Life in the Desert

We are all feeling good here in the Workman Five house. The kids are all running and ripping around upstairs while I sit on the couch and type this post. Life is good. It rained today bringing a break to the wonderful weather. It has been sunny and in the upper 70's for a while now. It has been so so nice. We have all really tried to take advantage of it. This is another blessing of our new home. Arizona has brought us many little gifts that have taken me by surprise. I never thought that I would begin to love our new state as much as I have.

Today I had my women's bible study. We meet at a friend's house. This little group of women has turned out to be yet another blessing. I just love it. I've enjoyed meeting new people and growing in my faith with them. Today I was asked to lead the study. I was honoured to be asked, and it was easier than I thought it would be. I really don't know why I was worried with this fabulous group of laid back women. I was definitely missing the intimate relationships that only a bible study can bring.

In a few months we will have been in Arizona for one year. It's amazing to think about this, but it's also very comforting. I know what to look forward to. I know what's getting ready to come. I also have made lots of new friends. I now can't go anywhere without seeing someone I know. It's all very refreshing. I'm slowly beginning to make this place we call the desert my home.

As I reflect on all of this I'm so glad that God led us here. Our family has grown closer as we each have expanded our horizons. We are all better people for having had this wonderful opportunity.

Here Comes The Rain! (Maybe)

*The boys examine the lizard and the dead cockroaches like only a boy would.


* Fly humaburd, fly!

Today we woke up to the most amazing sight. It was something that we hadn't seen in quite some time. We looked at it with the excited wonderment just as one might a fresh fallen snow. What could this miraculous sight be that would hold us so transfixed with awe? Well, it was a sky filled with gray clouds! You see we haven't seen this since we've been here. Even though it has sprinkled a few times, we haven't seen skies like this since we left the South. Much to our disappointment it didn't rain this morning. The blue skies broke through the clouds as the sun seemed to melt them away. But, we do hold out hope. There is a twenty percent chance this afternoon and evening! The weather is changing ever so slightly. You can feel the humidity in the air. Now, it's nothing compared to back home, but it's higher than it's ever been since I've been here. I think it is like twenty-nine percent. You almost can smell it.





I guess the wildlife can feel a change as well because we have been experiencing some strange and interesting things. Last night I looked out on our back patio and saw something on the wall. I thought, "What is that? A leaf." Then I noticed another a little ways down. OH NO! It was the biggest, hugest, ugliest cock roach I've ever seen. I don't know where he came from, but I thought I was going to Die!!!!!! Rusty went out and threw his flip flop at them and killed them instantly. EWWWW! This morning Mae came in my room and whispered loudly in my face that a lizard was stuck in our sliding glass door. As I stumbled over to the door putting my glasses on, I realized that the little sucker had somehow gotten between the screen door and the glass door. (Thank goodness Rusty hadn't left for work yet or we would have had a dead lizard between our doors.) The children were so excited about the big bugs, the lizard, and the clouds in the sky, you would have thought Santa Clause had made an early visit. Then Will started saying "HUMABURD, HUMABURD!!!!" I looked out to where he was pointing to our little feeder and saw three hummingbirds buzzing around it and drinking the nectar. We just stopped and watched them. As soon as they would fly away another would come. It was so fun to watch.





I guess the animals are as excited as we are about the upcoming Monsoons. I know they are able to feel it if I can. This excitement about something so simple is another way God has blessed our lives here. He has made us realize how precious, and yes, exciting something like a little rain can be.