F³ in Phoenix & Scottsdale: Faith, Friends & Flavors

What made our time in Phoenix, Arizona, so memorable? For us, it came down to F³—Faith, Friends & Flavors! From being inspired to dream bigger at the 2026 Dream Conference, to reconnecting with friends beneath a beautiful Arizona sunset, to discovering some d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s Jamaican food, Phoenix gave us experiences that fed our faith, friendships, and appetites. And before leaving Arizona, one unexpected discovery about Wayne’s ancestry would lead us to one ultimate stop.

FAITH & PURPOSEREFLECTIONS & MILESTONESTRAVEL STORIES

Tamara Driver

9/11/20263 min read

There was only one way we could sum up our time in Phoenix, Arizona: F³ — Faith, Friends & Flavors! Our three days in the Valley of the Sun brought together three things that made this stop especially memorable: strengthening our faith, reconnecting with friends, and discovering some seriously good food.

🙏 Faith: Dreaming the NEXT10

First came Faith. Wayne and I attended the Dream Conference 2026 at Dream City Church, an annual Christian gathering that brings together believers and ministry leaders for worship, encouragement, practical teaching, and inspiration to pursue God’s purpose for their lives.

The 2026 theme, “NEXT10: Decade of Destiny,” challenged us to look beyond the present and consider what God may be calling us to accomplish over the next ten years. With an emphasis on vision, anointing, and impact, the conference reminded us that our dreams are not simply about where we want to go or what we want to accomplish. They are also about how God can use our lives, experiences, and gifts to make a difference in others' lives.

One message stayed with us in particular: You are never too old to dream a new dream—and see it through. Standing together beneath those giant DREAM letters seemed like the perfect way to capture that message because we are indeed living our dream.

🤝 Friends: Reconnecting Under an Arizona Sunset

Then Friends arrived—and, strangely, one of those friends actually bears the name Faith. How ironic is that? 😅

Wayne and I met Faith and her husband during our Viking South America cruise, and while we were in Arizona, they graciously invited us to their beautiful home for a rooftop sunset gathering. And what a gathering it was!

This was the first time Wayne and I had visited a private home with its own rooftop seating and fire pit overlooking a pool and hot tub. The setting was absolutely phenomenal. It was just the four of us enjoying heavy hors d’oeuvres, reminiscing about our cruise, catching up on life, and watching the Arizona sun slowly disappear across the horizon.

Sometimes the best travel experiences come from moments not planned in an itinerary. They’re found sitting around a table with people you’ve met along the journey. We still talk about that evening.

☕ More Friends in Scottsdale

Our reunions weren’t over yet. The very next day, we headed to Scottsdale to visit one of Wayne’s longtime friends and colleagues, along with her husband. Our plan was simple: stop by for coffee and a few treats, spend a little time together, and then continue with our day.

Well...you know how that goes. 😅

What was supposed to be a brief visit turned into one of those wonderful occasions when time flies because you’re having such a good time. We kicked back, talked, laughed, and simply enjoyed one another’s company.

Eventually, we realized it really was time to go. We took one group photo before heading on our way, already knowing one thing for certain:

Next time, we’re planning a longer visit!

Flavors: Our Favorite Bites of Phoenix

Last, but certainly not least, came the Flavors. Before leaving Phoenix, Wayne and I stopped at TopNotch Island Flavor Kitchen, a Jamaican restaurant that ended up delivering our favorite meal of the entire Phoenix visit. I ordered the oxtails, Wayne had the jerk chicken tacos, and, of course, we both had to try the Jamaican beef patties.

Oh. My. Goodness. 😋

After spending at least three days eating our way around Phoenix, this was the meal that stood out above the rest. The oxtails were rich and flavorful, and even now, I can almost taste them. If only they were here in Panama! 😅

It was the perfect, flavorful ending to our F³ Phoenix experience: Faith, Friends & Flavors.

🌵 What About You?

Have you ever visited Phoenix or Scottsdale, Arizona? What did you enjoy most? Was it the desert scenery, the food, the people, or something completely unexpected?

We would love to hear your thoughts.

🌳 But Wait...There’s One More Family Story

Before leaving Arizona, Wayne and I had one last stop to make. During our visit with friends in Scottsdale, we learned something fascinating about one of Wayne’s notable ancestors—something that sent us on a brief genealogical detour before we continued our journey. So, naturally, we had to go pay homage.

Who was this ancestor? Why were we looking for him at an airport? And what made him—or perhaps them—so notable? 🤔

That’s where we’re headed next. After all, when you’re traveling with a genealogist, you never know where the family tree is going to take you. 😉