GOD'S LITTLE GIFTS THAT SHOW HIS LOVE

We have enjoyed so many beautiful gifts from God as we travel through the Rockies of Colorado. We have explored Estes Park, the Rocky Mountain National Park, Breakenridge, and Vail. Along the way we stopped in little towns like Georgetown, Fresco and even Keystone.  Rick has been surprised how some of these old mining towns, just bergs along the highway back when he was working in this area, are now considerable towns, seemingly thriving because of the skiing.  We have hiked into some lakes, along the rivers and of course walked the towns shopping.  We have seen deer and elk on our evening drives through the park, enjoyed several picnics beside the streams or rivers.  The weather has been typical of Colorado in the summer; beautiful days with afternoon showers and some lightening and thunder with great big fluffy clouds moving back and forth across the sky.


We have also just enjoyed being together and treasuring the gift of 'us'. We have talked about lots of things  past and present and future, laughed at our selves and



I wanted to include a few pictures of the children as they explore and learn that God has given them everything in nature as a gift to show His love for them.  They search for special treasures to collect, gather around to watch a tiny lady bug, wrap around and hug a tree.  For some reason I am not able to get them to down load.

Mountain top Experience

On our nature walk we found animal foot prints and skat, evidences of animals we did not see. We saw the leaves move and felt our hair blow, evidences of the wind we could not see. We saw shapes in the big fluffy clouds and chose a favorite tree. We gatherered pine cones, flowers and rocks. We smelled the rain and heard the thunder and the birds. We tasted the ingredients that went into our brownies and the finished treat. We accepted them all as gifts of love from God. We used our five senses to discover many of the ways God shows us how much He loves us. We want to tell Him and show Him how much we love Him back. We did art projects and made music and danced and played. We learned that we can express our love to God. Eight little children explored and discovered God's creation and love. What fun! Pictures to come. What a blessing to be part of their growing experience! The week in Estes park at the CRM ChurchNex conference could not have been more smooth or fun. Thank you for all of your prayers! I have been blessed by you and this experience. Right now Rick and I are enjoying our time together and the beautiful Colorado Rockies.

From the Mountains to the Beach

 Update 6/ 26

In just Twenty Days the actual adventure begins. 

But the process, planning and preparation is 

part of the fun and challenge.

The suitcases are out. 

Crafts and activities 

for 8 2-6 year olds 

and 15 6 -11 year olds 

have been gathered. 

Supplies are being purchased. 

The puzzle of packing within travel luggage limits

 is being put together.

For the ChurchNext Conference in Estes Park:

Karin and I have talked and planned over the phone. 

Two others have joined our preschool team 

and they will be teaching the lessons each morning.  

For the Ethne Conference in Greece:

I have a partner!  

Allison Schuster will help with the 15 grade school children.

 We have the curriculum 

"The Languages of God" 

for this conference and are excited to teach it.

Allison is planning to visit friends 

here in Az in a couple of weeks.

This will give us an opportunity to meet 

and do some planning together.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

God is working and things are coming together by His hands.

Continue to pray 

For all the children to have open hearts to hear what God has for them.

That the activities we have planned will be meaningful, 

a way for the children to express themselves 

and fun things to do as they make new friends.

Thank you for your love and support.

We are not the same

Even after just two weeks, we have changed and grown up.

 I, Andrew, Love to take showers.

 All three of us are doing great at swimming.

 Dad, Can I drive yet?  A fast motorcycle?

 Matching things is very easy for me. I even want my M&Ms to match.

 We share  and play great together.

 Being creative is what we do best

We do crafts, 

make up games,

 teach Nana how to play.

We have grown and changed.

Nana and Papa are excited to see how much we have grown,

and how much we will continue to change. 

They pray for us every day.

Isn't it amazing what little ones bring out in us; 

the qualities we thought we had 

learned or eliminated or kept in control?

Patience, calm, tone of voice, expectations, 

are all tested and stretched and often too far.

                                         

   Oh, that I could be more like Christ,  

always patient and calm, 

never reacting,

 always accepting

 and understanding.

These three little ones are our delight.

They offer lots of love and tenderness,

Laughter,

Fun,

Exploration,

Discovery

May they be my teacher.

OUR ADVENTURES CONTINUE

Is it possible to be so Blessed?

We Wonder.

THE COLLINS' 

ADVENTURES 

continue.

Rick stays on the 

learning curve at 

THIRD PLACE

Feeding, capturing, 

drought, flooding

new babies, new antlers,

and more.

Another trip to

Argentina 

to 'hunt' dove.

More like.... shoot and 

shoot as fast as you can.

As for me, I get to be part of two great opportunities to

work with children whose parents attend CRM Conferences.

One in Estes Park, Co working with preschool children, 

another in Athens, Greece working with grade school children.

 Travis and Christin

enjoying the first year of 

married life.

Christin balancing job and ministry 

Travis intentional about getting 

the community going and growing

with travel from Vancouver to Denver

with new challenges of heading all 

 of NewMinster .

Brad and Kristina

 Nathan and Andrew and Kayla

make a house full of activity, 

growing and changes

and days filled with laughter.

Brad and Kristina 

lead a team to Argentina the first two weeks of June.

Nana and Papa get to play with

Nathan and Andrew and Kayla

Swimming will be a daily event

And there will be lots of fort building, 

car racing, bubbles, balloons 

baking and more.  

SPRING HAPPENS RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES

Four seasons are not always visible or distinct.
In the desert  the changes are subtle, except for spring if there has been sufficient rain. Then dull green prickly cactus and trees display flowers and color, especially yellow with lots of pops of deep pink and soft purple.


At Third Place, it seemed that Spring just happened
right in front of our eyes. Leaving in December the ground was barren and brown. In March there was a
lush green grass everywhere. Not three days later the green was covered with a blanket of yellow.
                             

Robins, by the flocks flew in. They were everywhere pulling worm? from the ground.

One day, just at dusk, spotted through out the yellow and green, was a larger poppy like flower.  It was a one time showing, gone the next day.

A day drive up north to explore more little towns, the famous Blue Bells were just emerging. Their array not yet at its full potential but beautiful. 

Orange took over along the highway. Who spilled the paint bucket? 

The trees were so dry they left questions of  whether they were alive or dead. Then one day every branch looked fuzzy, covered with tiny little leaves.

Looking out over their tops across the meadow the brown was now light green. Within just a few days they were all filled out and thick.