PFO Day 9 - I Stand in AWE!!!

After breakfast and a PFO Church service, which was very good, we boarded the buses to go to Niagara Falls.  The trip took us back to Buffalo, Lake Erie, and along the banks of the Niagara River to the Falls.  It was a long trip, building with excitement, every mile we drove.  As we drove closer, you could see the river growing faster and rougher.  When we stopped, everyone made a dash to Prospect Point to see the Falls for the first time...OH WOW!! One of the most spectacular scenes I've ever witnessed.  You can not see those Falls, the rushing torrent, the gulls, and landscape and not know in your heart THERE IS A GOD, who with one word created those wonders!  Awestruck, we explored and walked for hours, taking pics which you can see one the slide show below.  We crossed over to Ontario, Canada and the view was even better!!  Ate at the Hard Rock Cafe, Niagara Falls Ontario, bought some Canadian souvenirs, took more pics, and headed back to the bus.  What an awesome, awe-inspiring way to spend the Fourth of July, celebrating an American treasure on America's birthday!

Joe was kind enough to let me add my thoughts to the blog tonight.  I think what struck me the most on our trip today was the power of the water rushing over the falls.  The noise was deafening, the mist blinding.  All I could think about was the God we worship spoke the falls into existence - think of the power God has in His very whisper to create something that magnificent.  How much more impressive would they have been if He had touched the land to make them?  Could we have handled even seeing that much power?  And that very same power lives in us, through the blood of Jesus Christ.  He has given us "control" of that power when we pray in the name of His Son.  How should that change the attitude and language of our prayers?  We agreed in church this morning that we tend to have a very "give me" attitude when we pray.  Instead, we should acknowledge the power of the name of Jesus and focus on specific prayer which not only glorifies the Father, but encourages an intimacy with Him as well.

PFO Day 8 - Saturation Saturday

Today we split up into our breakout sessions.  Channon discussed issues of shopping, stresses, and cultural adjustments for spouses who work and/or stay at home.  My track sought to explain what makes a school a Christian school and how to teach with a biblical worldview and perspective.  We must teach out of our relationship with Christ, not something that someone else has read, experienced, or heard.  It must be personal to truly make a difference.  Great teaching times. The information we are attaining, in my opinion, could not be found anywhere else.  It has been so worthwhile.  Thanks to everyone who has helped make this a reality for our family!! The kids are getting excited about going to Austria and have made great friends. They have been learning how to be open to new foods, languages, and customs.  It make take time, but the keys are to not give up and keep trying to adjust.

This afternoon, we had a chance to walk down the streets of Houghton, NY.  We went down the main street to Subway, where they had Coca-Cola for Channon.  She was so happy to get Coke instead of Pepsi.  We also found something that we had never seen before.  A memorial to the Civil War Vets from this area of NY.  WOW, a Union Civil War Monument!!

Tomorrow, we will get to see another new place, Niagara Falls!!  We'll take lots of pics and cross over to Canada as well.

We are so thankful for God's faithfulness.  He has show us that He provides, sustains, and guides.