Renewed Youth

I think most people that know me well would say I have an adventuresome spirit. My children even see that I am much braver now in trying new things that when I was younger. I have improved skiing, gotten over my fear of heights, gone on high passes without wanting to hurl, and gone in helicopter rides and hot air balloons. It feels in many ways like I have more 'joie de vivre' than when I was not so 'up in years'.

I seem to have kept my sense of humor (some would argue this), increased my spontaneity, and am enthusiastic about where I might travel next. I can't wait for the next trip with my husband and being at those trailheads before 7:00 in the morning to catch the cool morning and great sightings of wildlife. God never fails to surprise us with some stunning, unexpected possibility on each trip.

I so enjoyed my last trip with my friend in Colorado. Often my alter ego, Cornelia, answered in a shrill British accent when questioned about directions, "Well, I don't really know, now, do I?" Our tired bodies and spirits were lifted to a higher place as we giggled like young girls, gasping to catch a breath. We journeyed down the Colorado byways loaded with great joy and expectancy. That freedom to be totally who you are keeps you young!

Giggling, singing, praying, eating healthy, and exercising; all are important to keeping young. It also helps that I have a gorgeous, generous husband that loves me. We still very much enjoy a drive in the country, just talking or not. Being with each other is precious.

I find myself in awe of God's creation. I think that is a big factor in feeling like I have renewed youth. It is my passion to capture some of that beauty and pass it on to all of you. I find great awe in seeing the morning dew on grass, the tender new green color of the aspen leaves of spring, or the unbelievable beauty of enormous mountains covered with trees and snow. I tremble with thanksgiving as my youngest grand baby smiles broadly when I go to pick her up for the day. I thank God for the relationships He has given me, the most valued being the one I have now with him that extends into eternity.

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Your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:5

Thoughts

In the midst of triple digit temps and continued expectation of those through the next week, I thought I would send out some of my pictures of Independence Pass. From the previous post just outside of Aspen we were soon on a road that was so narrow at times that cars had to allow one way traffic on parts of it. It was cold, exciting, and adrenaline producing! We actually saw a lone cross country skier at the top.

In contrast, very hot and humid days make me lethargic. The desire to go out and get in a hot car goes way down on the list of priorities. So, I will stay inside with some Fresca Peach soda and play under the ceiling fan with my grand daughter.

Sometimes we cannot physically escape our circumstances, but we can go to our thinking and change it. What we are thinking about can drastically change our relationships, our acceptance, our quality of life. We have some good instructions:

"Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable...think about these things."
Philippians 4:8

Come Away

This beautiful scene was one of those that elicits the following general conversation between my friend and me on our road trips through Colorado byways:
(me)"Wow! Look at that!"
(friend) "Do you want to go back?"
(me) response 1, "No, go on."
(me) response #2, "Yes!"

This one was a "Yes!".

We were headed out of Aspen gaining altitude as we neared the narrowly carved roads of Independence Pass. We were still in the marshy green area just outside of town. We curved around a beautiful home that had a lake to its side. The fence came into view, and soon after I noticed the bright red canoe resting in front of it. The ethereal quality of the place seemed like it froze us outside of time. It was one of those vistas that hit me in the spirit and stirred up my soul. It deeply moved me, and God would reveal later what He wanted to show me. All I knew at the time is that I wanted to stay for awhile. The vista drew me in to quench my tired mind and body with God's peace.

A few things that really help me rest when I go to Colorado are no television and radio, a shut down of most news, and lots of quiet time to read other things. We talk and laugh, and I get to minister to my friends with some cooking and massage. I melt into the mountain life as I watch the birds squirrels, deer, elk, and foxes close to the cabin. I have the freedom to go hike and take photos in a beautiful place. I give myself the gift of solitude and long talks with Jesus.

As I have often returned to these two photos I have come to understand that it speaks to me about being a 'fisher' of women and men. Even as we are called to tell the story of Jesus, we are also called to rest so that we can be filled again to go and tell the good news. Jesus preached to the crowds, then slipped away to be with the Father. The 'coming away' is important to being restored and revived so we can joyfully carry the message of love and grace. Must be a good plan if Jesus did it.

~~~

Come away to a deserted place
all by yourselves and rest awhile.
Mark 6:31

Divine Shadows

One of the most expansive areas we visited on our last trip was the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Headed west out of Gunnison we entered the enchanting Blue Mesa Reservoir. Each turn brought forth deep appreciation for the color blends our eyes were taking in. We passed the Dillon Pinnacles as their huge red columnar formations relented to a change in color due to a soft, gigantic cloud soaring overhead that blocked the sun for a few seconds.

The ever-changing blues are due partly to the time of day and very much to the clouds floating overhead, casting their own personality into the watery blend of azure palette. The waters at the beach changed like pages turning as the sun and clouds danced overhead to play like painters with the canvas below.

The most simple, yet amazing thing that struck me was the grand movement of clouds in just a few seconds; and what an effect that had on the mountains and lakes. I had seen such scenarios from airplanes as huge clouds cast their shadows on the terrain below. But today I was seeing a grand play as a cloud would swoop in and in a few seconds cover a whole mountain and be on its way to another. I was overcome by God's GRANDNESS, HOW BIG HE REALLY IS, AND HOW HE COVERS US WITH THE SHADOWS OF HIS WINGS. As I saw how He covered a whole mountain with one cloud in an instant on one day on one planet in one solar system of the world He created, well He seemed pretty in charge of the big stuff and the little details as well.

Sometimes when my eyes get glimpses of how great He really is I shudder to think what my real home is going to be like. I am so glad, while I am an alien in a strange land, that He casts the divine shadow of His wing over me. Such grandeur in little sips makes me yearn for my home up above. Aren't you glad He gives us glimpses of Himself in nature that sustain us until our race is done?

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How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge
in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36:7

On Down the Road

As we traveled on down the road along the Fryingpan River we came across some wonderful pastures full of dandelions. A small pond caught our attention and we noticed an eagle on a post at the other side. As we turned our attention back to the car we noticed a lovely visitor at the fence giving us a grand smile. We were so glad that 'our' plans had been scrapped and in exchange our 'tour guide' took us on a route full of blessings.

It is indeed exciting to turn every corner knowing you are in tandem with God. That foundation of travel has blessings whether you are walking through the red valley covered with yellow blooms or the valley of the shadow of death. As Psalm 23 goes, "I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff; they comfort me.

God goes with us in every new place. There is no place He is not. It is good, wherever we travel, to yield to the guidance of the shepherd who knows what is around every corner.

~~~

But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge.
Ps. 73:28