#WhereAreTheUbryTerrells ... Leg 16: Idaho (part 1)
Our last stop in Oregon was to see the Hell's Canyon overlook. We anticipated stunning views of the Snake River. However, the most exciting part of this detour was getting stuck in a cattle drive. We couldn't see anything from the overlook -- not a drop of water in sight.
But since we'd had a recent attitude change, we didn't want to give up on Hell's Canyon. So we crossed the border into Idaho and decided to check out the Snake River from the other side. And we were not disappointed! We drove for miles along the water's edge to the dam, admiring the river and the canyon walls. We'd heard that one of the U.S. President's thought this canyon more beautiful than the Grand Canyon. Perhaps we would have agreed if we'd taken the time to hike or whitewater raft in the area. I certainly think that exploring a place deeper than from your car window helps in your appreciation of it. But we'll have to save that for another trip!
The last time Randy and I celebrated Christmas in the United States was in Idaho, so we were excited to get back to his oldest brother's house which held those special memories. Again we made sure to arrive by Saturday night so as to get to go to church with family on Sunday morning, which just happened to be Father's Day. The sermon was all about a father's responsibility to leave a legacy of faith by raising his children to be believers. The pastor invited the questions: who will welcome you into heaven? and whose life are you influencing now, so that someday you can welcome them into the arms of Jesus?
This time I did check in to the children's program for Van, however we had gone to the early service which not too many crazy parents try to do. So there were just a few little ones there. But Van plopped right down on the floor with them, ready to learn and even to help out the teacher with the younger kids.
Randy's brother and sister-in-law aren't yet grandparents, so they had a great time spoiling Van for the week. Every day was a new adventure -- hiking, swimming, biking, gardening, creating -- and every day meant a trip to the store for ice cream.
While I watched Robert and Suzanne dote on Van I realized something -- Van is a kid. And not only is he a kid, but he is a kid in my life who I can have a positive influence over. This may have been obvious to everyone else, but it literally wasn't even a thought in my head until that layover in Idaho.
Randy and I have talked often about being foster or adoptive parents. We miss desperately our kids in Mexico. We feel like we have love to give and the ability to care for kids who don't have anyone else. But I had obviously overlooked the kids that God had already placed in my care -- nieces, nephews, grandkids. Maybe because they all have loving parents already who are caring for them I felt like they needed me less. But I was beginning to see that that doesn't mean they don't also need Grandma Kate/Aunt Katie/Aunt KK/Mama Katie. I was more determined than ever to be present to Van, and to enjoy his presence while we have him on the road with us.
But since we'd had a recent attitude change, we didn't want to give up on Hell's Canyon. So we crossed the border into Idaho and decided to check out the Snake River from the other side. And we were not disappointed! We drove for miles along the water's edge to the dam, admiring the river and the canyon walls. We'd heard that one of the U.S. President's thought this canyon more beautiful than the Grand Canyon. Perhaps we would have agreed if we'd taken the time to hike or whitewater raft in the area. I certainly think that exploring a place deeper than from your car window helps in your appreciation of it. But we'll have to save that for another trip!
The last time Randy and I celebrated Christmas in the United States was in Idaho, so we were excited to get back to his oldest brother's house which held those special memories. Again we made sure to arrive by Saturday night so as to get to go to church with family on Sunday morning, which just happened to be Father's Day. The sermon was all about a father's responsibility to leave a legacy of faith by raising his children to be believers. The pastor invited the questions: who will welcome you into heaven? and whose life are you influencing now, so that someday you can welcome them into the arms of Jesus?
This time I did check in to the children's program for Van, however we had gone to the early service which not too many crazy parents try to do. So there were just a few little ones there. But Van plopped right down on the floor with them, ready to learn and even to help out the teacher with the younger kids.
Randy's brother and sister-in-law aren't yet grandparents, so they had a great time spoiling Van for the week. Every day was a new adventure -- hiking, swimming, biking, gardening, creating -- and every day meant a trip to the store for ice cream.
While I watched Robert and Suzanne dote on Van I realized something -- Van is a kid. And not only is he a kid, but he is a kid in my life who I can have a positive influence over. This may have been obvious to everyone else, but it literally wasn't even a thought in my head until that layover in Idaho.
Randy and I have talked often about being foster or adoptive parents. We miss desperately our kids in Mexico. We feel like we have love to give and the ability to care for kids who don't have anyone else. But I had obviously overlooked the kids that God had already placed in my care -- nieces, nephews, grandkids. Maybe because they all have loving parents already who are caring for them I felt like they needed me less. But I was beginning to see that that doesn't mean they don't also need Grandma Kate/Aunt Katie/Aunt KK/Mama Katie. I was more determined than ever to be present to Van, and to enjoy his presence while we have him on the road with us.
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