...reaches to the clouds

I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.  I will sing your praises among the nations.  
For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens.  Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

Psalm 108:3-5

pic pix: yesterday morning's sky, Calgary, AB, 08.Aug.2011

the secret's out!

I let the surprise out!!  We are off to see ColdPlay at Lollapalooza in Chicago ... TONIGHT!!!  SO excited ... I could barely sleep last night!  We are just heading on the plane very soon from the good 'ol YYC.  I'm so glad Matt's pumped to go too (though I never seriously doubted, but maybe just a little!).

pic pix: me and my cousin excited at the YYZ airport, Sept.2009

s'more of the simplicity...

What a great long weekend camping in Kananaskis - Blue Rock Campground (can't believe that it's already "last weekend"!).  Away from it all...phones, internet, work, busyness.  How is it that not showering, sleeping on the ground, and making food over an open fire makes you never want to leave the mere simplicity of it?  It's when I break it down that I ask myself,"Why is it so appealing?!"

It comes down to getting back to the basics, the rawness, the foundation of who we are created to be.  Jesus even reminds us to:  

 

 Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.  

Matt 7:5-23-25

It seems way too easy, to just listen and follow ... to become strong and confident on solid ground.  Have you simply listened or obeyed today?  Today, do you abandon your complicated reasonings and seek to know Him and find His unvarnished strength and wisdom? 


Here are a few simple moments captured from this weekend:

pic pix: simple camping fun, Blue Rock Campground, Sheep River Provincial Park, AB Aug.2011

shhhhh...

A couple weeks ago, I told Matt that I had a surprise for him but he wouldn't be able to know what it is for a month.  Do you know how difficult it has been to keep this in?!?!  Aye!  It doesn't matter what we are talking about, I am literally on the verge of spilling the beans!  When he leaves the room, or is gone from the vicinity, I quickly fill in anyone around me to be a part of this little secret.  I hope he has no idea what it is ... because, it wouldn't be as fun if he just found out.  I'm glad I put a time limit on it (which could be anytime within this month!), otherwise, I might not be able to keep it in.  I am so tempted to write it here ... but do not want to chance it IF he happens to read this.  Gah!!!

Yet, on the flip side, it is SO hard to be excited about something without sharing it with him.  I can't think of anything (besides other surprises for him) that I don't share or communicate.  Actually, I probably relay a little too much sometimes!  It's an amazing thing to be able to say that I get to share this life - my thoughts, emotions, dreams, aspirations, fears, songs, etc - with him.  What a treat, what a delight ... what a blessed woman am I.    

But for the moment, I am going to keep this secret hush-hush for a little while longer ...


pic pix: some "surprises" we found in the Pacific Ocean while snorkeling on our honeymoon, Manzanillo, Mexico, 

teacup bathing + camping

I was introduced to this obsession of outdoor waterholes from a blogger friend's posts at August and After.  If it be hot or cold, she's seemed to search out the best options.  How AWESOME would it be to bath outside, in a giant teacup, with the smell of a woodstove right beside you?!!  I am now officially part of the outdoor waterhole club...thanks Cori :)

We are going camping this weekend....though a Dutchtub would be perfect to bring along, we will manage just fine (sigh!) without.  Friends are coming along.  The weather is supposed to be beautifully warm.  Yummy snacks and lazy afternoons.  Ahhh, yes, 3 FULL days without work!  Friday, why haven't you come yet...

Camping always rejuvenates something inside of me.  Maybe it's the close proximity to something raw, or the untouched beauty that surrounds me that makes me enjoy it and look forward to it so much.  Just 2 more sleeps then I'll be sleeping under the stars!

pic pix: Dutchtub's 4 person model - how I covet thee!

is it enough?

A few months ago, we went down to Montana for a quick get-away.  Very fun, beautiful, relaxing, fulfilling (shopping and all!).  While we were down there, we saw this old Ford F-700 that I VERY much liked.  Ever since we laid eyes on it, I've been trying to think of creative ways we could justify buying it...business ideas, to everyday usage (ha!)...suggestions anyone?!

Not just about this truck, but with other "things".  We have these perpetual thoughts, "If we had/knew this...", "If we could just...", and we continually look for what is about to happen.  Don't get me wrong, dreaming is what sometimes keeps me sane, but yearning to be anywhere but the present is what merits a negative perspective on life.  And really, it's not a  new message.  I've heard it from so many different sources said in so many different ways... "Carpe Diem-Sieze the Day", "Live now...", "The present is a gift", etc, etc, etc.  So, why/how do we always get back to the cycle of thinking if  (1) we know the answers or (2) have at least gotten these empathetic phrases from past thinkers who have contemplated these very same things?

Maybe I'm digging a whole lot deeper and going on a curved tangent from the simple dream of wanting to own this truck, but it has really got me thinking about what I REALLY want.  Where I want to see my life.  How I should be spending my time now.  Am I living freely...satisfied...bound to my Savior's grace?

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.  That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.  I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.  Ecclesiastes 3:12-14 

As a heart-cry, I ask God to continually remind me of all that He has done for me ... sending us His Son Jesus, His Spirit as our Comforter, giving us grace so freely, all so that I will not be in want.

All so that I may be satisfied in knowing Him and wanting nothing more than to learn more of who He is.


pic pix: FORD F700, Whitefish, MT, April.2011

it "works"

Years ago, my Mom gave me some useful advise that I've used for nearly EVERYTHING!  When it comes to shopping or designing, I've heard her voice in my head, countless times quoting the same few words.  I've even repeated her advice back to her when she's asked the questions, "Does this suit me?", "Will this go with my style?!".  Her wisdom ...

As long as you love it, it's going to work.   

A simple logic and great reminder for me never to get away from the basics of who I am or what I see beauty in.  Maybe the first time she spoke the words, she didn't intend for me to take it to heart in ALL areas of my creative perspectives ... but I have.

Again, as any time I think deeply about inspiration, creation, or beauty my thoughts are turned to our Creator, God.  My God loves everything that is in existence around us, regardless of it's flaws, nics, or scratches.  And somehow, and in someway, if you take a look around, all that has been created just seems to "work" together.

There is not one shade of green that is exactly the same if you look at a mountainside pixeled with trees.  The fact that combinations of different instruments can make many stylings of music that soothe and sing to us.  When words and textures that have never been integrated together are mixed and produced, some label the phenomenon as "original" with an instantaneous appreciation.  An instance where two opposite personalities attract, that make for a successful marriage...wonderful parents...

How does it all work together when it's not perfect or matching?  Simply ... because of His love for us.

    pic pix: 2 of my favorite things - peonies & paper - that "work"!  Jun.2011