I wanted to share this with my friends. Matt Abney, a gifted musician & member of the PaLO VErde family, wrote and performs this moving tribute to the fallen here in Tucson. "Close to Home" is powerful in lyrics and video. We have had a rough time in Tucson. Thank you Matt Abney for blessing us. This was shared with our Sunday morning assembly here at PV.
Showing posts with label Tucson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tucson. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
I wanted to share this with my friends. Matt Abney, a gifted musician & member of the PaLO VErde family, wrote and performs this moving tribute to the fallen here in Tucson. "Close to Home" is powerful in lyrics and video. We have had a rough time in Tucson. Thank you Matt Abney for blessing us. This was shared with our Sunday morning assembly here at PV.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Two Thousand Eight! It is coming to a close. It has been one heck of a year. What can I say about it...
Well, first, it began in the pits of hell. An 18 year relationship ended like a supernova in the night sky. That sort of set the tone for the rest of the year. With many apologies to many folks 2008 when I learned to cry and cuss. I learned that many folks, preachers in particular, have no clue what divorce is like. To say it any plainer (more accurately) would require a stronger word that some would find offensive. There is no kinder way to put it. Family like the Holts let me live with them when I had no home to live in and the Sterlings gave me a ton's and the Reminders and on I could go. Folks like Jan, Vivian, and Jeff were life savers. I found myself reading books that are not my typical genre: Suzy Brown's Radical Recovery, Dana Hood's I Will Change Your Name, Linda Nielson's Between Fathers & Daughters, Women in Midlife Crisis, Barbara & Allan Pease Why Men Don't Have a Clue & Women Always Need More Shoes and Alec Baldwin's A Promise to Ourselves: A Journey through Fatherhood and Divorce, Larry Crabb's Shattered Dreams ... to name just a few.
On to other matters. The Earth moved millions of miles as our solar system moved who knows how many miles and the galaxy moved even more. Talya and Rachael have developed into young ladies. They both played volleyball and Rachael continues with soccer. Talya sang in her talent show and Rachael was a lady in waiting in a Robin Hood play.
In spite of the beginning of the year God has provided blessings along the way. After one church dropped me from a speaking engagement because I am now stigmatized another ... in Nashville ... wanted me to come for the exact same weekend (I like the irony). I spoke at the Pepperdine Lectures (on the Struggle for the Soul of the Churches of Christ ... my friend John Mark was not able to be there) and the ACU lectures on Walking With the Spirit: The Transitions of K.C. Moser. I have plugged away at a theological biography of Moser and contributed an essay for a memorial volume in honor of Michael W. Casey.
From the pulpit we explored "New Beginnings" (which now that I go back and listen to them were less than works of art!! Honest ... but not art!) then we explored "Blessed are the Shalom Makers. The last half of the year we looked at the Living Word in the Gospel of John. And currently I am teaching "Exploring Our Roots: Snapshots on the Family Tree" which is vignettes on the Stoned-Campbell Movement.
Some other books I've enjoyed this year (some I've placed on my blog). I read through the Dead Scrolls Bible which has all the biblical texts discovered in the caves near the Dead Sea. I read Copernicus On the Revolutions of Heavenly Bodies. Tertullian's works in the Ante-Nicene Fathers. Read the Bible through twice and Psalms at least six times (including Robert Alter's new translation and volume 1 of John Goldingay's Commentary) My copy of the Prymer is falling apart. N.T. Wright's Resurrection of the Son of God was a favorite as was Surprised by Hope. Chris Wright's The Mission of God and Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament. I read a number of Missional and Emergent authors with profit. The two best preaching books I've read this year were by the same author Ellen Davis, Wondrous Depth: Preaching the Old Testament (this is a rich book) and Getting Involved with God: Rediscovering the Old Testament. I also have begun reading the Scripture and Hermeneutics Series edited by Craig Bartholomew ... excellent stuff.
Loved Iron Man and Batman. I suffered through Enchanted. I watched Babylon 5 with the girls. Twilight was ok. The Clone Wars was not quite Star Wars. And I visited the dollar movie frequently.
Palo Verde has been a great haven this year. They have been loving and patient with me and cared for my girls. They have been a gift from God. I visited my former home in Milwaukee.
I took my first "solo" vacation with a trip through southern California and the desert of AZ. It was a great experience but still not what I am used too. I made some new friends this year from all over. I lost one very important friend too. My blog had visits from 101 different countries ... some that I never heard of.
Not much to write about ... From the Tucson "International" Airport ...
Seeking Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Well, first, it began in the pits of hell. An 18 year relationship ended like a supernova in the night sky. That sort of set the tone for the rest of the year. With many apologies to many folks 2008 when I learned to cry and cuss. I learned that many folks, preachers in particular, have no clue what divorce is like. To say it any plainer (more accurately) would require a stronger word that some would find offensive. There is no kinder way to put it. Family like the Holts let me live with them when I had no home to live in and the Sterlings gave me a ton's and the Reminders and on I could go. Folks like Jan, Vivian, and Jeff were life savers. I found myself reading books that are not my typical genre: Suzy Brown's Radical Recovery, Dana Hood's I Will Change Your Name, Linda Nielson's Between Fathers & Daughters, Women in Midlife Crisis, Barbara & Allan Pease Why Men Don't Have a Clue & Women Always Need More Shoes and Alec Baldwin's A Promise to Ourselves: A Journey through Fatherhood and Divorce, Larry Crabb's Shattered Dreams ... to name just a few.
On to other matters. The Earth moved millions of miles as our solar system moved who knows how many miles and the galaxy moved even more. Talya and Rachael have developed into young ladies. They both played volleyball and Rachael continues with soccer. Talya sang in her talent show and Rachael was a lady in waiting in a Robin Hood play.
In spite of the beginning of the year God has provided blessings along the way. After one church dropped me from a speaking engagement because I am now stigmatized another ... in Nashville ... wanted me to come for the exact same weekend (I like the irony). I spoke at the Pepperdine Lectures (on the Struggle for the Soul of the Churches of Christ ... my friend John Mark was not able to be there) and the ACU lectures on Walking With the Spirit: The Transitions of K.C. Moser. I have plugged away at a theological biography of Moser and contributed an essay for a memorial volume in honor of Michael W. Casey.
From the pulpit we explored "New Beginnings" (which now that I go back and listen to them were less than works of art!! Honest ... but not art!) then we explored "Blessed are the Shalom Makers. The last half of the year we looked at the Living Word in the Gospel of John. And currently I am teaching "Exploring Our Roots: Snapshots on the Family Tree" which is vignettes on the Stoned-Campbell Movement.
Some other books I've enjoyed this year (some I've placed on my blog). I read through the Dead Scrolls Bible which has all the biblical texts discovered in the caves near the Dead Sea. I read Copernicus On the Revolutions of Heavenly Bodies. Tertullian's works in the Ante-Nicene Fathers. Read the Bible through twice and Psalms at least six times (including Robert Alter's new translation and volume 1 of John Goldingay's Commentary) My copy of the Prymer is falling apart. N.T. Wright's Resurrection of the Son of God was a favorite as was Surprised by Hope. Chris Wright's The Mission of God and Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament. I read a number of Missional and Emergent authors with profit. The two best preaching books I've read this year were by the same author Ellen Davis, Wondrous Depth: Preaching the Old Testament (this is a rich book) and Getting Involved with God: Rediscovering the Old Testament. I also have begun reading the Scripture and Hermeneutics Series edited by Craig Bartholomew ... excellent stuff.
Loved Iron Man and Batman. I suffered through Enchanted. I watched Babylon 5 with the girls. Twilight was ok. The Clone Wars was not quite Star Wars. And I visited the dollar movie frequently.
Palo Verde has been a great haven this year. They have been loving and patient with me and cared for my girls. They have been a gift from God. I visited my former home in Milwaukee.
I took my first "solo" vacation with a trip through southern California and the desert of AZ. It was a great experience but still not what I am used too. I made some new friends this year from all over. I lost one very important friend too. My blog had visits from 101 different countries ... some that I never heard of.
Not much to write about ... From the Tucson "International" Airport ...
Seeking Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
What a Mess ... Stoned's Office Project"I thought Godzilla was a mess, the monster had no character and the humans didn't either" (George Romero)
Well Godzilla was a classic compared to the mess in my office. In this post I decided to give you a glimpse of a good deal of my world ... my office. Supplemented by some photo illustrations. I just received, through the graces of Carisse Berryhill of the Center of Restoration Studies, a complete set of the Millennial Harbinger (42 volumes)... what to do with them?
Here is a view to the left from my chair. Note the construction in the corner ... oh don't miss Sponge Bob the guardian of books ...
Here is a view to the right across the top of my desk. An attempt to capture the mess.
A look at the mess to the rear of my desk. Man I need to clean this mess ...
But I think I'd rather go for a ride ...
Blessings,
Bobby Valentine
Thursday, April 10, 2008
God's Outlaws
John Wycliff and William Tyndale are giants in Christian history. Both worked with great courage to bring the Word of God to English speaking people. They also had something else in common ... they were Outlaws!
Here are two of God's Outlaws on the staff of Palo Verde. One is on a miniature pony and the other is on an Iron Horse, ;-) We won't say which is which though ... But these outlaws are good friends . . .
Here they are again enjoying a break in the desert sun ...
One of God's Outlaws is the luckiest dad in the world
Blessings on all God's People,
Bobby Valentine
John Wycliff and William Tyndale are giants in Christian history. Both worked with great courage to bring the Word of God to English speaking people. They also had something else in common ... they were Outlaws!
Here are two of God's Outlaws on the staff of Palo Verde. One is on a miniature pony and the other is on an Iron Horse, ;-) We won't say which is which though ... But these outlaws are good friends . . .
Here they are again enjoying a break in the desert sun ...
One of God's Outlaws is the luckiest dad in the world
Blessings on all God's People,
Bobby Valentine
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Snow in the Desert ... at least on the Mountains
While the rest of the country has been getting pummeled with ice and snow ... old man winter has hit the desert with a vengeance, ;-) Well you would think so ... we have had rain. Very unusual here in the desert. But we did get some snow. That is way up on the mountains. I have posted a few photos which hardly do justice to the beautify of it all.
Just in case you wonder about those kinds of things, the snow line is at 6,500 feet.
This is my Father's World ...
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
While the rest of the country has been getting pummeled with ice and snow ... old man winter has hit the desert with a vengeance, ;-) Well you would think so ... we have had rain. Very unusual here in the desert. But we did get some snow. That is way up on the mountains. I have posted a few photos which hardly do justice to the beautify of it all.
Just in case you wonder about those kinds of things, the snow line is at 6,500 feet.
This is my Father's World ...
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Monday, October 29, 2007
Arizona Moon Rise ...
I took these pictures from our backyard last friday as the Sun was setting in the west and the moon was rising in the east. The mountains are the Rincon's. As fall approaches here in the desert it has been getting terribly cold, :-) For example yesterday it was 95 degrees and for Halloween they are predicting it will be 86 ... But seriously in the wee hours it has been getting into the upper 60 and in the mountains probably in the 50s by 5 am!!!
A wide angle view of the moon rising with the houses catching the final rays of the sun ...
A close up view of the moon coming over the Rincons ...
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
I took these pictures from our backyard last friday as the Sun was setting in the west and the moon was rising in the east. The mountains are the Rincon's. As fall approaches here in the desert it has been getting terribly cold, :-) For example yesterday it was 95 degrees and for Halloween they are predicting it will be 86 ... But seriously in the wee hours it has been getting into the upper 60 and in the mountains probably in the 50s by 5 am!!!
A wide angle view of the moon rising with the houses catching the final rays of the sun ...
A close up view of the moon coming over the Rincons ...
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Monday, October 1, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Back from Abilene and On with Life
Well, Friday afternoon I made the long and boring drive from Abilene, TX to Tucson, AZ. Actually the view gets better the further west you go and by the time you hit AZ there are beautiful mountains ... the sunset on the mountains is quite stunning.
I had a wonderful time at the ACU Lectures. I met fellow blogger Frank Bellizzi in the Center for Restoration Studies. It was a very providential meeting.
I took in Mike Casey's class on Garfield Todd. Todd was a Disciples minister in Rhodesia, Africa. He became Prime Minister and became heavily involved in justice for the African people. His is a great story. John Willis' lectures on Micah were great. I was sadly disappointed that Tom Olbricht was not able to make the lectures. I highly recommend getting the CDs to Willis' class (these can be ordered from Gaylor Multimedia).
Most of the keynote addresses are worth ordering copies of. Jerry Taylor, Landon Saunders and Jeff Walling exceeded their own high standards. Walling's sermon was, possibly, the best sermon I have ever heard him preach.
Thursday evening, a day after the lectures, I visited with Randy Harris and made plans PV's men's retreat he will be doing in April of 2008.
I visited with Fran Moser Winkles and her husband Dub several times. These are wonderful people. Thursday while at the Winkles I made a "providential" discovery. I found a book that at first looked simply like a bound copy of The Gist of Romans (that is what it said on the spine). But upon opening the book it was rather a alphabetical listing of every preacher and preacher student (from ACC, Harding, OCC, York, FHC, Pepperdine) that Moser sent a copy of his book to. The info included the name, location and date of the recipient. It was fascinating to see names as diverse as Bill Love and Hugo McCord listed. This is a little goldmine ...
I am slowly but surely coming to a deeper appreciation of Moser's life and one day this will express itself in a theological biography of the man.
I was glad to pull into the drive way late Friday night. I decided to go to bed ... and then at 5 am my lovely wife decided to go for a run (she is training for a marathon!!) so I got up and went with her. I was nearly dead afterwards ...
I continued my class called "A Gathered People" only now those who wanted a book can have one. This afternoon I was at Southside Church of Christ here in Tucson and will be preaching for a gospel meeting beginning tomorrow. This is a small, largely African American congregation with wonderful fellowship. Our song leader is a blind brother, and to tell the truth he was awesome!
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Well, Friday afternoon I made the long and boring drive from Abilene, TX to Tucson, AZ. Actually the view gets better the further west you go and by the time you hit AZ there are beautiful mountains ... the sunset on the mountains is quite stunning.
I had a wonderful time at the ACU Lectures. I met fellow blogger Frank Bellizzi in the Center for Restoration Studies. It was a very providential meeting.
I took in Mike Casey's class on Garfield Todd. Todd was a Disciples minister in Rhodesia, Africa. He became Prime Minister and became heavily involved in justice for the African people. His is a great story. John Willis' lectures on Micah were great. I was sadly disappointed that Tom Olbricht was not able to make the lectures. I highly recommend getting the CDs to Willis' class (these can be ordered from Gaylor Multimedia).
Most of the keynote addresses are worth ordering copies of. Jerry Taylor, Landon Saunders and Jeff Walling exceeded their own high standards. Walling's sermon was, possibly, the best sermon I have ever heard him preach.
Thursday evening, a day after the lectures, I visited with Randy Harris and made plans PV's men's retreat he will be doing in April of 2008.
I visited with Fran Moser Winkles and her husband Dub several times. These are wonderful people. Thursday while at the Winkles I made a "providential" discovery. I found a book that at first looked simply like a bound copy of The Gist of Romans (that is what it said on the spine). But upon opening the book it was rather a alphabetical listing of every preacher and preacher student (from ACC, Harding, OCC, York, FHC, Pepperdine) that Moser sent a copy of his book to. The info included the name, location and date of the recipient. It was fascinating to see names as diverse as Bill Love and Hugo McCord listed. This is a little goldmine ...
I am slowly but surely coming to a deeper appreciation of Moser's life and one day this will express itself in a theological biography of the man.
I was glad to pull into the drive way late Friday night. I decided to go to bed ... and then at 5 am my lovely wife decided to go for a run (she is training for a marathon!!) so I got up and went with her. I was nearly dead afterwards ...
I continued my class called "A Gathered People" only now those who wanted a book can have one. This afternoon I was at Southside Church of Christ here in Tucson and will be preaching for a gospel meeting beginning tomorrow. This is a small, largely African American congregation with wonderful fellowship. Our song leader is a blind brother, and to tell the truth he was awesome!
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Mountains, Rainbows & Sunsets
Friday afternoon we had a little bit of rain. The black clouds were sitting over the Rincon Mountains to the east of my house. A perfect rainbow, from horizon to horizon, was superimposed on those dark clouds. This picture captures part of the bow but does not do anything like justice to the scene.
Here is another photo of the same part of the rainbow
This is what was 180 degrees away from the rainbow to the west ...
As I pointed out these pictures are fairly tame to what God was putting on display in the sky.
Friday afternoon we had a little bit of rain. The black clouds were sitting over the Rincon Mountains to the east of my house. A perfect rainbow, from horizon to horizon, was superimposed on those dark clouds. This picture captures part of the bow but does not do anything like justice to the scene.
Here is another photo of the same part of the rainbow
This is what was 180 degrees away from the rainbow to the west ...
As I pointed out these pictures are fairly tame to what God was putting on display in the sky.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
VBS at Palo Verde
Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning has been or will be VBS here at PV. There have been crews of people -- young and not so young at 651 Kolb all week long. Dr. Brendon Holt, who is used to guiding Tomahawk cruise missles, has ably guided all of us through the maze of digging for truth. Our VBS is for all ages: preschool to 99 as he says! It has gone off with hardly a hitch so far (this is Saturday night and I feel as if I have been bushwacked). But we have had a great time so far. We have picked up on archeology and the anticipation of Indiana Jones coming out as a theme for our family adventure which we call "Quest for Truth." Below are some pictures of some of the home made decor, "base camp," the tunnel into a tomb, weary adult worker bees ... etc. I should have gotten a picture of the stack of New York Pizza's (22 inch behemoths!) to feed 200 kidos from ... my Saturn never smelled so good!!!!!
Who is that Wild Eyed Stranger ... Bad Hair Day
Entering the Shadowlands ...
A Few Brave Souls ... This area is actually sort of "dark" and we have a fog machine ... but my flash decided it needed to flood the area with light ...
That's Where They Put it Indy ...
Weary Adults ... I think I heard some person say "I thought we fixed those swamp coolers ..."
PV ... They'll Let any one in the church there ...
A Break after Lunch in the Teen Room ...
Base Camp ... or VBS central ... the calm before the storm ...
Sherry and Carol are having WAY to much fun ...
Arizona Clay explaining some vital truth that has been unearthed during our adventure ...
May be some photos later as I go through them ... after I get some rest.
Shalom,
Bobby V
Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning has been or will be VBS here at PV. There have been crews of people -- young and not so young at 651 Kolb all week long. Dr. Brendon Holt, who is used to guiding Tomahawk cruise missles, has ably guided all of us through the maze of digging for truth. Our VBS is for all ages: preschool to 99 as he says! It has gone off with hardly a hitch so far (this is Saturday night and I feel as if I have been bushwacked). But we have had a great time so far. We have picked up on archeology and the anticipation of Indiana Jones coming out as a theme for our family adventure which we call "Quest for Truth." Below are some pictures of some of the home made decor, "base camp," the tunnel into a tomb, weary adult worker bees ... etc. I should have gotten a picture of the stack of New York Pizza's (22 inch behemoths!) to feed 200 kidos from ... my Saturn never smelled so good!!!!!
Who is that Wild Eyed Stranger ... Bad Hair Day
Entering the Shadowlands ...
A Few Brave Souls ... This area is actually sort of "dark" and we have a fog machine ... but my flash decided it needed to flood the area with light ...
That's Where They Put it Indy ...
Weary Adults ... I think I heard some person say "I thought we fixed those swamp coolers ..."
PV ... They'll Let any one in the church there ...
A Break after Lunch in the Teen Room ...
Base Camp ... or VBS central ... the calm before the storm ...
Sherry and Carol are having WAY to much fun ...
Arizona Clay explaining some vital truth that has been unearthed during our adventure ...
May be some photos later as I go through them ... after I get some rest.
Shalom,
Bobby V
Saturday, July 28, 2007
When It Rains ... It Pours ... at least some of the Time
It is "monsoon" season here in the desert. Now the monsoons did not really kick up until about a week ago and we have been getting some rain nearly everyday. Today, however, when it was supposed to be VBS work day Noah's deluge decided to come. I have learned that the desert does not really soak up the water. No the ground here seems to reject water and it simply runs off. And it does so fairly quickly.
I have seen rain before. In New Orleans it could rain and rain hard. In Mississippi it rained and it rained hard. But here in the desert it seems like it tries to shove six months supply into thirty minutes (you know it only rains two or three times a year here! :-) Today it rained.
They have a "Stupid Motorist Law" here in the desert. If you drive your car into a street that has water running over it they call you a "stupid motorist." It may only look a couple of inches but it is usually more like 10, 12 or more. I saw my first "stupid motorist" today. I saw a fellow drive his Chrysler 300M into the water on the corner of Sabino Canyon and Tanque Verde (a major intersection) and his expensive car died. the road at that point dips and water collects. The water was not quit half-way up his door panel but the care was completely swamped. The firemen were rescuing him. I did not have my camera or it would be on my blog.
Here are a few photos though:
Just a light rain ...
What the Tanque Verde wash normally looks like ... More water in the Sahara Desert
The Wash from east and west ...
The Catalinas after the rain from my front lawn ... The clouds hanging on the mountains make for a striking image (the picture just does not do it justice).
Thanks for looking at the pictures from my world.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
It is "monsoon" season here in the desert. Now the monsoons did not really kick up until about a week ago and we have been getting some rain nearly everyday. Today, however, when it was supposed to be VBS work day Noah's deluge decided to come. I have learned that the desert does not really soak up the water. No the ground here seems to reject water and it simply runs off. And it does so fairly quickly.
I have seen rain before. In New Orleans it could rain and rain hard. In Mississippi it rained and it rained hard. But here in the desert it seems like it tries to shove six months supply into thirty minutes (you know it only rains two or three times a year here! :-) Today it rained.
They have a "Stupid Motorist Law" here in the desert. If you drive your car into a street that has water running over it they call you a "stupid motorist." It may only look a couple of inches but it is usually more like 10, 12 or more. I saw my first "stupid motorist" today. I saw a fellow drive his Chrysler 300M into the water on the corner of Sabino Canyon and Tanque Verde (a major intersection) and his expensive car died. the road at that point dips and water collects. The water was not quit half-way up his door panel but the care was completely swamped. The firemen were rescuing him. I did not have my camera or it would be on my blog.
Here are a few photos though:
Just a light rain ...
What the Tanque Verde wash normally looks like ... More water in the Sahara Desert
The Wash from east and west ...
The Catalinas after the rain from my front lawn ... The clouds hanging on the mountains make for a striking image (the picture just does not do it justice).
Thanks for looking at the pictures from my world.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Speaking of reading ... Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released at 12:01 am this morning. Wow! What a night in the bookstore!
About a six weeks ago Rachael and I made a date for daddy-girl time: Friday, July 20 we would be at Borders Bookstore for the "Deathly Hallows Bash." We reserved our copy. Yesterday we went up and got our wristband with our placement in the book buying (Silver with two bars in the first Borders ... that means were in the second "huge" group).
We arrived at Borders last night about 9 pm and the place was already filling up. We found a spot in the children's book section to be near the festivities. There was Harry Potter spelling bee. There was a Snape debate. And there was a costume contest. And there were some great costumes. Rachael was Hermione and looked great.
I was blown away by how many folks were there. There were thousands! I knew Potter was an "event" but I was not prepared for the numbers last night. Once midnight struck the only activity that mattered was getting your book and getting out of there. So you listened for your color and the number of bars and its placement on your wristband. We finally got our copy at 1:32 am and Rachael was smiling from ear to ear. I took the book and read the last page quickly and knew immediately what is going to happen. Now in the next day or so we will find out how they got there.
I hope we created a few memories for Rachael. I had a good time and I know she did too. Sometimes we have to read ... the fun stuff too.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
On Top of Mt Lemmon
It looks like someone did not make the curve. This is a van that is WAY down in the gorge. Zoomed in with my camera. Not sure how long that van has been there but it looks like a long time.
Rachael and Talya at Windy Point
The Road along the Mountain side.
Hey, there are trees in Arizona!! You just have to go nearly 10,000 feet up to find them, :-)
What Tucson looks like from the very top of Mt Lemmon. The little white specks are houses. The brown strip is the air force base that covers several miles ... looks small from here. The trees are bare because of the fire a couple years ago on Mt Lemmon.
Blessings,
Bobby Valentine
It looks like someone did not make the curve. This is a van that is WAY down in the gorge. Zoomed in with my camera. Not sure how long that van has been there but it looks like a long time.
Rachael and Talya at Windy Point
The Road along the Mountain side.
Hey, there are trees in Arizona!! You just have to go nearly 10,000 feet up to find them, :-)
What Tucson looks like from the very top of Mt Lemmon. The little white specks are houses. The brown strip is the air force base that covers several miles ... looks small from here. The trees are bare because of the fire a couple years ago on Mt Lemmon.
Blessings,
Bobby Valentine
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Tribute to a Noble Wife and Mother
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her ... Her husband is respected in the city gate ... Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her" (Pr 31.10-11, 23, 28)
Not only does she make her husband and kids look good in the city gate, more importantly she does so at the race and the game (Milwaukee Mile) ...
"Turn your eyes from me; they overwhelm me ..." (S of S 6.5,8-9, NIV)
Pamella watches over her children as they grow (like they have since this picture of Christmas 2004); Molding them to be lovers of Jesus and his kingdom.
Scripture must have had her in mind when it reads: "How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful ... your lips are like a scarlet ribbon; your mouth is lovely ... " (S of S 4.1, 3, 11).
She is wonderful to her family
Noble, loving and caring as she is, Pamella also reminds me of the heroine Judith. Judith was "beautiful in appearance and lovely to behold" (Judith 8.7). Soft on the outside and tough as nails on the inside. There is that subdued strength to do the unbelievable--in Judith's case it was to deal ever so boldly with Holofernes who threatened God's people. She is my own Storm (for those who read comic books).
"Your eyes are doves" (S of S 1.14; 4.1)
Rachael, Talya and I thank you very much for making us all look good. Thank you for teaching us, caring for us, protecting us, praying for us, playing with us, and loving us. For the record the girls picked each picture ... plus one with the belly button. I love you and am proud to say you are my wife and mother of my children.
Beauty and the Beast ...
On his wedding night, the young Tobias asked his bride, Sarah, to kneel in prayer ...
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her ... Her husband is respected in the city gate ... Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her" (Pr 31.10-11, 23, 28)
Not only does she make her husband and kids look good in the city gate, more importantly she does so at the race and the game (Milwaukee Mile) ...
"Turn your eyes from me; they overwhelm me ..." (S of S 6.5,8-9, NIV)
Pamella watches over her children as they grow (like they have since this picture of Christmas 2004); Molding them to be lovers of Jesus and his kingdom.
Scripture must have had her in mind when it reads: "How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful ... your lips are like a scarlet ribbon; your mouth is lovely ... " (S of S 4.1, 3, 11).
She is wonderful to her family
Noble, loving and caring as she is, Pamella also reminds me of the heroine Judith. Judith was "beautiful in appearance and lovely to behold" (Judith 8.7). Soft on the outside and tough as nails on the inside. There is that subdued strength to do the unbelievable--in Judith's case it was to deal ever so boldly with Holofernes who threatened God's people. She is my own Storm (for those who read comic books).
"Your eyes are doves" (S of S 1.14; 4.1)
Rachael, Talya and I thank you very much for making us all look good. Thank you for teaching us, caring for us, protecting us, praying for us, playing with us, and loving us. For the record the girls picked each picture ... plus one with the belly button. I love you and am proud to say you are my wife and mother of my children.
Beauty and the Beast ...
On his wedding night, the young Tobias asked his bride, Sarah, to kneel in prayer ...
"Blessed are you, O God of our ancestors,
and blessed is your name in all generations forever.
Let the heavens and the whole creation bless you forever.
You made Adam, and for him you made Eve
as a helper and support.
From the two of them the human race has sprung.
You said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone;
let us make a helper for him like himself.'
I now am taking this woman of mine,
not because of lust, but with sincerity.
Grant that she and I may find mercy
and that we may grow old together."
(Tobit 8.5-7)
and blessed is your name in all generations forever.
Let the heavens and the whole creation bless you forever.
You made Adam, and for him you made Eve
as a helper and support.
From the two of them the human race has sprung.
You said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone;
let us make a helper for him like himself.'
I now am taking this woman of mine,
not because of lust, but with sincerity.
Grant that she and I may find mercy
and that we may grow old together."
(Tobit 8.5-7)
May it be so. Happy Mother's Day
Your loving Husband
Your loving Husband
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