Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Texas Summer Sunsets


There are some things I really never get tired of....

one of those is summertime Texas sunsets!



Here are two pictures..the one above is the one I took last night
of the trees between my cabin and the airstrip.

The one below is one Miss EJ took of
Baylor University's
Eastland Lakes Retreat Center.



It may have passes 100 degrees for the past two weeks straight,
but these are the scenes that remind me that it is worth it.

Really now, how can anyone deny there is a GOD?
He is indescribable, uncontainable..he made the
stars in the sky and He calls them by name.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Big Cedar


You know, it's funny that you think when you graduate from college that that will be the end of family vacations; however, I have found that to be untrue.
My family takes a family vacation each summer.



It is quite a feat to get all of us off at the same time and then to try to be in agreement as to where we should spend time together. We have been to Red River, NM (a family tradition). We have also been to Maui, Lake Quachita, Newport Beach, Galveston, and this year we went to Branson, MO. Now I know this is a hotspot for the Keenagers, but McKenna was at Kanakuk and it only seemed logical to meet up there and experience American culture.
We started with the amazing Sunday brunch at Big Cedar Lodge.



One of the things attractive about Big Cedar is that it has alot of recreational activities. You can swim, play sand volleyball, or rent a boat (fishing, ski, pontoon, canoe, paddleboat). It is rustic and relaxing, yet nice and quiet. John and Kelly are the die hard water people.



Now in addition to outlet mall shopping, we went down in the evening to the new Branson Landing on Lake Taneycomo. It is anchored on one end with a Bass Pro Shop and on the other with the Hilton and a Marriott. It is right on the water and is a neat waterfront to stroll on....there's also ice cream!


A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL

Friday, July 11, 2008

Shackin' Up



Ok, one week ago, my mom told me about a book that she was finishing called, THE SHACK, by William P. Young. Now it is one week later, I have finished the book and no less than 10 of my friends tried to share their journey while reading this book. It is an incredible story of a man who experiences some horrific tragedies in his life. In the most recent one, concerning his daughter, he finds God in a most unique way. Through his encounters with God as Father ("Papa"), God as Son (Jesus) and God as Holy Spirit ("Sarayu"), Mack has his preconceived notions of God redesigned to a more intimate relationship rather than a distant religion full of responsibility and expectations. This is a story of healing and our love relationship with God, regardless of the starting point.

I highly recommend this book and will leave you with several quotes that will speak for themselves:

All love and relationship is possible for you ONLY because it already exists
within me...I AM Love.
p. 101

Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved.
p. 126

Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering
you will find grace in many facets and colors.
p. 185

Faith does not grow in the house of certainty.
p. 189