Chapter 30 – Family Adventure

God Is Totally Awesome

Psalm 136:1-9

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His Mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for His Mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for His Mercy endureth for ever. To Him who alone doeth great wonders: for His Mercy endureth for ever. To Him that by wisdom made the heavens: for His Mercy endureth for ever. To Him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for His Mercy endureth for ever. To Him that made great lights: for His Mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for His Mercy endureth for ever: The moon and stars to rule by night: for His Mercy endureth for ever."

 Psalm 145:1-21

"I will extol Thee, my God, O King; and I will bless Thy Name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His Greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of Thy majesty, and of Thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of Thy terrible acts: and I will declare Thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness, and shall sing of Thy righteousness. The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Thy works shall praise Thee, O LORD; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and Holy in all His works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love Him: but all the wicked will He destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless His Holy Name for ever and ever."

Time was passing by as time does and the seasons came and went. Little random excursions were taken here and there and a couple big ridie visits to see family and friends. The furbabies had adjusted to road trips as much as I think they could. We had upgraded the travel kennel for Gideon and Pumpkin to a much bigger one and added a brand new kitty box tucked inside ready for use at will. Kaiyah had her space upgraded with additional cushioning. And although we would stop for her, it was never enough, I think she would have preferred to walk rather than ride even if was over 900 miles.

It was always fun hearing Peter’s dad saying he would put out the “special imported” red carpet for Kaiyah’s arrival. And yes, some treats, some sweet talk of admiration, and maybe even a photo shoot or two would ensue. The generous buffet of homemade delicious foods and desserts by Peter’s mom and sister, along with a few very select items meticulously purchased by Peter’s dad, were straight from the heart. Often little samples seemed to find their way to Kaiyah and the kitties. I think that helped them deal with the big ridie blues that would often linger around the first day or so.

On one big ridie we took Kaiyah and Peter’s sister to a few landmark locations on a sightseeing tour that included an opal mine, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, and Bruneau Dunes State Park. None of us had been to any of those locations. The mine seemed like a great idea as Nicole and I are two opal loving ladies. Peter’s sister in particularly enjoys a good rock hounding trip, and actually knows what she’s doing, which I think is super cool. My Pops had been an international rock hound and liked to tumble rocks and collect them as well. We had decided to take Kaiyah on the trips and, of course, she was not so sure about those particular big ridies either.

I drove and Peter was poised to take photos through the less tinted front windows. Peter’s sister was a champ and sat in the back seat with Kaiyah behind her panting and, as Peter would say, doing dog-like things to deal with her “are we really doing this?” stress. I knew that Kaiyah most of the time found comfort having her ears softly stroked. I suggested this to Nicole and she sure did try but Kaiyah just had to work it out.

When we arrived at the opal mine I think both Nicole and Kaiyah were super relieved to be out of the SUV and free to roam or explore. We really enjoyed that pretty spot and nugget of time. Nicole totally seemed in her element working in the quarry trying to find a treasure or two. Kaiyah was learning her Auntie Woof, as I affectionately referred to Nicole, was a patient and kind travel buddy.

After that lovely stint of time we started toward the Craters of the Moon. Much of that journey we did in the vehicle and stopped where allowed. Kaiyah had to be kept close and mostly in the SUV, as the trail was protected and we didn’t want any cuts from those rocks on her paws. She looked around as if she was on another world. Gazing like she was light years from where we were and patiently endured the constant stop and starts that we made to observe, take photos, and to "oohh" and "aahh" at the incredible landscape we had landed on that day. She was an incredibly good girl. We left there just before dusk and watched the lighting dim over the craters as we drove carefully down and through toward home.

The evening came under a canopy of amazing stars and we could even see the Milky Way Galaxy in the beauty of that dark sky territory. Lovely rural farms patterned the landscape and we stopped under the Lord’s evening canvas that was beautiful to behold in the night lights of stars, planets, and moonbeams. The crickets sounded like an orchestra, a really big one, and the crisp cooling air brushed swiftly through tall grasses, fur and hair. Kaiyah enjoyed that rest stop and thought a walk was due but we didn’t have the area for that so I just walked her up and down the safe place we had parked. My heart was filled with humble praise and awe to God for the incredible beauty we had already experienced and were experiencing.

The gorgeous fiery opals hidden and discovered in the little mountain knoll of Spencer, the incredible landscape and history we were seeing and learning, the quality time we were sharing pleased the soul. I had so many Passages from God’s Word dancing in and out of my thoughts especially Psalm 145. And the sweet quietness of Kaiyah standing under the bright moon and innumerable stars brought my heart a special joy for my little husky. When we got back out on the road the low hum of the road under tires lulled our pooped puppy and she rested pretty quietly all the way home.

Now the journey wasn’t over just yet we still had a trip to the Bruneau Dunes. That state park also had a bonus, an Observatory for those of us who enjoy taking a look into the heavens that are filled with wonders and discoveries way beyond our grasp. Amazing to consider how much care is in its design and ordination as is in all The Lord God has Made, the One and Only Monarch of the Universe.

We arrived early as we could and I was relieved Kaiyah was not as stressed on that trip. The uniquely gray soft sand dunes sparkled in the sunlight and, thanks to Nicole we learned there were jaspers and all kinds of other little stones and rocks strewn about. Peter and I were tickled by the joy and knowledge Nicole was able to share with us as we navigated our way on foot and in the SUV. Kaiyah was eager to gain some mileage and so I let her mush over the sand and through the little outcroppings of flora and fauna. She gazed up at the stately sand dunes and we attempted a hike up but she discovered pretty quickly that was not exactly her cup of tea. Her traction was better for snow than sand! Easy to say she is more like a snow plow than a dune buggy...

She stayed down with Auntie Woof who made more brownie points with Kaiyah as I explored those dunes. When I reached the top and walked along the apex taking in the view I ascertained that there was an oasis to the one side and the vast sands went way beyond where we could see. I wanted to explore every bit of it but I knew it was not possible that day. Peter joined me with trusty camera in tow. As I looked down and waved at Nicole and Kaiyah who appeared very small from that vantage, I found myself once again having a humbling moment at the Lord’s Awesome Greatness.

We continued enjoying the State Park and found an area to park and rest for a while near the watery oasis teaming with gnats and the songs of umpteen frogs singing. The vast choir of singing frogs really tickled Peter and Nicole. Kaiyah was restful and looked intrigued by the diverse sights, sounds and smells. We were having a pleasant time and soon realized they had an observatory as well, which we did not know going in, which provided us an exciting prospect and we decided to stay and enjoy some of the evening events they had planned. The gnats were increasing in numbers and mosquitoes were joining the party. It was a good time to head on over to the observatory.

It was an easy short drive there. I personally enjoy a good look through a telescope. That evening they had a good handful of them pointed at different planets, stars and other deep sky objects. It was so neat and Kaiyah was once again such a good girl as we quietly strolled about in the dark with the special flashlights to guide us along. We took turns watching over Kaiyah as we went in and out of the crowd peering into telescopes and then into the main observatory. I wish they would have allowed more time to really digest the moments of actually seeing them as it takes a little bit to orient yourself to what you are looking at. Peter had an especially fun time. Having had a childhood interest in space and astronomy, he knew so many things including about orientation and such which added to my experience and interests as well. As the finale of the evening came, the largest telescope revealed an amazing star cluster deep in the Milky Way Galaxy. I was again experiencing another humbling experience as to the Greatness of God and His Infinite Design and Handiwork and had verses from Psalm 136 stirring in my heart.

The timing of those big ridies shared with family and little Kaiyah proved to be good medicine for my heart. It was a fun adventure that provided me with additional visual reminders of how thoughtful and loving the Awesome God I love and serve continues to prove Himself to be.

The dark skies of life can reveal things we just can’t see as clearly in the day or in the distractions of other lights crowding our view. And yet in the full light of day we can see things that seem almost other worldly and yet are right here on this Handmade little planet we call Earth.

I think it was and is important for me to reflect on the importance of taking time to look in every direction for things hidden or in plain sight, to look higher and farther, to explore and find testimony to the Awesomeness of God. I can’t think of a time I don’t need to think and consider Him and what He has Made. I never want my awe of Him to become dull or wane. Life certainly provides or even makes us look in particular directions, usually away from Him. I have to make sure my heart, my eyes and ears, are ultimately fixed upon Him whether looking down to find gems or geological treasures hidden or strewn about by my feet, or taking on vast landscapes with places to explore or climb that go higher for new vantages, or being higher to look for perspective, or to be looking up into the vastness of the heavens above, or simply looking around from right where one is at any given moment. I am learning everyday that God has so many surprises and things He wants to share with us, to know Him, and to learn what that means especially when going through difficulties. Believing and trusting Him comes with time, prayer, faith, and study in His Word to make sure I perceive accurately. Thankfully He is Great in Mercy and Compassion, Patient in His Love and Faithfulness... And He changes NOT. Ever! Yahweh alone is Totally Awesome!

It was a reflective peaceful late night ride back and the kitties were waiting to welcome all of us with the official Pumpkin Roll and Gideon’s trumpeting of the meows. And as was the Kaiyah, Gideon and Pumpkin fur-family custom, the sniff and meet adventure debriefing commenced. What a conversation that must have been!

…Until we meet again…