Never Failing Love: Salida, Co.. I will never forget you...

As we left Crested Butte on Monday, it was a very bitter sweet drive. I must admit, I felt like I was leaving my heart behind. I have never felt that way before about any place on earth (except Ooltewah). We stopped by a meadow and a stream to let Lindsay take some pictures of her favorite wildflowers. I noticed one of the spotted horses that had caught my eye during our visit. I so loved watching him every time we passed by his farm. Wish I had taken his picture. I would love to see his face today. But somehow, I knew in my heart, I'd be back.

We rambled back through the mountains, to a little town called Salida. Never, in my wildest dreams, could I imagine what that day had in store for me. Our trip was about to take a drastic turn of events, and my heart was about to be split wide open.

We found our cabin, and moved all our things in. A feeling of oppression settled over me as we entered the town, and then our cabin. Our cabin was lovely! It was huge, with a game room, fully stocked kitchen, big screen tv's, wrap around porch, and even horse shoes. But something felt so uneasy there. Those of you with the gift of discernment know exactly what I am talking about. You are feeling the way I felt, even as you read this. And those who don't have that gift, are a little confused right now. But I am just being honest. Something in my spirit was not right.

We settled in, bought groceries and began to cook supper. As Lindsay and I were attempting to grill our steaks, a wild wind started blowing in. My guess would be that it was at least 50mph! We could hardly stand in it. And then, everything changed. I got that phone call that still makes me shiver when I think of it.

My dear friend, Kim McArthur, was crying on the other end. She said to me "I wanted you to know that Adam died today". (Adam was her oldest son). Then we just began to cry together. During our very personal conversation, all I could do is pray, "God help us! God help us! Jesus! Jesus! We need you!" Can you imagine my panic? My pain, as I tried to weakly help my very close friend from 2000 miles away. It was every mom's nightmare. Nothing in life had prepared me to walk through these waters. After a few minutes of total despair, she assured me that I needed to stay in Colorado, then, reluctantly, we said goodbye. I am pretty sure I cried for the next 24 hours off and on. My body was in Colorado, but my heart was in Chattanooga with Kim.

As the next few days passed, God showed up in a huge way! I had some amazing moments with Him, and my family. Beautiful hikes, antelope, a wolf, a ghost town, silence on the top of a 14,000 foot mountain, snow, and great conversation. And fabulous food! Lindsay and Daniel discover how to throw horseshoes. So there was laughter...so much laughter! The town, and cabin still had a sense of oppression for me, but when we were out in the backcountry, life was incredibly peaceful and good.

Again, I marvel at the Love of God. His timing is so perfect. At first, I questioned why I was so far away when my wonderful friend needed me most. But as time went on, I knew God had me there to refresh me so I would come back home with a new strength. Kim agreed that she would need me most later, after the funeral. God's timing is perfect.

I will never understand why He allows tragedy of that magnitude. I will never understand why my godly wonderful friend has had to suffer so much pain. All I know is this. God is God. He knows. And He loves us. I don't have to understand. All I have to do is follow and believe, even when its so painful that my heart could burst.
Here are a few of the memories from that part of the trip...enjoy! Love you all! More to come from our last stop on the trip in a few days! Thanks for coming along! :) I can honestly say that my heart longed to share every minute with you all. We should take a group trip someday :)