To the Mountains

Well, I could think of no better scripture to post with these than one of my favorite life verses, Psalm 121

I raise my eyes to the mountains...
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD;
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He does not allow my foot to slip;
my protector does not slumber...
indeed the protector of Israel
does not slumber or sleep.

~~~

I did it! I am home with sore muscles but no broken bones. I am elated that I was able to ski four days. All that preparation was worth it in endurance and strength to keep my legs obeying the messages my brain was sending. My goal was to get better, to gain some speed, and most of all to have fun. The beauty of the mountains filled my spirit. I was able to get my eyes off my feet and keep them on where I was going. I started getting the rhythm and quit working so hard by letting my shoulders turn and knowing the feet would follow.

My amazing husband stayed with me, sometimes in front, sometimes in back, just encouraging me. At one point on the last day I was getting tired but losing myself in the beauty of the rhythm and the scenery. When I stopped to catch my breath, my husband told me to turn around and see the young girl (I would guess around 4 years old) that had been following the exact pattern of my tracks. I didn't realize the path I had been cutting was one deemed attractive enough that a young lass would choose to follow in my trail. I felt like I had melted into the mountain and she had been drawn in to the beauty that called from my spirit in praise of my maker and the world He created for us to enjoy. That little patch of 'follow the leader' down the mountain blessed my socks off! You never know who is watching.

Gathered Stones

(I will be taking a break for a few days, so doubled up on my posts until early next week. Be back soon....<>< c)

These are photographs of Tuzigoot National Monument that were taken on our recent trip to Arizona. We were the only people visiting, so it was a quiet and reflective time to wonder about the civilization that gathered stones to build these structures. They were constructed on a hill in the middle of lush valleys and a river. I could imagine the watchers, hunters, meals being prepared; the job of each who lived there to support and defend the culture. At some point this civilization disappeared, and the cause is not known.

I wondered how and who taught them to build these structures. They were probably taught some skills by visitors and others by ancestors just how to put the walls together from the clearing and leveling of land to the finishing touches necessary to keep out rain and wind. I wonder what songs they sang, what prayers they said, what traditions and customs they practiced.

I know even living in a new house that a minor structural problem can lead to severe problems. It is important for bricks to be laid straight and foundations to be sound. Each stone is important, but the cornerstone is essential for the structure to be sound. God builds us as living stones into his spiritual temple. Jesus is the cornerstone of that temple.

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As you come to him, the living Stone~~rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him~~you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood.
1 Peter 2:4-5

Good Shepherd

At the half way point of the Trinity train ride, the engine had to uncouple, turn around, and go to the other end of the train to connect and lead us back home. My husband and grandson watched from the front of the train with great interest. We seemed to be abandoned, and had became the end of the train.

There were so many intrinsic spiritual lessons to what we witnessed. Perhaps the idea of those that are first shall be last, and vice versa. Perhaps how we sometimes wander off course and God will come searching down any road to find us, like the good shepherd leaves the ninety nine to find the one. Like choosing to return, and knowing there is someone in charge that knows the way. Like having faith that He is leading us home, welcomes us home, and sets a beautiful banquet upon our returning.

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for the Son of man
is come to save
that which was lost.
Matthew 18:11

Precious Gifts

We are so blessed to be able to spend time with our children and grandchildren. We will have another grandchild in August. I am anxiously waiting to see how different the third one will be. How special each child and grandchild expresses love. There is a special smile from Charlie, a special hug from Faith, a trusting to put a small hand into yours or lean a head on your shoulder. Watching your children with their children is an amazing experience. The precious gift of love gives us a secure foundation. Spending time with each unique person was truly the best gift of the day.

~~~~~

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
Psalm 103:2

Beside Still Waters

One thing you know when you love water pictures is that, depending on where the sun is, the color of water photographs very differently. A few were taken from one side of the train, and a few from the other side. Deep blue is one of my favorite colors, so I was absorbing it and capturing it to share with all of you. The only thing to disturb the water was the wake left by the duck swimming across the river.
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He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.
23rd Psalm