Sojourner's Homestead

If you are in the Southeast corner of Arizona, there is a lovely bed and breakfast with lots of character in between Douglas and Tombstone. It is near Karchner's Caverns and not too distant from New Mexico.  It is in the town of McNeal, Arizona.  It is very quaint and allows you to experience that 'Old West 'feeling.

There is a dry fountain with flowers and an old shop.  It has a room or two for guests in the shop.  I feel like I am back in the old west when I am there.  The metal hinges squeak from the dryness. There are large balls of tumble weed blowing around.

Here is the house where most guests stay.  They have three guest rooms that are decorated in an eclectic old west style.  The two rooms that have queen beds also have private baths.  One has a shower and the other has a hot tub.  The rooms are very comfortable but on the small side.

Your hosts are Terri and Ken and they are very friendly. They are quick to provide any of their guests requests.  They always have hot and cold beverages available and allow the guests to store things in the refrigerator.

You know your eggs are fresh at breakfast as the chickens are free ranging around in the back yard.  Terri gathers them everyday.  They use the gray water to provide for their chickens and to keep some green stuff growing in the yard.

There is a beautiful view of the mountains from the porch.  You can see for miles. It is very relaxing and quiet here.  This would be a great place to come and write a book, especially if it had a western theme.  The price to stay here is very reasonable.
 

This would also make a great spot for photography.  I would love to do a photo shoot here.  With the right outfit it would be amazing.

The sky is such a beautiful blue. 

The mornings are cool.  It was about 65 here at 8 AM in the morning. There was a lovely breeze.  It is much cooler here than in the valley where Phoenix is.

 The food is well prepared and very yummy!  Terri will fix pretty much anything you want on her menu and as much as you want.  She is very happy to accommodate to any allergies or food issues.

This is the sunset as we were leaving. If you are heading out west and are in southern Arizona then give Terri and Ken a call at 1-520-642-3579. Or look them up at www.sojournershomestead.com.

The Week in Review

I know this doesn't look like the old white farmhouse.  That's because it's not!  We (My DH and I) spent most of the last week in Arizona.

It was the same week we spent in AZ last year.  My DH once more celebrated his birthday there. This year my cousin and his wife came over to my Aunt and Uncle's house and we had a steak fry and a wonderful meal!

My DH looks about 10 years younger when he is rested.  My aunt and Uncle spoil us so wonderfully while we are there.  Breakfast was Steak and eggs with lots of fresh berries, fresh avocados and tomatoes and bagels with cream cheese, fresh from Chompie's Bakery that morning.  I don't know how you top that!!!

How can you help but get rested when this is where you hang out.  The pool was still a cool 70 degrees, but I was able to get in and exercise once I gradually got used to the cold water.

Here is my DH, Uncle Mose, (He asked for a cool blog name and this is what we decided on), and my Aunt!  Our trip out was eventful - We arrived a little after 2 AM AZ time instead of 8 PM.  Yawn.  United had plane issues and had to fly another one in from Tampa.  My patients kept in touch and called early and often. They called at 8 AM which was only 5 AM AZ time. It took me awhile to get caught up on my sleep.

We drove out to McNeal AZ for my DH's Dad's memorial service.  It was a special family time.  It was nice to have the service where he and Mom served and lived for most of the last 20 years, until health problems forced them to move in with family.  This is the view from mission looking towards the mountains.

Rona, Steve, and my DH

Friday evening we worked on organizing and planning the service.  There was about three times the material available than there was time for a reasonable length service.

There were three children and their spouses and one grandchild there from the family.  Nobody is local.  It was good to get together.

Saturday morning we had a graveside service. (See previous post.)

We all remembered Dad's diligence at sticking to a task as we surveyed the triple row of pines that lines the front of the mission.  It is over a half mile long.  Dad organized and did much of the planting of those trees many years ago.

The memorial service was in the afternoon.  Many people were there from the mission and community.  This is a very isolated location and the town is not really even a crossroads.  You don't want to buy land in McNeal as you will never be able to sell it. You are there for life.  It is near (20 miles) both the infamous Tombstone, AZ and the Mexican boarder.  There were about 60 people at the service.  It was videotaped, and will be available for viewing at a later date.

Uncle Mose giving his royal style wave.

We said good-bye to our Phoenix family and got on a plane for an uneventful flight home.

We arrived just in time to rush over to church for the AWANA closing program.  Paul gave a paint board gospel message to the families.  He did a lovely job.

Michelle can usually be found either with a baby in her arms or in the kitchen!  Here she is with Liam.

Tuesday morning very early (for me) T-Bob and Joan got on a plane to fly to the Philippines to visit my sister and her family who are missionaries there.   Here they are just before they left.  They were warned that the plane gets cold so they should dress warm.  T-Bob's visit was a surprise to the cousin's and it was complete and successful!!!

Here is a picture of the farm, just after they left.  The mist was rising from the trees and the sun was rising.  So pretty!

Traveling in the South West Part 2

After lunch Grandpa and Daddy read, dozed, finished up projects, or toured the mission base to see what was new there.

After taking a nap, Grandma and I took a walk around the block. On one of our walks I told her I had recently read a biography about A.W. Tozer. She then told me that she regularly listened to him when he was on the radio. That was interesting, but then she said that she had disagreed with him on a certain topic and had written him a letter. Mr.Tozer wrote her back. He discussed the issue and closed with "Please pray for me." I thought that was neat. I wasn't able to read the letter, because it is at one of my aunt's homes, who we'll be visiting soon. Grandma gave me permission to track it down and read it, so I will. :) I have enjoyed learning about my grandparents history and how they interacted with now famous people.
After our walk on Monday Grandma and I spent some time looking at Colossians. It wasn't all Bible study though. Grandma opened up and shared some things about how she has grown spiritually through out the years. What a privilege!

While we were exercising our legs, the men exercised their minds. It was good for Daddy to have some down time to sit and read.

Suppertime! At this meal I listened as these three reminisced about my Dad's growing up years.

I am learning to play the hymns on the piano. I enjoyed practicing and they enjoyed listening.

This picture represents the best time of the day. We would all pray and share a passage of Scripture. Then we would sing. It was a sweet time of bringing our requests and thanksgivings before the throne of grace as well as learning or being reminded of God's truth. (Which is the only truth and absolute standard.)

I am so thankful that God has given me godly parents and godly grandparents on both sides. They have trained me by word and example. May God be glorified!

~JoAn

Traveling in the Southwest Part 1

Each spring since 2006 Daddy has taken one or two of us children as traveling companions with him to visit his parents (and help them with projects). This year I was the chosen one. We were absent from home eight days. We only spent 2 full days and 2 part days with Grandpa and Grandpa Mango. What we did in the other approx 5 days will be given in a later post. Hint: We drove 1,200 miles after flying into El Paso, TX.


Near their small Arizonian town lies a B&B decorated to be a 1930s home. It is run by a middle aged Christian couple. They were a delight to get to know. Mr. A. describes his wife as a true Proverbs 31 woman. Not only is she proficent in domestic duties, but she is also fluent in carpentry. Mrs. A. has many stories to tell. I could listen for hours.




Grandpa and Grandma 'retired' to be volunteers at the New Tribes Mission and Aviation base in Arizona. They used to put us up in a guest house, but since they retired from volunteer work, they now have us spend our nights at the local Bed and Breakfast. It is called Sojourners Homestead. I'd recommend it to anyone who is visiting nearby.




I'm writing about the middle part of our trip part first, because it was the primary reason for our trip. Grandpa and Grandpa are very regular in their habits. Therefore, I just need to describe a single day and you know how we spent our time, except for the weekly happenings that came up on the days we were there. :)

Each morning Daddy and I arrived at Grandpa and Grandma's shortly before 9 A.M. The first morning Grandma and I went over to the base to attend a ladies prayer meeting, wash some clothes, and have a computer lesson. Grandpa is resolute in his determination to stand against the flood of technology. Grandma is learning what she can and is doing quite well. While we were gone Daddy and Grandpa worked on spraying the weeds and fixing the swamp cooler.

The second morning I trimmed Grandma's hair. I was a little nervous, but it came out okay.

Grandma has a big heart for those in need. She showed this to me by the conversations she had with various people on the base. Throughout our visit she shared stories of goings on in the town as well as from her past. It made me think, "How much do I love and care for others? Do I love them enough to share the gospel with them?"

Fixing the swamp cooler took two days. Working in the Arizonian sun is no fun, especially if you have fair skin.

After mounting the roof once Grandpa decided that he would be the ground man. He later stated that he was done going up on roofs. The three of us were glad, and hope he keeps his word.

Late in the morning Grandma and I picked up the mail from the Post Office. Upon returning to the mobile she would process it with Grandpa's help. On Wednesday, they unknowingly entertained us as they went through their mail. Grandma cuts open the end of each envelope and skims the contents. If they're worthy of reading she passes it onto Grandpa. Two of the envelopes contained stamped envelopes. The stamps were cut off and duly saved. Grandpa and Grandma raised nine children and are very thrifty. This is where I inherited my thriftiness from, much to some of my sibblings dismay. :) However, though they are thrifty, they share with those in need generously. I am trying to emulate this.

One of the envelopes contained a letter for Grandpa from a doctor who practiced 75 miles away. Grandma asked Grandpa as she gave him the letter, "You're not going to go in for your annual check up, are you?"

Grandpa replied, "No. Why would I go in for him just to ask me, "How are you?" He began reading the letter aloud. We soon found out that the doctor (who was in his early 80s also) was retiring. I don't think that Grandpa's going to see the new doctor either.

I love how Grandpa begins their meals. Each meal he chose one of us to give thanks for the food. After that we would each read a verse card. Most of the time we'd get a 'double portion' and read both sides of the card. I'm a firm believer that we need our spiritual food just as much and more than physical food. I enjoyed this simple reminder.

At lunch on Monday as he took up his card he broke out with, "That big old nasty cheating slimeball....." The topic on his card was "The Tempter."

During the meals Grandma would tell us stories of the past, but mostly of the goings on in their small town. Many seniors live there and several have died in the past months. Death and the earthly consequences was a subject brought to our minds by Grandpa and Grandma. They are working on getting rid of belongings and preparing to move into a daughter's home. (They want to stay in Arizona as long as possible, but they also want to be ready in the event of an emergency.) Even though we talked about death, it was with heaven in view and the sure hope we have of spending eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful to have had this time listening and learning from them. It is sad for me in some ways, but their attitude was catching. Not that I'm want to die, but I want to alway be ready for it. I want to daily be looking forward to when Christ calls His bride home.

Do you know that you're ready for Christ's return?

~Joan

P.S. Yes, there is a part 2. I will finish up our day with Grandpa and Grandma in Part 2. I want to tell you about the other parts of our trip too. I will keep working on it, and will do my best to get part 2 out in the next day or two.

P.S. S. I hope you get a little laugh out of some of Grandpa's remarks. It is always best to hear them live, but I still chuckle as I write them.