Summer2026 Trip#3B Grand Canyon

On my 55th birthday Keaton and I explored the Grand Canyon. We got there just after sunrise (which was challenging given we were both weary from the long drive from the California Coast the day before.) The early morning start gave us several hours to walk the southern rim of the canyon and take a million photos. The vastness of this landscape is just hard to describe in words or pictures. But here are a few pics from that memorable day. Honestly, if you get a chance, go and see it for yourself. The average person can hit the highlights in one day. There is a free bus system that takes you along the rim with various stops and pickups. Keaton and I did take the bus partway, but we also walked a lot of steps because we like the stillness of the spots with less crowds. Saw lots of VERY tame squirrels, birds, some deer. Just like Cole and I were able to explore DC and make great memories in May, being with Keaton at the Grand Canyon made for a very precious time for mother and son. 

Psalm 121:1-2 "I lift my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes form the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Summer2026 Trip#3A California

First things first. UPDATE on the BIG ASK. We have Keaton's first semester at Lipscomb covered. Whew! Now I'm trying to sort out the technical pieces of withdrawal from 529 plan to pay the school. I have until August 1st to figure that out. For the Spring, we lack only $9,000. How amazing is that!!! Here's the link again if you want to pray and consider a gift: CLICK LINK TO the 529 WEBSITE. We are also in the process of applying for another scholarship. Thank you SO much to all the folks that have helped us out with this. Only the Lord could work this out. Truly. Now Keaton is working to gather dorm room supplies and decide what to pack up. He turned in his resignation letter for Texas Roadhouse effective August 3rd. But they already asked if he would be able to work during school breaks. (He has been told he is "top-notch at quality control" in the dish pit!) We leave for move-in day on August 10th. Please continue to pray for us.

Secondly, it's been a summer of travel. Here we are mid-July and I finally feel like I'm back into a rhythm and routine again at home & work. We'll be here in Texas a few more weeks before our next trip. Stay tuned for more on that....

In mid-June, Keaton and I joined all of his Dad's siblings and parents in California for a group project. Cole had to stay home and work, so he missed out on this trip. The Neufeld tribe spent a couple of days working our way through clean up and clean out of the grandparent's house. They are contemplating a move to assisted living. It was a lot of work, but a fun time too. One morning I had to stay back at the hotel and work but sent Keaton on ahead to help. He was really able to soak up the love of his aunts and uncles and listen to them tell stories of Eric and his antics as a young boy. He was certainly a character! Keaton and I went to bed every night thankful for this extended family. Sure, he is related by his DNA. But I am not. Still, after 25 years with these folks, I certainly feel as if I'm grafted in as a true sister. "It is such a special thing," Keaton acknowledged after his first trip being around all of them as an adult. It was also a celebration of Grandma and Grandpa Neufeld's 65th wedding anniversary. Congratulations!

After a couple of days of sweating profusely, filling a dumpster, and multiple trips to give away things at the thrift store, we all convened at the coast at our favorite beach hangout for some R&R. 

Cayucos Pier

Morro Rock

I absolutely love the Pacific Ocean. I'm sure I've said this before in this space, but I can feel my blood pressure going down any time we are here. Eric's sister told me through tears that is is hard to come back to this place because she has so many memories of Eric here. It still seems like he should be here with us. I concur. But this trip, the Lord blessed me in so many ways with a sense of belonging and deep joy, that I will cherish it forever. We spent one day at Hazard Beach in Montana de Oro state park, also a fav among the Neufeld clan. Keaton has been here before as a child. I'd say he was probably five or six. But being able to experience it with his uncles and aunts was new and different and very memorable.

Keaton, Brian, David & Tim climb to the top

Keaton and Uncle Brian - Kings of the Rock

Cole and I love Brown Butter Cookie Co!

At the last minute, David decided to rent a boat in Morro Bay. To Cindy's surprise, he was the boat captain! We got a close up view of the sea lions and Morro Rock from the water. But we made it back to the harbor in time for a Mexican Fiesta with the fam.

Kirk, Tim & Cindy

Here are a few random pics of the ones we love: Cindy (& Stella), Laurie (& Keaton with his back turned), Uncle Brian (still trying to complete his stupid human trick--balancing a drink on a nickel), Timothy & Kori

The only couple I didn't get photos of were Jonathan and Terri. I'm not sure why that is, but I am very thankful to them for basically organizing this work party and reunion. Over the past several years, each of the children and grandchildren have left California. And though all of us have moved far away, thanks to Terri's contract job placements in the Bay Area, she and Jon have been on regular visits to care for Mom & Dad (Grandma & Grandpa) and help them gracefully make this transition to assisted living.

This is only part one of our California adventure. We had another adventure coming home!

This summer I've been watching the TV show "Blue Bloods". There are 14 seasons on Paramount + y'all! It's a police procedural drama. The Grandpa was a police commissioner, the Dad is a police commissioner, the brothers are cops, the sister is an assistant district attorney. Despite their personality differences, faith and family continually bind them together. Admittedly, I am envious of the fictitious Reagan family tradition of sharing Sunday dinner together every week. IRL (in real life) we experienced  several family dinners on this California Road Trip, so it seemed appropriate to quote this Irish Blessing for my Mennonite Family from California.

"May the road rise to meet you,

may the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, 

may God hold you in the palm of His hand."

Summer2026 Trip#2 Nashville TN

 

2nd summer trip - Keaton and Mom drove to Nashville for Keaton's new student orientation. It's a long drive, y'all!! Fortunately, we have friends we can overnight with in Dallas. It was so good to catch up with Steve and Lisa. Thanks guys for the beds, the meals, the laughs, the memories and the Dr. Pepper! 

When we finally got to Nashville we were ready to take on the day, excited to hear about what Keaton's first year at Lipscomb would be like. We found out who his roommate will be. Met his RA. Tried to orient ourselves with the student center vs. the dorm vs. the building where his computer lab is.

The campus is small, but beautiful brick buildings and trees line every walkway. People are super friendly. Reminds me a lot of the campus I lived on for 3 years in Arkansas. School colors are purple and gold. The mascot for Keaton's new school is the Bison. (My school in Arkansas was the Bison too.) So now he's part of the "herd". Odd though, the little hand signal they give each other when someone says "Go Bison!" looks a lot like the University of Texas at Austin "hook 'em horns" hand signal. I don't know where it originated, but for this life-long Texas Tech fan, it felt a little awkward for me to hold up my fist in the UT (TTU rival) gang sign.

I think the orientation is as much for the parents as it is for the student. Lots of talk about the university goals for the well being of the student, heart, soul and mind. I did get the sense the faculty and staff really do care about these kids. We even got to meet with the faculty in the animation department. And Keaton walked away from that meeting saying something along the lines of "I feel like I finally found my people." Not a direct quote, but pretty close. The head of animation spoke to the reality of how even though he wasn't always taking the jobs in animation for the exact type of work he loved, he could always find work. And that he has continually been able to support his wife and three children. That sat well with me as a parent. They are concerned that these kids don't just get a degree, but that they learn the transferrable skills to actually find a job and support themselves. Listening to this professor share his story also gave Keaton confidence that he can pursue his art as a career and still have a family someday. Hours and hours of sitting through Q&As and departmental resources and we were both pretty spent. I will be honest, it was a lot of information and not much food or drink. I was tired, dehydrated and getting a bit loopy by 3 or 4pm.

All in all, though, it was a worthwhile trip. And priceless time I got to spend with Keaton chatting in the car. We also listened to the audio book of "Project Hail Mary". Surprisingly, I liked it a lot. Okay, I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, but the audio production was pretty amazing. It was so interesting and engaging and more importantly, Keaton loved that I loved the book. (He is a huge fan.) One of my friends watched the movie and was not impressed, so maybe I won't like the movie as much....will let you know once it is released to streaming.

We are still praying for the remaining funds to come in to cover the 2nd semester. CLICK HERE TO DONATE. Today Keaton turned in a scholarship application from our church's foundation. Hopefully that will come through. If not this semester, he can apply again in the spring. He had to write an essay describing what he wants to do and why. Plus he also had to explain how he is active in church and what activities he has pursued. He is realizing (and said as much to me this past week) that serving others really gives him joy. Moreso than the accolades from graduation or the achievements or certificates. This really warms my heart. My friends and I often reminisce on this - - the natural lift we feel in our hearts when we take time to serve others on a mission trip or in small ways in our day-to-day. How we have learned to be deliberate about giving to others, lest we drift in our own spiritual walk. It's good to know that I've passed some of that along to my son(s).

At the end of our time in Nashville, the school's president recited the Aaronic blessing. So I'll leave you with this also. Peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."