A Time TO

A time to mourn. A time to dance. A time to pray. A time to cry. A time to plead. A time to be silly. A time to search. A time to learn. A time to serve. A time to study all night long...over and over and over.  Now a time to remember and time to support.

College. What a time in our life that will never be again! A time to meet people and stretch ourselves beyond the borders of expectation and realization. A time to grow into our own. And meet some of the best people we will ever meet. 

This last weekend we took the family to Denver and got to see 2 friends from college. Leigh Christensen who I spent countless hours with during my time at WBU watching movies, rewinding movies, praying, laughing, getting into nothing but good, frisbee golf, etc. Oh my goodness those days! We laughed as the kids ran through the Aquarium and all but diving into the sting ray petting tank, soaking themselves and laughing all the way. What sweet memories. 

The second was breakfast with Brandon White and his sweet wife and new baby. This guy! He carried me through the rough days after Jody's wreck more than he will ever know. Took me to the hospital, Paradigm worship at FBC Lubbock, and was just hilarious during a rough time. Brandon has an amazing heart.  It was awesome to hear the experiences that he has had to bring him where he is today. It was only brief and a snapshot but so good to reconnect with him.  I know the Lord has given him incredible influence where he is today and that is awesome to see. 

Today was another day. I forgot to put my phone on silent at work today at fellowship which I never do. My phone rang to "Defy Gravity" from the desk drawer and quickly rushed to silence. I looked later at the end of the day and I had 2 messages and 1 missed call from Crystal Morton Leake in Alaska. My dear friend and accountability girl still...she had 2 prayer request. One was a friend's mom. The missed call referred to a tragic FB post today. I quickly checked FB to find the sad news about Matt Rusher and my heart broke for his wife Amanda.  If you remember or know, she lost her dad only a short time ago. 

I made a quick FB post earlier about what a great place Wayland was for me especially in times like this when memories rush back and remind us of friends and fellow Christians we have met along the way. My heart hurts for Amanda tonight. I'm so reminded of the time spent at Wayland and serving on rejoice/rec at Highland Lakes with them. How incredible to know people that have a heart for the Lord. How special to share the common ground of serving the Lord together. Matt was amazing. He's resting now and having a party up in heaven, No DOUBT!

Wayland, Wayland. What a special place. Glow in the dark golf. Pizza party at the last golf hole by an Owen dorm window (JULIE!!!). What a blast those days were. What preparation they were for so many days ahead. The Lord is good, faithful, and true. 

I have only a few closing thoughts that I will exercise when I finishing typing. My heart is heavy. There is only one remedy for this. Pray and worship. For anytime the Lord moves it is on a mountain where the worship happens. Wherever or whatever the mountain may be. There's no other way for the heart to express joy, grief, tears, relief than to worship.

Psalm 99:9
Extol the Lord our God  and worship at His holy hill, for the Lord our God is holy!

Psalm 22:3
But You are holy, O You Who dwell in the holy place where the praises of the Israel are offered. 

Devils Causeway and Flat Tops Wilderness Hike

DISCOVERING THE FLAT TOPS

This was no ordinary Sunday. Started bright an early with yoga 9-10:15 downtown and raced to church, yes in my yoga gear with a large north face 1/2 zip to cover. Only in Steamboat! :)

After church, Jody and I had been tossing around the idea of hiking Devils Causeway for a while but with the colors changing it was definitely a sign that the days are numbered before the snow falls in upper elevations.  So a quick sandwich with the kids and off we went. 

Devils Causeway takes you through Oak Creek and Yampa to Routt National Forest. Simply tucked into the beautiful landscape of changing trees and gorgeous mountains, the drive itself will likely take us back next week to let mom and the kids enjoy a picnic among the colors. 

Here's just a few of the drive through the forest before we had to park. 

                                                     My FAVORITE tree. This will be framed!

This description is what you'll find on the web. There's a scary picture of some hikers actually WALKING across the causeway instead of crawling on the site. Check it out.

Devils Causeway is named for this ridge at 11,800 feet which brings chills to those who are afraid of heights and causes those who are not afraid of heights to become afraid. This hike, which ascends the Chinese Wall in the Flat Tops Wilderness, contains a narrow 3-foot wide, 150 foot long segment of broken rock with 1,500 ft drops on either side. This segment, which gives the trail its name, is demonic indeed. Anyone with the slightest bit of acrophobia will cower, cringe.




                                          Getting closer. This just makes anyone feel small.

                            View from the top before the steps ascend toward the causeway

                                      Clouds cleared to let us finish. Isn't God good to let us enjoy this?!

                                     This is as FAR as I go. On either side the peripheral is tripping! The wall insets a bit more than this picture shows and drops straight down. I'm terrified of heights. But today I overcame this. I stood here looking out until the fear passed and sense told me, you're good. You did it. Turn around and walk back up. That was the worst part. THE PERIPHERAL still works. I needed horse blinder. Never had vertigo, but this could do it to you.

                     Devils Causeway. Connects to the china wall so if you make it across (crawling) to the Chinese wall then continue across you can complete the 10.5 loop. NO THANKS, not that way. :)

               Jody's AWESOME! He got further than I did, but sadly forgot to the leave camera.    SELFIE!!!!

                                               Climbing down, the winding trail below.

                                                        We DID IT!

                                              Capturing some beautiful golden tops!

Little girl, great big heart

Today is the day that Reece and I make the cut! About 8 years ago I donated my hair to lock of love and today I get to do this with my daughter. She's amazingly grown up about it. About 3 months ago she asked me about a picture with our dog Tucker. "Why is your hair so short mommy?'' And I told her the story about wanting to donate for someone else. Hair is a simple thing to give I told her. And she quickly wanted to do the same. With the big move this summer to Steamboat I didn't want there to be so much change that she regretted it. But as the days pass, she has really grown more and more excited about doing this. "AHH. I'm so ready to cut my hair. I'm tired of it being in my face!", she would say. Reece is amazing. While still a child who naturally does selfish things like steal toys from her brother, makes sure she is first every time, and knows nothing about fair sharing, she's giving someone else something that they wouldn't have.

As we looked over the website last night and looked through donor and recipient pictures, she was excited about it even more. It became very real to her what she was about to do. Underneath all the kid is a great big heart for other people.  It is amazing to watch this child unfold and grow everyday into more of the little person that God has designed her to be. 6 years old and giving. Learning to look beyond herself to the world around her and say, I can do that, that's not much to give for someone else. I have to say that I'm a proud momma today. She has a beautiful heart!

Proverbs 21: 29-30
Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all. Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

May 2006, First locks of love cut

July 2006

Last Sunday, Middle Creek Ranch/Anchor Way BBQ

  Picture Day, Wed Sept 10th

  Walking into Brio Salon, Steamboat Springs

 Waiting. She can hardly stand it!!

 BRIO!

 Angela makes the cut!

 First glance. She loves it! Chopped the 11 inches for Locks of Love

All done! Pretty girl!! You're getting so big!

First snap. 

"I want my picture by the hammock!"

WHAT a fun Girls day according to Reece! We finished it off with shopping for clips at Walmart and bought her a new north face fleece and sunglasses at Sports Authority. GREAT GIRLS DAY!!!

Mom went along for the fun and so I could actually enjoy getting mine cut while Reece was waiting. Thank Angela @ Brio! We loves our cuts! We were able to donate 25 total inches today! WOW! That was fun!!