shows up! As a friend of mine put it...We are CHASING after God and we can't wait to see where He leads.

What I Need

First heard this song over the weekend and the words are very powerful!

Why

Ever wonder why God blesses those who are so far away from Him and then seems absent from those that desire to be close to Him?

I do OFTEN...too often. I seek His face daily and cry out to Him, but for some reason God remains silent. I so wish He can just whisper "Zaida, just wait" or "I'm here, just hang in there" I have lost some of my faith and it saddens me that I have come to this point.

I know my God is great and can still do mighty things, but sometimes it seems that those mighty things are for everyone else but me. I know I'm being tested and I have failed, but I am so glad that He is always faithful to me even when I'm in this very long, deep valley.

This song says it all.

Your Name

Awesome song!

What Faith Can Do

Faith...something I've been lacking for a while. This song pretty much sums up what I've been going through and just really spoke to me.

So glad I am weak...

...so He can show His strength. I did not have a good week at all. To some it wouldn't be a big deal, but to me it was a major devastation to be emotionally. I complained to God, I cried, whined and had a pity party. I was telling God that it wasn't fair and wondering why He's been silent for the past two years.

I'm reading Crazy Love again and chapter two came just in time for me this week.
I Corinthians 10:31 says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." My part is to bring Him glory! I failed to do that this week.

In Crazy Love, Francis Chan says that God allows hard things to happen in life so you can show the world that your God is great and that knowing Him brings peace and joy, even when life is hard. The point of your life is to point to Him.

I don't always have the best attitude when trials or not so great circumstances come along and that is something I struggle with. I want to be able to reach a point that when something difficult comes along I can say "that's ok, God has a reason and He is still good"

I was mad at God this week, can you beleive that?!!! Mad at my Creator! The One who forgives me again and again, and I am so grateful for His loving-kindness and grace and mercy.

Lamentations 3:22-24 (English Standard Version)

²² The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
²³they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ "The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."

Love this verse, and I just have to keep holding on to it and claim it!

Psalm 62:5-8 "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us."

Lake Arrowhead 1/22-1/24 2010

Snowing on our way up.

Had to shovel the driveway to let Katelynn's car in.

Matt, Luke and I had a blast in Lake Arrowhead this past weekend. We went with the young adult group we teach on Sunday mornings and this is something we want to do with them every year. Arrowhead got 3-4 feet of snow the night before we arrived, so it was absolutely gorgeous there.