Life is Beautiful ~

My oldest daughter and her family have been hiking

some beautiful areas here in Colorado this Spring

and I was invited to go on one of those hikes alone with my daughter. 

What an eventful day! 

She had a sleep over with her dad and me the night before the hike

so we could get an earlier start, but, we all know that delays happen for a reason. 

We didn't leave as early as we had hoped but we had no worries. 

The hike took place over an hour from where we live

and on the way there after stopping for gas her vehicle began making

quite a clunking noise in the rear end. 

I'm one of those that believes ~ it will go away ~ not always. 

We continued down the road thinking only of our hike, 

until the noise became louder with every stop we made. 

My daughter phoned her husband and he suggested that we find a brake shop

as he had just previously looked at the emergency brake.

He thought that he was the cause of the problem, NOT!

So... as ladies with one thought on our minds, our hike, 

we chose to do the 6 mile hike first then search out a garage

not taking into consideration that my daughter still

had over a three hour drive home and needed to be home 

for work early the next morning.

What a glorious hike as we took in the beauty that surrounded

us in this canyon, Devils Canyon actually. 

Colorado National Monument, where there are 22 trails you can take
off the loop as you view the wild flowers, birds, wildlife
and, the trails can be enjoyed by horseback as well. 
In all this open space I managed to catch a cold
and have been under the weather ever since. 
My daughter and I took a couple of the trails off the loop
and came across some gorgeous rock formations
when suddenly, after 4 miles into the hike I was DONE!
Just like that, my knees were finished and I believe it was God Himself
who brought me to the place of needing to quit.
You see...quiting at the time we did allowed us to find the garage
God was directing us to. 
Turns out the vehicles clunking noise was her left rear axle
that had fallen due to a screw that had been sheared off.
We were dragging the axle.
The owner of this awesome garage told us that his 1:00 appointment didn't show,
otherwise he would not have been able to look after us until the next day.
It was a 4 1/2 hour job where the owner worked diligently 
so that my daughter could still make it home that evening.
Delays and God's perfect timing...
He knew that we could make the 1:00 apt. 
if I was to surrender and humbly say, I'M DONE!
During the time that my daughter and I waited we enjoyed a lovely walk
into the town, had a great lunch followed by a caramel frappe
and sweet, sweet fellowship that will forever remain in my heart. 
God's Word commands us to " rejoice always in the Lord."  ~ Philippians 4:4 ~
And to shout for joy as we trust in Him.  ~ Psalm 5:11 ~
We have so many reasons to rejoice in the Lord. 
The expense of a vehicle breakdown is still worth rejoicing over
because God is in charge and He looks after our every need.
"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
and that my soul knows very well."
~ Psalm 139:14 ~

No friendship is an accident
 ~ O. Henry ~

  This week a dear and godly friend of mine invited me over for a cup of tea.
 This wasn't just your usual cup of tea with a friend, no, rather it was
my dear friends first tea luncheon. 
My friend has joined Stephanie's tea cup/Mug exchanges but only with a mug.
This last exchange she decided to come on board and experience
the joy of  exchanging a tea cup in hopes she would find a liking for tea.
Well, she was blessed in abundance from the sweet lady who
gifted to her. Being a first timer with the tea cup exchange
her lady went all out in sharing tea related items with her
and all sorts of tea flavors, it was a beautiful package!
My friend couldn't wait for the day when she could share her new tea cup 
and goodies with me.
As she hosted her lovely luncheon and we visited over a cup of tea
 the sweetest of memories were made. 
I do not feel at liberty to share names or photos
as each of these lady's do not have a blog. 
I think it is beautiful that these two ladies were brought together
and a sweet friendship is beginning to grow.
Just another precious testimony of a friendship 
through Stephanie's wonderful exchange. 

~~~~♡♡♡~~~~

Graceful followers, thank you for taking the time to stop in, 
it is always a joy visiting with you!


Be Gracious!
~ Debbie ~