gramma day

What a joy...having a Gramma day! We got up "early" this morning to take the three hour hike up to Edmonton...me and mi familia. By the time we arrived, lunch was wafting in the air, treats were on the coffee table, Gramma was on her toes ready to give us all hugs. Warmth, love, food, and comfort...all words to describe my day. Was able to nap at my leisure and fully, truly relax. It never really feels like Christmas until we spend time with her...she is a treat!!

I need more of these Gramma days!

pic pix: my Gramma, June 2009

follow

Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you–wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-20

Can you imagine being one of these shepherds? Just another day, going about your business, when all of a sudden a host of angels appears in front and above you?! They were experiencing another day "at the job", when all of a sudden angels appeared before them and they dropped everything at that moment, in faith, to go and do what God was requiring was requiring for them to do...follow.

How Mary felt, how Joseph would have felt, initially finding out what their calling would be, realizing what they would have to face...and yet, regardless of how they 'felt' towards the matter, they got up and followed, willingly .

How the three wisemen knew to follow a star, for study and interest, yes, but what could have been done from where they researched every other star, at home...yet they followed.

I cannot put myself in a position that I will never be in (as one of them), but I can make a decision each and everyday to follow ...

Jesus, I thank you for your wonderful birth and for sharing the beautiful orchestration of how you
chose to come to us,
to give us free choice,
to know your love just

so that we may follow...

Jesus, I celebrate your birth today and thank you for this wonderful freedom ...

unraveling...revealing

PRELUDE for the PROCRASTINATOR

Each breathe, minute, day, and week

Is taken as it comes.

It is perceived that you don't have care in the world to rush,

Yet, the intertwined systems you 'plan to' are more than what another mind fathoms.

Started this and thats, hodepodges, and knickknacks,

Sometimes, usually, maybe, completed tomorrow.

If anything is accomplished, it is this:

You've given the organizer a collective intro.

ODE to ORGANIZERS

Though it looks like you hustle and bustle,

It is only for a time.

While everyone races to achieve within the last minute scramble,

You enjoy stirrings and busy-ness in their prime.

Many of your days are efficient and productive,

Though adventure is sometimes amiss.

The world could not do without such intricate, polished thinkers,

For even your vocabulary does not dare contain the word remiss.

pix pic: ribbons, 05.Apr.08

keep it simple

Yes ... it is really only 59 days away! With SO much to do! As I am being told by everyone, "Plans do change!" I was hoping to get my invites out before Christmas (ha!), but we could not secure our venue until this last weekend. And when you go the DIY route, things take a that little bit longer and require some creative sessions to get the ball rolling. After the invites are out, FOOD will be our next big milestone...that will not be DIY!!

Isn't that how life always goes though? Once you have accomplished one thing, you are on to the next? We wait until we finish "this" thing to get to "that", then once we finish "that" thing we want to go over "there"!! Life is a continual work in progress ... WE are continual works in progress. I sometimes forget that, and do not value what I am going through, wishing that I would have done it better to begin with. But where, oh where, does it say, "Thou shalt be perfect"?!

Especially, pulling wedding stuff together, maybe I have never anticipated perfection (as that's not even my style) but yet I expect that the deadlines I give for myself need to be met. I can start to look like my own slave driver! Though, there are so many "good" things to-do out there, lists and plans of this and that, and {heart} embellishments that can be added to nearly everything, and ... etc ... etc ... There is a day I am breathing in today that I need to focus on enjoying. A faith that is in fact, simpler than I make it ...

The Lord protects those of childlike faith ...let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. Psalm 116:6-7

crazy rest

WOW!! It's been a whirlwind as of late ... getting engaged, planning a wedding for February, finding a new house and starting to move, Christmas ... but, oh-so-much fun!!!

There is something about having a real peace that resonates true joy. For anyone that has known the personal struggles I have personally been through, what Matt and I have been through, our family ... it really does seem unexplainable that at this point to be where we are today ... a point of peace. Not that what has been faced has been something so terrible, but moreso, challenging. The gift of God's beautiful timing has given us an opportunity to see His blessing in in our lives. Our four years together has nurtured, strengthened, and now blossomed into one of the most beautiful pictures I have ever been a part of. To have full support of our Heavenly Father and our families has relieved this weight, my heart is so incredibly light, overjoyed, amazed.

... and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus... Philippians 4:7

I know I've mentioned this particular passage has been a 'go-to' for me through many of my life's places already and yet again, it has spoken so clearly to me lately. God has given me His peace to embrace, a point of not so much understanding the "HOW" but breathing the "NOW". It has produced peace just to breathe ...

pic pix: woods surrounding Lake Minnetonka, AB, Nov.2010

going to the chapel ....

and we're GONNA GET MARRIED!!!

I love you Darling xo

pic pix: earlier tonight ... can't believe the look on my face!! 23.Nov.2010

love is ...

Love is encouragment - I was overwhelmed today ... a lot on my plate at work, a lot going on emotionally within. The only way I can describe my emotions was as if I had reactional tsunamis occurring a few times through the day when I least expected them. It wasn't until m'Love talked with me and processed through the realities instead of the expectations and pressures I sometimes put on myself, that I was able to feel a peace, an "ok-ness". He encouraged me and loved me regardless of how my mood was.

Love is graciousness - Amidst a storm of an emotion earlier in the day, I happened to be on the phone with my Dad. It really is true when you're told the people that you are most comfortable with are the ones that get to see ALL of your colors! Even though I could've handled myself allot better, and we were both frustrated, I knew that in asking for his forgiveness, when he said he would ... he really meant it. That in and of itself is a blessing of love I could never have asked for more of.

Love is listening - I had the chance to just talk with one of my cherished of friends when I got home. In the course of our conversation, I began to unravel thoughts and spots my mind had been wandering for the past while. Most of it had nothing to do with the day that I had just been through, but either way, I know she would have listened still with the same intent. It's one thing to think a thought to yourself, and it's another to feel the freedom to share it in safe company knowing that you will reap the benefit of their input and/or support behind you regardless of what you say.

Love is really a wonderful gift ... if it's between the love of my life, family, or friends, its a blessing that is incredibly and benevolently showered over me. I love all y'all!

pic pix: Chester Lake 'Heart', 14.Aug.10

woot woot!

After not being able to post pictures on Blogger for the last 2 weeks, I have finally figured out a way to temporarily fix the problem (?) so that I may get still get my words out there! It's when you are not able to do something~eat chocolate, write your blog, drink coffee, speak your mind~you realize how much you enjoy those very things. As I am in the middle of a cleanse right now, chocolate, cheese, and coffee happen to be those pined for food items, when normally I do not crave them as much (... well, maybe!). So, though food I may be without, I've at least got my 'voice' back today!!

pic pix: words of "Love" carved in a tree, Mesa, AZ May.2010

metamorphosis

As a wee one, my mom read my brother and I Eric Carle's - The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Everytime she would get to the word "cocoon", we would laugh in hysterics! Not really even sure why, except that it sounded funny. Then, as I got a little bit older (7 or 8) and learnt the words "photosynthesis" and "metamorphosis"... and me, being smarter than the teacher, thought I would add them to a story I wrote (which, by the way, had nothing to do with either of the subjects!). If I could only find it now ... though I think I threw it out because I was so embarrassed!

Lately, I've thought a lot about change, transformation, and how we really go through a continual alterations in our lives. Unlike the caterpillar, that undergoes one major evolving process in it's entire existence, we, as humans, get to experience every stage over and over ... metamorphosis.

"My mind, thoughts, and emotions have been a tingly tumult as of late ... the biggest result of my current life changes. Facing life as you don't know it, trying to jive within my own life's "groove", feeling like the new shoes I'm now walking in will never fit comfortably ... it's all exciting and the best decisions (house-move & job-move) I could make for myself right now ... "


I wrote this in my journal the other week, shadowed with much stirred emotion. Things are temporal, and reshaping happens all the time, and usually, I welcome it ... anticipating the opportunity to get a refreshed traction. This time I felt trapped in a cocoon - no way out, set perspective, stuck. Then ... I read this:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

I have been transformed, renewed, and blessed by God just by seeking His will! No, not all my disruptions feel at peace, but yet, I can be sure that He will be here as I break out of this cocoon I've been in and as I go through my metamorphosis.

pic pix: butterfly in Kananaskis, AB Sept.09

original

One essential ingredient for being an original in the day of copies is courageous vision.

Charles Swindoll

Ever get a wind of excitement? Surge of energy? Ideas don't stop flowing?!? It's not a daily occurrence for me, but when it ever does happen ... it's usually right in the middle of the night!! True as blue, I woke up slightly tired this morning because of it. How do you stop expressive creativity? Even work innovations (work blog/newsletter, new commands in CAD, efficient ways to do this&that) have been forming and shaping in my mind lately. It's SUCH a refreshment, a feeling of "doing what I'm supposed to be", satisfaction because of the smallest details ... its originality ... it's being natural.

pic pix: windmills following creation's example, PEI, May.2010

blitz trips.2

As promised ... some visuals from me and my Dad's rendezvous in NYC!!

pic pix: NYC memoirs, New York, NY Sept.2010

look up to

Who or what do YOU look up to?!

"...follow me...", Jesus

John 21:19 

pic pix: avid fan of the Liberty Lady herself, Liberty Island, NY 19-Sept-10

roughed out

I looked at this bark and thought, "Is this how it was intended to be?" ...  a beauty mark, perhaps, explaining just that?

As Matt was fishing the other Saturday, I was poking around the Highwood River, trying to cocoon every color my eye could see into my camera's viewfinder.  Were the colors ever delicious!  While taking in as much as I could with the morning's light, the word "intent" answered as a whisper, replying to my thoughts...

why do the beautiful colored leaves need to fall so soon?

that is what God intended ...

is there a point to little pimple-like bumps on a log?

maybe we'll never know ... but they were intentionally put there, quite possibly to be intrigued about!

how can plants grow IN these rocks?

 it was intended that they were to grow, so growth is what the Creator allowed ...

There is intention with every creation, down to the minute details of one insect grabbing pollen from a flower so that flower may reproduce itself.  We can be awe-struck just watching "it" all happen.  When it comes time to looking at ourselves in the mirror and seeing 'creation', it can be difficult ... realizing God's intention for placing us where He has.  Yet, when witnessing such beautiful moments, I remember and relish His promises, His goodness, and anticipate what is yet to be attained as I follow Him in faith.

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me ...your love, O Lord, endures forever - 

do not abandon the work of your hands. 

 Psalm 138:8

pic pix: eye "relishes", Highwood River, AB, Sept-10

blitz trips

Had some prime moments these past few days ... from one end of the USA to the next.  5 days later, 5 states covered, 3 time zones travelled in, and 8 flights in total, I had quite the experience!  


Blitz Trip #1
Went on a two-night excursion to Santa Ana, New Mexico with my mom, aunt, & sister.  There, we golfed a 'bit', took in some rays, ate, ate, and ate, did many-a-puzzles (our family loves crosswords/sudokus/you name it!), s'mored-it-up under the stars ... just enjoyed our surroundings.

Hyatt Tamaya brand

Sisters ....

... Sisters!

gotta love that sky!

As for blitz trip #2 ... pictures coming!

pic pix: all shots taken awhile our stay at the Tamaya Hyatt, 18.Sept.2010

layers

As I'm going through some big changes right now (never have I not had a job working crazy hours, I now am working on creating an actual Sarah-schedule ... ), there are alot of "peel-backs" I am experiencing.

Like any time of a deepened evaluation and inventory of 'life', I'm dealin with taking some and losing some.  No, not all inconsistency is bad, but nor is all mellowness good.  I almost feel like I am cleaning out my fridge ... only wanting to keep the freshest of items and ones I will actually use to create something.  Others could probably relate more to 'purging' (for some reason, I don't have as much fun throwing away as I do for re-using items for alternative purposes!), maybe even a cleansing ... I see it all the same ... we're all given continuous opportunities to start afresh, clear our palette, blank our slates.

Yet, much like this wall painted over many times, through many years, with many more stories that I could not even begin to compare to my own to, there is always a tinge of color left behind.  A reminder of a lesson, a cherished smile, tears that were never seen, joy that still beams.  Change can be good ... colorful really.



pic pix: a 'composed' story on a building wall in Inglewood, Calgary, AB 

some sites seen in sfo

Here's a little "taste" of our fast-blast down to San Francisco last Saturday ...

...M'love ... ready to eat that seafood he loves...

...top of Lombard Street ... sfo's crookedest street...

...the bridge was so foggy ... you could not see the top from shore...

pic pix: details of the loveliest of foggy days, SFO, CA 04.Sept.2010

enough of this

My last few months have been tiring, deciding, and revealing.  Priority is an attribute I am wanting to execute with each given breath I am granted.  Taking an inventory of what I have prioritized, I've realized that alot of my waking moments have been filled with work; thus resulting in my tiredness.  Becoming conscious of that, I have been deciding what I want to put first and how I can do that.  And even though it's been a seemingly "walk down loose rock" feeling, daily, I am still gaining fresh perspective ... pure revelation.  


Within this period, I've realized that I don't take enough time to even know what I want to prioritize within my desires!  My God, my Love, my family, my friends have walked by me patiently ... to them I want to be able to show the primacy they hold.  Time for uninterrupted creativity, the release of my thoughts to written word, physical health and rest ... components that can be bi-products of placing things first as I walk through this priority corridor.

That being said, and out in the open, I have decided to make a step in that direction today.  Tomorrow, I am going to quit my airline job.  I've been there 3 years, loved most moments of it (!), and am already having separation issues!!  Mainly the benefits and family of co-workers will be my major losses; evenings and weekends free, proper sleep and consistency of routine will be some of my major gains.  As any comfortable situation is hard to move away from, I know that leaving there will serve as another passageway to finding this "priority" puzzle I am figuring out.

Isn't priority what influences how you spend your day?  How do you spend your days?  What do you place at high value enough to be apart of your daily routine?  


pic pix: Chester Lake, AB, 14.Aug.2010

quenched

We ventured to the K-country (Kananaskis) this weekend ... something I suggest everyone should have the privy of before they die.  The mountain air, rolling foothills, and surrounding greens array enough beauty that takes your breath away and immediately fills your lungs with fresh, moist "goodness".  When you see and walk through such awesomeness, every spectrum of pleasure is satisfied ...

you hear ...

      nothing but soft winds through trees, ripples or rages of water

you smell ...

      sweet, familiar, yet crisp, alluring aromas beaconing longer stays

you feel ...

      refreshed from the brisk air and a tingly heat from the warm sun

"You [GOD, our FATHER] open your hand and SATISFY the desires of every living thing..." 

 psalms 145:16

Nature once again sings to me ... my desire has been nourished and satisfied ... my Heavenly Father has opened His handiwork, manifested beauty for me to behold.  What is it that you long to have satisfied?  How do you seek it?

pic pix: my b-day hikes, K-Country, AB 19.Jun.10

island of color

Yet another weekend of awesome sights, unforgettable experiences, warm hospitality ... I didn't want to leave!  To have the privilege of being apart of such a special weekend (Matt's cousin's wedding), on such a special island (P.E.I.), made me feel like one special girl (which I was!!).  If there was one thing I could hone in on about this 'gem of an isle', it would be the impressing array of vivid color.  Red fertile soil serving as the undercurrent of this island's color palette, ready to cultivate potatoes, luscious greens freshly sprouted, perfectly placed, blue skies broadened overhead with blue ocean waters touching it's horizon, weathered greys whispering stories through wooden boards of buildings past ...

... take me back!!

pic pix: precious findings, Afton & O'Leary, PEI, Canada, May.2010

stand by

Stand-by ... as I sit here at the gate in Austin, crossing my fingers for my coveted seat to get me home, I'm realizing that alot of my time is spent wishing I were elsewhere or at least "moving along".  Much like this drop of rain that awaits it's debuted splash on the ground, my life sometimes feels in a holding position ... either on the verge of some inaugural event or anticipating the completion of a long due project.  "Am I there yet?!" ... seems to be a question that will never get old!

"Do not be anxious about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7


God is God.  Who else can say, do not worry?  Is there any other that you can thank who has provided for your every need?  Only He can promise peace, and actually give it.


pic pix: rain droplet off of a cedar, Burnet, TX 14.May.10

desert gems

Here are a few details I picked up on my recent trip to Mesa.  I'm so grateful that I could extinguish this busy spell with a much needed time of r&r ... sleeping, reading, sleeping, and eating!  Only a month left of this crazy schedule.  I won't be in and out of town every three weeks and hopefully I'll have made a decision for what my work schedule is going to look like.  Don't think I've ever been so excited to see June!!

pic pix: small definitions, Mesa, AZ 01.May.2010