It was 30 years ago. Labor Day 1991.We were driving north on I-25 heading for Colorado Springs. My husband, Dave, was at the wheel of the moving van leading the way with 12-year-old, Amanda, riding shotgun. I was following in the family car, with 10-year-old, Melissa, at my side. We were looking forward to this move to Colorado Springs for some months now, and after the long haul from California to Colorado in one day on southern Route 40 we were exhausted! We got as far as Trinidad, CO and decided to spend the night before heading into the Springs.
Since we wanted to get to Colorado Springs early in the day to give us time to unload and get oriented in our new home, we left Trinidad early the next morning to get back on the road for that final sprint north. During the drive, my mind moved repeatedly to what this move meant for us as a family. We had moved to CA from OH nine years earlier for a new job for Dave. Now here we are moving again – this time with my job.
I had been with Focus on the Family in CA for seven years when they announced plans to relocate to Colorado Springs, inviting along any staff that felt led to move with them. This was a big deal. Dave and I deliberated and prayed for direction for several months before we determined the Lord would have us join Focus in this move.
I had been in the Springs for about four weeks this past summer, to help train two classes of new hires, preparing them to handle incoming mail once Focus was officially in town. During this time without my family, the Lord confirmed several times that this was indeed, another part of His plan for us. His peace and reassurance surrounded me during this time apart.
But now, as we were on the road hauling all our worldly possessions, this was different – this was my own family being uprooted, looking to start again in yet another State; a new city, new schools, new church, new friends. As we drove towards the unknown, my mind wandered with so many of these jumbled thoughts causing me to again look to the Lord for reassurance.
This time it came quickly by way of Melissa sitting beside me, pointing out the car window and exclaiming, “Mama, look at that balloon!” As I, too, looked into the sky, I marveled with her at this hot air balloon travelling south as we continued north. Soon there was another balloon, and another, and another as they just kept coming. It seemed the closer we got to Colorado Springs, the more the sky was filled with these glorious, colorful hot air balloons! What a sight to behold! And what a sense of calm and peace filled my soul as I sensed the voice of God reassuring me with the words, “Art Family, welcome to your new home!”
So here I am now – 30 years later, Labor Day 2021. And what a ride it has been! Some things were expected, others, not so much. But through it all – the good and the bad, the precious and the ugly, the blessings and the losses – God was there. Walking with me on this journey – guiding, directing, growing and healing.
How precious this passage in Isaiah has become to me through it all: “But now, this is what the Lord says – He who created you … He who formed you … “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flames scorch you. For I AM the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3
So today, as I rejoice and celebrate these 30 years in Colorado Springs, I am truly grateful for these past decades! Along with the many changes and experiences in this life, I’ve also explored many mountain roads and amazing sights in this beautiful state of Colorado! Still, every year my personal goal has been to get out to Memorial Park on Labor Day weekend for their annual hot air balloon launch, for as I watch them sail into the skies I remember that long ago day in 1991 when we were blessed in such a special way!
Pictured here is a memory quilt that I started decades ago. I like to pull it out around this time every year and work on it just a little bit more. I thought it would be nice to have it complete to mark this 30-year anniversary of our move, but unfortunately, I still have work to do to finish it up.
My life looks so very different now than that day we first rolled in amidst dozens of these breath-taking hot air balloons! Praise God, He is still on His throne and in control. What unspeakable joy that He remains my Constant, my Guide and my Savior!