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This morning we drove up to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. Stunning! We then headed to the Rockies. En route we saw a bald eagle, a coyote, and a prairie dog. As we got closer to the mountains, it began snowing quite a bit and we couldn’t see the mountains. By the time we got to the park (just after 5pm) the weather seemed to be improving a bit, and though the visibility wasn’t the greatest, we were hopeful we would at least be able to see some wildlife. We entered the park through the west entrance, however, we were greeted by a sign that said, “Road closed 10 miles ahead.” We drove in the 10 miles and spotted 2 herd of elk, a coyote, and 3 bull elk locking their antlers a bit and posturing for dominance. We then turned around and went for dinner in Grand Lake. At 7pm we drove to a gas station and inquired about the alternate route to Estes Park. The girl said, “Go back 20 miles. Then you can turn left and go through [she named about 10 towns]. Then you’ll go through a big pass. Then you’ll catch 70.” Then she said (I am not kidding!), “But I wouldn’t go that way if I were you.” She said, “If I were you, I would turn right, go through 2 towns and catch 70.”  It reminded me so much of this scene in the movie Funny Farm:

I asked her which way was faster and she said they were both the same. So, what would Griswolds, I mean, Mahaffys do?

We came to a fork in the road. To the left was difficulty and near-certain death. To the right was easy. We turned left and took the road less traveled.

Dad drove. We climbed as high as 11,260 feet in a snow storm, and several times went up over 9,000 feet. It took us 5 hours to get to Estes Park. If the road through the park would have been open, it would have taken us 1 1/2 hours. O the fun memories and adventure! Love it!

On Wednesday we left my Aunt Cindy’s house and drove north in Arizona. We pulled off to go to Sedona and when we got to the stop sign smoke was coming out from the hood, so we pulled over. Radiator fluid had sprayed everywhere. We put water in the radiator and drove 5 miles to a service station and were met by just the kind of guy we needed to see at that moment – a true mechanic who said, “Pull it right in.” A plastic connector had cracked and was spraying. It was a dealer part, but the guy was able to disconnect the rear heater hose and do a temporary fix. We will call in the parts in Chicago and fix it ourselves permanently. It was a cheap fix and we were on the road with only an hour lost. Decided to bypass Sedona and get up to the Grand Canyon. We were just going to stay for an hour or so, but it was just too beautiful and we ended up staying through sunset. We then drove about 5 hours up to Moab, Utah for the night, arriving at midnight. Today we are going to Arches National Park then driving through the Rockies in Colorado and will spend the night in Estes Park. Having fun Father-Son time!

Yesterday my dad was supposed to arrive at 11am. Thanks to the beauty of air travel he arrived this morning at 1:30am. We got to bed around 3am, and this morning were on our way about 9:30am. After a few stops we hit the road at 11:15am and drove 4 hours to my Aunt Cindy’s house in Surprise, Arizona. We visited with her, my Uncle Tom, and cousin Morgan, then this evening we went over to my cousin Susan’s house and were joined by my cousins Heather and Erin and their families for dinner and a lot of fun. Glad we were able to connect. I hadn’t seen my cousin Erin in almost 17 years, and it was the first time to meet Heather’s husband and kids. Fun times!

Today my Dad and I are beginning the journey east. I am looking forward to spending quality time with Pops. The plan is to drive together to Chicago where I will drop him off and see my mom, then continue one the final 2 days to New York. Other than spending several days with my dad, I wish our we could make it in 4-minutes like this … (lol!)

Next time I see that truck it’ll probably look more like this …

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

– Mother Teresa

Adriana and my daughters left me yesterday. They boarded a plane bound for the chilly fall weather New York. I was left here in the desert heat and sunshine.

Before you start freaking out … no, Adriana and I are not separating. Not permanently, anyways. We will be reunited again in two weeks. In two weeks I plan to be pulling into New York with our dogs, bird, and, hopefully, with a moving truck not far behind.

WHAT?!!!

Yep, it’s true. We’ve been covertly planning our move for about 3 weeks. We went off the Facebook grid to avoid any leak of the news to our New York friends. So, here’s the scoop …

A month ago, with mixed emotions, I resigned my position as middle school pastor at Southwest Community Church. Several months ago I was contacted by some good friends on Long Island and asked to interview for a youth pastor position. After much agonizing in prayer, conversations, and counsel we decided it was in the best interest of our family to accept the invitation to join the staff of Shelter Rock Church on Long Island.

We were very blessed to be working at Southwest and were greatly encouraged by the momentum and growth the middle school ministry was experiencing. We saw so many students come to know Christ in the past year-and-a-half, and I had the joy of baptizing almost 60 middle school students! Families were loving what we were doing, and we were really experiencing the favor of the Lord. So why leave?

In the end it came down to the realization that New York was home. For years we had been considering the idea of going west, and God afforded us that opportunity at Southwest and allowed us to make some wonderful friends and have some great experiences. Being in the desert, however really clarified for us that God has indeed wired us and given us a love and burden for Long Island. While we are sad to leave such an exciting church and friends, we are thrilled for the journey that lies ahead – in particular, the joy of reuniting with old friends and making new ones.