A Grateful Recognition of God's Miracles

Today is Thursday, July 14, 2022 and the following is a group text I sent to my daughter Eliza, and her Thaxton cousins - Whitney, Alix and Ethan. Why? Because these are miracles that occurred yesterday at Pine View Reservoir. These miracles are something to rejoice about, to record, and if ever there is doubt about God's goodness and His hand in our lives, this is evidence to help remember. 

Good morning you happy 4! I'm sitting over here in gratitude for you and God's miracles and want to testify that His hand was in your lives yesterday. Amazing how your schedules aligned for the evening, that Ethan had the thought to bring his swimsuit, you were nudged to go back and get the life jackets (thanks for obeying that nudge) and that a kind family was near by to feed Ethan and rescue you. Not coincidences - miracles! It was a miracle Ethan did not have a seizure, that no one drowned, and all the paddle boards were saved. I'm not sure what prayers you uttered, but they were answered. God is in the details of our lives and loves and cares for us. I know it. If we notice, we can be see His hand every day. Grateful for His miracles yesterday. The day could have ended tragically, instead I got to witness laughter, fun, and happy cousins eating Burley Burgers and enjoying the evening together. I love you all! 😘 

Gilgal Gardens

There it is again.... Gilgal. Gilgal is an Old Testament location, which showed up again in a recent "Come, Follow Me" reading (2 Kings 2:1). Several weeks ago, I recognized the name while reading in Joshua 4, when the LORD asks the Israelites to gather 12 large stones and place them in Gilgal as a testimony of the miracle and God's goodness in helping them cross the Jordan River. I liked this scripture account of recognizing God's miracle and a memory too. Today, if we don't remember or write down the miracle, it's like it didn't happen. Twelve rocks are how the LORD asked them to remember. Tucked away on the 5th South and 7th East block in Salt Lake City, is Gilgal Gardens. There are many stones and sculptures created by Thomas B. Child to share some of his beliefs and share his masonry and sculpting talent. There is even a monument that represents Joshua with 12 stones surrounding it. I first went to Gilgal Gardens about 11 years ago. My Wade family might recognize it is as one of the places a clue led us as part of a family video scavenger hunt. It is an interesting place. Unique. Reading about Gilgal in my study, intrigued me to make another visit a few weeks ago. The grounds are even more beautiful than I remembered. Picking up a brochure, which explained the artwork so well, helped me enjoy the visit. Plus, it added to what I have been learning in the Old Testament. Still unique and beautiful. Mr. Child's beliefs and his artwork are etched and carved, not just on 12 rocks as a memory, but a whole lot of stones. If you are in the Salt Lake are and have never been to the gardens, you might enjoy checking it. You will want to look for the brochure, it really does help. Another tip, schedule enough time to get something to eat, because Gilgal is on the same block as Hires and Litza's pizza.