A week in the desert—sounds lonely, but it's not bad when it's in Scottsdale, Arizona. I was beset with cold/allergy symptoms when I got there, and then realized that everything was in the height of its blooming season. So I got to SEE a lot, but I also sneezed a lot. (-=

I grew up in the Midwest, so Saguaro cacti only existed in cartoons for me. I guess it takes about 100 years for one of those puppies just to grow an arm, as my AZ friends informed me. And where's the grass? There just isn't much, and it takes precious water to keep it alive. But the rock gardens are gorgeous!

We visited a place called "Canaan in the Desert" that's a prayer garden cared for by a group of nuns. Beautiful, fascinating place under Camelback Mountain. Blooming prickly pears and other kind of spiky things I can't name, some of them bigger than I've ever seen. And then the walk through the stations of the cross, the story of the death of Christ. Little quail running everywhere. (Have you ever seen a quail with that funny little question mark feather sticking up off the top of its head? They're so funny and interesting!)

But the coolest thing was a fountain in the garden, a large bubbling fountain in the middle of the desert. The pool beneath the fountain had seven sides, and each named a quality of God the Father: Father of Comfort, Father of Mercy, Father of Faithfulness, etc. That was meaningful enough, but then we realized that each side had a spigot, and there was a little cup dispenser out there and a little instruction book that offered the experience of drinking from each spigot as you walked around the fountain, meditating upon that quality of God as you drank.

The picture of Him as Living Water and the only Source in the desert of our lives was poignant, meaningful, and joyful. It really made an impression upon me, especially with my physical ailments during the trip. Wow!

I spoke to three MOPS groups (mothers of preschoolers) at the church, La Casa de Cristo, a beautiful mission-style Lutheran Church of about 1200. We taught on the five doors of the heart and introduced a new booklet with six scripted lessons on the subject for moms to use with little ones. It should be available on the web site soon. The moms were delighted!

Come to find out that this church has the biggest presence  of all at the National MOPS convention! I didn't know that when we booked this event. God is obviously in the business of networking. So many other contacts have pointed me in this direction that I feel pretty sure I'll be headed there in time. There also seems to be a great chance of returning to Scottsdale for a full conference, so it was a very productive time.

On the flight home, we hit a thunderstorm on our way to Memphis. Some of you know how terrified of flying I've been in the past. Well, I am here to tell you that I bumped around in that little plane like a cork in the water and almost fell asleep. I'm not kidding! Walking through that fear has released me from it almost completely. I'm so grateful for that, and for the Source that pressed me to face the fear.

He's the only place to get life. He's the only place to get water. When you've suffering or struggling, picture yourself sitting next to that fountain I described, and a breeze blowing a mist of water over you, right over the wall that says "Father of Mercy." Ask for His help, and He will be there, watering your heart and giving you strength for the journey. He sure came through for us this week, and I'm so grateful!