As our family discussed what to do for vacation 2012, we had a few of our favorites listed including visiting family in FL, trip to Myrtle Beach,time in the mountains, week on the lake at Hickory Knob State Park, and a few others. During our discussion process, I remembered a promise we had made to our children. Two years ago, as my wife and I were discussing a trip for our 25th wedding anniversary, we ultimately decided and promised that we would take the whole family with us to the Grand Canyon. A series of circumstances arose that prohibited our trip at that time and up until now - we had not made that trip.
As my wife and I were talking about it, I reminded her that we had made a promise to our children. Being a big fan of the early Promise Keepers movement and wanting my children to remember that their father kept his promises, I decided that we had to go to the Grand Canyon. With daughters moving away next year, if we didn't go now... we may never get the opportunity.
Looking at our summer calendar which included one studying for her state nursing exam, one taking a summer class in preparation to transfer to Liberty University, and my summer calendar of weddings and other scheduled events; we realized that we had only one week - for this entire summer - that was even a possibility for family vacation.
Long story short, we went to the Grand Canyon! We rode 4x4's in Sedona, stayed in Grand Canyon National Park, visited Hoover Dam, saw Lake Mead, and even stayed one night in Las Vegas. The beauty of the Grand Canyon was indescribable and reminded me just how BIG God really is! (I got tired of hearing about the millions of years it took to carve out the canyon and wished someone would have given God some credit.) No picture nor description can give you any idea how beautiful it is - you have to experience it for yourself. I immediately thought of how the Bible describes heaven. We will never be able to fully grasp its beauty until we get there.
We had a GREAT family vacation and I am so glad our kids got to experience the Grand Canyon with us. More than that, I'm glad my children will remember their dad as a man who keeps his promises!
