Yes, made it back safe and sound. Kind of hit the ground running getting the sermon (of which I had already researched) finally pulled together on Saturday. But thought the sermon Sunday went well. Was nice to be back in the saddle again. Was also nice to be back to the boys (we vacationed without them). Some other highlights included…

Reading books:
Letters Along The Way by Carson and Woodbridge
Comforts from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick
Spurgeon’s Autobiography
Meg and I enjoyed devotionals from Colossians

Listening to sermons:
I already mentioned how we listened to Humble Pastors by Driscoll. We also listened to C.J. on Parenting and the latest sermon by Chandler

So, we had a great time and fully enjoyed ourselves without regrets.

Meg and I are on vacation. Pretty amazing blessing from God. We left Saturday (without our boys…Thanks, Robin!) and arrived in Colorado Springs that night. We got to Garden of the Gods just before sunset, which was amazing. Then we ate at Giuseppe’s Restaurant. Sunday, we got up and after some AM devotions together, headed to Pagosa Springs, CO. They are known for a natural hot spring that is one of the largest in the world. Oh, on our way, we enjoyed listening to Mark Driscoll teach on what it means to be a humble pastor. We enjoyed the discussion of it. We also, on our way here, stopped in at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Driving over Wolf Creek Pass was an amazing experience with the gorgeous scenery. We are here, though. I already feel so refreshed and encouraged. God has used this in amazing ways for us as well. We look forward to some tennis lessons and a lazy Monday today. Thanks so much for thinking of us.

I thought it might be helpful, since there are so many people who might be interested, in recaping what we have done on vacation since we left. So, here is a brief summary of the highlights to far.

Monday, Dec 22 – We left the house at 5:40AM and arrived at my Mom’s at 4:00PM. Pretty uneventful day of travel, really. We felt blessed by God that the boys did really well on the road and we were able to arrive before my Mom got off work (since part of our aim was to surprise her). We ended up meeting some other family at a restaurant called Moe’s. My mom was meeting this family there to go to the Saluki game that night. Mom was surprised and we ended up leaving there and heading to surprise my sister. Then, we came home and hit the hay.

Tuesday, Dec 23 – This was a fun, lazy day. I got up early (6:15AM) to read and enjoy coffee. After getting around, headed to store for my Mom (she had to work all day). Meg and I cooked a turkey and had supper on the table for Mom when she got home. There are 4-5 books I’m reading on top of regular quiet time stuff: In Christ Alone by Sinclair Ferguson, Don Carson’s Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor, Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, Relationships by Tripp & Lane, and The Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson. On this day, we also watched the Pixar film Cars and the Christmas classic White Christmas. I played with the boys a lot and enjoyed the relaxed pace. Things got crazy with company on the next day.

Wed, Dec 24 – I was up at a pretty decent hour and did morning reading. Got boys cleaned up and Andrew and I headed to store (yes, again!). We visited 2 different stores looking for a gift for my Mom (that she was getting for someone) and also made the daily trip to Wal Mart. After grabbing some lunch, my Mom’s brother Carl and Dusty came in. We all headed to my Mom’s church at 5PM. Lots of family came over afterward for pulled pork and other treats. Once home, we finished off the Advent calendar with the boys and relaxed with family in the evening.

Thurs, Dec 25 – Up early again and got around. My Mom’s parents showed around 10AM. Enjoyed a good visit with them. He is filled with pastoral wisdom. Pretty normal Christmas day for us here (presents, big meal, White Christmas Pie). My brother bought his sons Guitar Hero and we ended up playing it instead of them all afternoon (they were tied up with new PSP’s). The evening was pretty stressful with the 7 children racing around, but we survived.

Fri, Dec 26 – Meg and I (with Mom and the boys) got up early and shopped the post Christmas madness. We left at 8:30AM and returned around 4PM. We were able to get lots of items we needed. Once home, played Skip-Bo with family and worked on puzzle, ate supper, got boys cleaned up and got to bed.

Sat, Dec 27 – Was my brother’s birthday. We got up and headed to Paducah, KY to do more shopping (this is about 1 1/2 hours south of my Mom). Did get the best sleep this night too. I was looking for some shoes and finally found the ones I desired down there. Also got some new clothes. Once home and after celebrating my brother’s birthday, we got the boys cleaned up, played train with Andrew, and relaxed.

Sun, Dec 28 – Full Lord’s Day (but aren’t they usually this way for me?). After reading headed to my paternal grandparent’s church with all my siblings, Mom and kids. This church (Liberty Baptist in Ewing, IL) is the church my Gpa currently pastors. They are a country church and with all the family there, their attendance doubled. My cousins sang, I offered a greeting and my cousin’s husband, who pastors in Belle Rive preached. Oh, the reason for all this was it was grandfather’s 80th birthday. (No Auxier has lived to 80 since 1800.) It was quite the milestone. Enjoyed a nice day there and came back to Mom’s putting the kids down. Ended the cleaning out digital camera and digital video cameras. Oh, also headed to Lowe’s and purchased a new garage door opener for my Mom (hers bit the dust on Saturday night).

That is week #1. Now we have a few more days to go.