it's about time

 ... TIME ...

is of the essence [Unknown]

is the justice that examines all offenders [William Shakespeare]

is ticking away [DCTalk]

(the reason for ...) is so that everything doesn't happen at once [Albert Einstein]

is free but priceless [Harvey MacKay]

It's wild how the idea of time slipping away is perpetual, continuous through the ages.  I'm convinced that it has got to be the sole thing that we try to use the most efficiently and effectively.  We gauge the productivity of our lives as a ratio of what we can accomplish to the seconds/minutes/hours/years we are given.  We apply so much pressure on ourselves to perform within this gifted window we consider precious ... this waking moment is a present (aka. the Present).

I've been working around the clock lately ... 2 jobs back-to-back with 1/3 of the amount of sleep I need!  It is only for a "time" (I reassure myself by saying so!!), and does not feel so much as a gift but as a period I cannot speed fast enough through, like driving down the highway ... behind a cop!  Slowly, the dissatisfaction of my 'current' can turn into a resentful attitude towards everything going on-within my relationships, my dreams, my career, my purpose.  Dissatisfaction can turn to unhappiness, to bitterness.  Places and thoughts we don't have the time to entertain.

View time differently today
 ... valuing the continuous breaths of air
  ... remembering the aspirations that are charging and encouraging to utilize every given moment
    ... reaching and receiving this opportune gift, changing what you can

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven ... 

[Ecclesiastes 3:1]

pic pix: sparklers celebrating Dad's BDay, Calgary, Alberta, Jul.09

brunchtime

It was SO nice to have brunch with the "beauties" today!  All my sisters ... one by blood, one by namesake, one by our timely 'African' watches :)  To laugh, share, eat, and bond was a reminded blessing of how privied and blessed I am to be surrounded in such gratifying relationships.

Love ya ladies ... to the "moon"!!


pic pix: our ladies night, Nov.2009  

good morning

Good Friday, we went for a very early morning drive (like 6:30am early!!).  The light was clear and there were no clouds in the sky ... perfect for capturing the colors and contours that cascaded from the sunrise.  Matt had described how this church 'lit up' so early in the morning.  It was almost more illusory to see it's solitary stance amidst a barren prairie with the cross shining so radiantly than actually hearing about it!  After driving some more, then seeing some deer (a young buck too!), we stopped at one of his worksites where I clicked away trying to savor every line, angle and detail ... it's mornings like these that I wished I had his job :)

  

Hope you all had a blessed Easter!

pic pix: outside of Okotoks, AB, 02.Apr.10

reds

...

love

blood

canada

fire engines

anger

nathaniel hawthorne's the scarlet letter

maraschino cherries

roses

juicy apple

forgiveness

stop sign

kissing lips

barn

kelly ripa belt

maple leaf

heat

cold nose

hearts

post box

wine

passion

cardinal

sales

...

reds

...

just to name a few

pic pix: my leather computer bag, Red Deer, Alberta Mar.10

mine heroine

My Gramma is beautiful ... in so many ways, it's not nearly enough to pen.  Anytime I have been asked "who is your hero?" or "who is your role model" ... Gramma is who.

We celebrated this last weekend her 80 years of life.  Having her children and extensions gathered, commemorating her graceful years was not only a blessing, but a given hope that we can too live that many years and be as passionate about what we love and want to accomplish.  

After we ate our meal, she shared "her story" with us.  I knew nearly all of the accounts she shared, but was enriched as she spoke in her timeline, emphasizing the milestones most important to her.  Her life has taken many turns ... through many tunnels, across countless scapes, over many seas.  She's given her time to her family, her community, and has always grounded herself as she's walked with God's unimaginable direction and strength.  The decisions she's gone through with and the battles she's overcome, mark an inspirational woman through and through.  

I am immutably proud, honored, and thankful to have such beautiful lineage ... thanks Gramma ... I love you!

{who's your hero?}

pic pix: Gramma ready to blow her b-day candles out, Mar.10

come, walk, learn, keep

COME to me ... I'll show you how to take a real rest ...
It takes a step, a point of surrender, to know freedom and have rest.  An area/submission that will be a life's journey here on earth, but an eternal rest in heaven.  It seems too simple, just following Him ... if only we'd keep it that pure.

WALK with me, and work with me - watch how I do it ...
Every day's busy-ness is temporal, but every moment's mattering is purposeful.  Our "watching" how He does it comes with seeking, waiting, and lingering on God's unmarked nature, movements, and character.  He displays so much love for us ... here, He challenges us to aspire for it.

LEARN the unforced rhythms of grace ...
There is never force in understanding, accepting, or loving.  It comes naturally when we don't allow our motivations and presuppositions the "room" to take over.  Grace ... the free and unmerited favor of God ... inexpressible to us, yet given to us freely and fluently by Him.

KEEP company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly ...
I am reliving the moment I had in this photograph ... I am light, I feel free.  A simple act of wanting and being in His presence opens my mind, heart, and voice to sing.  He promises, and He completes.




Matthew 11:28 [the Message]


pic pix: one Sarah leaping, Goat Pond, AB Dec.2008

eye-catching tones

 Color in a picture is like enthusiasm in life

 ~ Vincent Van Gogh ~

What ever would we do without the cheery element[s] and colorful threads found on a color wheel?!


pic pix: [1] Meringen, Switzerland .09, [2] Toronto, Canada .08, [3] Banff, Canada .08 - all taken with a smile on my face :)