Praise God, we made it.

We had a wonderful final day of travel. Waking up in Bozeman on June 2–my 45th birthday!–I went to Starbucks for my free birthday drink 🙂 and then came back to the motel lobby for a time of reading and prayer to God.

The scheduled reading for June 2 included Psalm 89, one of my favorite passages of Scripture. I was comforted to read of God’s everlasting covenant with Christ His Son for the eternal salvation of His elect. What a joy to be reminded that my salvation is all of God. He has saved me and He will sanctify me. Nothing has been left for me to do towards my right standing before the God of heaven. In His Son, He has done it all. Who is a God like our God!? There is none like Him, for He is the one, the only, the true and living God, to whom I owe my all.

I don’t know how long a life He’s decreed for me, but I pray and purpose, by His grace, to yield to Him more wholly, more sincerely, and more constantly than I have heretofore. I cannot change the things in the past which I regret, but I can resolve to do better with the time I yet have ahead of me. If you remember me, please pray that I will be more fully His and that I will love and serve none but Him. As Isaiah says, other lords have ruled over me in my lifetime but His name alone do I call to remembrance (Isa 26.13). His name alone do I own as the name of my God; His name alone do I love and before His name alone will I ever bow down. I praise Him that He is my God, for blessed are those whose God is the LORD. And I praise Him that I am His child, for blessed are the redeemed of the LORD.

After leaving Bozeman, MT we traveled to my Uncle Lon’s house in Thompson Falls, MT. The drive through Montana was absolutely stunning, especially Highway 200 from Dixon to Thompson Falls. It follows the Clark Fork River through the middle of a National Forest. There’s nothing so beautiful. I was reminded of how much I love this northwest corner of Montana. It’s truly one of God’s remarkable beauties. I can’t wait to bike back through this area on the way home!

Before we arrived in Thompson Falls, we stopped in Missoula for lunch and to visit the Adventure Cycling Association headquarters. The ACA is responsible for mapping the TransAmerica bike trail I’ll be riding with the boys. They mapped it in 1976 for what was called the Bikecentennial. We’ll be stopping by the ACA headquarters again on our bike trip but it was really motivating to see it and meet some of the folk beforehand. And of course, we got some pictures.

The visit with Uncle Lon was a real blessing but it carried a surprise bonus… my dad and stepmom were there! I knew I’d be seeing them in western WA next week, but I had no idea they’d be in Thompson Falls when I passed through–on my birthday of all days! What a great birthday!

Another blessing of visiting Uncle Lon was the opportunity to go through old photo albums 🙂 Check these out!

We had originally planned to stay the night in Thompson Falls, but decided to drive the extra 3 hours to get to Chantry’s parent’s house in Spokane, WA a day early. So, with the benefit of our last time change, we arrived at mom’s house at 10:30 PM on Jun 2d.

Today (Jun 3) was a great day at the Hulsizer home. I got to celebrate my birthday all over again 🙂 and it was a blessing to reunite with the family, some of whom I had not seen for 8 years. Chantry’s sister Rena and brother-in-law Tim also came to visit with their children Daniel and Heather, as well as her sister Amanda, with her daughter Jordyn. And Forrest, Rocky, and I (joined by Chantry) got to get out on our bikes again, riding on some paths with Teagan, Chantry’s nephew, while the girls went to play at the swimming hole. Later we went to the school playground and had a great time playing with the kids.

I’ll sign off for now. We’re heading to bed and look forward to worshipping at Coeur d’Alene Reformed Church, a mission work of the OPC in Idaho. I pray that wherever you worship tomorrow the Lord will meet with you in a special way, opening your heart to His Word and drawing you to His Son, Jesus Christ, in whom is eternal life, peace with God, and true joy.

Thank you for remembering us in your prayers as we remember you in ours. It’s such a comfort to know that we pray to a God who loves us and delights in our leaning upon Him for our every need. Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

Until next time… 🙂