"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." (Isaiah 60:1)
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Two things I learned on this trip: 1. New Mexicans don't really YELP, which pretty much rocked my world upside down...they use Trip Advisor OR Google reviews...come on guys GET ON YELP...its waaaaaay better!!! 2. CHILI EVERYTHING!!! I just realized, and I've been to New Mexico many times before, buuuuuuuuuut I just now realized how much they are into chilies!!! The famous question: do you want green or red chili? And of course ME, I say, I want it CHRISTMAS STYLE!!!
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Thursday Noon/Night
When we started the trip, I noticed a beautiful rainbow in our destination ahead of us...
It made me think of something that one of the preachers said at Heritage a few years ago, he said, "If you want God's will for your life, it's easy, JUST STAY IN HIS WILL!!!" It's one of the simplest, but most profound statements I've heard, it's stuck with me! All we gotta do you guys, is STAY IN HIS WILL!!!
.Weeeeeeeeeeeeellll that was for free...stay in his will my friends!!!
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First break!!!
Our whole crew in front of Auto Zone in Payson AZ...what is it about trips, it seems like we're always stopping to get new wind shield wipers!!! I gotta say that Auto Zone had THE CLEANEST bathrooms everrrrrrr!!!! LOL
.We stopped in Gallup NM to eat!!! I wanted to try something new and local and NON-chainish off of YELP....buuuuuuuuut...No one else was in the mood for a FOOD ADVENTURE!!! So we ended up at Wendys!!!!
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.Buuuuuuuuuut I had the AWESWOMEST CHILI everrrrr!!!! I asked them to add onions, jalepenos, cheese and sour cream and it was pretty bomb!!! See, I just don't like to eat, I like my food to have a zing! It has to be worth the calories otherwise what's the point???
Driving into the lights of ABQ
FRIDAY
I found this Coffee shop on yelp, basically we went because of the name...LITTLE BEAR...How cuuuuuuute is that??? You know, I'm Mar Bear...I was imagining cute little bears everywhere...twas not so I was very disappointed with the décor the, I felt like it shoulda been more bears everywhere!!! Fluffy lil Mar Bears!!!
Buuuuuuuuut I got a prickly bear donut that made up for the lack of bears...well a bite before Odin took it over...It was very rich and a heavy consistency!!! I'm not sure if I got it just because of it's amazing bright pink color OR because it was prickly pear and that's unique???
My sister didn't like the coffee thou...basically because it still tasted like...WEEEEEELLLLL... coffee...she said she knew it was GOOD COFFEE...she just didn't like her coffee to taste like coffee...so we ended up at Starbucks for her!!!
And I got Latte Art!!! 💖
You know what makes happy??? All things cutsey, unique, bright, adventerous and funnnnn!!!! Annnnnnnnnnd latte art falls into the category!!!
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Love people USE COFFEE...
a motto they need to paint up in EVERY COFFEE shop in Cali!!!
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After that, we picked up all the non-fancy coffee drinkers from the hotel...don't expect Stultz to be paying extra for a something pretty on top of his coffee...BAHAHAHAAA...annnnnnnnd headed over to...
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This was superrrrrr cool, and I would totally do it again...
Buuuuuuuuuut I will be honest, I was disappointed in the fact that it wasn't even the least bit scary!!! I was trying to talk the tram workers into making the bottom floor of the tram see-through, but they said they couldn't because of a water tank on the bottom of the tram...can't we put the water tank on top of the tram??? Come on guys, I'd pay an extra $20 for a clear floor!!!
Sneaking pics of these two love birds!!!
Me, trying to be scared!!!
Sooooooooo I was taking pics of everyone in our group individually, each family unit, cousins, siblings etc...soooooooo I'm always like, SAY JESUS!!! And everyone says JESUS! Before I take the pic! Well a man offered to take our group pic and before he took it he said to us all, SAY JESUS!!! It was pretty epically AWESOME!!!
Isn't my sweater like seriously THE CUTEST AND MARYIST SWEATER EVERRRRR???
Just me!!!
Cutest lil bunny everrrr!!!!
BEAUTIFUL VIEWS!!!
They say it's the best first thing to do! It was pretty good! I mean, it's not something I would do again, but at the same time, I like to hear about all the different things to do and see them sooooo….that's just me...it wasn't amazing, but it was informative...had we been in the AZ summer weather I would say SKIP IT!!! Buuuuut since the weather was AWESOME it was enjoyable!!! I would give it a 4 on yelp!!!
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Waiting to do the Trolley Tour...I kept our group BUSY!!! Vacations are NOT meant for napping in my world!!! LOL They are for EXPLORING and DISCOVERING!!!
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Afterwards we ended up in Old Town, we ate at this really, really, really, REALLY good Mexican place called, Church Street Café!!! 5 stars from me on yelp when I review this place!!!
Oh, and the beans were soooooo good!!! buuuuuut there rice isn't very good...I think it's made by white people...very gringo...jus sayin!!! AHAHAHAAA!!! I get sooooo excited about trying stuff!!! hee, hee!!! My sister and I split this and they give you sopaphillas after with honey!!! I was beyond stuffed!!!
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Sooooooo I was sooooooo full from lunch I thought for sure my dress wasn't going to fit me for church...No JOKE!!! I told my sister...I think I'm going to have to wear something else tonight, I'm so full, my dress isn't going to fit me! I'm like, idk what tho cuz I didn't bring any extra clothes! So i'm like, I guess I'll just try it on and see how bad it looks...sooooo I put it on and whatda ya know...it still fit just fine...I was soooo surprised buuuuut RELIEVED!!!
PHEW!!!😅
All ready for church!!!!
I forgot to take a pic but Elder Bro. Foster from Roswell preached a good message about Loving God's word!!!
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Everyone went to Dion's Pizza after church Friday night!!!
Yuuuuuuuuuummmm!!!
Alina LOVES taking pictures...Just like her Auntie Mar Bear!!!!
I think she actually remembered me this time!!!
I just love her...She's sooooo adorable!!!
Odin and his favorite teacher, DOONAY!!!
He's really hoping she stops traveling for good!!!
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Joe and Jonathon just randomly matching their ties almost exact...these two are so alike it's hilarious...I'll never forget when they both realized they loved rasin brand crunch...as I was making fun of it...or even when I introduced them to each other...Hey you guys have a lot in common...you BOTH_________________ I can't say what I actually said on here or they'll both probably be very annoyed with me for saying what I said!!! AHAHAHAAAA...buuuuut Hey...My awkward words can bond people for life!!!HEh, heh!!!
I love how Alina looks in this picture, she is soooooo ADORABLE!!!
Friday was FRIENDS DAY!!! We went to Satellite Coffee house before brunch at Cheesecake Factory!!!
Little Jenny, my friend!!!
Just hanging out!!!
Chilling!!!
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Cheesecake Factory
These two first time at this place...Once you go CF...you never look back...
Stephanie and La La!!!
Cheesecake Factory is one chain restaurant, that you never get bored with!!! I think because they have the biggest menu...like literally, you could read that thing for a day and I don't recall ever ordering anything there that I didn't like!!!
I split the Thanksgiving sandwich with my sister and it was soooooooooo bomb!!!! For the record, I just want everyone to know that I INVENTED the Thanksgivng Sandwich YEARS AGO, before it was considered cool and it was just A WEIRD MARY THING....yeah, I was making little turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing...then BAM...someone musta seen me eating my sandwich and STOLE my idea...whatevs...I may never have the money from my idea down here on earth...BUUUUUUUUT GOD KNOWS...who the inventor of that sandwich was...HE KNOWS!!!
Okaaaaaaaaaaaay so I have a confession to make, we were late to church...which I rarely am...buuuuuut we miscalculated the time at Cheesecake Factory, not realizing how long it would take them for such a large group, sooooo yeah, next year guys, BRUNCH AT 10 AM!!!
My pastor, Pastor Abbott on the saxophone, not that I know music or anything, buuuuuuuuuut, I'm pretty sure he's the best sax player in or out of Pentecost!!! He's coming out with a CD in the future sooooo yeah...buy one when it comes out!!!
Bro. Ham preached a very, very compelling message about reaching lost souls with an urgency!!! Like when you were given a list of chores and you hear your parents pull and you start running around like crazy trying to get them done!!! That's how we need to get with reaching souls...URGENT to do it!!!
BTW: If Mallory-Used-To-BE-HAM (Cant remember your new last name...sorry!) happens to be reading this....I lost your number in my phone switch...so can you text me and say its you...or I could just get it from Denae if this doesn't work!!! LOL
Food and fellowship afterwards!!!
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There were like 5 different kinds of beans, I had to try them all...I really like beans A LOT!!!
Me and ANALI!!!
I was like, we're getting a picture, RIGHT NOW...because we always say LATERRR and then we forget!!!
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And then I forgot to get a pic with
DAISY...
Sooooooooooooo this is the best I could come up with...BAHAHAHAHAAA!!! It was good to see you my friend!!! Back to the good O days!!! *Remember don't talk about my driving, they DAISY-PROOFED the streets in AZ!!! Hee, hee!!!
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Sooooooooo CUUUUUUTE!!!
Happy for these two!!!
Save it for the slide-show, HEE, HEE!!!
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O pouting on Mommy about who knows what!!!
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!
Soooooooo I don't really recommend Rude Boy cookies...they went on and on promoting them on the tram tour...I was like, Okaaaaaaaay maybe I'm a baking snob...buuuuuuuut have you ever tried my cookies??? No really, I don't even bake too often cuz I just tempt myself!!! Do you guys know what it's like to be YOUR OWN biggest temptation??? Liiiiiiiiiike I HAVE TO LIVE WITH ME!!! Okaaaaaaaay I'll shut up now...God's probably going to do something to humble me soon!!! He ALWAYS DOES!!!
But it was cool that I kinda matched the seat!!!
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Sunday morning!!! 
The ABQ kid's Choir!!! They all sang and did their solos so well!!!
Pastor Foster of ABQ
Bishop Abbott preached and it was his signature message, "The Devil Is A Snake" Or "The Anti-toxin Serum For The Devil's Bite" this was his 179th time preaching it and I'm pretty sure I've heard it preached for at least 100 of those times but I NEVER tire of hearing this message!!! Growing up I couldn't wait to hear him preach it as he would tell all the snake stories...IN FACT, I could probably preach it myself, IF anyone would like me too...HEE, HEE!!! ;))))
Look how bishop has the podium attached to his cart, isn't that awesome????
Coolest Bishop EVERRRRRR!!!
LUNCH
We all headed over to El Pinto
This is one of the prettiest places I've ever been too! I think the beauty of it could actually compete with Cheesecake Factory!!! My second time here, we went summer 2018 on the way back from Heritage! The outside seating is pretty epic!!! You could literally go for a beautiful nature walk while you wait for your food!!!
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My sister and I split the stuffed sopapilla and I have to be honest and say it wasn't my favorite thing everrrr!!! I was kinda disappointed that it didn't come with rice and beans and really it just wasn't my thing, I didn't think it was worth the calories so I stopped eating...see...you have to decide with each bite if its WORTH its weight in calories and it just wasn't...I coulda been full from chips and salsa too!!! Chips and salsa were pretty bomb and the sopapilla with honey at the end was delish as well!!!
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Sister Foster and I!!!
So Devi Foster is pretty much the first friend I recall ever making when we moved from to NYC to AZ. I mean, I suppose I could have made other friends as a baby but I don't remember them!!! LOL As the story goes, our family had been in church for about 9 months when we moved to AZ, I was about 3 years old at this time, and Devi says I would call her up and just talk and talk and talk and she had no idea what I was even saying because I had such a thick New York accent!!! Idk if much has changed since then...HEE, HEE!! Pretty sure I don't have much of an accent anymore tho!!! Anywayz, Sister Foster is a good friend, we may not keep in touch to much but when we're together its always good! I had to remind myself, Ok, she's a pastor's wife now, so make sure you don't call her Devi in front of her saints, It's Sister Abbott now...then I was like, OH WAIT, it's not even Sister Abbott, It's SISTER FOSTER now!!! I mean, I know they've been married over 10 years now but in my head its STILL Devi Abbott!!! Anyways, I'm proud of my friend and how God is using them in ABQ!!! Love you guys!!!
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Childhood buds!!!
Memories!!!
Some pics, you literally take, JUST TO REMEMBER!!!
AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!
We matched!!!
The boys had to stop for fireworks on the way home
The Illegal stuff!!!! Its gonna be a good New Years Eve up on our street this year!!!
WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!
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Okaaaaaaaaaaay sooooo these things scared the living daylights outta me!!! At the gas station where we stopped to get the fireworks, my brother was showing me that they were selling envelopes of Rattlesnake eggs! I'm like, is it real? He's like, Idk, it says keep in a cool place to prevent hatching so they must be! I was like, NOOOOOOOOO!!! That would have to be illegal, you can't just sell Rattlesnakes....that's beyond dangerous!!! I'm like, it's probably just candy! So I open it up to peek in and this RATTLING goes off...OMW...I SCREAMED SOOOOOOOOOOOO LOUD!!! The hillbilly worker dude behind the counter was laughing soooooooooo HARD!!! Apparently it's a joke, and when you open it, it makes that noise! But my brother seriously had no idea, so he wasn't doing it to play a trick on me and I really was thinking it was candy!!! I was like to the worker, OKAAAAAAAAAAY you guys got me, you REALLY DID!!! He's like, YES WE DID!!! And just kept chuckling about it the whole time!!! It WAS PRETTY FUNNY!!!! I SCREAMED SOOOOOO LOUD you guys !!!
AHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
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Annnnnnnnnnnnnnd on the way back we stopped for a late dinner at the Wendys in Flagstaff!!! Yes, Wendy's again...buuuuuuuuut have you all tried their new Jalapeno chicken sandwich??? BOMB.com!!!!
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd that was basically the end of the trip!!!! This was seriously one of the funnest trips I have been on in a while!!! Reconnecting with friends I have not been with in a long time ANNNNNNND soooooo much laughing!!!! I laughed so hard so much on this trip that I had to wipe away tears multiple times!!! There was only one time I had to ask God to give me self-control cuz it was inappropriate to be laughing at that moment!!! Ah, good times, good times!!! Can't wait to see everyone at AMA this summer...or sooner...if something comes up!!! Hint, hint...can someone do a conference in between now and AMA??? Jus sayin!!!
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Next year I have a million new coffee shops to try, Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Café for breakfast one day, The Tortilla Factory, exploring more of Old Town ABQ, The Hot Air Balloon Museum I plan to get in a good hike at La Luz trail and Idk...maybe a hot air balloon ride...I mean...that's what ABQ is known for so hey, may as well!!! The main problem with that idea, is that no one in my group is into that idea...I personally think Stultz should... I think he says unsafe....buuuuuuuuuut for someone that is willing to risk going to heaven early to NOT put on Sunblock...I think...he should try going to heaven early for a more EXCITING reason then SKIN CANCER!!! Him and S'Martin, REFUSED to put on sunblock for street ministry last month! S'Martin said if he got skin cancer God would just heal him!!! (So we're tempting God now eh??? Let me go get the snakes to bro!) And Stultz said he would just get to heaven faster if he got skin cancer! (Hmmm...selfish when there are lost souls and people down here that still need you, buuuuuuut your gonna go to heaven sooner because your to stubborn to put on sunblock! Psh...ain't that just like a man) Well, i'm only givng you bros a rough time so that you put on the 115 SPF sunblock I have for Street Ministry this Sunday afternoon!!! I blast because I CARE!!! Jus sayin!!! Hee, hee!!!
Anywayz,
WHO WANTS TO GO HOT AIR BALLOONING with me at Arise next year???
.Save the date for ARISE Conference next year!!!
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September 25, 26, 27
♥Mary Frances :)
P.S. I just want to say that the ABQ Fosters did such a good job with having everything so organized, planned out, no one was deciding for two hours after church where to go eat, etc...thanks guys!!! Of course, I wouldn't expect less for the ABQ Foster...I still laugh from time to time about that schedule on your fridge from back in the day that had the 30 minute nap scheduled in on Sunday afternoons!!! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!
P.S. I just want to say that the ABQ Fosters did such a good job with having everything so organized, planned out, no one was deciding for two hours after church where to go eat, etc...thanks guys!!! Of course, I wouldn't expect less for the ABQ Foster...I still laugh from time to time about that schedule on your fridge from back in the day that had the 30 minute nap scheduled in on Sunday afternoons!!! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!
