God, in his grace, gives us protection faithfully!

                          After dinner we piled back into Rita and drove all the way to St. Louis. We got there around 1:30 am, unpacked, toured the house, and went to sleep. Monday morning we took Rita to get fixed and then we hung out in the basement for a half hour or so while tornados came through and we lost power. That was definitely an experience for the boys. After that we hung out for a little while, then went to Chill for frozen yogurt and then to the science center for something to do and explore, they definitely enjoyed that. On the way home we FINALLY talked to Christina! Which was wunderbar. She is doing great and we all were so excited to hear from her and hear about her adventures in Italy and Waldscheid. We all realized how much we miss her all over again.

            We went to dinner at El Magueys, since we didn’t have power still, and daddy and Evie joined us. Later that night Sarah, Sarah, Dan, and jwalk all came over for a bonfire (still powerless) and s`mores. It was such a great time to just catch up on life and all God is doing in their lives! It was beautiful. All of them are serving in different places and different ways, and it was incredibly evident as always that God is truly guiding their steps. Christoph and Dan played guitar. Daddy hung out with us most of the time, which was also great, I love, love being with him. I hardly realize how much I miss him until I am with him. I am so thankful for who he is, and his role in my life.

            Tuesday we picked up Rita to find she needed a part, which was on back-order, so it is currently getting shipped to Salt Lake City, Utah where we will stop and have it replaced. Hopefully we will make it there without problems! Claus went for a long run, got a little lost, and went for a really long run, 15 miles around the town! Needless to say he is a little sore today J We had Chipotle for lunch with my brother, and then got to see Tara and Tommy for a while which was so fun! Then we headed to swim where Evie works for a couple of hours. On the way home we hit up Chill once again, yummm. We stopped at the grocery store for road trip snacks and filled up Rita and headed home for dinner. Mom made spaghetti and we all ate together on the deck, perfect weather. We enjoyed that time and then spent a couple hours planning where we would drive and stay the next day. We finally finished up, packed up, and went to bed.

            This morning started early, we finally left the house at 7:40, to begin our 800-mile trek to Rocky Mountain National State Park, with a detour to Colorado Springs to see Monica and crash on her floor. The trip began well, just a straight shot on 1-70. Christoph and I had an incredible conversation about being a good person. Basically about what it means to love people freely, when you live for Christ, and to not have to carry the burden of anger of bitterness of inadequacy, or so many other things. It was incredible to see him thinking and unfolding incredible truths through the conversation. The Holy Spirit is so alive in him, he is beckoning him more and more every day. Not long after we talked we got word from mom that we were headed towards the red dot and national weather warnings for tornadoes. We were driving straight into black skies and clouds hanging right above us. My heart was pounding already and the boys were nervous, first time for them.

            We drove right under the storm, speeding and trying to get through it fast and safe. Cars and trucks were pulling over left and right and we finally got out from under the cloud and pulled off. I talked to mom about 15 minutes later and she said 20 minutes behind us two tornados touched down on both sides of I-70, destroying buildings and homes and turning over tractor-trailers and debris all over the highway.

            There aren’t words to say how God protected us. If we had left 20 minutes later, we would have drive through those tornados. God’s hand was over us, and protecting us all the way. His grace over us is magnificent and faithful.  It was a testimony of him to reiterate that to Claus and Christoph and talk about how faithful God was to us this morning. Praise Him, for all that He is. He is so worthy.

            We are now en route to Colorado Springs to visit my old lacrosse coach and stay at her place tonight. Then tomorrow off to white water raft and see Rocky Mountain National State Park! I will be sure to right about all of that…but probably in a week or so since we will be in Yellowstone camping!

Open our eyes God, to behold wondrous things out of your law!

Psalm 119:18

For if you love those who love you, what good is that?

Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

Matthew 5:46

It is the Spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.

Job 32:8

Do you know the boundaries of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on earth? Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover it? Can you send forth lightning’s, that they may go and say to you, “Here we are”?

Job 38:33-35

I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Job 42:2