Backpacking on the Serengetti (nah, just like the way that sounds)

   
    Gorgeous hike from Wild Basin in RMNP.  Some excitement on the trail included crossing a high mountain water fall, more like a trickle  :),  but it was steep and did have to be climbed over.
It was an exciting journey with breathtaking views.

Going backwards...this was about 500 ft up into our hike....total distance was 7 miles.

it's getting late....i'll finish the chronicle of awesomeness tomorrow.  :)

notes, to do list

-Would like to set sweet sunrise over a beautiful pic and post on pinterest

-figure out how to e-mail certain posts to people

a teacher's guilt trip

    This was so cool today

I was struggling over the fact that I was sick,  trying to gauge myself, ...well, maybe I can go to work anyway.  I can muddle through it!....Feeling guilty about calling in. ...
And opened up my devotional book to find some strength for the day:
Here's what it said:
"Realize That You Cannot Meet Everyone's Expectations"
This section proceeds to talk about how Moses was judging all the matters of the people because they were coming to him with an expectation to help them... "Moses did not want to disappoint them so he daily exhausted himself.  When we do this we are pleasing people rather than God and we become ineffective.  We all want people to be pleased with us, but we must also realize that they frequently have unrealistic expectations that are selfish." (Meyer 2010)  So if we are striving to please man, it is possible and even probable that we are being disobedient to God in the course of our daily life.

It is so cool that God only expects what can we give.  How awesome is that!  We have a perfect God who expects sooo much less than perfection and yet people (who are imperfect) expect perfection!  All I have to say is that God is so much more awesome and worthy to be praised, adored and worshipped than people!  Amen?
Lord,  I praise you right now, and thank-You for giving me this.

rock or gem?

I used to think that the person that abused me when I was a child ruined my life, but I was wrong.  Even though that was a horrific experience and I suffered many things throughout my life due to this, I came to realize eventually that it was my own hatred and unforgiveness that was holding me hostage.  No one has the power to ruin your life but you.  I almost ruined my life through my hatred and unforgiveness.    Although you can't help many things in your life, and in your child hood especially, when you get to be an adult,  that is when you can help things.  That is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak.  When, you can choose, through Christ, to become a gem or a rock.  And wether you are a Christian or not,  I can tell you right now that it is impossible to be a gem without Him.  In fact, I would say it is pretty much impossible to forgive something that sears your soul without Him.
................................................
more to come......
from
a
very
selfish, self-serving
person
that
regardless
has
found
grace
through
Christ
PHEW!  what  a relief!

Being a little Superfluous and Selfish once in awhile seems right

Today I did something I almost never do......I bought myself something totally unnecessary, top of the line, and more than I usually spend ($30)  :)  ha ha!

Not deserved, but it did hit the spot,  kind of like a cheeseburger when you are hungry.

I'll get a pic of my crackling little candle fireplace.......oh if only you could smell it!!!!!!!!
          and put it on.

Another beautiful gift I received today!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A river rock walkway from my sidewalk to my garage......It is beautiful, delightful.......Thanks to the talented Aaron for putting it in.

God is good.

Been feeling a little pouty about not being able to go anywhere, for quite awhile and no end immediately in sight to my personal travel restrictions.  (I get REALLY itchy to travel when I haven't in so long...)
So, These pleasant little gifts from God (and me) and Aaron, were like God saying......
"Hey,  here's a little present for you, my beloved, ....Open it".       SOmetimes those LITTLE pleasures can seem bigger than you ever dreamed.     .....I love You, God.
.
And thank-You God for summer and the most beautiful weather, ever, that I remember!  The gardens are dreamy.  Visual candy.

grace-God's instrument

God's grace undeservedly to me  flowed ......                         shame and hate
From piano to poem                                                              from my bitter pen flowed    
this mornin'                                                                               I thought darkness
                                                                                             rather than light
From words to harmonious intonation                                    i felt falling
from spirit to free                                                                   was my plight
Born of the Spirit                                                                   forever    
Life shall endure                                                                     gloom and despair
                                                                                              never
from cross to cradle                                                                ceasing to claw at me
and back again                                                                            
His grace gives on                                                                   His one tiny drop came     
His loves flows                                                                        when I dared whisper His name
His spirit grows                                                                      
Like an endless ocean                                                              A blueprint on my mind
of which one tiny drop heals me                                                that I was His
undeserved Me                                                                        wholy thine 
Whom He loves                                                                       surfaced
so   loves                                                                                 like a great wondrous 
                                                                                               creation from ocean depths
That undeserved me    
can be a part of his                                                                   Powerful, He rose
family tree                                                                                 my spirit overflowed
             
From the grapevine                                                                    in tiny teardrop ashes
all the way thru                                                                           my sin He overtakes
back in time                                                                                And become His own
                                                                                                   [with horror]      No!
He had a part for me                                                                   my Holy God, No!
I was wondrously made                                                  You became that for me?          
tho the dark one came                                                         How dare I speak so insolently
dark curses filled my mind                                                 Yet from my darkened heart
                                              never-ending
                                              doubts assail.
                                     but then the night does fly
                                         and [relief]  I am on day's page
                                                     again.
                                      Oh  I never shall doubt again I cry!
                          And He looks at me....that knowing look
                                  from parent to child that says
                                        Yes, but I still love you
                                                Always will.