Lift me Up

One of the anxieties I faced in skiing again after 23 years was my age and my lack of skill. I remember some very embarrassing things happening the first time I went skiing involving getting on and off tow ropes and chair lifts. Needless to say, age and pride were not looking to be my friends this trip.

Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Ps. 71:17

However, my desire to get to the top of the mountain, and my faith in help from my husband and God, I was able to overcome the fears that I had about the endeavor. It was wonderful to get my nose cold, maneuver my tips out of a cross before taking a tumble, and having some success getting down 3.5 mile green run the second day without any falls. I got my rhythm and started to have fun. But believe me that these scriptures crossed my lips numerous times:

Hasten, O God, to save me;
O Lord, come quickly to help me...
or
Do not let my foot slip!

I did not wait until the seventh day to rest. I stayed in my jammies the third day until 11:00, only to get into a jacuzzi. After a soothing muscle treatment I had a big bowl of cereal, did some reading, and took a long winter's nap under a luxurious throw.

The fourth morning my camera and I caught the shuttle to downtown Park City. We found some wonderful mixes of bright store fronts and awnings heavy with icicles and snow. It was a good mix of time with friends, and time by myself, plus creative time with the camera.


Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
til I declare your power
to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.
Your righteousness reaches to the skies.
Psalm 71:18-19

PERSPECTIVE

These three pictures are all of the Great Sand Dunes in southern Colorado. They are magnificent to experience, and I highly recommend seeing them in person. They seem so out of place, like they have been transported from a sea shore or desert from a far away land. They don't look so big from the fly over back from Utah. They look much bigger in front of the Sangre de Cristo range. But they are huge when seen in the perspective of two human beings walking at the base. As tiny as we are in relation to the mountains, we are His treasure above all creation.

PEACE

Every once in awhile I will get a picture that translates the one word I felt at that moment. This one spoke 'PEACE.' I had to stop for awhile and stay in that place. I remember my shoulders dropping, letting out a big sigh, and resting in HIS PEACE. Surely my blood pressure dropped and my earthly struggles were put aside. I felt as though I melted into the scene, and let go of everything else but His presence and promise:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Jn. 14:27

Heavenly Cotton Candy

We hit some turbulance on the way home from Utah. The pilot took us above the clouds to get out of it. As we burst through the clouds I could hardly breath looking at the moon in blue sky hanging out with the Father-made heavenly cotton candy. I am led to believe our God, in showing himself through creation, delights in taking our breath away and giving it back again.

I count myself blessed to be in this generation where I can see clouds from both sides now, as Judy blue eyes Collins sang. Cloud-watching from the Earth's surface, or from an airplane above the planet, I am so amazed at His creative love.

Whom have I in heaven but you? Ps. 73:25

Sunrise, Sunset

I just got back from Utah, where I got on skis again after 24 years. Needless to say, I stayed on the greens. My wonderful husband, who is a great skier, stayed with me for the first day and half of the second. I never got much speed up, but did remember the rhythm and had the satisfaction of accomplishing my goal.

I always prefer the mountains when going on vacation, and knew getting on skis would get me to the top of them to see what I could see. I couldn't ski with my camera, so will remember those scenes in my heart. But I did get these incredible sunrise and sunset photos from our friends' patio.

The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun
to the place where it sets.
Psalm 50:1