The desert......a place that if given enough time and seasons can become one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places to call home. It truly is our home and we love it. Our beautiful state is the most spectacular after a rain storm. I kid you not. The plants burst forth with life, the colors are rich, and the landscape is silhouetted against a grey and low contrast sky. Its beautiful and so worth being out in.
We made a big decision this year and decided to change our church home. There were many reasons but at the top of the list was the desire for our kids to have more friends and a deeper connection to their "community." We began attending the church in our neighborhood, and it has been the most amazing experience. Not only do our kids have incredible events to be a part of, but many of their friends from school also attend. Lucas and his family are one of those friends and he and Lily have become fast buddies. A few weekends ago, we all went hiking together and it was such a beautiful time to get to know Russ, Jennifer and the whole Golding family. We are grateful for them.
They invited us to hike the 3 mile Hieroglyph Trail down in Gold Canyon. It was perfect and such a beautiful day. Because of the massive amounts of rain that we had the day before the desert was alive with color and flowing water. Such a beautiful and rare mix.
All of the kids had a fantastic time running all over the rocks and playing in the water. I love that our families are so compatible and there was no rock to big for all of us. It was breathtaking and all of the kids had a fantastic time.
Lucas and Lily were playing the game of chicken and in true Longmire kid form, cold wasn't an excuse to not be in the water. They all played in the water until their appendages were frozen and all the fun was had.
Our time on the trail was wonderful, but also laced with a bit of sadness. Life is so full of bitter and sweet, and I marvel at the timing of things sometimes. This man below with Lucas and Lily was killed in a flash flood during the rain storm 2 days prior to our hike. He attends our church, he leads my kids, he knows Lily, he mentored Lucas......he lived all for Jesus. Shiloh Dorsett was only briefly in my girls lives and yet his loss has been deeply felt. Our time hiking together reminded us just how precious and important life is.
Life is full of beauty and ashes, and yet God is still good and the world's beauty speaks to His goodness. We are grateful to be in community with people to fully grasp the height, the depth, and the great great love and redeeming power of Jesus. Rest well Shiloh, we are better for knowing you.
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