WHAT'S COOKING?

I've been at Camp RedCloud in Lake City, Colorado since April 27 and most likely will be here until May 14th.  Helping out a bit in the kitchen. It's been wonderful seeing old friends and some new faces. Trusting that my mom and family is being taken care of and that I am exactly where I need to be.

One night after breathing the cold air, looking up at the skyline, viewing the blanket of stars, and feeling exhausted (in a good way) from a long day's work --- I was thinking outloud. Remembering how I felt when I left home that I just needed to be somewhere else for a little while. A change of scenery maybe. Though it has been a joy to my heart to be home and spending time with my family, and it might be necessary to get a way every now and then. It is very wonderful seeing people I love that I have not seen in a while. What matters most? Location does not matter so much. What matters is if I determine in my heart to seek God or not. If I seek Him, I will find Him. If I do not seek Him, I will go on in my busy-ness and be overwhelmed and stressed out and anxious about many things.

When I seek God I will always have something of Him to give, because He draws near to those who draw near to Him. When we draw near to God - He is the all consuming fire and our flesh starts cooking, shedding, burning, losing self and gaining Him who is our strength.

BOXES

Trying to "think out of the box" can be a bit challenging when you are surrounded by boxes. Packing is always a great time to discover the treasures you have long forgotten. He leads me...even in this. How not to waste time, what needs to go, and what is to be prepared for a later time.

TIME OUT

It's good to take some time out, because you never know what's next. Time to reflect, to rest, to write some things down. Time to text the next step forward and leave yesterday behind. Time to move...

ROOTS EXPOSED

On a sidenote  I was thrilled to see a Man of God standing at a busy intersection today, holding up a cross for everyone to see. On it was written: JESUS CHRIST WANTS YOU BACK!


I was reminded tonight of Aspin trees and how they are one of the largest living organisms, because they are all connected at the root.  Those who are truly seeking God are rooted and grounded in love as a member of the Body of Christ. Keeping heavenly perspectives, our minds renewed daily, keeps us connected to the head which is Christ Jesus, our roots are grounded in His perfect love.

Yesterday a friend of mine showed me this big ball of roots that he dug up from his back yard. There were piles of roots and stems and branches everywhere. In reflection, before I layed down to sleep lastnight I wrote this down:

THERE IS STILL SOMEWHERE DEEPER YOU ARE DRAWING US INTO YOU. ALWAYS BY WAYS WE DO NOT PERCEIVE EXCEPT IN SMALL GLIMPSES OF EARTH, DIGGING IN THE DIRT. GRABBING HOLD WITH BOTH HANDS THE TRUTH, AND LETTING IT REVEAL ALL THE HIDDEN SNARLES TANGLED UP BENEATH THE SURFACE. IN THE PILES OF STEMS AND BROKEN BRANCHES - YOU REVEAL YOUR PURPOSE.  WE BREATHE IN WHAT JUST HAPPENED. ALL THE STRENGTH OF MAN TURNS TO ASHES. BY YOUR SPIRIT WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING. OPEN OUR EYES AND START SEEING THE DESTRUCTION OF THOSE WHO KNOW YOU NOT, AND THE REDEMPTION OF THOSE WHO ARE COVERED IN THE BLOOD.

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONATHAN! You and Sarah (and Jada) have blessed me just by BEEING who you are. So while I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your beach bday party today and everyone that showed up... I was out looking at some places with mom in beulah. I think I found you some bees.  If I could have thought of a way to put them in my backpack I would have.

Spent the night at Kenny & Melanie's the other night. So that I would be able to go to the boys games with them. Got a few adorable pictures to show. All of my nephews are incredible blessings to my heart and extreme fountains of joy to all who are able to meet them.

I would like to encourage all, to take time to communicate, to write some letters, to make a call or two, go visit someone.  Let someone know what's going on with you. Find out how your friends are when you get the chance. Maybe spend a little less time with electronics and a little more time with those who can give you a living response. I'm just sayin'...

SPRING WEATHER

Watching the storms roll on in, the wind is picking up, and the sun is peaking behind the heavy clouds.

Left on thursday with my cousin Frann to bury her mom. The funeral was friday. I think more people should attend funerals, it might improve their quality of life. Watching the reality of dust to dust, ashes to ashes, and one day death will be swallowed up in life. The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the Word of the Lord stands forever.

Loved hugging my nieces and sister for a few minutes. Now, I'm back in Fl/Alabama, and I had dinner last night with my other sister, her husband, and their four boys.

Still appreciate all of your prayers for Frann and if anyone wants to bring her a dinner, call or visit, now would definetely be the time. THANKS.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELE! I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SO MUCH. I thank God for blessings you with the sweetest heart alive.

BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on."

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,
Our God is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.

by Julia W. Howe
November 1861