November 2 - 3, 2013 - Green Acres is the place to be!

Heading out...

The route to Mesa...driving through these mountains with the rocks towering on both sides was just amazing!

Then I see the tunnel!
Clearance: 13 feet, 3 inches!
                                                           I'm safe!

And then this bridge followed!     Okay, just a wee bit of stress today!

Arrived in Mesa at Green Acres RV Park - met the owner, Harold.  He helped me maneuver into a spot - he's been here for 38 years and has the guiding thing down to a science!  Invited us for coffee and donuts in the morning.

Met a nice family next door, wished us well on the last part of our trek!  

Greg was able to ride right to the park tonight.  (always a bonus for me!)

We were able to get together with a friend who used to live on Long Island.  In fact we used to go to the same church, and she was part of our Ladies Bible Study, which continues to this day, many years later!

We met at her church in the morning...SO great to see her!  

She is really happy to be living in Arizona. 
Didn't get to see her husband as he wasn't feeling well.  Hope he gets better soon.

Met her friends at the church, and the pastor - all so nice!

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First they did a lot of music.  Large music team - a lady with quite a range, leading and playing keyboard, 5 children singing, two men playing guitar and singing, and a boy playing drums behind one of those barrier booths.  The lady was so nice - after the service I asked her what the names of the songs were, and she gave me copies of all of them - words and chords! 

The pastor began his sermon with 2 Corinthians 1:18-22.  He asked if we struggle with consistency in our Christian walk and asked "Are you in a slump?"  (how did he know?!!)

He said there are two reasons people don't come to church - no one asked them, or, they know someone who attends church and they don't want to be like them!  Wow.

But as Paul said though, he wasn't perfect, it's the message that is perfect and unchanging.  God is faithful and keeps His promises.  Never keep your eyes on man - people fail, but Jesus never fails.

He likened God to a father, in this story of a young man who was graduating college and had asked his father for a car.  The day arrives and the father hands him a gift.  It was a Bible. The son was furious, threw it down and left, never to speak to his father again. After the father passed away, the son returned home and came across the Bible his father had given him.  He opened it up...and inside was a cashier's check for the entire amount the car would have cost.   

2 Timothy 2:13 - If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 

He qualifies us by His power, to represent Him.  We are His possession and He is not ashamed of us.  We can stand strong.  We are to serve and to represent Him.   The most effective witness is in relationships.  If you just talk AT people, they will cross their arms and not listen or budge!   It's in relationships that people see your true faith...

We will struggle until we get to heaven...(but don't miss heaven).

1 John 1:9 - There is no limit to confessing to Him.  And with Jesus as our defense attorney, we have that assurance.  (you can guess who the prosecutor is!)

God wants us to be consistent, so walk in faithfulness, more than you did yesterday...walk in righteousness, more than you did yesterday.  He believes in us, even when we mess up and blow it.  He is cheering us on, to finish the race!

There was a man running in a marathon.  He felt lousy and was ready to call it quits.  But then he heard a someone, a stranger, shouting to him, "Keep going John!  You can make it!"   And he did!   

Bottom line, keep on keeping on!  

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We hugged and hugged and finally said goodbye to our dear friend, and headed back to Green Acres (Harold said we could check out late since we were going to church and visiting and all!)

We then headed north, going through Phoenix - which reminded me so much of California.  

Bessy (for lack of a new name) is the tiny reflection on the left!

I just love how these states celebrate who they are by adorning the roadways!

Heading back to the rural parts of Arizona!

The little poofy things look like bouquets!

Finally arrived at our stop for the night...very VERY rural...the owner said there are snakes, scorpions, gold....wait, what!?  Needless to say, gold or no gold, we were outa there in the morning!  Yikes!