Surrounded by God's Beauty

And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." and it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:9-10

Working our way from Mississippi to Washington...one beautiful state after another. No matter how many times I ride through the Western states I am always amazed at the beauty of each one. The last time we were out that way everything was covered with snow. This time it was all green with bursts of yellows, purples and oranges from all the wild flowers. The streams, rivers and lakes were crystal clear....like looking through a piece of glass. I loved looking out my window watching the rushing streams as we were riding down the highway. It was like riding through a painting. We even got to travel in the light of a full moon and didn't have to try to peek through towering trees to see it.



Full moon peeking through clouds in Wyoming



Northern Idaho



Northern Idaho is a lot different from southern Idaho



Northern Idaho full of mountains. Southern Idaho is  a lot
flatter with farm land..potato country

 I am always hoping to see wild horses and cowboys. No wild horses this trip but I did get to see me some Montana cowboys. They probably thought I was crazy because I was hanging all out the window with my camera taking pictures. They just waved and smiled with a smile that said "You've never seen a man on a horse!" Why, yes I have but not one in a cowboy hat and tight jeans riding across the hills of Montana.



Montana Cowboys



Montana



Montana



Montana



Montana

The weather was perfect. Cool nights and mornings but as soon as the sun starting peeking through, the temperatures started rising. We got so tickled because Washington had weather advisories a few days before we got there. The temperatures would be soaring into the 80's....what?? We are used to temperatures soaring into the high 90's low 100's....now that calls for a weather alert. Even though the afternoons were warm, the water was still very cold..just think about it a few months ago there was snow and ice everywhere. But that didn't bother those people, they are some water loving folks. Every creek, stream, river and lake had people in it. We saw more people enjoying the water than we do when we go to Florida. Boats, jet skis, canoes, rafts, kayaks...if it went in the water they had it. I can't image swimming in freezing cold water but if you live up here and you love the water...you do what you have to do. I do love the water but swimming and skiing in freezing temperatures just isn't on my bucket list of things to do. We also saw a lot of bike riders....not motorcycle bikers....bicycle bikers...in the mountains.....up and down, up and up and up the mountains. I am sorry but riding a bike in the mountains is also NOT on my bucket list. Every campground was packed with campers, motor homes and tents. Oh my goodness, and if the campground was near water you can bet it was packed. Some of them looked like little towns with tents stacked on top of one another...it was crazy. I wouldn't mind camping in a camper with a toilet and running water but getting up in the middle of the night traipsing through the woods to a bathroom is not my idea of fun. So, I guess you know what else is not on my bucket list. By now you're probably wondering what is?



Couer d' Alene lake...Idaho



Rimrock lake, Washington



Wanetchee National Forest, Washington



Another lake in the Wanetchee National Forest

One of the things that amazes me the most is how the landscaping changes within each state. We saw more changes in Washington than any other state on this trip. The northeastern part was farm land nothing but fields as far as the eye could see. The northern middle part of the state was mountains then over to the northwest...the coast. Our final stop was the very top...coast and mountains....absolutely beautiful. As the landscaping changed, so did the temperatures. We went from hot to warm to chilly and from sunny to overcast to rainy. The one thing that never changed was the beauty of it all.


Washington farm land- outside Spokane, Washington



As far as the eye could see



Rolling hills and farm land..beautiful



LC is not a fan of the mountains



White Pass, Washington

Washington coast



Cathlamett, WA...riding the coast

It is always nice when we can find view points to pull into so we can take in all the magnificent wonders of God's work. Of course, those view points usually lead to some hiking. Carl quickly told me on one occasion before I had time to say a word "Now we are not hiking on this stop." Right...only because it was a steep cliff and there was no hiking trail...other wise you know what we would have been doing!


Columbia River, Washington
No hiking here...only because of the steep steep cliff



Carl is learning a little history



A river in Wanetchee National Forest, Washington that ran along side
of the road. Another beautiful stopping/viewing point.

Carl would not put his feet in



Just had to put my feet in and yes it was very cold!

Sometimes our loads can get us in a pickle and this was one of those loads. We had to travel some narrow winding roads along the coast to get to our destination. It was beautiful but I am afraid I am the only one that really got to enjoy it. Carl was having to focus on all his surroundings.. me on the other hand...I was hopping from one side of the truck to the other trying to take pictures. Carl tried to imitate me at one point and was like "Which way do I go...which way do I go?" There were views on both sides and I could not decide which side was prettier.



On our way to Cathlamett, WA to make our 2nd drop
Helena, MT was our 1st drop



Road to Sequim, WA for our final drop



Where we made our 2nd drop..Cathlamett, WA



Carl contemplating the game plan

God's amazing beauty is everywhere and in everything. We just happened to be in enjoying the beauty of the west. I hope no matter where you are that you can enjoy the beauty around you. The beauty of the stars shining bright at night or the sounds of the owls as they hoot in the dark. Sit outside and watch the sky change colors as the sun is setting. Watch and listen to the birds as they call one another during the day. Listen to the rain as it is falling on the roof. Just sit and take in all the beauty around you. Listen for the still small voice of Jesus speaking to you.
 "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a

Til we meet again!

Only by Grace!

       Lynne

Patience my dear! Patience!

 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Patience is one thing that Carl and I have to have in this business. Patience when waiting to find a load...patience to get unloaded...patience to load...patience in a traffic jam...patience, patience, patience. One of Carl's favorite sayings is "Hurry up and wait!" Which means I do a lot of praying for patience. I DO NOT like to just sit around and wait. Carl, on the other hand, is very good at it. I know God does things in His own time and His time is always perfect I just wish He would sometimes work a little faster. :) I can hear Him saying, "Patience my dear Lynne, patience!" I must say though that I am actually starting to enjoy our wait time because it gives me time to catch up on some of my devotions and Bible studying that I may have missed during the week. When I was at home something always managed to get in the way of my quiet time....not a whole lot to get in the way in the truck....love it!

We unloaded Monday afternoon in New York. Carl tried all day to get in touch with the customer and finally about 5:00 he reached him. It had been a sunny beautiful day all day until we went to unload. I just started praying.."LORD please stop the rain long enough for us to get this thing off and then you can let it flood."  He answers even the smallest little prayers. It was so funny because as we were pulling back into the truck stop it started raining. I said, "I was going to walk but it doesn't look like it now. I prayed for the rain to hold off for us to unload" and before I could finish Carl said, "I did too but I didn't pray so you could walk." "I didn't either."

We didn't get to reload until Friday....patience, patience, patience!

Enjoying one of God's little creatures while waiting in
New York

Chillaxing while LC was being serviced

While in New York waiting for Friday to arrive, another load became available which would have paid us a lot more than the Louisiana load but we would have had to wait until Monday to load it. We really needed the extra money. We had to do a lot of unexpected work on LC which used up a lot of our funds. Just two new tires cost more than four tires for my car. LC is very expensive! Carl and I talked about and since we had already committed to the Louisiana load we decided not to take the higher paying one. We hated to back out at the last minute and leave the agent with a load that was not covered. Carl said, "It will be fine everything will work out." Friday morning as we were getting loaded Carl got a phone call...God is so good!! A much higher paying load was available for us pick up Tuesday in Mississippi after we unloaded Monday in Louisiana. Oh. my goodness God just met all our needs and some of our wants...again. I am always in awe at His amazing handy work and His perfect timing. He is so faithful!!

"And God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

In my last 2 posts I wrote about the troubles we have had with our refrigerator.....still no refrigerator. We finally figured out that we are going to have to buy a new one and let me tell you...these things are not cheap. We could buy a new frig for the house cheaper than one for LC. Money, money, money! Christ wants us to be happy and wants us to have "things" as long as those "things" to do not get in the way of our relationship with Him and are not displeasing to Him. And He knows I NEED that refrigerator. When we seek God's kingdom and His righteousness first then we are allowing God to do the work that He loves....meeting our needs. Our things are His business! We try to do things our way and on our time table but if we just release everything...turn it over to Him...He will take care of us! He always has and always will. He is the same...yesterday, today and tomorrow!!

I have worried Carl and God to death about a refrigerator. I am constantly saying to Carl, "OK, I am still on this frig thing. What if we.....or how are we....?" I think God just got tired of hearing me talk about it and finally said "OK Lynne I am providing the funds for a new frig so can we move on to something else." I am so glad God and Carl have a sense of humor or else I don't think they would be able to deal with me sometimes!

We have hauled a lot of military equipment but this piece was a real traffic stopper. Cars would pass us and we could just hear the people inside saying "Wait, what was that? Slow down so we can get another look. No, don't speed up yet I want to take a picture!" We were constantly in the middle of clusters....clusters and big trucks do not mix. Cars would just ride along beside us for what seemed like f-o-r-e-v-e-r! Every time we would have a car riding beside for a while Carl would say "Well, they're taking a picture." When we stopped at a rest area people were lined up down the side of the trailer taking pictures before we could even get out of the truck. It was quite comical at one point.

Our traffic stopper

Carl said it looks like it has eyes.

The mountains in New York and Pennsylvania are just gorgeous!  Lots and lots of thick green trees. So different from the west....wide open spaces and very few trees.
The beauty of God's amazing country is breathtaking.

Near West Point

Mountains near West Point

Hazleton, PA

From the east coast to the west coast by way of.....Texas. I am beginning to wonder if LC and Texas have a thing :) We are on our way to Sequim, Washington.  Thanks to God for taking care of our needs we're gonna get to do some sight seeing on this trip...so excited!!

Loaded up and headed to Washington. This load almost caused me to have a heat stroke. I love summertime but working in 100+ degree weather wearing bluejeans and boots..thanks to the plants safety rules... is not what I call fun! I haven't had jeans and boots on since March. I thought I was going to die...before I even got out of the truck. My poor feet thought I was punishing them for something....they were begging for their flip flops. Carl said this thing was almost as bad as tarping. We had so many pieces that had to be chained, tied and strapped down. We have gotten spoiled with the military loads...4 chains and we're good to go. But oh no, not this bad boy. By the time we got finished we were exhausted!! I think from now on when praying about loads I will be a little more specific.

Washington here we come! Got to get my camera ready!

'Til we meet again!

Only by Grace!

      Lynne

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you."

Matthew 6:33

The Things We See

Oh, the places we go, the things we see and the people we meet!

Texas, Texas and Texas..we finally found a way out and off to New York we went. The weather was much cooler but the rain insisted on following us up. Driving through northern Pennsylvania was beautiful...lots of mountains with thick lush trees. Who knows where we'll be off to next...probably back to Texas. It just keeps calling our name. 

We never know what we will see as we're traveling about and this trip has certainly been no different. Last week as I was getting my 10 mile walk on...before I go any farther let me clarify for my parents. Before I walk Carl goes with me to scope out and time how long each lap will take. My lap also has to be where he can keep an eye on me. If he doesn't like the way things look...well... he has this special little look that says, "No walking tonight." Now that I have clarified that...back to the things we see. Most of the time when we see drivers walking their pets and it's usually a dog. This time it was a cute little calf...yes...a calf. A young couple with their 2 little girls got out of their truck and the next thing we saw was a calf on a rope. Not exactly what you expect to see walking around a truck stop parking lot. I think I walked more that night than any other night...you know....that thing called being nosy.

I know it must get lonely for the drivers that are by themselves but one man figured out how to solve that problem. He had his own little talking buddy...a parrot. Carl and I got to one of the job sites, turned at looked at the truck beside us and at the same time said "Look at that bird sitting up on the dash!" Certainly not your everyday riding partner. All I could think about was the mess that must be in his truck.

Then there's the little black dog riding on the back of a black Harley. We were cruising down the interstate and Carl says look at that dog. He had his very own little chrome box fixed on the back of the motorcycle. The cutest thing was his little black helmet that matched his owner's helmet. Carl said he wondered how many times he jumped out before he realized he better sit still and hold on. He looked like he was enjoying the ride as much as his owner. I tried to get a picture but we were going up a mountain and LC just couldn't keep up.

We are always meeting some interesting people but this week I think we met one of the Seven Dwarfs. At one of the job sites we were introduced to Grumpy. He was another driver and proud owner of the parrot. He was having trouble with his trailer and Carl offered to help him but he informed Carl right quick like that he didn't need any help. "I built this truck from the ground up. I put every nut and bolt in this truck. I know what I am doing." He was working on that trailer when we got there and was still working on it when we left. I'm glad Grumpy knew what he was doing or it might have taken him a while to fix it. 

Look real close through the window
and you can see Grumpy's parrot.

As I was thinking about Grumpy, I thought about how our attitude says a lot about who we are and our relationship with Jesus Christ. If we surround ourselves with happy people then we are more likely to have a happy attitude. But if we surround ourselves with grumpy, complaining people then that is the attitude we will develop. Carl and I have both been in separate situations where we were around people (for a long period of time) with negative attitudes. I remember Carl telling me one morning...after I had been griping, fussing, complaining about everything, stomping my feet, and slamming things on the counter...that I had a bad attitude. Thanks to a friend I realized that I had to remove myself from that environment...and I did! My environment was quickly defining my attitude and my character and that was not who I was at all. An attitude is like wildfire, it spreads quickly and affects many. I want my wildfire to spread because of a happy, joyous, enthusiastic love for God kind of attitude. As Christians we need to make sure our attitude reflects Christ Jesus. What kind of wildfire will you spread today? Daniel Goleman said "Smiles are the most contagious emotional signal of all, having an irresistible power to make others smile in return." 

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Praise the LORD that Carl doesn't live with Grumpy anymore but bless his heart... he does live with Dopey. I have said before that I am always saying or doing something that makes him just smile and shake his head. Well, this week was no different. I had to file workman's comp....again and tried to file for disability but my "boss" wouldn't hear of it. Our trailer floor is open on one end and solid on the other. Yes, you probably already know what is coming next! Carl was driving a piece of equipment onto the trailer and I was directing him....just love when I can legitimately do that. Anyway, before Carl could say anything I stepped right off the floor....bruised and cut my leg all up. No, not really, I did bruise and cut it but just a little bit. After Carl made sure I was ok, he was like "Now I am going to have to listen to you complain for the rest of the week!" I tried to milk it but quickly discovered that wasn't going to work. He said, "You need to always pay attention to your surroundings and what you are doing." Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!!! Just for the record...I did finish chaining that sucker down before I tried milking my injury.

UPDATE on LC: Carl got the light bar fixed, had the front-end aligned and 2 new steer tires put on so no make shaking and rattling and squeaking...thank goodness! Our satellite tore up but Carl got it fixed...talking about withdrawals. That was at the top of the list of things to fix. He got the CB antenna fixed but guess what is STILL NOT fixed...the frig. You would know that our frig is "special" and not just anybody can fix it or can tell us what is wrong with it. Think about what it would be like going without a frig at home for 2 weeks...I know..that is exactly how I feel. It might not be so bad if we were eating good food but truck stop food...really!!!

My workman's comp culprit!

Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.   Philippians 2:4-5

'Til we meet again!

Only by Grace,
      Lynne

Can We Just Go Back To Bed

Thank you Timothy and Haley for the
beautiful fireworks!

Do you ever have those days when you just want to go back to bed and start all over again? Well that is how we have felt the past week, except we wanted to go back home and start over. Every time we turn around something is tearing up. First of all our refrigerator quit working and it was full of some good 'ole home cooked food. We had to throw everything out. It was an act of congress to find someone to talk to...in the USA.... that had the part we needed. By the time I found someone I was about ready to bite his head off...poor fella! Poor Carl thought his head was gonna be a goner also.  I will be so glad to have the frig back..all this fast food is killing me. After the frig messed up, some of the lights on the truck decided to quit working. Carl would fix one and then another would quit..fix that one and then the one he had previously fixed would quit again. It was a back and forth "nightmare". We even had a whole light panel to break and fall off. Carl finally got the lights working...thank goodness. Then one day when he shut his door we heard something clinging and clanging...we just looked at each other "Oh My Gosh, what was that!" He opened his door and found his CB antenna laying on the ground. Do you remember the sheriff's car in the movie Smokey and the Bandit...I am beginning to think that is what LC is going to look like before long. We are going to be just wheels rolling down the highway dropping and dragging pieces behind us.

On top of everything falling apart on us, we have had to deal with C-R-A-Z-Y drivers, normally that is nothing new...but wow....summertime has brought them alllll out. Then add a little rain....well they just forget how to drive altogether. Last week when we went through Tennessee on our way to Pennsylvania we encountered a lot of "non-driving" folks. We went through 2 hail storms, were in and out of rain storms all day and had to sit for almost two hours on the interstate due to a wreck. We were only about 20 miles from our home for the night when we got stopped on the interstate. By the time we started moving it was dark and raining and my nerves were shot  and I wasn't the one driving. We had to cross over a river on a very high bridge and at that very moment a sense of fear took over my body. I could not breath, talk or function normally...I seriously could have used a "chill pill". I talked to my mama later and was telling her about all the bad weather and she said " We were praying for ya'll."  "I was praying for us too!"

So many people go through their lives living in fear....fear of losing their job, losing a love one, worrying about finances, worrying about their future. Fear smothers and traps you to the point that you can't focus on anything of value. Your soul begins to hyperventilate. If you have ever hyperventilated then you know it is a very scary feeling. I can not imagine going through life feeling that way all the time. 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline." Every circumstance comes to us for a purpose, bound by God's love. There will always be times of uncertainty or a sense of fear but God is always standing right there waiting for us to say "LORD, save me!" Trust is the antidote to anxiety; it's the resolution of worry and the destruction of fear. Turn your fears over to the LORD. Trust Him, He sees what we can not see. My fear was very real that night but was quickly removed thanks to my loving Savior.

We ended up riding on the 4th but thanks to my thoughtful, loving, magnificent son and his "just as wonderful" girlfriend we did get to see some fireworks. They videoed the ones in town and sent it to us. I think they were the most fabulous fireworks I have ever seen. After we unloaded Thursday in Pennsylvania we made a bee-line to North Carolina to load on Monday. I was so excited Sunday because I GOT TO GO SHOPPING...not at Wal-Mart....a REAL mall. It had 80 stores! Oh yes, I was in heaven!!! When I was teaching, I went shopping almost every weekend...so yes...I have been having some major withdrawal symptoms! Carl asked me later if I had fun...crazy question...what do you think?! I think he even had a little fun.

While traveling through Texas...again, we got to enjoy one of God's creatures. We stopped at a rest area and 2 of the cutest little raccoons were there.  They evidently have made this their home because they were not afraid of people. They kept watching to see who was going to feed them next. I know we see raccoons all the time but usually in the road and not in the best condition. I took so many pictures that you would have thought this was my first raccoon sighting. Carl just stood there patiently waiting for me to finish enjoying my moment.




















On our way to San Antonia Wednesday night, we saw a beautiful sunset. Another one of God's amazing creations. Thanks Jen for reminding me to enjoy nature and to see what I could find. We unloaded Thursday in San Antonio and will reload Monday in Beaumont, TX going to back to Texarkana,TX and then who knows where our next adventure will take us.

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.    Isaiah 41:13

'Til we meet again!

Only by Grace,
         Lynne

Loving Others

Give thanks to the LORD for he is good! His faithful love endures forever! Psalm 118:29

I sure hope everyone is staying cool or at least trying because it is hot, hot, hot!!! I love summertime and can't wait for it to arrive each year but I am usually spending it IN the pool. Don't get me wrong I love traveling the roads with My Love but I am really having to adjust to working outside in the heat. I might actually be looking forward to some cooler weather...now when I say cooler I mean 85-90 degrees.

We have been doing some trucking this past week. We unloaded Tuesday in Fort Polk, LA then loaded Wednesday in Beaumont, TX and went back to Fort Bliss in El Paso to unload Friday. We then had to boogie boogie boogie to Fort Huachuca, AZ to load Friday evening.  We are now on our way to Pennsylvania. WooHoo...finally getting out of Texas! Let me just say that we are one tired little couple. We are used to loading and riding for several days to a week before unloading but oh not this week. All this chaining and unchaining has helped this Chic-a-dee get her some "guns"!

This is our second week of hauling military equipment. I support our military men and women 100% and really appreciate the sacrifices they have made and continue to make everyday.  But I really thought the teacher was gonna come out of me when we loaded in Fort Bliss last Friday. I  think that was the first time those fellas had ever loaded trucks. They were sooo lost and confused. I wanted to just say, "OK, guys listen up this is what we are going to do. You go get this truck and generator and BACK it on this trailer...and you sir...go get this piece of equipment and load it on that trailer!" I am very good at directing and giving orders...just ask Carl. There were about 27 trucks trying to get loaded and it was an ALLLL day process. Our load appointment was 11:00 and we finally got loaded at 5:30. Carl would get so irritated but then one of the guys would come up to him and apologize and thank him for being so patient...it was hard to stay mad.

Even as busy as we have been, we are very thankful for the work. Saturday when we stopped at the rest area this older man was sitting there holding a sign that said "please help". We see people all the time begging for money and we do try to help with food but we hardly ever give just money. But there was something about this man...Carl started up a conversation with him and the man never said anything about needing money or about his problems (not until Carl asked what kind of help he needed)...usually that is the first thing they say. He was from California and was on his way to Houston, TX to visit his brother. He drove a nice little red sports car and needed  money for gas. He told Carl it was costing a lot more than what he thought. So yes, my loving husband gave him a little bit of money for gas. But...once we got in the truck something hit me...I just felt like we needed to do more. Carl and I talked about it and decided to offer to fill up his car. He was so happy and appreciative when Carl told him....no we didn't give him money..he followed us to the station and we actually pumped the gas for him. I know...you are probably thinking it was just a scam or his way of living but believe me everything you are thinking I thought and questioned. We get so frustrated with all the people that just swarm our truck asking for hand-outs but then there are those that truly need help and we believe he was one of those people. Please don't think I am writing this as a pat-on-the-back because that is certainly not it at all. My devotion the other day was about having genuine, pure, fervent love for others and let me tell you... that is one thing that I  struggle with when it comes to people standing on the corner and holding up signs. The "something" that hit me in the truck was the LORD saying "Lynne, do you remember the devotion on love....well...show some love girl!"

The LORD gave His one and only son Jesus Christ for us..now that is love like no other. None of us deserve God's love. His love for us is genuine, pure and unconditional and no matter what we do or don't do He will continue to love us just the same. To have a heart like Jesus I must learn to love unconditionally. Joyce Meyer says she believes walking in love is the true test of spiritual maturity not great faith. Galations 5:6 says the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. This really got to me...I must have a life of pure, genuine love in order for my faith to grow and strengthen. I have always thought my faith was strong but when it is put like this...Let's just say that unconditional love is something I need to work on.....what about you?

'Til we meet again!

Only by Grace,
Lynne



"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
1 John 4:7-8

The things we do for Love

Our stress reliever...very peaceful!

Our my goodness what a week it has been! We have been going going going!! We have been to Fort Hood in Killeen, TX up to Texarkana, TX back down to Fort Bliss in El Paso then up to New Mexico and back to Fort Bliss. We are now on our way to Fort Polk in Louisiana. I am not use to all this work...I need another vacation. Think I will go on strike!!

All our loads this week were military except for a small tractor that we put on with one of the military loads and boy did that small tractor cause a lot of stress for Carl. Once we unloaded in El Paso we boogied up to New Mexico to deliver the tractor. We were cruising along..no problems...and then the stress began. Our Tom-Tom (GPS) waited until we were headed up the mountain on a little pigtail road to tell us that the road was restricted to big trucks....oh just great! We had no choice but to start praying and to keep on going.  "But honey they didn't have any road signs restricting trucks." "We just passed a police officer. He would have turned around if we were not supposed to be on this road." "You know Tom-Tom does try to lead us a stray at times." I was trying REALLY hard to calm him down but nothing seemed to work. I finally just gave him a little kiss and said "Just chill it will be alright!!" Our little saying when one of us starts stressing or freaking out.. but it is usually him telling me to...just chill.

I was thinking earlier how Tom-Tom can be a lot like Satan...tries to lead us a stray when we least expect it. Things will be going along just fine and in he creeps. He is very clever and sneaky with his tactics. He tries to get in our head and feed us false lies...telling us "go ahead everything will be fine" or will make us question a decision when we know it's what the LORD wants us do. We need to always be aware and alert...know His Word...so that when Satan creeps up we will know it is him. I keep threatening to throw Tom-Tom out the window...at least we can turn him off. I wish I could throw Satan out the window!!! I do know that all I have to do is call on Jesus and He will shut Satan up real fast. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:13-17

Now back to delivering the tractor...we finally made it to the top of the mountain. Oh my goodness, the minute I wrote that I thought about the valleys (the dark moments) we go through and what a
wonderful feeling it is when we come out of it and reach the top of the mountain. Thank you LORD for the valleys so that I can see your glorious hand at work when I reach the top of that mountain!!!

NOW...back to the tractor. All the way up the mountain Carl kept saying, "The man said he had a wide spot for us to turn in his driveway...Have you seen any wide driveways or wide areas?!" We didn't see any...until we got to his place and sure enough the road opening to his house was wide enough for us to turn into. We were in middle of the Lincoln National Forest and it was absolutely beautiful.  I immediately got tickled and started laughing because the road quickly became small narrow and it was a dirt road. Carl was trying really hard to figure out what I was laughing about..he was still a little stressed. "Well here's our adventure for the week! Oh, the joys of trucking....never know what you will get into!" I said. The owner of the tractor made a dirt ramp out of his neighbor's driveway so we would be able to unload it. It was quite a hoot. I looked up and people were coming from everywhere..they were soooo excited to see this man finally get his little tractor. The man's wife kept saying,"It's so little and so cute." In no time we had the tractor unloaded and we were on our way....back down the mountain...stress free I might add. Well, almost stress free. We had to go 16 miles at a 6% downgrade. Now that may not sound like a big deal but in a big truck..it is a BIG DEAL!!! About half way down the mountain there was a large view spot with a enough room for us to pull over...so I got out...start taking my pictures and then I heard them. Their voices were echoing up the canyon walls. So I went on the search and there they were...."Carl! How did those people get down there? Look their playing in the water!" "Then came the look....from him..he knew what was coming next. "Can we go down...please! How cool would that be!!" I know, I sound like a child begging to get her way but hey, it worked. Carl starting looking and found the path down..well, not really a path but it was a way down. "OK, Lynne you know what happened last time we went on a mountain hike." "I know but it will be so cool." So off we went..."The things we do for love!" "You got that right!" he said. A lot of slipping and sliding took place to get down...on my part anyway. I am beginning to think Carl is a natural born hiker...he just doesn't want me to know it.

The bottom of the canyon was absolutely beautiful. It had a peaceful little stream flowing with little waterfalls everywhere. I just had to take my shoes off and go wading....Carl on the other hand went rock hopping. The stream flowed into a beautiful little swimming hole about 1/2 mile into our journey....no I didn't go swimming. After we rested a little, we journeyed back to our starting point and began preparing ourselves for the long hard climb up the mountain. As I was sitting on a rock letting my feet dry what does my loving husband do...drops me sock and shoe in the water. Oh well, so much for having dry feet when I put my shoes on. But then what do I do...trip and almost fall into a lady standing behind me. You have noooo idea how hard I worked to catch myself. When I turned around to look at Carl, he was laughing so hard with a look that said "Girl you almost did it!" He told me later he could just us both tumbling over. He had been waiting all afternoon for me to slip and fall.....wish granted not just once but several times before the end of our trip. Thank goodness we saw another couple that told us about a larger waterfall and a much easier way to get up the mountain. So off we go rock hopping to the other end of the stream....well Carl did the rock hopping...me...I slipped and fell in the water...again...shoes on and all. We did finally make it to the end and there it was....a large beautiful waterfall with another swimming hole. I wish we could have stayed a little longer and really savored the moment but that is one popular little spot. I guess it is the only place the locals have to go swimming. The journey back up the mountain was much easier and smoother thanks to the sweet couple. But I am telling you...we were two very tired people when we finished our 3 hour journey/hike. What started out as a stressful day ended up being a very enjoyable fun-filled day. I think MY new theme song will be "The Things YOU Do For Love"

'Til we meet again!"
God Bless!

Lynne

This is the way it looked for about 200 miles

One minute we were looking at desert and the next
this....Lincoln National Forest



Cloudcroft, NM....top of the Sacramento Mountains
 in the Lincoln National Forest
elevation..8800ft.

The narrow dirt road that lead to the man's house.
As soon as we turned on the road, deer started running
across. Look close and you can see one in front of the
truck.

The "cute" little tractor that was a big headache.

The ramp they made so we could unload that cute
little tractor.

Free at last...free at last!!!

Sure won't see signs like these at home...thank goodness!

The mountains when we pulled over so I could
take pictures

Had to go through the tunnel on the way up and
of course back down. It was right at the viewing spot.

The so-called path on the way down the mountain.

Taking a breather...He was really good at making his way down.

Making our way down, down, down.

What I looked like most of the time...those rocks and sand
were really slippery!

Does this look like a path to you....me either...but it got us
to the water.

I may never get to put my toes in the sand but I meant I was
going to put them in the water...even if it was rocky
and ice cold.

Beautiful

Carl rock hopping. He was
really good at this...didn't slip once

The first little swimming hole we saw.

He did finally put his hands in

The waterfall and swimming pool at the
other end of the stream.

Carl's thinking..."man we still have a
long way to go."

                                                                          

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13