mission fields

dear emily,

several of my kids have been on mission trips to peru, ecuador,
honduras, mexico, and soon brazil, but i have never had the
courage to do so myself.  when they return, they are always full
of exciting stories of miracles and acts of kindness that make my
heart sing.

but, i never go myself.

when we arrived in crested butte, i asked hans if i could stay a bit
longer after they all left.  it seemed a good thing to be alone,
spending time to refresh my soul in the Lord's care, and hans was
happy for me to do that.

but, circumstances have changed, and now three of my kids will be
home, two giving concerts friday and saturday.  i wrestled with this
in prayer a bit.  "but, Lord, it seemed good for me to have this brief
time here, alone." instead, i will fly home where i should be.

'good' is sometimes the enemy of 'best', and though i am too timid to
fly south and tend my south american neighbor, i am always happy
to care for my own children.  for now, i guess that's still my mission
field and one i dearly love.

love,
lea

"having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,
let us use them."  romans 12:6

blog poser

dear emily,

every now and then i join "blessed is the kingdom" and repost an
old piece as a 'sabbath rest.'  i thought that a new blogger might be
encouraged by all the sweet comments i received after writing this.
the blogging community is extraordinarily generous in their help
to 'newbies.'

ok, i can't take the guilt any longer.  i am a blog poser.  i never even
visited a blog before i started pretending and even made fun of those
kind of people!

wait, that's not quite true, shelby had me read the pioneer woman's
love story, but that was really a western harlequin romance with
awesome recipes and beautiful pictures of super cute kids.

my friend margaret writes a funny, insightful blog about being single
in a crazy, married world.  i thought to myself, "i can do that.  i know
a little bit about raising a circus, i mean family."  next thing i knew, i
was a blog poser.

since then i have had a few entertaining comments, "i can't seem to
get you on my blog roll.  i guess i will just have to put you on my old
fashioned blog roll."  umm, ok.

...or, "i have tried to update you to my sidebar but can't seem to find
you.  do you have your blog set up to do a sitefeed or a feedburner?"
...  sidebar?  sitefeed??  FEEDBURNER???

the only feeding and burning i know is cattle, children, and trash.

love,
lea

". . . You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them
to little children."  luke 10:21

joyce's 'friday pretties' party

welcome to 'friday pretties, hosted by joyce,  who is just the
prettiest thing herself.   please remember her mother and sister
in your prayers.

"through the dancing poppies stole a breeze most softly
lulling to my soul."  -keats

"He has made everything beautiful in its time."  ecclesiastes 3:11

love,
lea

delightful surprise!

hans and i were sitting on the covered porch watching the evening
rays filter through the soft rain.  it was pleasingly cool enough for
light jackets.  the fresh, clean scent was heavenly, and we were both
as content as two well fed cows.

and then our hearts leaped out of our chests, as we beheld the most
gorgeous rainbow appear.  rainbows are a sign of beauteous hope,
and i consider it an awesome privilege to see one.

i may never go home, now.

does anyone else see that pot of gold?

"I have set my rainbow in the clouds. . ." genesis 9

love,
lea

i love a parade!

i have enjoyed visiting many of your fourth of july celebrations
and have a few photos of our very busy day.

the day before, shelby and hailey made 'puppy chow' to snack
on during the fireworks.

we started out the 4th with a sweet worship service at our little church,
"oh be joyful" then moved onto the town's colorful parade.

our best friends saved us perfect seats to watch the festivities.

        

       the crowds filled the street from one end of town

to the other, where you can see mount crested butte.

all the parade prerequisites were in place:

army! air force! navy! marine! 

babies,

clowns,

horses,

and men with 25 foot long skis.  :)

i kept thinking of the verse, "now rejoice in the Lord always,

and again i say, rejoice!"  phil. 4:4

love,

lea   

 

we flew to our paradise in record time and even brought jackson
who was a good little flier.   after stocking up on groceries, airing
out the condo, and unpacking we are now joyfully in mountain
mode.

hans and i took an hour long walk yesterday, which is a little
adventurous for our first day at this 9,000 foot height.  it ensured
a really good night's sleep, though.

he surprised me with a new camera, and i am having so much fun
in this gorgeous environment.  every way i turn, i see something
glorious.  i, of course, have no idea what i'm doing, but do know
that practice makes perfect.

happy fourth of july!  in a few days, i will post some photos of
crested butte's fun parade and fireworks' display.

love,
lea

"i will lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
my help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth."
psalm 121

and the winner is . . .

. . . sonja!  i did a random drawing of names of those who voted
and left encouraging comments for sunday lane and am so happy
that my sweet friend from bit and pieces won.  she has become
dear to me these past few months, encouraging me with such kind
wisdom.

this fragrance and atomizer from 'creed' is apparently the hottest
item these days.  i wouldn't know, because i'm a 'joy' girl and
never venture to the perfume counter for myself.

i know i have tried the patience of all my friends over this dream
of my daughter's and i feel badly about that.  it is usually difficult
for me to ask favors.   mostly, though, i am thankful to those who
didn't care that i became THAT mom and supported us regardless.

a panel of judges will now decide from the top 20 bands who will
open for the 'hansons' concert.  nothing more for us to do.  don't
be afraid to come over here anymore.  :)

and you can bet that from now on i will be responding to any of
your pleas for help, should the need arise.

"a thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue but the parent of
all other virtues." -cicero

"i thank my God every time i remember you."  philippians 1:5

love,
lea