July 28

July 20

Today we went white water rafting. The water was super cold but the trip was really fun. We had a time when we had to go up on high side. This means everyone in the boat has to go to one side and then from there all 7 of us had to move to the front of the boat. I thought for sure the boat was going to flip. We made it all 12 miles without losing anyone. We went through more than one level 4 rapids. When I get my pictures I will have to upload some so be looking for them.

July 21

This morning we had Kids club and then during youth I showed them another Louie Giglio movie. The Kids learned a lot from the movie but actually didn't respond very much.

July 22

Today I finally got a chance to sleep in for a little bit then I hung out with Barbara and then she took me to the mission to help put boxes together. When we got there is started pouring down rain. Of course this would be the day that everyone decides to come get food boxes. Made for a busy and hot afternoon. Later after we closed up we cooked some dinner and had bible study at the mission.

July 23

Today we had 3 new girls for Kids Club. Tiffany recapped the lessons from earlier in the week and I made salvation bracelets with them. After lunch arrived we fed the children and then started to pack the vehicles so we could head out for our camping trip with the youth. We went down to Red Feather for a weekend of fun. When we first arrived we set up camp and then we did a scavenger hunt with the kids. Boys vs. Girls. Guess who won. :) the GIRLS!! Since the girls won the boys had to roast the girls hot dogs for them on the fire, for dinner. Since today was Chuys birthday we made him a cookie cake for dessert.

July 24

Last night was sooo cold. I had to share a sleeping bag with a girl so we put our mats on the ground and spread the sleeping bag out on top of us. The place we took the kids camping was literally in the middle of the mountains away from everything. We would take the kids in to a restroom twice a day other than that they were in the woods. Most of the children had never done any kind of camping before so there was lots of whining. Today we did a lot of hiking. One group went to the top of a mountain in the woods and then the group I went with went to the lake and we walked around the lake. Mariyah and I took a detour on to another trail and found another lake. We saw all sorts of beautiful views of Gods wonderful masterpiece. One of my favorite places was up on some rocks. As leaders we were all assigned 2-3 kids to keep accountable for the weekend. I had Kailey, Mariyah, and Alyssa. These girls loved climbing on these rocks behind our campground. The first day we discovered them we sat on top for about 20 minutes. At one point Mikey and Tiffany joined us as well. Tiffany and I got to talk to Mikey and Kailey. We ended up getting into a discussion about what would happen when we die and if we were afraid to die. Then we also talked about how awesome it was that looking from the top of the mountains that God could create all of that in just 7 days. Overall today was a wonderful day.

My girls and I up on top of our rocks

From top: Kailey, Mya, Me, and Alyssa

July 25

Last night I FROZE. It was definately colder than the night before. The girls kept me up most of the night and then I couldn't sleep because I got so cold. We woke up at about 8:30 when the sun came up and warmed us up. We all got up by about 9 and started taking down camp. Our next stop was to get something to eat and then go down to Loveland lake to go swimming. When we got to Wendy's we all ordered and then as the kids were finishing up I did the morning devotion with them. The kids have really impressed me in how much they have been learning and really listening to us when we speak to them. After we were done we went to loveland lake where the kids went swimming at the beach, and others played football at the park. We got the kids home in time for us to start cooking dinner for evening church. As soon as we were done we stayed at the church for a little while planning for tomorrow and chatting with Chris. Then Tiffany and I were ready to get home and shower. This weekend definatley made me become more thankful for indoor plumbing. aka: showers and toilets (that flush)

July 26

Today we had Kids Club and youth and then I went home and showered so that I could drive to Loveland to meet the Perkins for dinner in loveland. This is a couple that used to live in Salado but then moved away. I was really excited to hear that they were up in Estes and that I would get to see them while I was in Colorado.

Bill and Sue Perkins

July 27
This morning we got up early and drove to the mountains. We went to Sky Corral and went horseback riding. We went down to the barn, put some boots on and got saddled up. It was beautiful to be riding on the back of a horse and look out over a city in Colorado on one side and the state of Wyoming on the other side. When we got done horseback riding we went up to the main building and most of us took a nap then a little while later had lunch. After lunch we went back out to the pond and went fishing. I didn’t catch anything but it was my first time in a LONG time and we only stayed there for an hour. Next we hiked up the hill to the archery range. As we were walking it started to rain. I am not sure what it is with raining on us on our day off but it rained on us while we were rafting last Tuesday as well. The archery was a lot of fun. This was my first time to shoot a bow and arrow. I wouldn’t say I was a pro by any means but it was still fun. We had to leave after an hour of archery because we needed to get back on the road to make it in time for the Colorado Rockies baseball game. The Rockies lost but it was still fun to go to a game. I hadn’t been since I was a little girl.

Me on Cuervo out at Sky Corral

July 28
This morning we had Kids Club and I got to teach the kids. We talked about the lost scroll that was found in the temple. So for snack/Craft we made edible scrolls. Take a tortilla, jelly and pretzels and put the jelly on the end and then put the pretzels in it and roll up both ends. Well that is how we taught we would make them. The jelly we had was bad so we had to use marshmallow cream instead and then let the kids use sprinkles to use as the words. We were prepared to do youth today as well but the only youth that showed up came for lunch and left before we started anything. This evening I went to dinner with Elsa.

Prayer Request:

I just found out this week that the girl I was gonna live with will not be returning to SFA until the spring semester so now I am not sure where I am going to live this next semester. Please pray that this situation will work out with the least amount of problems this has been a long road dealing with housing.

We also are leaving in a week and a half. Please pray that the mission will continue on strong even after we leave. That God will provide people to help Charlie and Sue. (The couple that is going to try to help keep it running)