Friday at Youth Haven Ranch

Don held down the "fort" while today found me up early and headed over to Picacho with four other ladies to the Youth Haven Ranch.... for a Women's Conference featuring key speaker, Donna Partow with how to Maximize Your Life.  This was a tremendous conference and I recommend Donna Partow in any form: speaker, missionary, "prayer warrior princess" or author (she's written several books).  When I re-write my notes I may publish them in this blog.  One of the quotes she used was: "Grace is our free gift to Heaven; Peace is how we enjoy the trip."  Isn't that great!?! And then she elaborated on the things that we allow Satan to use in our lives to steal our peace. One thing Donna Partow definitely is not:  boring.  Amy Carlson (married to Lars) and Cheri  did a great job leading the praise and worship time. Cheri's husband, Larry Carlson, was wonderful on the keyboard. ( Larry Carlson is Randy Carlson's brother.  You may have heard Randy Carlson on Family Life Radio.  Larry is co-founder of Youth Haven Ranches.) 

After the morning session we broke for lunch and headed for the lunchroom.  Pat and Shari. Evelyn, Donna and myself.  Here, the girls are waiting for the hay wagon to take a wagon ride around the campus of the ranch. Evidently, one of the campers had lost his army figure in the sand by the wall (see him between Shari and Pat on the wall; upon research, I believe he's a Nazi!), so I sat him on a branch and used him as a photo op.These buildings are housing for the staff and campers. Well, here's a plant that I haven't seen before here in Arizona.  There were several of these "Crucifixion" bushes on the Youth Haven Ranch. Upon closer investigation you will understand why this is called a Crucifixion bush.  The thorns are at least four inches long, very sharp, and look like the ones used in the crown of thorns that Jesus Christ wore when He was crucified. There were two of these covered wagons on campus. Stephan is waiting for his chance to play the keyboard as he watches his granddad. Lars Carlson proudly watches as his son, Stephan, age nine, plays the keyboard.Amy sings a special to begin the afternoon session. The afternoon session was entitled "Maximize Your Prayer Life" and Donna Partow suggested seven things with the key verse being Revelations 3:20:

1. Trade my prayer list for God's prayer list.

2. Use a journal rather than a list.

3. Pray with an open Bible.

4. Let GOD lead - learn to listen to God and accept His invitation to join Him where He is at work.

5. Key:  Change your mindset.

6. There's no shortage of Assignments.

7. Get in the GAP - that place where God is at work in someone's life.

The Gap is where the action is!

The Gap is where God moves!

The gap is where prayer becomes an adventure!

Pray for God's Kingdom to come and His will to be done!