A balancing rock, also called balanced rock or precarious boulder, is a naturally occurring geological formation featuring a large rock or boulder, sometimes of substantial size, resting on other rocks, bedrock, or on glacial till. Some formations known by this name only appear to be balancing, but are in fact firmly connected to a base rock by a pedestal or stem.

No single scientific definition of the term exists, and it has been applied to a variety of rock features that fall into one of four general categories: - A glacial erratic is a boulder that was transported and deposited by glaciers or ice rafts to a resting place on soil, on bedrock, or on other boulders. It usually has a different lithology from the other rocks around it. Not all glacial erratics are balancing rocks; some are firmly seated on the ground. Some balancing erratics have come to be known as rocking stones, also known as logan rocks, logan stones, or logans, because they are so finely balanced that the application of just a small force may cause them to rock or sway. A good example of a rocking stone is the Logan Rock in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom; another is the Trembling Rock in Brittany, France. - A perched block, also known as a perched boulder or perched rock, is a large, detached rock fragment that most commonly was transported and deposited by a glacier to a resting place on glacial till, often on the side of a hill or slope. Some perched blocks were not produced by glacial action, but were the aftermath of a rock fall, landslide, or avalanche.

An erosional remnant is a persisting rock formation that remains after extensive wind, water, and/or chemical erosion. To the untrained eye, it may appear to be visually like a glacial erratic, but instead of being transported and deposited, it was carved from the local bedrock. Many good examples of erosional remnants are seen in Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve in the Northern Territory of Australia. - A pedestal rock, also known as a rock pedestal or mushroom rock, is not a true balancing rock, but is a single continuous rock form with a very small base leading up to a much larger crown. Some of these formations are called balancing rocks because of their appearance. The undercut base was attributed for many years to simple wind abrasion, but is now believed to result from a combination of wind and enhanced chemical weathering at the base where moisture would be retained longest. Some pedestal rocks sitting on taller spire formations are known as hoodoos.

A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, usually used for indoor climbing, but sometimes located outdoors. Some are brick or wooden constructions, but on most modern walls, the material most often used is a thick multiplex board with holes drilled into it.

Recently, manufactured steel and aluminum have also been used. The wall may have places to attach belay ropes, but may also be used to practise lead climbing or bouldering. Each hole contains a specially formed t-nut to allow modular climbing holds to be screwed onto the wall. With manufactured steel or aluminum walls, an engineered industrial fastener is used to secure climbing holds. The face of the multiplex board climbing surface is covered with textured products including concrete and paint or polyurethane loaded with sand. In addition to the textured surface and hand holds, the wall may contain surface structures such as indentions (incuts) and protrusions (bulges), or take the form of an overhang, underhang or crack. Some grips are formed to mimic the conditions of outdoor rock, including some that are oversized and can have other grips bolted onto them.

Dear Friends,

We have been in a season of making updates! Over the past 5+ years, we've been using Mailchimp together with our Facebook Group to stay connected. We've noticed changes in engagement due to many newsletters ending up in "Spam" instead of your Inbox and changes in the Facebook algorithm. Over the next few months, we'll be rolling out some exciting changes and observing which ones people interact best with. We would love to hear your feedback.

This last season has been a bit of a whirlwind! In June, our family drove up to Springfield, MO, for several weeks of missions training. In Springfield, we were able to split the cost of an Airbnb with some good friends who are also back in the U.S. from North Africa. It was a blessing to spend so much quality time with them and hear stories of their time abroad.

After being back in Texas for a week, Jason went to the Campus Missions Conference in Phoenix, AZ. There, we were able to connect with some Chi Alpha campus pastors who have brought teams, as well as connect with other friends who are interested in longer-term missions in our part of the world. We finished out July by taking a few days after a trip to the Hill Country in TX to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We were also able to attend a family reunion in Nacogdoches, TX, and introduce our children to family who have never met them. Both Anna and Jacob spent quality time with excited aunts, uncles, and cousins.

We celebrated Anna's 3rd Birthday by hosting over 30 people at our house in early August! Many people came whom we have not seen in several years. We also celebrated the sale of my mother's house in Nacogdoches. The house had been on the market for nearly 2 yrs and received only one offer. While a little bittersweet, we are relieved to have that behind us.

The remainder of August was full of visits to churches, lunch with pastors, and working on new projects. We are hoping to release a new website within 6 weeks, which will help us better share and communicate the vision of our ministry.

We are challenged and refreshed by all that God is doing in the lives of so many people that we've visited. Many of the churches we've had the privilege of speaking in have new pastors with fresh vision and are growing. It's also been a blessing to reconnect with so many pastors and churches that have faithfully supported us for a long time.

We are also excited about what lies ahead in Chile. We are hearing about new churches being planted and campus ministry that is continuing on. Our team members who are in Chile are doing a remarkable job. Please pray for us as we continue to raise support to return to Chile.

Thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and partnership. We are grateful to be serving together with you

With Love and Thankfulness,

(See pictures and captions for more details!)

September 4th

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