Foundation For Growth

In order to grow in life, love, one needs a foundation. My life's foundation is made of my belief in God's sacrifice; Christ Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection. I can't begin to explain God's love, but I thoroughly believe in it, thrive on it! He does not see my sin because it was covered by Christ's blood when he died. It's so freeing to realize FINALLY (at my age) that God sees me as righteous. I don't have to live under a black cloud of conviction and punishment! Am I being cocky? In denial of my human tendancy to mess up? NO! When I make a wrong choice and reap the consequences, I admit I was wrong. I acknowledge my mistake! I endeavor to turn to a better direction and I am grateful to know that I am still loved, always forgiven, drenched in mercy. I am just like a tree that gets a whole new coat of leaves in the Spring, after having been a stark naked Winter one!

NO DOUBT About it!

Have you ever been in an earthquake? Years ago, Hubby and I were in the Los Angeles area, celebrating our anniversay, asleep in our hotel bed on the third floor. We had plans to spend the next 3 precious days going to Disneyland, the beach, antique stores, eating at nice restaurants, and most of all, enjoying being blissfully alone as a couple. I awoke on a shaking bed and sleepily asked, "What'sTHAT?" My husband doesn't get rattled easily, so his response was rather casual. "Oh, it's an earthquake." The way I jumped out of bed, you'd think I was responding to a half off sale at Nordstrom's department store. And better! Or worse? Anyway, we were fine, but my nerves and fear wouldn't allow me to calm down. We threw our things into a suitcase and left. We came all the way home! My fear for the unknown, doubt for the known, ruined our much needed vacation. Fear and doubt do so much harm, especially when you allow them to control your whole life. Fear is not from the Lord, it's from the enemy and is one of his favorite ways to put marriages and families and well, any person into ruins. His aim is destruction. His vices are many. I've been learning that I must not fall into that trap. I must be diligent in trusting my Lord and allowing His power to live and flow through me. It's better to live life as HIS life!

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Eph.3:14-19. Is this scripture fantastic, or what???? ( :

This first month of the year two thousand ten is nearly over. What have I done? Right now it doesn't matter. What really floats my boat is the fact that I am beginning to feel rejuvenated! Learning the truth about the Gospel, eating well, exercising, using my Nikon, helping people, loving my family and friends, realizing a true purpose in life is what is giving me a boost. I will post pictures and call it a night. Hubby and I need our beauty sleep!

Orange and More Orange!

The first picture is my 15 year old Ryan with my 3 year old Grandwonder, Grace! The little "orange" haired girl is the daughter of a friend. I love the many shades of orange, which is great because years ago, the only orange I ever really noticed, and hated, was the stark orange of Halloween that was alwys matched with black. Today, I see gorgeous orange everywhere!

Antiques on the Square

In this little mile high town where I live an event takes place at the Couthouse Square. I brought my trusty camera along because I just knew I'd want pictures of some of the FABulous items I would see! Thankfully, the weather was perfect; no June gloom here! It was about 75o, sunny with a fre pretty puffy clouds, and just a hint of a breeze. Beautiful day!

Little Flowers, Big Storm Clouds

I'm sure glad that God knows what He's doing! Sometimes I wish I had alot more control over what happens in life. That seems to be a pretty normal thought for alot of moms and wives. I would not be living here in this rundown little house, that's for sure! However, I am thankful that I do have a little house and that I have my family and friends. The pain in my life has not crippled me. I am like the flowers in the vase; kept alive in water in a clear vase that people can see through. (For the most part!) My constant fear is that I will be overtaken by a huge storm and my life in the vase will be obliterated. If that ever happens, remember. God is in control.

Yesterday was so beautiful,,,,,

What made the day beautiful is that Tara, Josiah, Grace and Autumn came. It was great to spend time with them; laughing, talking, eating, children napping, Tara and I shopping while P.Pa was in charge of being on guard! Later, after they left to make the 1 hour drive home, Rich and I drove to a couple different locations so that I could capture an incoming storm with my camera. It was so exciting to be out there shooting until the first snowflakes fell! I quickly hopped into the car and declared I was ready to go home. It was FREEZING up on the hill! The pictures were well worth the discomfort of the temperatures, breeze, etc. I felt so blessed and so protected. God is awesome in what He reveals to us and when. A storm is powerful and is to be respected. It is ominous and dangerous. Yet it provides good things for the land. In my life, a storm can cause me to huddle in fear, curling into a fetal position, spiritualy and physical disabling me. God's wisdom, power and love provides the cushioning and protection that I so need in everyday life. He allows me to hurt but not be destroyed. He helps me to forgive...and to love those who caused the pain. He helps me to let go of my fear of being hurt again. His love and forgiveness is everlasting. I thank Him!