I walk the path less traveled, the wind in my hair and the sand warm
beneath my feet. Sage brush covers the land and Navajo Tea grows all
over. The majestic rocks come out from the sands, and the mesas glow in the setting suns.
Out
here at the trailer in Kayenta we stay at, and most of the other homes,
Coal/Wood Stoves are the norm. I grew up with Daddy using the wood
burner in the basement, but he never taught me out to run it. Rob grew
up having used a coal stove as a teen. It has been hard but fun
relearning the old art of keeping a stove running through the night, but
we are getting there.
I
always as a child told my parents that most likely I would be living
where I needed to have a wood/coal stove. I use to pretend to gather
wood. I never guessed how hard it would really be. To make sure the
wood pile stays dry, and how painful it can be to carry a big pile
inside in my arms. The worst was when I got a blast of coal smoke in
the face when we had to adjust the coals, and learned some were still
hot. Good fire place tools would be such a blessing to both Robby and me
right now.
Flagstaff was an awesome city, a mix of Hippyishness with Old Westerness meeting in a modern college town, and though it is beautiful, and traditionally part of Dine Bikeyah, it still is not "Home". After a year dwelling here we hope to return to Broken Arrow Bible Ranch for a summer, and hope to settle in sight of the southeastern sacrade mountain of Dine Bikeyah.
'Tis a gray misty morn, and I am on the Road again! I am heading out this morning from Chicago to St. Louis, to Colubmia, MO, and then to Kansas City. From Kansas City, it will be on to Wichita via a ride with my Dad. I got a front top row seat on the Megabus so I have windows on three sides. All I have with me this journey is my carry on and purse (the green army bag).
'Tis so hard to leave Robby behind, even just for a week. The strange whispers of the wind are like the sound of my heart crying as the wheels of the Megabus carry me farther and farther from my love. Yet the green of the grass and the trees, both so long unseen, bring comfort to my heart. Journey onward!
Snow hath come this Christmastide as of yesterday. At last, we have good white snow. The city looks so white and pure, thought that most likely will not last long. Even my bike, "Meg", loves this... though I dont dare taker her out on the streets in this weather. It looks as if tis finnally time to rest her for the winter. Until we meet again in the spring, dear "Meg". I am sure the bike shop will care for you well.
As everyone left for Thanksgiving, and is now preparing to leave for Christmas, Robby and I are being able to pick up a bunch of extra paid work. And that is a good thing, as in January we are journeying to Dine Bikeyah for about a week, to do some ministry prep work. I know the holiday season is normally spent in festive celibration, but the call to Dine Bikeyah is even stronger than the call of Christmastide celibrations. Besides other than Aaron, Skot and Rachel, and a few other families, we are not close to many here. Our Christmas was spent with Rob's family over Thanksgiving.
I love how they have made the L and other lines all festive. In this busy busling city, it is nice to have some good will and spirit of cheer. I just pray that everyone, whether traveling home, journeying through the city, or snug as a bug with their computer and a cup of fireside chai tea, never forgets the Babe born on Christmas morn. We ought not celebrate Him one morn, but all 365 days of the year. Let us not blought out the lesson we have learned on the journeys way, and share His love all the more with those about us.
