What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Thursday Thankfulness...Psalm 91 at work

 I hadn't really planned on writing again today, but then I received something special via text late last night and I wanted to share it with you, as it is again, another "sign" of God's protection and care for our loved ones.

I've mentioned before that our grandson is on a cross country camping adventure.  Occasionally he texts us some pictures of where they are as they continue their journey across country, and are currently still in the southwest.  Last night, just as we were getting ready for bed I heard my phone make the familiar texting jingle, and my first thought was, "Oh No! Who's sending texts this late? I hope there isn't a problem!"  So I quickly went to my phone and checked, and here was the message I found from our grandson:

"Made it to the Grand Canyon. Got stuck in it for a night but I was able to hike out.
It was very hard. It was a 4 mile hike out up 4500 feet. My legs are super sore. 
Hope all is going well with y'all. 
Much Love."

Well, you can imagine my joy in hearing from him, but like any grandmother, you can also imagine the feelings and thoughts running rampant about what he must have endured being "stuck in it (the Grand Canyon) for a night but was able to hike out..."   To my knowledge, until this particular cross-country trip, our grandson has not had much experience in hiking and climbing or even camping, for that matter. Yes, he is 22 years old, and he isn't really alone. There's three other people with him, two girls and another guy. Again, I am not aware that any of them had any great experience in hiking/climbing, etc.  But they do have youth and resilience on their side, and hopefully they are learning important survival skills along the way.  Nevertheless, my first thought was, "Thank God they are out safely!"  Here's a few pictures he sent today to show where they have been:



Yikes! That's not my grandson, but one of their group. Making my palms sweaty, that's for sure!
And since he's taking these pictures, well, yeah...I am a bit nervous...

Pretty amazing, huh???

We had not heard from him for a couple of weeks and I was beginning to get concerned because he had been trying to communicate at least once a week. My husband and I have consistently prayed for them every single night, especially praying for their safety as they travel, camp in deserted places, and try to support themselves financially by doing whatever odd jobs they can find along the way.  This past week in particular I felt very strongly to pray for their safety even more deliberately. And now I understand why.  Being "stuck" in the Grand Canyon for a night sounds rather frightful to me. But they were never alone. God was always with them, and I praise God that He helped them get back out again with nothing worse than sore legs!  

Today he said that he will have to call when he can because they are "in the Navajo Nation and service has been spotty ever since the canyon."  I had to look up the Navajo Nation to see exactly what that was.
HERE is a link to their website.  I guess I didn't realize they had their own government, etc.  Very interesting stuff to read there!  

This led me to thinking about something I remembered that our grandson's father (our son Matthew) had done when he was a young boy in about 4th grade.  Like most young boys at that time he seemed to have an interest in "Cowboys and Indians".  He was taking art lessons and painted this picture of this Native American warrior:
It now hangs in our guest room.  I believe he entered it in the county fair back then and may have won a ribbon, but for some reason I do not have the ribbon. Anyway, it's a blue ribbon prize winner in my mind for sure!

And then his 4th grade teacher taught them how to make "Fry Bread", which is also known as Navajo Fry Bread.  Here is the recipe he had, written in his own hand:

HERE is a link to an online recipe for Navajo Fry Bread, in case you want to try it.  I see it calls for warm milk instead of warm water, so I don't know how different it would taste.  I do remember Matthew making this at home for us after he learned about it in school. Precious memories from days long gone by.  I wonder if there's "Navajo Fry Bread" in heaven?  If so, Matthew is probably enjoying some.

Okay, that's what I got for today... I am VERY thankful for God's protection over our grandson and his friends while they travel and explore God's beautiful country. 

Psalm 91 pretty well describes the prayer and comfort that I have for our grandson:

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

"1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”


3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.


7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.


9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.


14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
Amen.

16 comments:

  1. What a moving testimonial, Pam! If it concerns my son, I'm all the time fretting over something or another. Gotta work on that Faith over Fear, huh?
    A few years ago, Tom's daughter-in-law and sisters hiked the Canyon. They're all very athletic, anyway, but Shaunna allowed this was the hardest thing she'd ever done. The fry bread is a local delicacy at outdoor festivals, etc.; Tom enjoyed it, but I found it just 'meh.' I agree, Matthew's painting (especially the horses) is definitely blue-ribbon worthy! So glad Noah's not travelling alone; I'm adding him to my prayer list.

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  2. Oh I love the grand canyon. I need to go back - those are beautiful photos that capture the colors and all. I need more recent photos, plus the husband has never been there. I love the southwest and desert. If we ever left California, I would go to the desert. I'm already used to dry and 105+ temps. I doubt if that will happen but I do have my exit plans if we should ever have to leave. I like New Mexico and Nevada as well.

    I come from a family of backpackers and hikers. I'm sure they had an awesome experience. Sadly I can no longer carry a heavy pack with tent, sleeping gear and food anymore. I think that is what messed up my back. My sons do the big hikes tramping over high elevations, and cliffs and it used to worry me. I'm confident that they know what they are doing. and the way to know that is plenty of experience. No one goes into that hobby with experience. You have to start somewhere. Now your grandson is seasoned and has a great story to tell.

    Thanks for sharing - I'm kinda jealous - I want to be in the Grand Canyon! Lol

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  3. Oh my! I can't even imagine being stuck in the Grand Canyon. It is just as well that you learned that after the fact. Your memories are strong. I know you treasure them.

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  4. We pray for them…my sweet granddaughter graduated Purdue 2021…went to NYC on internship at NYU…then hired asap in NYC for a publisher…she lives in. Brooklyn,,,we love love love NYC and have gone so many times brought the years…we pray of course…no matter where my five grands are…

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  5. Our God is so good and faithful! And what an adventure your grandson is on. I would have loved to do such a thing when I was young...and I did have camping and hiking experience, also a bit of search and rescue and survival training. The Navajo Nation is beautiful and vast country. I led two mission trips out there and loved every minute of it. I would have happily moved there and worked alongside the missionaries as a tentmaker, but the hubby wasn't up for that. Thanks for the recipe because Navajo fry bread is the bomb! It's especially tasty made into a Navajo taco...fry bread piled sky high with meat, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, chilies, salsa, sour cream and whatever else. You eat it with a fork.

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  6. That is a sweet memory and glad you kept it. I love that you have been praying for him. One day I hope he will understand just how much y'all have. I hiked a canyon out near Navajo country once. Going down was such great fun...coming back up nearly killed me.

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  7. What a wonderful adventure for your grandson and his friends. Sweet memories of your son. Love the pictures of the Grand Canyon. I hope to go there some day.

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  8. I love verse 11 especially: 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
    To keep you in all your ways. AND... I remember 91:11 as calling 911 when you need help... from your Guardian Angel. So glad the kids are safe. They will have lots of tales to tell when they get home!! xo

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  9. Those are awesome pictures. I have been to the Grand Canyon twice. What a great experience for you son. My daughter in law is half Navajo and she wore her grandmother's beautiful jewelry at her wedding. She has made us frybread. She makes really good chicken enchiladas too. I really like the picture your son did. Such a special memory. I love Psalm 91!

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  10. Wow, beautiful and love the memories from Matthew. The Grand Canyon is on my bucket list. Thank you for sharing. I pray for you daily with your health concerns. Went for my MRI, and shoulder is torn up again.

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    1. Is that you, Sparky? I didn't know about your MRI...I am so sorry to hear that your shoulder is torn up again...that is NO fun, and I hate that for you. I hope it doesn't require surgery? I will be praying for you.

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  11. What gorgeous photos Noah took, Pamela! I'm so happy to know that he and his companions are safe and sound after being "lost" in the canyon. Scary stuff!
    And that painting Matthew did? Wow! So wonderful that you still have this treasure. I will add Noah to my prayer list.
    Blessings!

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  12. Your grandson is very lucky to have y'all pray for them daily.
    I think the Grand Canyon is a gorgeous spot, but I am not willing to do anything more than look at it from above. Not going to the bottom___ever!

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  13. We were at the Grand Canyon several years ago. It is majestic. I love the recipe for the "Fry Bread". Thank you for sharing the pictures. Peace and blessings.

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  14. Praise God your grandson is ok. I am sure they are learning valuable lessons along the way.

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  15. A wonderful post with gorgeous photos and interesting information. I love the painting. I think it is very well done for a 4th grader. I've always admired people who can paint. I don't think the fry bread will much different with milk or water. I know back in the day, some elderly ladies who liked to make bannock bread and only the odd one made it with milk because milk was expensive. I wonder if the Navajo women used sheep's milk traditionally in the making of their fry bread? I learn a little about the Navajo Nation here and there because I really love their woven rugs which they make with the wool from sheep that they raise. I also love their turqoise and silver jewellery and style of dressing. Last but not least, I love how the Lord prompts us to pray for others at certain times. I'm certainly glad your grandson and his friends made it out safely.

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