Goodbye Arizona

This morning was our last program that we were going to sing for in Arizona before we left - this was the morning before we left for home. The day before, we all had helped set up the sound equipment, and got ready for a sound check... which was fine until Emily realized she could NOT sing! She was just getting over a cold when she lost her voice that day... and simply could not sing. Some were a little concerned, especially as we wanted our last program to go well, and we really wanted to bless this place, and there is no way we can do without any member. So instead of worrying, we began to pray. Mom sent out a prayer request to our friends at home, and as I've been learning to give thanks in every thing, I thanked God for what He wanted to accomplish in this situation. And although we didn't know what was going to happen, we left it in the LORD's hands. Emily got some special prayers and some suggestions too for what she could do for her voice. She tried breathing steam, drinking some tea, taking lots of water and lemon juice - lots of things, but most of all prayer! So the next morning, in faith, we prayed for her again, and we girls did some vocal exercises before getting up to sing - and God miraculously HEALED Emily's voice for this last program!! She did a marvelous job, and although it was not the smoothest program, God got us through and it was a blessing! We serve a MIGHTY God who doeth ALL things well!

Our Amazing father, running the soundboard so well and taking care of little ones at the same time. What a great guy my Daddy is!!!

The twins got to play their duet once more.

This man truly blessed our family our whole stay at Lazy Days. He is the one who allowed us to stay in his park those 10 days free... he sent water bottles to our front step (which we went through SO fast!), he basically adopted our family as HIS second family! Mr. Proud even sent us home with sandwiches and fresh fruit on our day of travel - just to bless us.

We are so thankful to this man for all he did for us and making our stay so pleasant.

This sweet lady wanted to do something special for our family, so she bought us all a bit of fudge from one of the venders there!

On the day we got home from the Children's Museum, we walked to our door... and found a large clear box next to the step with a card for our family on top! Dad opened it up, and read aloud some very special things. This lady (who we didn't meet until the next day) made all 8 of us children beautiful knotted fleece blankets - she said with each knot, she prayed a special prayer for each of us! In one week, she made these special blankets for us and had a card attached to each one with a different verse for each of us to look up. What an amazing gift - we were overwhelmed at the kindness and love that was shown to us. We praise God and give HIM the glory, great things He hath done.

Greg and I both got new sunglasses :)

On the last day at Lazy Days, one man invited us to their Ice Cream Social - so we all got a little cup of free ice cream on that warm afternoon.

Mr. Proud came to our table to talk

Sam and me

The guys were up high, watching the aircraft overhead.

Before we left Arizona, we wanted to get a last picture all together. What a blessing family is - a true gift from God!

On the road again!

Sam wanted to try on my sunglasses :)

Amanda, Dad, Sam and I enjoyed our ride together in the pickup. The rest were in the van.

We were all excited to be heading home.

Peanut was anxious about smells and noises along the way!

Dad was preparing the trailer for the cold weather ahead! He and Mom stopped to smile for me.

Our first day of traveling, this dear family got to join us in our caravan - but couldn't travel the whole way, so they came to say goodbye the next morning.

Waving!

 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ~Hebrews 10:24

Mr. Krell had a bandaid for my dear father who punctured his thumb while working hard to get the trailer ready for travel.

Everything was going along fine for the first hour... until we couldn't see Mr. Krell in his motor home anymore. So we stopped and waited... until he came zooming past us down the hill, but he didn't make it far. We made it to a gas station that also had a mechanic shop... we stopped for lunch and opened up the trailer for the wait- Sam and Emily, trying to stay warm.

We trust God for His purposes. The mechanic 30 miles back couldn't help us, but Mr. Krell's motor home had just enough to get him to... FILMORE! The little town we stopped at on our way down- the same mechanic's we played music for! The motor home needed some help, and praise God he made it there safely.

The sad part was that we had to part ways there. Dad had to be home for his job and we still had 2 more long days of traveling - so we took Mr. Krell to the little motel nearby...

...took a family picture together...

... and waved goodbye! :( It was kind of sad, but we knew we'd see him again at home a few days later and that God would take good care of him! :)

some of the beautiful mountains along the way

We had beautiful traveling weather... until around 4:30 just outside of Salt Lake City - the wind started blowing REALLY hard and then all this snow began to fall... so band that Dad couldn't even see the road! It was kind of scary, and we prayed for Dad!

God provided for ALL our needs! This is no surprise, but it was so neat - Dad and Mom decided to pull over at the next exit- and this place so happened to be the LAST place for MILES that had a place to stay! In this blizzard with incredible wind and freezing cold precipitation, it was SUCH a blessing to find a motel that first had rooms for us; second, it was a pet-friendly (since Peanut travels with us, we had to have a place for her!); thirdly, there was a Denny's right next door and on the sign outside, it said "Kids eat free Tuesday Nights" and guess what night it was?! Yes, Tuesday night - and although it was not that big of a deal, the LORD just showed us a neat blessing in providing a delicious meal for a great price! Praise God!

The next morning was bright and clear - a beautiful day for traveling!

The girls found a cute little table just their size at the continental breakfast there at the motel.

We met a couple who were traveling the same way we are - and actually live an hour south of us!

After a long drive home, the LORD brought us safely home that evening. We were blessed to have my uncle and aunt prepare some pizza for us, hot out of the oven, our fireplace started and even some brownies in the fridge for us to enjoy as a welcome home gift! What a blessing. The next morning was incredibly busy - but before lunch even rolled around, we had EVERYTHING unpacked and put away, the trailer scrubbed clean and ready for storage! As a team of 10, a lot can get done in a little amount of time. What a blessing.

We are now so thankful to be home - we are anxious to see all those we missed at home! We thank you for your prayers - God is greatly to be praised. He did many marvelous works for us and showed Himself faithful to us every single day. This is a trip to remember and we PRAISE His Name for all He did for us. 

 "Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you"

~1 Samuel 12:24

Blessings to you all,

~Dani