My 6th Blogiversary…

Six years ago I started blogging here.My friend Carolyn got me into it. (She’s the one in the center in light blue. We met during rehearsals (& me helping with her costuming) of our church’s Christmas Dinner Theatre in 2003.

Carolyn (or Ceekay, as she was known to her many blogging friends/followers) started blogging in 2008 while undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer. She also had a blog named My Journey With Teal addressing her illness.

My friend won her battle with that ugly cancer, achieving ultimate freedom from her war-torn body, and entered heaven in September.

 

I miss her.

I miss the comments she would leave on a blog post. I miss reading her blog & following her travel adventures, or her restoration of a vintage travel trailer, her beautiful tablescapes… the list goes on.  Carolyn inspired me in so many ways – I guess that’s why I’ve let my blog lapse a little.

So, I’ve set a goal of becoming more faithful to blog my story. We’ll see if I survive the upcoming graduation & party in May – STAY TUNED!!

Why we went to CO

subtitled: Why we drove 3500 (+ or -) miles in 160 (+ or -) hours
We were crazy? Probably, but that’s not the full explanation… (This is going to be a LONG story, so you might as well go grab that second cup of coffee & scone, then come back & settle in.)My parents made the decision a few years ago that they would pay the way to SUMMIT Student Conference for any of their 10 grandchildren who wanted to (or were able) attend. In June 2013, Zach & one of my nieces took advantage of that generous offer. (I refer to part of that story in this post.) Last year another niece & nephew attended their 2-week session in California.
This year, Alec decided he would go to Manitou Springs for his conference. Zach had been wishing to return, so he save up his hard-earned cash so he could attend as well. Because not one of Zach’s 3 vehicles could be trusted for that long of a journey (and I couldn’t be without my van for the full 2 weeks) it was decided that we would drop them off, then return for them when their session was complete.We left bright & early Saturday morning and headed north. Because we had three drivers we were fairly aggressive and pulled in to Pagosa Springs before sunset. We had a delicious Thai dinner then walked around town, checking out the hot springs.Next morning we pointed our nose to Wolf Creek Pass and the beautiful snowy mountain landscapes beyond.We stopped at Treasure Falls for a picture of the water (really too early in the day for great pictures…) video

…and another selfie.
Eventually we wound up in Manitou dropped the boys at their destination. We headed down into Colorado Springs to meet our friends for a quick early dinner, then the plan was to get a few hour start on the trip back home.Well, that was the plan. What happened was after dinner we went back to their house and fellowshiped and decided to spend the night. Their neighborhood has such lovely views of Pikes Peak!We grabbed a quick breakfast at Rudy’s (they also had the cheapest gas on our route through town!)then headed South, away from the beautiful mountains.

We pulled into Albuquerque in time to eat lunch at a Rudy’s there!
Then we pointed the van to home. Ahhhhhhhh…

We rested up for a few days while our boys up at Summit were going non-stop. Sometimes I’d get a text saying, “Mom! I played Ultimate Frisbee with Frank Turek!” I’d reply (because Dr. Turek is one of our favorite authors) “That is soooooooo awesome!” To which I’d receive, “ I know! He’s such a great player!”
Perspective!They had an incredible two weeks up on the mountain. Learning from & conversing with great minds like Josh McDowell, J. Warner Wallace, Scott Klusendorf, Mike Adams and Del Tackett.
The sessions always end with a graduation the final Friday night. We missed Zach’s two years ago; but made the decision to attend his & Alec’s this year. So we packed up our youngest and hit the road on the 25th. We drove & drove until we hit Trinidad for dinner and sleep!
We made enough time to be able to take in some of God’s beautiful creation found in the Garden Of The Godsand the awesome architecture of Manitou.During the parent meeting prior to dinner & graduation, I sat in Zach’s seat for the past two weeks of learning. Do you think those speakers will remember a 6’7” bearded fellow in their face?
After graduation we returned to enjoy our friends’ hospitality (Zach & Alec wouldn’t be ready to leave until Saturday morning.) Before we picked up those two for the return trip home, three of us stopped to eat breakfast at, wait for it… RUDY’S! (Seriously, smoked brisket, fried potatoes & scrambled eggs is a combo you can’t beat!)
Keith wished to show the boys one of the Colorado towns he spent a couple years while growing up, so we headed up over the hills to Alamosa. Can you count the 14,000ft peaks in this panorama @ almost 9,000 ft elevation?
He found & showed us the house his parents built & the church they attended while living there.
Then it was on to Albuquerque to meet up with my Uncle Roger for dinner at Garduño's. What an incredible dinner -- those were some of the best shrimp tacos I’ve had! Later, we were thrilled to be able to spend the night up at his home in a beautiful canyon up in the hills.Next morning he fixed us an incredible breakfast and showed us around his ranchito.
And then we crammed back into the van and headed home so Keith could work the next day…

Happy 4th

#Happy4th

U

… is for “unfinished”

It also stands for “unable to comprehend” why a beautiful project unfortunately stops after it’s begun.

By God’s grace, we go on…

Thank you, little one, for the joyful smiles you gave us to remember.

GONE

He’s alive and risen indeed

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-8                           (NASB)

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

 

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree
Every broke and weary soul
Find your rest and be made whole
Stripes of blood that stain its frame
Shed to wash away our shame
From the scars pure love released
Salvation brought the mercy tree

In the sky, between two thieves
Hung the blameless Prince of Peace
Bruised and battered, scarred and scorned
Sacred Hands pierced by our thorns
It is finished was his cry
The perfect Lamb was crucified
The sacrifice, our victory.
Our Savior chose the mercy tree

Hope went dark that violent day
The whole earth 'quaked at love’s display
Three days silence in the ground
This body born for Heaven’s crown
On that bright and glorious day
Heaven opened up the grave
He’s alive and risen indeed
Praise him for the mercy tree

Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.
Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.

One day soon we’ll see His face
And every tear, He’ll wipe a way
No more pain or suffering
Oh, praise him for the mercy tree
Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.
Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree

(words & music by Michael Neale & Krissy Nordhoff)

Rest In Peace?

Oh, I think not! I’m pretty sure Ray is tired of resting. His last few months on earth were too full of resting.After spending some time wrapped in Jesus’ arms; I like to think that he’s hiking heaven - relishing his now perfect body and glorious strength.I figure Ray is probably chatting up Peter & John; asking about the possibility of setting sail to an ideal fishing spot.He’s going to discus metalwork with Solomon; debating the pros and cons of ornamentation.As for “off-roading” … well, I don’t suppose there’s any good mud on the streets of gold, anyhow… We miss you!

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

“Hymns breathe the praise of the saints, the vision of the prophets,
The prayers of the penitent and the spirit of the martyrs.
They bring solace to the sad, assurance to the perplexed,
Faith to the doubter and comfort to the oppressed.

They span the centuries of history,
And bridge the barriers of denominations.
Study them to be pure in heart; sing them to be joyful in spirit,
Store them in the mind to possess a treasury of worship.”

— Unknown

My heart has turned to hymns many times these past few weeks. Most times I can get through at least one verse without crying.

We live in such a hurting world; and I try to make sense of all the pain. Sometimes I feel as if God doesn’t really care about my loved ones’ suffering through cancer. Where’s His concern for a tiny boy born with a broken heart? Too many questions…

In 1773, a very depressed man named William Cowper (pronounced “Cooper”) tried to end his life by drowning. He had attempted suicide at least three times previously; and had been in and out of mental asylums. On this occasion, however, his intended place of death was the Thames River. There was a thick fog and the driver of the cab became lost. Evidently they wandered for a time; then somehow the carriage ended up back in front of Cowper’s lodging. It was then that he wrote:

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

These verses speak to my heart during this time. The Creator of the universe does have a plan. Those clouds I am dreading are huge with mercy, and will break and spill blessing over my head.

Thank you Jesus!

Holding the rope

What are you doing with that rope in your hands? Are you assisting a friend as he ascends the heights? Do you come along side with others to help a friend in need?

My Kindergarten Sunday School lesson this week was Mark 2:1-12. We read the story. We showed pictures of the story. We acted out the story.

We also ate the story.

when i grow up

...this is who i want to be!

Unbelievable what this group accomplished!

Makes me ashamed of what little I've "paid forward."

(But sure wouldn't mind their killer pound cake recipe!) :)

My goal this year is less of me and more of HIM.

"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'" ~ Matthew25:40 NASB