Last night we stayed near Groom, Texas at a rest station. Upon waking, we visited the second largest cross in the western hemisphere. It was quite a sight. There also were Stations of the Cross made out of copper. Nick & I had very mixed emotions about being at this place. I wanted him to see the grandeur of the cross as the pics that I viewed on-line looked neat. I have many memories of Stations of the Cross as a child—also mixed. They took place every Friday during lent and the good thing was that we got out of classes early; the bad thing was that is was sooo long, boring and quite scary. I tried many times to “get into it” by imagining everything that was being said at each station, but there was more repetition of all the Hail Mary’s and Glory Be’s than actual reflection on the crucifixion of Christ. The very repetitious monotone gloom that filled the church was not something that made me feel loved by God. I certainly can understand reflection of the crucifixion, but this was not an event most my classmates looked forward to except for an earlier dismissal.
I want my children to celebrate Christ’s death as often as they wish—with a joyful peace. I often felt so bad Jesus died for me, rather than thankful and happy for the gift of eternal life.
Anyhow…we also noticed on the stones that read the 10 commandments, that they were also wrong. The Catholic Church changed the 10 commandants by taking out the 2nd (commanding us not to worship graven images), moving up the rest in position and splitting the 10th to make up the 9th and the 10th. It is unbelievable to me that so many Catholics don’t realize this—that I didn’t realize this. And why? Why did they do this? Please research on your own. The answers are stunning. What I DO KNOW, is the 10 commandments were written by God with HIS finger! It amazes me that I once believed that a man or several men (the popes) could change GOD’S LAWS as they see fit! I feel for those who don’t see how dangerous this is, yet at one time my eyes could not see either. Thank you Jesus for truth and truth in you and your word alone!
We moved on through to New Mexico where we are headed to see the cliff dwellers. The scenery in the panhandle of Texas and into New Mexico is such a vastly magnificent sight with miles and miles of tundra with occasional bluffs. It is beginning to get more rugged in the hillsides in New Mexico. We are headed near the Santa Fe area to visit many national parks and see fantastic sights!
I am beginning to get a little stir crazy in the RV—feeling like I am tripping over something constantly! Our children are as well and it is becoming more and more difficult to give punishments when we don’t’ have anywhere to send them or anything to take away. We have begun setting rules that have been outlined by Ron Clark in his book, The Essential 55, which has been helpful, interesting and exhausting. I am hoping to have some break through soon!
I hope we can find a great park to stay at for a couple days so the kids can just run around and play and we can sit and relax. Nick must be thinking he could be a trucker if he wanted a career change—all we’ve been doing is driving, driving, driving! I wish I could switch places with him and let him teach, cook and deal with the kids and just drive. I am sure he is thinking the same.
More later…
Marantha!


8:00p.m.
We are in the middle of no where…what a feeling. It is pitch black, like I have never seen before and not a soul around. We are at a state park that is no bigger than the Cleveland City Park at home and there are no other campers but us. No signal on the phones….this is wilderness and it is gorgeous. We basically are between a couple of bluffs making it feel like we are in a hole and there is a quaint little river next to our site. It was quite hilly getting here and we used more gas than expected. We pray we make it to the next gas station. (Seriously!) We saw the cutest fox at supper just running around. The pitch black is a bit intimidating, but this is what we came for.
We were on the way to the site having to take some back roads and it was some of the most fabulous sights I’ve EVER seen! We pulled over to take some pics near some cattle grazing and they all of a sudden began to run toward us. When I say run, I don’t mean wander…I mean run. There was a small wire fence separating us, but we didn’t feel to secure at the moment especially at the fervor of the race (not to mention one of the cattle had escaped and was bucking around at us in a back-off fashion). They began communicating with each other and from far off over the hills cattle everywhere began to run towards us. We began to take off and they ran along the fence line with the RV. The girls were ecstatic (and I was a bit freaked). I got some video that I will try to post, but still haven’t quite figured out. I will be so excited to get this on-line to share with you as it was just crazy!
Tomorrow we will take a hike and then head off for the next state park. We are about an hour from the cliff dwellers. I can’t wait. We prayed for warmer as it is only about 50’s today and from what I understand, no warmer than Wisconsin ( at least for today).
Overall today was an amazing day. Can’t wait to inform you of more tomorrow—hopefully I can get on and post (and back post).