November 25, 2011 Journal Entry. Father God, even in this upside down world, Your plans are always good.

Holy and Mighty God, on this last day of our vacation, my heart fills with joyful anticipation. My husband has planned yet another surprise trip for our family.  Oh, how I love when You place a desire on my husband’s heart! 

Early this morning, LeeRoy told me that even before we arrived, he had asked his co-workers if they knew of a nearby site that Christians must see. One of his coworkers suggested a climbing trip to a local monument where another believer had spent much of his life creating a tribute to You.  Without hesitation, LeeRoy began to coordinate a day trip for our family.  I practically jumped out of his moving truck to witness the mighty Words of the Bible painted upon the mountainside.  

The Lord's Prayer

 I was still feeling bewildered by my husband’s sweet attempt to please me when he joyfully grabbed my hand and walked by my side as we slowly climbed the mountain and read scripture together.  I captured the moment on film as we enjoyed “Salvation Mountain,” as it is called. In my heart, I couldn’t help but offer You thanks yet again. I softly prayed, “Father God, even in this upside down world, Your plans are always good. You seem to know just how to demonstrate Your majesty. Thank You for all the activities You planned for us as a family this week. I know now, that Your love is what has sustained my marriage. And, I pray that this love will always be painted upon my heart. Amen.” 

Salvation Mountain our Family's Valentine's Day gift from God!

John 3:16 NKJV 

"For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotton Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

During this year’s Thanksgiving Day vacation, my husband surprised my young son and me with a trip to a monument called “Salvation Mountain.”  Through a coworker, he had learned that a believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had spent much of his life creating a testament to express his love and admiration for God. I couldn’t wait to see the hand painted scripture on the side of a mountain. http://www.salvationmountain.us/.

 We drove an hour to see the believer’s work. All the while, I held my bible in my lap and quietly praised God. I just knew that the Lord had a special day planned for our family.

Right away, our youngest son excitedly ran ahead and began to climb the side of the mountain. At one point, he stood directly above a sign that read, “No climbing!” So, I yelled out, “Come on down Son.” As our son climbed back down and returned to our side, I felt my husband place his hand in mine. I smiled and put my head on his shoulder and we all walked along together.

At one point, I noticed that we were all standing directly in front of a puffy paint version of the sinner’s prayer. I began to read the prayer out loud. Then, I shook my head in wonderment. God had saved our family from our past sinful ways. We had come so far!

 Next, we slowly walked around the mountain together. 

We took turns reading the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A9-13&version=NKJV) 

Then, John 3:16 http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=3&t=NKJV . 

Later, we privately worshiped the Lord in our own hearts as we climbed the 50 foot mountain. 
Now, as Valentine’s Day approaches, I can’t help but praise God for the gift of His Son and the work He has performed on our hearts. Just three short years ago, our family was broken and headed down a path of destruction, loneliness and sorrow. We were all unbelievers. Now we are saved!

I wonder if perhaps the day that we stood admiring a painted Sea of Galilee, a big red heart, and that glorious white cross was more than just a simple family outing. Maybe the events of that day were orchestrated for us to realize the valley we had crossed and the mountain that our family now stands upon!

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! 
To read the first written and published personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html