Spiritual Destinations Archives - Travel With My Family

Montana-Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone

September 23, 2015 by tillywee Leave a Comment

West Yellowstone, Montana

Coupon Offer for Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, located in West Yellowstone, Montana, is open 365 days a year, including all holidays, (GWDC bears do NOT hibernate). Admission is good for two consecutive days!

The bears have a large outdoor habitat that includes many natural features that gives them a comfortable environment to roam in.

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is an AZA accredited Not-for-Profit, wildlife park and educational facility. All the animals at the Grizzly & Wolf Discover Center are unable to survive in the wild and serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts.

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is home for six Yellowstone wolves that live in three different packs. The wolves were born in captivity and are unable to live in the wild.

When planning your next visit to West Yellowstone, Montana, be sure to include this wonderful exhibit of beautiful and amazing creatures!

To those around the world being persecuted on your journey…

September 16, 2014 by tillywee Leave a Comment

John 16:33 I have told you this so that through me you may have peace. In the world you’ll have trouble, but be courageous—I’ve overcome the world!”

You are all in my thoughts and prayers and dreams. I spend much time praying for you. I need to tell you all that you are in our thoughts, prayers and letters to one another. We see that you are suffering. We share these stories from the news and are horrified at the terror you are experiencing. We do not know why God is allowing this intense persecution to happen, but we want you to know that we are praying for you and weeping with you. No matter what race or nationality you are, we, as Christians are a people united in prayer for you.

Please send us your stories, share your experiences as people around the world need to know that God is still Love and that Jesus Christ alone saves. Share your faith any way you can, send letters and if you have access to electronics, post and write your letters there. Share with us your stories of good men and women who have helped you, or miraculous ways God has provided in a time when all seems lost. We need you to know of your hope! We need you to share your hope with us as well. Here are some scripture that encourage hope in YOUR hearts as well. Do not give up hope, for we stand with you in prayer and worship!

Scriptures to encourage you and each person weeping with you! Meditate on this Psalm 33 and pray your way through it!

Psalm 33

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.² Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.³ Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.⁴ For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.⁵ He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.⁶ By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. ⁷ He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.⁸ Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.⁹ For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.¹⁰ The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.¹¹ The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.¹³ The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.¹⁴ From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.¹⁵ He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.¹⁶ There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.¹⁷ An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.²⁰ Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.²¹ For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.²² Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands! Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing!

KNOW ye that the LORD, He is God. It is He who hath made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations!

Here is a song we can sing to encourage you!

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

Words: Edward Mote, circa 1834; first appeared in Mote’s Hymns of Praise, 1836.

Music: Solid Rock, William B. Bradbury, 1863 (MIDI, score). Alternate tunes:

Melita, John B. Dykes, 1860 (MIDI, score)
Rest (Stainer), John Stainer, 1875 (MIDI, score)

Here is the Youtube link to listen to this song:

Vacation Bible School while on vacation??? YES! Great idea!

July 4, 2014 by tillywee Leave a Comment

We chose to send our kids to VBS while we were on vacation. We tend to travel the same time of year that our home church hosts VBS, so having to miss our home church, we try to find one so the kids can still get the experience! I have an advantage here, because I grew up in this neighborhood…so I have known the pastors and leaders for many years. I respect them and know their love for Jesus and children is of highest priority. The teaching is solid and I know my children will hear Bible stories, missionary stories and learn some wonderful Christian songs. (they EVEN sound Christian!!! ) SO, find a church in the area you are visiting, find out if they are having a VBS, attend with your kids if allowed, or volunteer to help out. You will hear some great stories and learn some fun songs! I have found that most churches will allow you to sit in on the group sessions if you ask. They may not allow you to volunteer without a background check or being a member of their church, so some other options, enjoy coffee out with your spouse , do some Bible reading or leisure reading on your own at a nearby park. Possibly plan to visit with your friends who don’t have children during these two-three hour programs. Your kids will get some much needed Bible teaching and you will get some much needed time to re-group and take care of yourself, your marriage, and your other friendships!

Our kids had a wonderful time at International Spy Academy!

We were so blessed to attend VBS at Arvada Baptist Church in Colorado! Thanks to them for a blessed week! Visit there if your ever in town! They are a welcoming church family! (Tell them I sent you!)

On the passing of my Grandmother…

June 4, 2014 by tillywee Leave a Comment

I was rushing around getting ready to run a few errands as usual that Wednesday morning. All was normal at first, I took my husband to work, then headed back home to rush the kids to music class, then after that, it was on to swim team practice, lunch chiropractor, then home to study up to teach pre-school choir at church. I had just a few minutes to say hello. So, I picked up my phone and dialed, without thinking really, it was just a good time to talk to my grandma again. In between all the craziness of my day, I wanted to say hello and see how she was doing. But, she didn’t answer the phone…

That phone call was made the day AFTER her passing, I really was so busy with my day that even though I had cried tears of sadness the night before, the reality had not yet sunk in…

So, I called, I think I let the phone ring thirty times. After about the third ring, I realized what I had done…I had been told she was gone…but I sort of hoped it was a bad dream, so I let the phone keep ringing as I cried my tears…

So, I heard some of you thought my story was incomplete…YOUR right! I am so sorry. I have not quite figured out the best way to let you know there will be more to read! (-: So, here is the “Rest of the Story” (-: (you all know who said that right? -Paul Harvey…my favorite part of the radio show we listened too growing up!)

The last time I called, (a few weeks before her passing,) she answered, I asked her how she was doing, she said, “I guess I am happy and well, but, I am just so tired. I am just not sure what the good Lord thinks He needs me here for still. But, I am happy your all doing well.” She needed to rest. She said the good Lord must have a reason for her to be here still. I told her I loved her and I was glad to have spoken with her. and she said she loved me too, and “Well, it was so good to talk to you, have a good day.” I could imagine her tired smile as she hung up her phone.

I guess she is taking a really good nap because I have been letting the phone ring a long time…the phone just keeps on ringing. because my grandma is good and strong…

My grandma is strong…super strong. if you knew her life story, if you knew her pain, if you knew how greatly she loved us and cared for her children. If you knew how fervently she prayed for her children and grandchildren, and now even great grandchildren, If you are one of those she prayed for, I urge you to consider her prayers for you as they were prayed with sweet love for you. She prayed for us to trust Jesus Christ as Savior, she prayed for us to turn to HIS ways, to seek Him for our joy and happiness. She prayed for us to trust God and follow His ways. If you knew how strong her faith in Jesus was, you would think as I think that she was super strong because of HIM. She is known as a strong and brave and heroic grandma. One who will always be loved as she loved us all so well. She loved because she understood His great love. She was able to forgive and learn and persevere. She tried not to judge as she knew that the sinner is to be greatly loved even when the sin was grievous and hurtful. (even when the sin of others hurt her personally) she loved by His example and sacrificed much as she knew He gave the greatest of all sacrifices. She gave out of her neediness to those in greater need than herself. She rarely complained (well…not too often- she was still human!) (-: But she did wonder out loud as to why He has chosen to keep her here for so long a time.

the photo is me with my grandma on my wedding day almost 15 years ago…