Smile Power

Getting the message

...overheard after one of Tim's shows...

After my show, a class of Kindergartners were sitting at a lunch table by the stage while I was packing up my equipment.  After chatting with them for a bit, they quietly watched as I packed up.  Then, with total sincerity and awe in their cute little voices... this conversation happened as they watched me pack up...

Girl:  "How did he do those magic tricks?"

A moment of silence.....

Boy 1:  "He was smiling when he did them."

Boy 2:  "It's all about the smile.... When you smile... it gives you POWER."

Then they all just sat quietly and kept watching me as if his little answer contained all the wisdom and authority they needed.

If you're wondering... yes, his answer did make me smile... which, of course, gave me great power... and a big appreciation for the sweet simplicity of young hearts. 

God's Art Gallery

Walking through God's Art Gallery

August - October 2016

Since the beginning of our trip in August, 

we have been blessed to see so much natural beauty.

As Tim said, it's like we're walking through God's art gallery.

Just look at some of what we've seen....

On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,

and I will declare your greatness.

They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness

and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

-Psalm 145:5-7

His wondrous works are most definitely singing,

and we are so grateful to get to witness this tiny bit of it

and to sing along.

Grand Canyon

The truly Grand Canyon

10.12.16 and 10.13.16

(from Brie)   Fun story about this guy... kind of.

Earlier, we had been walking to the visitor's center, when I heard a familiar bird sound.  

(This all seemed to happen in a flash.) I heard the sound, thought- "We're at 7,000 feet elevation!"  

then whirled around to see the little bird I'd been hoping to see!  A Mountain Chickadee!

They have a white eyebrow, and live in mountains at high elevations.

 Later we saw this Mountain Chickadee playing in a tree with...

This little guy!  A Juniper Titmouse.  Isn't that pointy crest on his head so cute!  

He sounded like a squirrel.  But a cute squirrel.

Later this Western Scrub Jay joined, but he did not play.  He supervised.  :)

This very kind gentleman is an NPS Volunteer who described to us

the composition of the rocks of the Grand Canyon and a theory of its formation.  ;)

We planned to go back the second day and do just a little hiking down into the Canyon.

Tim ended up having a migraine, but he recovered in time for us to

experience sunset from Mohave Point.

The trail there did lead us down just the tiniest bit into the Canyon...

Tim & Jen loved it, and these guys weren't too sure...

although they look pretty brave here, don't they?  ;)

Some of the things I learned from our time at the Grand Canyon:

1. The Creator is truly awesome.

2. It's important to be with those you're with.
    Nothing...not gathering for dinner around the hotel room coffee table
        or seeing the Grand Canyon... is as good unless you are.

3. Showering/wearing deodorant should be required for entrance into beautiful places
    so as not to inhibit the enjoyment of said beautiful places for the general public.

;)

Brie's Board!

Hi everyone!

It's Brie.  I wanted to give y'all a link to my blog.  I hope you enjoy it!

briesboard.blogspot.com

 The link will always be on the Brie's Board page.

<3  -Brie

Vegas

The Bellagio with the Morenos

10.9.16

After dinner at Brie's new favorite restaurant, the Black Bear Diner,

we headed to the Bellagio to see the lovely botanical garden...

...Chihuly's "Fiori di Como" in the lobby...

...and of course, the beautiful, mesmerizing fountains...

...with amazing, beautiful people!

(There's a Moreno missing in these photos... Hope to catch you soon, Dario!)

Thank you, Bethany, Daniel, and Ana, for your welcoming smiles, your gracious hosting,

your true friendship, and your unbelievably yummy brownies. <3

Just the Shafferoonies headed back to the strip the next day...

 ...to check out the Flamingo, where the kids' favorite thing was the pelicans...  ;)

...the Venetian, where we watched a little comic opera...

...and were reminded that all you need is LOVE.

You know, the real kind.