Salutations from Spearfish

This post comes during the midst of our vacation in South Dakota. We're in Spearfish, a little outpost on the far west side of the state. What a beautiful part of God's creation. It's easy to drive through the area and envision moving here (which is probably how everyone HAS moved here).

Today we are picnicking in the canyon. Tomorrow`is the big sightseeing day, when we'll traverse to Rushmore, the Wind Cave, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, etc.

We were reminded yesterday how God protects us. On our way to Spearfish from Sioux Falls, we passed through the desolate middle area of the state. No cell phone service for miles and miles. When we stopped at the Badlands at 2 in the afternoon, it was 100 degrees. There isn't a town of any size on the map until you get to Rapid City, about 2 1/2 hours farther west.

Anyway, we piled back into the van and made our way west. Three miles outside of Spearfish, the van begins to lose power. Twice we had to pull over because the engine stalled. We were dead on the interstate. We called our host family, Bryan and Cathy Lessly, and Cathy came out to greet us. We limped into town and took the van to the station, where it is now being repaired (we hope).

If we had pulled up lame anywhere else along the road, we would have had a long walk and a big towing bill. As it is, God got us here, and I'm sure he'll get us home. But you might say a little prayer for us, that God will convince me that He has an inexpensive plan for our return to Cedar Rapids.

In the meantime, we'll be hanging out in this haven of beauty among the faces of our great presidents. We hope you had a great 4th of July and have been reminded of the freedoms God grants in this land of ours.