Sun, Snow and Red Rocks

Colorado is amazing! MaryAnn and I have just spent the last few days experiencing the Colorado Rocky mountains and what an incredible part of the world it is. Having put the LA sun behind us and a batch of never to be forgotten encounters with all manner of amazing Jesus following people we landed in Denver on Saturday.

We are staying with Jim and Linda Sawyer and their three boys. After spending 5 months in Nelson with us last year they are totally going out of their way to give us an experience of their home. After a great church meeting on Sunday morning we hit the mountains where MaryAnn and Linda got in a half day skiing while I read Rolling Stone in the Cafe and talked with Jim (my legs just aren't up to the ski boot thing at the moment). We then headed to Buena Vista and spent the night in their log cabin. Snow was falling lightly all around making the whole place look absolutely magical - I've never been in snow like that and just soaked up the whole experience. We saw all manner of wildlife including elk, deer, foxes, blue jays, squirrels and heaps of other stuff. The whole setting was like a fairytale!

Today we made our way back to Denver via Red Rocks - the amazing natural amphi-theater that has played host to all manner of stellar music stars including the memorable 1983 concert by U2 which was captured on the "Under a Blood Red Sky" film.

MaryAnn and I have been having great conversations debriefing our time in LA with Mosaic and the community of people there. We felt so affirmed in our belief that alligning ourselves with the mission of Jesus is the core reason for the church's existence and that everything flows out of following him into the lives of people who don't yet swear their allegience to him. Knowing this deep in our beings will obviously ensure that we continue to assess how we are doing what we are doing and the particular call that God has put on our lives. Exciting times!!

We obviously are struggling a little with being away from the kids but have had several cool phonecalls and know they are doing great without us. We want to thank those of you who have been praying for us and the kids - we couldn't do this without you.