Spokane, Washington

We also visited the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon. I don't think I've ever seen anyone so excited about flowers as Gabrielle was.

My favorites because they're yellow. They're appropriately called "Welcome Home."

The Space Needle in Seattle



Along the water behind Pike Street Market

 Hello All!
We are currently in Spokane, Washington, visiting Gabrielle's cousins. We sadly didn't spend too much time in Eugene although we did get to visit Voodoo Doughnuts (delicious!) and the Saturday market. I love outdoor markets. There is such a tight-knit sense of community at outdoor markets and such a wide variety of people to watch, food to taste, and aromas to smell. When we got up on Saturday morning, we didn't have anywhere to stay in Portland that night. All the hostels were booked. The only hostel/hotel we could find was going to cost us nearly $200 for two nights. Perplexed, I just left it alone Friday night and just prayed that God would take care of it. I'm not opposed to sleeping in Walmart parking lots, but it's so nice to truly be able to enjoy and explore a place and then have a safe haven for sleeping. The next morning, I randomly googled bed and breakfasts and found a cool website: airbnb.com. It's a place that allows people to post rooms that they are renting out, rates, etc. We found a room in the Hawthorne district of Portland that was reasonable and sent the owner a message trying to reserve it. It was such a toss-up because it was such late notice, but it was only a couple of hours before the owner sent us a message back letting us know we could stay there. I was so grateful that God provided that place.

The first night in Portland, we just hung around the Hawthorne district which is a really cool place. The owner of the Casa Laurita where we stayed told us that the Hawthorne district is kind of the last of the districts to still preserve its independently owned shops, restaurants, etc. and not have many chains. We ate dinner at a Thai place and walked around. Nearly everyone in Portland dresses oddly. It was cool to be around so many hippies. I texted my dad at one point and said, "The hippies in Portland have stolen my heart," and his reply, in typical Joe fashion, was "Well, you should get it back before they smoke it." I love my dad. We went to Powell's books which I've been told is the largest independently owned bookstore in the country (something like that). It was like heaven. I have a major problem with book buying. I dislike spending money in general and hate spending money on myself, but there is a soft spot in my heart for books. As I waited for Gabrielle, I had a random kid approach me and ask for a buck. His ride had left without him, and he was pretty distraught. When I gladly gave him what he had asked for, he asked me if he could give me a hug, and he did (and not a creepy one either). It blessed my heart more than I can express.

On Sunday, we went to Imago Dei Community--a church that I first read about in Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz. I have to be honest and say that when I first read that book, I was in the initial stages of struggling with church, and when Donald Miller described Imago Dei, I wanted so badly to go there. It helped me maintain a hope in church even if only for a little while. So, when I realized that we'd be in Portland for a Sunday, I was excited to attend. Remembering the wonder of Celebration of Life Church in Port Arthur, Texas, and how much of a blessing it was to stay with someone from that church, I wondered if we might find someone from Imago Dei (which is supposed to be very community-centered) to stay with. The other churches we've been to--especially mega churches--leave us feeling like invisible islands. We come in, we have our own private moments with God, but it isn't often that anyone says two words to us. There are no relationships formed. It's like trying to pry your way into social circles in middle school--not worth it when you're just a fly on the wall passing through. But, in a leap of faith, despite the fact that I hate asking anyone for anything, I emailed the pastor, gave him a rundown of our story and how I'm moving to Honduras, and humbly asked if he knew anyone in the congregation who might be willing to let us stay for two nights. I received an email shortly thereafter from his personal assistant telling me that my best bet was to place an ad on the Imago Dei Google group page. I thought, "Absolutely not," but out of curiosity, I visited the page and was interested by just how many postings by people in need were left without replies. I won't lie--simply because of how truly difficult it is for me to ask people for help and because this was supposed to be my brothers and sisters in Christ I was asking--I was quite bothered by that response. I struggle with big institutions, when people become numbers and sharing becomes a job. I know that a lot of times God does allow ministries, etc. to grow, but I am so scared of ever reaching a place where I am not willing to stop for the one person in front of me requiring my help. I would rather be quiet, in the shadows, in obscurity, and attentive to the one person in front of me than famous, powerful, on a pedestal, and untouchable by the masses. At any rate, we still went to Imago. Initially, I was not at all feeling the service. Worship is always an indicator to me of the heart of a church and where the community, the work, and the fruit originates, and it was so short. Not to be gross, but to me, worship like that seems like what it must be like when a wife gets her husband all worked up with a few kisses and anticipation only to leave the bedroom to do the dishes. It's such a tease.

The message, however, was good. A church planter from Los Angeles spoke on Galatians 4:12. He talked about how true Christians really should understand that Christianity has no culture. Christians should be the most unswerving, steadfast people when it comes to the Gospel and the truth of the Bible and the most flexible, chill, and understanding persons when it comes to loving and being with other people. Too often, Christians are either too chill and compromise the truth of the Gospel and don't impact anyone around them (because they are no different), or they are too rigid and try to force others to become just like them. This man gave me Biblical basis for something I've found to be true time and time again--we, as Christians, must be willing to become like the ones we wish to reach while still personally refusing to compromise the Bible.

Anyway, we spent the rest of the afternoon having a picnic and quiet day in Laurelhurst Park. It was very nice. On Monday, we drove up to Seattle. Gabrielle has a few cousins who live in Seattle. They were all so very kind and showed us around and gave us a place to stay. We like Seattle a lot. At one point, we were in Pike Street Market and came across a street-performing a capella group called A Moment in Time. Their song was exactly what I needed. Sometimes, my mind gets so jumbled with thoughts and decisions and scenarios especially in relation to moving that I forget the simplicity of God's leading. The song they sang was one I'd never heard before, "I Made a Step." I can't seem to find the lyrics in totality, but here are some excerpts:
If you make one step, He'll make two
There ain't no limit to what God can do
If you go, don't worry about yourself
All you have to do is make a step
While the message is simple, I felt it in the middle of Pike Street Market. It was a special moment. It was as if God was reminding me that no, I don't have any control over various situations or other people and don't even have a concept of what to expect, but all He is asking me to do is make a step. I have to be willing to blindly put one foot in front of the other. I don't have to have it all figured out.

We left Seattle on Wednesday and came to Spokane where the rest of Gabrielle's cousins live. They have also been so kind to us. (It was so bizarre to begin driving east for the first time in this trip.) Gabrielle and I are pretty sure that the road has finally caught up with us as we were absolutely exhausted today. We crashed for most of the day. It's been quite a while since we've been in a place where we had the comforts of a home and didn't have to be on the go. This evening was so wonderful. The Bartlett family had a barbecue, and everyone was over. I can't express how it blessed my heart to be around such a loving family who was so accepting of me even though we aren't really related. Being around the Bartletts, laughing and joking with them and watching the entertainment of their wonderful grandchildren, was such a blessing and also made me so homesick for Honduras and just for family in general. I miss my immediate family greatly, and I also miss my adopted family in Honduras.

Gabrielle and I both agreed that the places that have brought the most rest to our souls were those homes where people were so secure in themselves that they were willing to love and accept us effortlessly. In those families, we don't feel as if we owe anything or as if there are expectations lingering over our heads. In those families, we don't feel obligated or like we're inconveniencing anyone. We just enjoy the presence of others and act as one of the family. It's unconscious and overwhelming and beautiful. As previously mentioned, I think that the interaction of people on this trip has taught me the greatest lessons. I have learned in greater depth not just what hospitality and generosity look like but what it means to treat everyone like family--how healing that can be to a soul. It's something I want to be a part of in increasing measures for the rest of my life. I want every single person who comes in contact with me to feel at home--comfortable in his or her own skin, warmed by unconditional love, and secure. To be that kind of person, I have to allow myself to be all of those things in God' presence. Easier said than done, but so worth it.

Tomorrow, we head to Missoula, Montana to stay with another cousin we haven't seen in forever. It's unbelievable to realize that we have been on the road for a month and half, and we only have less than two weeks to go. It's bittersweet--we're tired, but we've had a wonderful time and have grown a lot. I feel like a much stronger person, much more prepared to move, and much more dependent on God.

Anyway, niños, it is late here, and we hit the road again tomorrow, so that's all for now.
Much love,
Sarah

Eugene, Oregon

Hello from Eugene, Oregon!
We left San Francisco and headed to Yosemite National Park. It was phenomenal. We were there only one night, but it was a wonderful. We didn't have any firewood and were tired by the time the tent was up, so I opened up what I had been excited about all day--a can of black refried beans in lime juice for dinner. While it may sound silly, eating that cold right out of the can by flashlight was one of my favorite meals of the entire trip. It tasted like Honduras home. It's the beauty of simplicity that brings me down to my knees. I would post pictures from Yosemite, especially the falls because they were so amazing, but my memory card messed up and lost all of those pictures. So, until I get Gabrielle's pictures, I don't have any from Yosemite. After Yosemite, we headed to Lake Tahoe near Zephyr Cove, Nevada. We had gotten the last site at the Nevada Beach Campground. It was so lovely! We arrived around sunset which we admired and photographed. Then we headed out for some of the best sushi I've had in my life--an Ava roll which consists cream cheese, avocado, shrimp tempura, raw salmon, and lemon. It was so good.

We enjoyed Lake Tahoe for the day (Gabrielle got so burnt because she feel asleep in the sun) and then headed for Redding, California--a halfway point between Lake Tahoe and the Redwood National Parks. We slept in a Walmart parking lot. You haven't lived until you've slept and shaved your legs in a Walmart parking lot. ;) I'm pretty sure my hippie transformation is complete. We passed through the magnificent redwood forests taking the Pacific Highway scenic route--amazing! The Pacific Ocean is astounding. I love watching those waves. The redwood trees are amazing. It cracks me up that we, as human beings, are so impressed with ourselves, but yet, we'll still drive thousands of miles to look at trees...to look at God's creation.

We finally arrived in Eugene last night around 10:30 PM or so, and we were tired. After camping and car sleeping, we were so excited to sleep in a bed, and we, somehow or another, ended up in a private room which was great because I didn't pay for a private room. We also had our first showers in two days which was also really exciting. You learn to appreciate the little things when you don't reliably have them. The Eugene Whiteaker International Hostel here is really cool. I love staying in hostels. There is just such a cool environment; it is very hippie. Right now, I'm sitting in a room with fresh flowers, homemade art, numerous international accents, and NPR blares. Oregon, thus far, is what I would have expected--very green, very organic, very hippie. I like it. I'm so grateful to be here. For whatever reason, I've wanted to visit Oregon for a long time--perhaps due to fascination with Donald Miller books, I don't know.

At any rate, I am learning much on this trip. I think it is really wonderful how God is allowing me to take this trip because it's like He's showing me all of my options, reminding me that I don't have to move to Honduras. He'd love me regardless of what I'd choose, but the majesty of the Rockies, the glint of Lake Tahoe, the warmth of Pacific Beach, the eccentricity of Austin, the character of New Orleans, and the grandeur of the Grand Canyon could never match up to the deep love God's placed in my heart for Honduras. I feel so blessed that I get to take this trip, but I am even more blessed that my final destination is home in Honduras where I can live among my family, the orphans, the poor, and the reckless. I can't wait.

Recently, I've been reading Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning. It's good stuff especially as I'm looking at my sense of control and security dwindle. He uses a quotation from Mother Teresa that stuck with me:
Clarity is the last thing you're clinging to and must let go of. . . . I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God." It's so true. There are so many elements of my life that are up in the air right now. It's so cool to be staying in hostels because I love the sense of community and adopted family, and I think it's one of the things that will stick with me the most from this trip. I want a home someday that I can share with others. I want to provide a sense of home to others. Many of the things that I feel like God  has laid upon my heart are all unclear as to how or when or any of the details really, but rather than longing for clarity, I want to place my eyes on Jesus and trust.

Here are some more good excerpts from Ruthless Trust:
We often presume that trust will dispel the confusion, illuminate the darkness, vanquish the uncertainty, and redeem the times. But the crowd of witnesses in Hebrews 11 testifies that this is not the case. Our trust does not bring final clarity on this earth. It does not still the chaos or dull the pain or provide a crutch. When all else is unclear, the heart of trust says, as Jesus did on the cross, "Into your hands I commit my spirit."

So often what is notoriously missing from the external, mechanized concept of salvation is self-acceptance, an experience that is internally personalized and rooted in the acceptance of Jesus Christ. It bids good riddance to unhealthy guilt, shame, remorse, and self-hatred. Anything less--self-rejection in any form--is a manifest sign of a lack of trust in the total sufficiency of Jesus' saving work. Has he set me free from fear of the Father and dislike of myself, or has he not? . . . Unbounded trust in the merciful love of the redeeming God deals a mortal blow to skepticism, cynicism, self-condemnation, and despair.

The way of trust is a movement into obscurity, into the undefined, into ambiguity, not into some predetermined, clearly delineated plan for the future. The next step discloses itself only out of a discernment of God acting in the desert of the present moment. The reality of naked trust is the life of a pilgrim who leaves what is nailed down, obvious, and secure, and walks into the unknown without any rational explanation to justify the decision or guarantee the future. Why? Because God has signaled the movement and offered it his presence and his promise.

The antithesis of giving thanks is grumbling. The grumblers live in a state of self-induced stress.I have learned much about myself during this trip, and much of it relates to just what a wounded spirit I am. I find myself in the pressure of "responsibility" wondering how it's all going to work out. I am a very analytical person. Gabrielle and I joke that my brain is like a GPS--I am constantly thinking in sequence and steps, and when a new obstacle or situation arises, I must re-evaluate all of the options and factors and recalculate my intended plan of action. Because of my personality and my upbringing, I am nearly obsessed with making the best decision at any given time. I am very realistic and cautious--definitely a thinker before jumping into anything. I hate wasting anything--time or money. I hate inconveniencing others. I hate the possibility that I am not being the absolute best steward with what God has given me. All of these things can be quite frustrating to me because when any of these characteristics are not approached with trust in God and outweigh my security in His grace and love, I am overwhelmed by how much I dislike myself and how I can't do anything to fix myself. It's exhausting. There have been so many times on this trip where I have been drowning in this frustration and the fear that I am going to fail God, and God gently reminds me, "But, I like the way you are." Sometimes, I forget that He made me, and many of the very aspects of myself that I cannot change that irritate me because they often irritate others are actually balanced characteristics that can be useful for His Kingdom. I must remind myself often that God gave me the freedom to fail. He already knows that I'm not going to be the best steward. I have no possible way of making the best decisions of my own volition because I cannot see the bigger picture. His love and provision are THANKFULLY not dependent on me at all. I am reminded of a podcast by Jason Upton that we listened to early in our trip. He was working in the garage, and his young son wanted to help him. He asked his son to hold some screws, but it wasn't long before the screws were all over the floor. Later, Jason was on a plane, and God said to him, "You know you don't help Me, right? But what I like about you is the same thing you like about your son, Sam." And Jason determined that what God likes is that Jason has the desire to help God. I don't help God, but I am so blessed to know that my deep desire to help Him blesses His heart. So, I am learning to trust, to believe that He loves me, to be grateful, and to lose.

In other thoughts, I thought I'd share some road quirks which are now mundane to us but may make for amusing reading:
*I wonder how many pounds of trail mix we will have consumed by the time this trip is over. We are so sick of dried fruit and nuts, my goodness.
*We are mildly obsessed with coconut water.
*We constantly have these little freakout moments of "Where are the keys?!" or "What did I do with my wallet?! Oh my goodness." I no longer commit to an emotional response because it always works out.
*Since probably Louisiana or so, we've only seen one other WV license plate although lots of Virginians like to stop and say hello.
*We have trouble with coolers. Our first one got a hole in the bottom. The one we have now has a broken lid. Super glue ate the Styrofoam away and made the whole cooler smell bad. Bahaha.
*We love Rolland Baker's creepy laugh when we listen to his podcasts. (The latest one was called something to the effect of The Greatest Weapon.) It makes us laugh so much just listening to it. Sometimes, it sounds like he's having sex with the microphone on state. Too funny!
*Our friend, Habip, who we met in San Diego calls or texts us everyday to check on us and to tell us that he wishes he was with us. We love sweet Habip.
*Bugs love to dive bomb our windshield.
*We hate it when we almost hit squirrels.
*When Gabrielle is tired of driving (while she's the one driving), she starts playing with her face unconsciously and accidentally driving over rumble strips. When I am tired of driving (while I'm the one driving), I run stop signs.
*Oddly enough, Gabrielle has had more and worse sunburns than me.
*We have eaten great food! Creole, Cajun, Indian, Asian, Jewish, Southern, Mexican, Honduran, and Tex-Mex just to name a few. We eat in little hippie cafes the most.

Well, that's all for now.

Sunset at Lake Tahoe

My view while laying on the beach at Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe



If tree hugging were an Olympic sport...



The Pacific Ocean along Highway 101 near the Redwood National Parks

Lots of love,
Sarah

From Sea to Shining Sea



Gabrielle, Pablo, Me, and our free bready bear!



Hello from San Francisco! We left from San Diego to head to San Francisco. Given the holiday weekend, traffic was absolutely crazy, and we traveled for a few hours without really going anywhere. After being up at odd hours to visit with our friends Alp and Habip, I was quite exhausted. But, after some prayer and food and a better attitude, I was ready to be on the road. I will say that this trip is perfect preparation for moving because by the time this summer adventure is over, I'm going to be tired of living out of a suitcase and will be ready for roots and permanence and a sense of home in Honduras. It is now less than two months before I move. I am so excited.

We journeyed over the Golden Gate Bridge to our wonderfully located hostel--in Fisherman's Wharf at Fort Mason. We got here late and were pretty exhausted. So, yesterday, we spent the day just catching up--balancing checkbooks, doing laundry, uploading pictures, and relaxing. We keep at a pretty steady movement, and sometimes rest is so necessary. Yesterday evening, we headed to Pier 39 to see the fireworks. It was amazing! We had a great spot overlooking the bay to see the fireworks. They were the best we've ever seen. Following the show, we walked around a bit and enjoyed the atmosphere which was similar to a fair, really. We walked by this live demonstration kitchen of sourdough breadmakers, and we were taking pictures of breads shaped like various animals. It was so precious because we were invited by one of the guys--Pablo--to come in and take pictures. So, we headed in even though they were supposed to be closed. The guys took pictures with us, and I got to speak to Pablo in Spanish some. Then, before we left, they gave us a free bear made out of bread--a bready bear. Oh my goodness, made my whole night. At any rate, it was a great 4th of July.

Gabrielle and I still can't get over the fact that we made it to the other shining sea for the 4th and that God allowed us to be here in California. This trip has definitely made me appreciate the US more, and it was such a joy to look around and see so many people of different colors, backgrounds, heritages, and ethnicities celebrating the United States. I so love the diversity of this country.

Today, we head to Yosemite National Park. We were able to get the last camping spot for tonight. I am so excited about that. We've been warned quite a bit about bears, so that could be a fun adventure. ;) After Yosemite, we'll head to Lake Tahoe in Nevada and will camp for one night. Then, it's on to the Redwood Forest.

I hope all is well and that you enjoyed your 4th!


Lots of love,
Sarah

California Dreamin'

Hello from San Diego!
After we left Moab, Utah, we headed to Flagstaff, Arizona, to stay at the Grand Canyon Hostel. It was a cute, lovely place. After camping for quite a few nights, we were so excited to sleep in a bed, and what a comfortable one it was! During our first night in Flagstaff, we met Benny the Jet--when I told my family this, they all had the same reaction: The guy from The Sandlot?! No, this was a Native American homeless man who calls himself Benny the Jet. Benny wasn't our first homeless friend. We've actually made several on this trip. We find that people kind of flock to us--not just the homeless. On this particular occasion, we were walking back to our hostel when two homeless guys stopped us and asked us for food. Neither of us had any cash, and most of everything was closed. But, we did have leftovers from dinner, so they gladly took those. One of the guys left, but we spent a long time talking with Benny the Jet. We heard some of his stories, and he let us pray for him--only after he prayed for us first. It was so precious. Please pray for our friend, Benny, as he struggles with alcoholism. You can also pray for our other friends as well:
Joseph--homeless veteran, Savannah, GA
Robert--a wandering teenager we helped in New Orleans, LA
Daniel--our dear friend who is struggling with the pain of the deaths of his fiance and daughter, New Orleans, LA
All of the homeless who camp out in Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA
A little Spanish-speaking girl (whose name I don't know) who stole my heart in Austin, TX

We headed to the Grand Canyon on June 30. It was absolutely spectacular. I think I very much underestimated just how big it is. Every place we go, Gabrielle and I find ourselves saying to each other, "Can you believe we're here?!" It seems that God just outdoes Himself on a regular basis, showing us His love.

After Arizona, we headed to where we are now--San Diego, California. We're staying at a cool place called Lucky D's Hostel. It still hasn't totally hit either of us West Virginia girls that we're in California. It's one of those places that always seemed so far away that I would never get to it. If this trip has taught me anything, it is that if you are simply willing to follow God anywhere He leads, He can take you anywhere. We really love San Diego. It is so beautiful although wildly busy--parking here is a nightmare. I personally love San Diego because while it seems very busy, the social culture and atmosphere is so warm and friendly. The first day we were here, Gabrielle and I were walking around in search for food and came across a Turkish restaurant. Gabrielle is part Turkish and has been to Turkey and loves it. So, we headed there to look at their menu. Although we didn't end up eating there, we did meet some new friends who truly made San Diego special. I don't know if you've ever seen pedicabs, but they're bicycle powered buggies or carriages, and our new, Turkish friends are pedicab drivers. Alp and Habib both offered us free rides, so we took Alp up on the offer (his first offer to anyone for a free ride). It was such a cool experience to be breezing through San Diego at night. I am always so overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers. I feel God's love in it more than any other time, and the places I come to love the most are always special because of the people we meet. To make a long story short, last night, Gabrielle and I ended up coming back from visiting beautiful Pacific Beach and Seaport Village to take a nap before getting ourselves up at 2:30 AM to go visit Alp and Habib when their shifts ended. (Trust me, I have the Taken parents and grandparents lecture track in my head--I understand the worry, but I am not very afraid of much...usually least of all, people. God is so much bigger than any person, and I am His child.) We had such a great time! We just talked to them and a bunch of other Turkish pedicab drivers about their lives and how much they hate their jobs. (Tip: Pay pedicab drivers really well! They work hard.) I don't always know why God sends us places and allows us to meet people, but we trust that even as we feel our impact and opportunity to spend time with them is small (and it's difficult to leave), we trust in the work that God does as we unconsciously dance with Him.

Yesterday was also cool because we meet random Christians sometimes too. Two girls stopped us at Pacific Beach and asked us if they could ask us some spiritual questions--Christians. Yesterday, we were contemplating going to church because today is a travel day (San Francisco) which means this is the first Sunday where we won't be in a church during this trip. We didn't end up going to church, but it was so cool how God just showed us that you can have church anywhere. We ran into Curtis and Michelle as Curtis was playing worship songs on the guitar in the middle of Seaport Village. We stopped to sing with them for a while, and then we went over to talk to them. They prayed for us. We prayed for them. Church--in the middle of Seaport Village.

Yesterday, we took Wendy (my car) for its second oil change of the trip. We've put a bit over 7,000 miles on the car so far. Where we ended up for getting the oil change and my car checked out was a God thing as well. I hate hate HATE going to the mechanic. I always feel like the biggest helpless idiot when I go to a mechanic. I know simple basics about cars. I try to get my dad to explain things to me sometimes, so I'll have a better understanding of what I am told at the mechanic. However, I am by no means car savvy. Thus, I hate going to a mechanic because it is usually evident that I am not car smart, and inevitably, I feel like I get screwed over a lot, much to my father's dismay, I'm sure. So, I prayed while I was looking for a place to go--that God would take me to a place that would deal with me honestly and not take advantage of me. I believe that he did. We went to Integrity Plus Auto in San Diego, and they were so helpful. They checked stuff out and took care of what they could. They also showed me that the inside tread on my front tires (now my back tires) is completely smooth. So, they recommended new tires and an alignment. Sigh. So, if  you want to keep that in your prayers, I'd appreciate it.

At any rate, we're headed to San Francisco today. We're pretty exhausted. I am a tomato, but I am excited about life. I really love driving days because some of the most valuable and precious revelations from God come while we're on the road. As I mentioned in earlier posts, we love to listen to Heidi and Rolland Baker podcasts. We listened to one by Rolland Baker on the way here that was so direct and convicting. It just covered the idea that we should be living with a kingdom mindset--meaning that the only issue that should exist in our lives is that people in the world don't know Jesus. I would encourage you to look up free Rolland Baker podcasts on ITunes because it is powerful stuff. Listening to their amazing stories pumps us up and encourages us. And we also find that we listen to Jesus Culture's songs "Where You Go, I'll Go" and "You Won't Relent" on repeat for hours on end. We already feel like much different people than when we started this trip. We're grateful.

Meanwhile, today makes two months until I move to Honduras. I am so excited and feel like I am chomping at the bit to get there and to see what God is going to do.

Lots of love,
Sarah

Moab, Utah

View from our camp site in Moab, Utah

Hello All,

Colorado Rockies

Greetings from Flagstaff, Arizona! Yesterday we traveled here from Moab, Utah. Originally, I wasn't going to stop in Utah because of time's sake and also just because you don't hear much about Utah (or at least I hadn't). I am so glad that we did make the time to stop in one night though because it was so beautiful! We had the most gorgeous drive to Moab from Colorado Springs. We were also fairly amused that we found ourselves in a place called Moab because the evening service of the church that we went to in Colorado Springs--New Life Church--included a sermon about Ruth, who was a Moabitess. I have learned in my life that God is a very detailed-oriented guy. He doesn't overlook anything, so I don't think it's any accident that we ended up in Moab.

Sunset in Moab

Canyonlands National Park

Mesa Arch

View from Mesa Arch

I very much identify with Ruth. She came from a land that was known for temptation and seduction. She chose to leave it all behind--including her old faith, identity, and family--to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi. She gives Naomi covenant love, and although she is an outsider in Naomi's home, God blesses Ruth and gives her favor. God was able to redeem the reputation of Moab through Ruth because Jesus, the Savior, is a descendant of her blood line. In a short two months, I will be moving to a new land where I am very much an outsider (at least in terms of how I look). For whatever reason, my mother felt the need to pray that her two oldest children have blonde hair and blue eyes, and therefore, I can never fake the appearance of being Honduran either. But, I know that even as I come from a land that is known for temptation and is often a seductress for the poor especially, that God is able to redeem the reputation of the US if I am obedient in forsaking all to follow Jesus. I believe that even as I will be an outsider that God is faithful and that He can grant me favor in my new home.

Anyway, Utah was beautiful with all of its canyons. We headed to Canyonlands National Park and stood under the Mesa Arch. It was literally breathtaking. I know that people use that word all the time, but in this case, it was quite true. There's something about standing on a huge rock that drops off into miles and miles of cliffs and canyons that puts the fear of God into you. I am finding that all of the places that I love the most on this trip are those that remind me of how small I am. Yet, even in my smallness, God, in His infinite love, takes the time to romance me with the details. Sometimes, Gabrielle and I like to listen to podcasts while we drive. Most of the time we listen to Heidi or Rolland Baker or Jason Upton although we may branch out and listen to some K.P. Yohannan and Corrie ten Boom as well. We were listening to a message given by Heidi Baker called "Love Looks Like Something." She was saying that it's not enough that we say that we love someone--love will inevitably look like something. For the poor of Mozambique, it may look like chicken. For a homeless person, it may look like a blanket. God's love for us looks like something as well. I am discovering that perhaps I am not a very cheap date because God seems to go over and above what anyone should ever need to know that they're loved. For me, love looks like this trip. God's love looks like the Colorado Rockies or the Mesa Arch, Carlsbad Caverns or the ocean. It's overwhelming, but I think He does it on purpose. It seems that the greater the display of His love in preparation, the more He builds our faith, and in return, the greater mission He grants us. We have to be willing to receive His love though. While He will pursue us, He won’t force us. Gabrielle and I didn’t have to go on this road trip. A lot of people questioned why we were going or wondered if two girls in their twenties could make such a trip alone. From a practical standpoint, it doesn’t make much sense for me to spend my college kid life savings traveling the US. From a productivity standpoint, it doesn’t make much sense for me to take this trip instead of moving to Honduras right after graduation. But, it’s a trip that God laid on my heart a few years ago, and He has provided every step of the way. It’s been so worth it already. Gabrielle and I continuously find ourselves overwhelmed by the sense of how blessed we are to be in each place. Our faith is strengthened, and our intimacy with God is deepened—not because of any crusade to help people or speak in churches or whatever. It’s simply because we look up and see mountains; we look down and see canyons. We feel the warmth of the sun and the furious wind of the desert. We meet new people and see Jesus wherever we go. And at this stage of the trip, God is already beginning to show each of us, in our heightened state of faith, the next mission He has for us, the places He has called us, and the ways in which He’ll go before us.
Anyway, today, we’re off to the Grand Canyon. I couldn’t be more excited!

What does love look like for you?
Sarah

Colorado Springs

Hello All,
Well, we have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is truly a gorgeous place. When we first got here, we headed to Manitou Springs after setting up our tent at a KOA and found this wonderful little restaurant that was open late--The Heart of Jerusalem Cafe. Their food was so delicious, and the waitress was very friendly. Manitou Springs is a really cute hippie town--of course, my kind of place. We actually visited there a few times. We went to church on Sunday at New Life Church, which is a megachurch with several church plants. I won't lie--I'm not a fan of the megachurch in general, but I can feel God's presence anywhere, so it was a good experience. The person who spoke was Ross Parsley, a man who just started a church plant in Austin, Texas a year ago. It was really cool to hear stuff about Austin because we were just there not too long ago and loved it. One thing I'll mention that's been a blessing on this trip is that every time I feel compassionate towards a group of people in a certain place and so helpless to do anything but pray (which is powerful though!), God somehow shows me another believer who is working in that place. It's a consolation that He hasn't forgotten the people we meet and see along the way. Anyway, Mr. Parsley's sermon was about taking risks like Peter did when he got out of the boat. It was a cool message, and the central theme is one that has been coming up for me a lot since I bought my one-way plane ticket to move to Honduras. (I am getting so excited about that, by the way. I only have two months and less than a week left before I move.) We returned to the church that evening for another service and were provided with a free live music opportunity. There was a concert put on by Whitney Fenimore and The Brilliance, so we stayed. They have really beautiful music. Whitney Fenimore's voice is clear and absolutely beautiful, and The Brilliance sings quiet, orchestral worship songs. We liked them both a lot.

Yesterday we headed to Garden of the Gods and Seven Falls to see the wonders of Colorado. Garden of the Gods was so beautiful! It's hard to even put it into words! My favorite rock was one called the Sleepy Giant because I just took a minute to rest in a shadow made by the rock hovering above and over me. In that moment, God reminded me of Isaiah 51:16: And I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, that I may fix the [new] heavens as a tabernacle and lay the foundations of a [new] earth and say to Zion, You are My people.
The whole concept of God as our rock has such much more of a drastic impact and carries more weight when the rocks you associate with that concept aren't pet rocks in your pocket but ones hovering over you with enough power to crush or protect you. After Garden of the Gods, we headed to Seven Falls, which honestly, for $9.95 was a bit of a bust. I will say, however, that we did climb 409 steps altogether for the full experience. We had to laugh after we hiked for 20 minutes to what they called Midnight Falls which really just looked like someone taking a leak. We've seen bigger falls on the side of the road in West Virginia, but it made for a funny experience.

Today, we head to Moab, Utah for just one night. I can't believe how fast time has flown and how quickly we're going to have to move to cover everything left we'd like to see before we have to be back. There's no way we can see it all, so we've both made peace with just telling God that this is His trip, and we just want to follow wherever He leads.

Just for funzies, I want to include some road trip lessons learned so far:
1) Always keep silverware handy and in a reachable place. I now keep a spoon in my purse for all of those times when we eat from grocery purchases. When in a bind and silverwareless, I have been known to eat with a pocket knife or make a spoon from the tin foil on a yogurt cup.
2) Be flexible. When you haven't made your reservation for camping near the Grand Canyon a year in advance, you have to improvise and be cool with constantly changing plans.
3) We love wi-fi, GPS, and hostels.
Wi-fi has pretty much made this trip possible. We take a couple days at a time, so finding places to camp, etc. has only been possible because of wi-fi. We have been known to jack internet in hotel parking lots.
GPS is great; I really used to hate GPS before this trip because I felt like it made people dumb and lazy. I will, however, say that now I am a believer. While, yes, there are times when the GPS does make a dumb navigational call, and we have to be alert and savvy enough to correct it, more often than not, it's right. It's made us a lot more independent because we don't have a fear of getting lost.
Hostels don't receive nearly as much love as they should. In our experience, they are cheap and convenient. So many of them are much more helpful than hotels, and in many cases, it's possible to get a cheap, private room at a hostel. The biggest difference between that and a hotel is the need to share a bathroom and a kitchen.
4) Keep stuff organized and consolidated. Because we're living in our car essentially, it's easy to get sloppy and just put items in the easiest place for the moment. This is fine for a while until you can't find anything in your car any more. Every couple of days, I generally completely reorganize the car so that even though it's full, I know where everything is.
5) An electrical car converter is a wonderful tool for a road trip. We use ours all the time to charge our electronics. It's so convenient to have especially when many campsites to do not have electric hookups.
6) If you ever go on a road trip, be wise about who you pick to go with you. Gabrielle and I are cousins. We were roommates this past year of college, and we're best friends. But, even best friends can get tired of spending 24/7 with each other, so we've learned to be very forgiving, patient, and honest (when need be). Overall, I am so glad that she's with me on this trip. Just as we occasionally get tired of always being together, we love being able to share all of these memories and grow together.
I may add more as time goes on, and I think of them.
Lots of love,
Sarah

Carlsbad Caverns

Hello All,
Now we are in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It's breathtaking. As I'm writing this, I'm sitting at a picnic table at our KOA campsite which provides wi-fi. It's a beautiful morning. To update you, we went from Port Arthur, Texas (which I last blogged about) to Katy, Texas to visit cousins to Austin, Texas to visit another cousin. We loved Austin! Next, we headed to Carlsbad, New Mexico. New Mexico is like a whole other world. Having never been to the Southwest, it was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was flat and dry with interesting colors from the terrain, and there was nothing for miles and miles. We camped at Brantley Lake State Park and arrived after dark, so we put up the tent via Wendy's (my car) headlights. After the tent was up, we saw a tarantula roaming around near the car. There were lizards (fast ones) everywhere, and we also saw a jack rabbit. Gabrielle saw a snake. I'm pretty glad I didn't. We loved camping at Brantley because it was so peaceful and away from everything so much that you could see the stars so well. We took the rain fly off of the top of our tent and slept so that we could look up at the stars. It was beautiful. The following day we headed to Carlsbad Caverns. We did a self-guided tour for $6.

They were absolutely amazing and so huge! On the way there, we had seen so many acres of burnt, barren, thirsty land, and it was such a contrast to be out of the 108 degree heat into this cool and peaceful refuge. God showed me some pretty cool things while I was down there (750 feet below ground). Just the contrast between the surface and the caverns was a lesson in and of itself--it reminded me of God's Kingdom. So often, we just wander through our desert life burnt and thirsty, dry and in need of refuge from the scorching sun, and all the while, we're oblivious to His Kingdom that lingers below the surface of the life that we see. If we would only dig deeper and adopt a Kingdom mindset, we would find refuge in His secret place. Carlsbad Caverns is a perfect representation of God's secret place. It was interesting to watch other people interact with the caves--many just wanted to filter on through quickly, snapping pictures here and there and testing out their echo. Sometimes, people filter into the presence of God, relying on someone else's level of intimacy (often the worship leader) and are content to take their snapshots or collect their quick stories to be able to tell others that they've been there. Few actually chose to dwell in the secret place of God. I kind of think of God's Kingdom as those movies about superheroes from the comic books--you have to stay after the credits, after everyone else leaves, to see the future secret of what the next movie will be like. I feel like it's that way with God as well. When you're in the secret place, close to God's heart, I believe your prayers echo all over heaven just like our voices echoed all over those caves. It's impossible not to realize one's smallness in relation to God in a place like Carlsbad.

One last lesson of Carlsbad was just the power that one tiny yet persistent water droplet can have. I often struggle with the thought (especially as I am preparing to move) that I am only one person. I feel so overwhelmed wondering how it is that I'm ever going to be able to help someone else in Honduras or carry the burden of need that is always present. But, every so often, God reminds me of the power of water droplets--that erode away stone, that make beautiful cave formations, that carve out whole cavern rooms. I may be one person, but in His secret place, when He gives me the power to be persistent, I can leave a mark of His presence.

Meanwhile, Colorado is absolutely amazing. We constantly feel so blessed and thankful to be in every place that we are. I still can't fathom that God has allowed me to take this trip and has provided every step of the way. We are having a wonderful adventure with our Father. Gabrielle and I joke that it's like our honeymoon with God. He just blesses us all the time.

Lots of love,
Sarah