The weather was warm with a touch of October coolness. We followed a barely worn path that disappeared and reappeared as we wove through brambles and boulders. Trips like this are worth it because you find the most remote places with views rarely seen by those who prefer easier paths. A friend bought us Hebrews-It.com coffee, and it was delicious. Remember to let the coffee steep for at least five minutes. It was a mile to and from our remote picnic area. So still and quiet that it brought rest to our soul!

Whenever I interview an author, I always order the book and read it before the interview. This is going to be a fantastic interview, too. Worldventure.com/events

Wild weather this week in AZ. The weather service is investigating whether we got a tornado but Overgaard AZ definitely got hit by one. Tornados are rare in AZ.

Taking the time to connect with another is priceless. Yes...it was by phone (surprising, I know!). 😀 Been trying to be more intentional about connecting with people.

Margin Call...that movie was weird and unfinished.

The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix

Saturday is going to be fun. A day off to take my camera to the garden and enjoy some Japanese culture in the afternoon with a tea ceremony. I like learning about other cultures. There are a surprising amount of cross-cultural experiences in Phoenix from Ethiopian coffee to an Albanian bakery.

#tropicalstormrachel Oak Creek Canyon (Oct 12).

United flights from Prescott, Arizona usually don't have Wi-Fi. That's the perfect time to catch up on my reading without the distraction of social media or email (and the hundreds of other things on my phone that compete for my attention!). As I flew over Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, and caught a view of the San Francisco Peaks, I read my Bible. In the section of 2 Corinthians 10:1-18, I came across this verse (11): "Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away." (NLT) This section is about how Paul writes his letters, with people criticizing him for being different in person (in this case, "weak" or, in other translations, "reserved"). In this section, Paul defends himself. He says a believer can be both bold and reserved. Another commentary explained that the Corinthians were judging Paul by his style and presentation. The commentary also suggested Paul may have been ill while with the Corinthians. While not exactly on point for what the verse refers to, it reminded me of letter writing, social media, text messaging, and email. Faceless communication will always give people bravado. In my experience, people will write words in comments and emails that they would never say face-to-face. With some people, their online platforms and public personas are entirely different than who they are in person. It's important that our in-person, online personas, and private life are the same person, same values. Paul was trying to explain that he was the same person, with the same values, in person, not just in the boldness of his letters.

As with living on support, I have lost a couple of donations. That happens sometimes. But I do need $20, $25, or $50 in monthly donations. Or whatever God puts on your heart. Learn more: worldventure.com/pworker/400…

Get outside. Turn off the TV. It's time to see autumn IRL.

I binge watch old cop shows to unwind. What do you do to unwind at the end of the day?

Take up your cross and follow Him It's what's on my mind today.

So what if it rains all day! Get in the car and see the state in which you live in a different light. Go hiking in the rain. The mud on your shoes becomes a reminder of a day money can't buy and a thing Amazon can't deliver.

We stopped by the gift shop before leaving the venue. Afterall, you have to get a souvenir. I happen to love local honey. In most places in rural Arizona, you can find local honey of varying brands. This gift shop had some, and of course, I grabbed one. The cashier said as she rang up our purchases, "This honey is blessed." We weren't far from Sedona and my mind made assumptions. "How so?" I asked. The woman went into how it was made and I kept asking more questions. A local pastor created this honey. She raved on and on about the kind of upstanding man he is, shared about his church, and I could sense a deep admiration. She ended her conversation repeating, "This honey is blessed!" It reminded me of the various verses in Scripture on fruit. When someone is living out the Bible in daily life, that person stands out. He is different. God uses us in our daily life to impact others, especially if we, "...walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;" (Colossians 1:10 ESV) The honey is just honey, but the man who made it obviously leaves an indelible impression on those he meets. Read Colossians 1 for the full context. biblegateway.com/passage/?se…

I need to practice more encouragement. I can get so wrapped up in my task, I lose sight of everything else.

There is nothing like standing beneath the Aspens at Snowbowl. I recharge best in the solitude of nature.