Living With A Purpose Everyday!

Saying Goodbye to the McSwains

Dan, Kristin, me and Daniel

I have been blessed to know, work along side, and call Dan and Kristin McSwain my friends. A year ago I was going through a very rough time and felt lost spiritually and physically. We had started attending a new church and I had no real friends. And Dan and Kristin not only befriended Daniel and I but saw our gifts and talents. They took a chance on us and we were blessed. 

In just a short amount of time we became close, having family dinners, hanging out and working together in the high school youth group at our church. They knew us and our story and never judged just loved us. 

Dan has been one of the easiest people i have ever worked with. He's open to new idea's and loves to see people glorify God with their talents. I knew i could come to him with any problem and he would be willing to help and give wise council. He also taught me a lot about leading and was a great example. I learned something every time he preached and was inspired by his love for teenagers. Although it had only been a year since we started volunteering in Canvas, it feels like i have been working with Dan for years!

Kristin is AMAZING! She not only became my friend but truly a sister. We have enjoyed many coffee dates, phone calls and just time crying on each others shoulders. I knew i could be real with her and she would tell me like it is. She always knew what to say and how to turn ever situation into something good. I learned so much from her and can't believe we were only given a year together. She is an inspiration, she loves God with all her heart, is devoted to he family, adores her husband and is an amazing friend. I have never known someone like her, and can't believe she chose me to be one of her friends. 

My heart is broken. However God is ALWAYS good and is blessing them with a new church family in Ohio. They love the Lord and follow Him, no matter what. And that is what is so special about them. They not only teach others to listen to God, but they actually listen to Him as well. They are remarkable and irreplaceable. I have butterflies in my tummy just thinking about the great things God has in store for this great couple. I can't wait to see all that they do at their new church and I know that they will be welcomed with open arms.

"No two Christians ever meet for the last time."

Dan and Kristin, know you are loved and appropriated. Your work here at Discovery is done, and it was good. Now go show Ohio what God can do! Thank you for giving me a second chance at my dream and believing in me when it seemed like no one else did. Love you!

Yosemite Day 6: Glacier Point

Half Dome

Us at Glacier Point

Today Daniel, the kids and I took it easy, while the rest of the family went to the Yosemite Valley one last time. It was so nice to take our time and just hang out at the cabin. We didn't need to rush to get anywhere or be someplace by a curtain time. We played with the kids and Daniel and I got some much needed alone time as well. The kids also need a little break before we head home tomorrow. 

After dinner the entire Milner family headed to Glacier Point to watch the sunset on our last day in Yosemite. It was an awe inspiring moment. Seeing the suns rays kiss Half Dome, watching the pinks and purples of the sunset dancing on Yosemite Falls and Nevada Falls and see the evening darkness wash over the trees on the valley floor. It was the perfect way to end our time in Yosemite. Glacier Point was amazing, you can see all of the Yosemite valley from it and truly take in the heights and depths of God's creation there. I was amazed that there was still snow up there in the middle of June! Crazy! 

Tomorrow we pack up and head home. Saying Good bye to Yosemite will be hard. I have never in my life experienced the awe and majesty that i have seen here. God is Amazing, and it has been a gift to experience His presents in one of His greatest creations.

Yosemite Day 5: Chilnualna Falls

The Falls

Me and my favorite rock

This could be my most favorite hike of the entire trip! After lunch we headed up to Chilnualna Falls. It was a short drive from our cabin and was a easy hike to spectacular water falls. I have never seen something like this. It was amazing. Most of the falls in Yosemite seem to just came over the top of the mountains in one long free fall. But these falls had huge rocks that made tons of smaller waterfalls. 

I was in awe of these falls. I found a large rock to sit on the placed me almost in the middle of the rushing river. I could have sat there for hours. I was moved my the power of the water and almost hypnotized by the water and how it moved. I felt closer to God some how, as i sat there next to the falls. It hit me how powerful this water is and how if i went over the rock i would be swept away and gone in an instant. But no matter how powerful these falls are, God's power is a million times bigger. It made me understand His greatness all the more and praise Him for His grace and mercy in my life. I have so enjoyed experiencing God on this trip and the time i have to think about Him and talk to Him. 

I love it here, i really hope we can hike back her one more time before we leave. It is overwhelmingly amazing!

Photo of the Day: Cowboy Bath Tub

Cowboy Bath Tub

I saw this and i just had to take a picture of it. It reminded me of my mom. My entire childhood and to this day my mom has a claw footed bath tub in her garden. It always held a lilly pond. And seeing this brought back memories. Except this is a feeding trough for horses :)

But seeing this tub in the middle of paster, made me day dream. I love the sleepy sense you get from the lighting and the throw back to maybe it really being a tub for cowboys to bathe in. It may be my favorite photo from the entire trip.  

Yosemite Day 5: Pioneer Yosemite History Center

Me and My Girl

Love the Sun Glasses!

Today we went to the Yosemite History Center. It was really cool to see original buildings and Sienna loved all the animals. The had horse drawn carriages as well as a original covered bridge. I really enjoyed a photography demonstration on Wet Plate Photography. It was fascinating. I loved learning how photographers took pictures 100 years ago. 

We spent the good part of the morning walking around and reading up on Yosemite's history. Love it!

Sunsets

God's Surprises

While in Yosemite park we stayed in Wawona which is about an hour away from the Yosemite Valley. So needless to say we had to do a lot of driving while on this trip. To make it worse the National Parks was repaving the main road through Yosemite. Ahhhhhhhh!

Which made for some long delays in which we had to sit in our cars for what seemed like forever. Well this evening while coming home from Yosemite falls we hit a rather long line of cars just parked and and to sit for at least 45 minutes. Although this was a bummer, I was able to get these beautiful photo's of the stunning and colorful sunset. 

I love when something bad turns into something good. Although it wasn't fun to sit in a car for 45 minutes with tired and cranky kids, i was able to see God's master piece at work. I love how colorful the sky can be and how it looks like it's was painted. 

My God is wonderful and I love how much i see Him here!

Photo of the Day: Straight Path

Straight Path

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5

I love pictures of trails. Especially ones in the forest. I think there is so much drama in the shadows and how the trees line the path. 

Yosemite Day 4: Dinner at Yosemite Falls

The Milners

Our Little Family

After Matt got back from his long hike up Half Dome, we packed a picnic dinner and headed over to Yosemite Falls. We hiked to the falls at sunset and got soaked! Both Eli and Sienna loved it, while all of us adults were cold. It was amazing to visit such a high water fall and we were only at the lower Yosemite falls not even the highest point!

I stood in awe as i imagined God carving out these walls with his fingers and sweeping the water a crossed them. I thought about how He knows each tree and flower, that He made this place exactly the way it is. I have a great and might God and this trip just keep confirming that fact.

After the falls we found a picnic table area and enjoyed a yummy dinner prepared by Daniel's mom. It was amazing to be just sitting there in God's spender eating dinner. 

I love Yosemite!

Yosemite Day 4: Hike to the Swinging Bridge

Swinging Bridge

Us

This afternoon we took a hike to The Swinging Bridge in Wawona. While Matthew (Daniel's Brother) hiked Half Dome! I can't even imagine what it would be like to hike that huge rock. Can't wait to hear all about it later when Matt gets back. 

It was a lovely hike filled with wild flowers and rushing rivers. I love the tree lined trails and the sounds of the wind in the trees. I just love hiking and being in the mist of God's creation in it's purest form. 

Sienna and Grandma

We made it to the bridge but Sienna was not interested in crossing it. She insisted on being carried. I totally understand why, because the water was loud and moving very fast. Never in all my life had i seen water move like this, it's amazing!

It was a nice short hike that everyone enjoyed. Now we are off to the cabin to wait for Matt to get back from Half Dome, then we will head out to Yosemite falls to enjoy a picnic dinner.

Yosemite Day 3: Sugar Pine Rail Road

Sienna and Daddy

Steam Engine

Today we took it easy, we have had three long days and the kids needed to sleep in and have an easier day with out any hiking. So we decided to visit The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Rail Road. We got to ride on a train that is over 100 years old! I love learning about the history of Yosemite and how it be came a national park. Sienna LOVED it, it was her first time on a train.

After the hour long train ride through the forest we got back to the station and Sienna got to pan for gold. How cool is that? Pretty cool! She loved it and even got to take home the gold she found. She was a good listener and followed instruction very well, even the man teaching said she did better then most adults. She makes me so proud.

After our fun day at the train we headed home to make dinner for the family and enjoy a game night together. I love family vacation!