Pusch Peak

Winter in Tucson is a perfect time to hike because the sun is not as hot, the rattlesnakes are asleep in their caves, and there is less of a chance that a monsoon will come and cancel your plans. Eric and I love to explore the outdoors and this area of the country provides lots of opportunities for hiking and adventures. Living in the northwest part of the city means that everyday we look out our window at a mountain called Pusch Peak which is part of the Catalina Mountains. When we look at it we think to ourselves "That needs to be climbed." So, I looked up the trail that goes to the top and it is described as "strenuous" and "intense" but a 49-yr. old smoker wrote how he had completed it and it wasn't a big deal so we thought it would be good exercise for us.

"Intense" was exactly the word that describes what we experienced! The first quarter mile was a level path into the desert and then we went straight up for the next mile and a half. It was very steep and we wore gloves to help us climb up the boulders. There were tons of prickly pear cactuses all over the place always threatening to stick us if we lost our balance at any point. Eventually I didn't know if I would make it to the top because I was so winded and my legs hurt quite a bit. I was on my hands and knees crawling up rocks only looking down because I didn't want to see how much was left to go. One of Eric's favorite parts was when he made it to the top and heard me coming behind him praying over and over again, "Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy."

We did make it to the top, however, and we were rewarded with great views of Tucson, the Catalina Mountains and the snow covered mountains north of us in the Pine Top area of AZ. We ate lunch, Eric made a little snowman out of the snow that was on top and then we started back down. The down part was also painful. I had blisters on my feet and my legs were shaky from trying to stay balanced. At one point, I lost my balance, fell and put my hand right onto the big leaf of a prickly pear. Thankfully I was wearing leather gloves and the thorns didn't penetrate.

After this hike my ambitions to hike the Grand Canyon have wilted a bit because yesterday was pretty hard. We've talked to some people who have done it and they say we can do it with a little preparation. Tucson gives us lots of ground to cover for our prep so maybe sometime this year we will hike the Grand Canyon. It is one of my goals for 2010. Anyone interested is welcome to join us!

Winter

As some of you know, Tucson, AZ has about 300 days of sunshine a year and the temperature rarely drops below freezing. Although we are native to the Northeast, Eric and I enjoy this climate quite a bit, especially during this time of year. We had our yearly alottment of winter when we went home for Christmas about a month ago as you can see below.

This past week, however, we had a rare storm in Tucson that lasted about 3 or 4 days and produced lots of rain AND snow! There was actually river in the wash that they call a river! Yesterday when we went out shopping we were graced with this beautiful view of the Catalina foothills. The mountains behind these are undoubtly covered in snow as well.

We have been enjoying a week off and hope to go hike in the snowy mountains tomorrow. In the meantime the cold weather has felt unusual for this part of the country but we like using our fireplace and getting cozy by its warmth at night.

Praises: The GAP Ministries cause on Facebook is slowly raising money to help sustain GAP during this difficult financial time. If you are on Facebook, please consider donating to the ministry and helping us care for the foster kids of Tucson. We are enjoying a much needed week off and are having good times of fellowship with friends and each other. We have also discovered Skype which has been a great blessing and means of staying in touch with our families who don't get to see us that often.

Prayers: Please continue to pray for us as we look for jobs. We have applied to a few places and have not heard back. It is a time of faith-testing for us and Lord-willing, this time will grow our trust in Him.

Another Transition

This is our Christmas card which was just sent out today! Next year our card will just say "Have a nice day" on it so that it will be relevant no matter when it goes out. I must say that I do have a pretty talented husband who designed it himself.

After we sent out our yearly update we started making a transition. Below are the details of what's been going on since we sent out our letter:

Once again Bethany and I find ourselves in the midst of transition. It seems no matter what we do life just seems to keep getting busier and busier. We have let our boss know we are going to start looking for a new job and we are planning on moving away from GAP Ministries, Lord willing. I would love to keep working for GAP but we have decided the schedule has taken too much of a toll on something we really enjoy in life; fellowship time with friends. We hope to have some more routine in our lives. Especially a time when we can sit still before our God and King in adoration.

We also just recently found out that the state of AZ will not be able to fund the ministry due to budget issues at the state level. We will therefore not be paid in the month of February and possibly after. This puts a huge strain on all of us, as you can imagine. We are thankful for the wisdom of several people who encouraged us to start a savings account a long time ago so that we will be able to pay rent and bills even during this time.

Prayers: Please lift us up as we begin to look for jobs. Many of our friends have taken several months to find jobs and have not found jobs they enjoy. Bethany has started to wonder if she will be able to ever stay home and raise kids because her husband did not acquire a college degree which lends itself towards cash flow. So please pray God will provide as we seek to make room to put God first, family second, and ministry after the first two. Pray the remainder of our time here at GAP is spent intentionally serving God with each day He gives us. Please also pray for GAP during this financial hardship.

Praises: As we fight off anxiety about this next transition we are able to look around and count our blessings. I have been given an incredibly wonderful spouse, a nicely furnished apartment, and we have begun to put money into savings. On our walls we see pictures of loved ones and God reminds me that my life is in good hands, His big hands. I am grateful right now that my life is not in my hands for I have seen that on my own I can bring nothing good into my life.

Last night we got to witness two friends of ours sharing the gospel with dozens of Spanish people in a trailer park. The best part about it was the foster kids were playing a part in the ministry! Praise God! It was one of those moments I could feel and see God working close by. It is a good feeling to know the God of the universe who made you is at work and is close. I wish it was a more common experience.