~ The World ... An Invitation ~

It's all around -
a world
inviting you
to run in joy-filled and
drink up within soul-fiber,
all that He has created for
YOU!

The forest's ... mountains ... ocean ... desert -

All of it for
you.

Glorious palette sunrises and sunsets
painted streaked across endless sky
with the touch of
His finger.

Billowing clouds held in perfect awe
by light and shadow
mirroring eye to behold shapes and creations.

Melodies of inspiring music that touch your
very innermost being,
when nothing else can.

Wind twirling dancing through hair
like laughter swirling ...
Sun kissing skin
drenching body fiber with gentle warmth
beyond compare.

Birds singing, flowers blossoming, black canopy sky
studded
with a zillion diamonds strewn across vast eternity ...

All of this for
you.

The world is a glorious invitation on the edge of forever ...
jump in ... partake. Thirst for it.  Drink it up.
It's been waiting for you.

~ Just Bloom ~

The sign on the old wooden fence said:
"Bloom Where You Are Planted."

I've read this quote many times.  Have seen it posted in various corners of the world.
And of course have seen it designed on the cute side, with a touch of
Martha Stewart lingering in the creations.

Why then, did these simple words - so often spoken in so many ways, so many places -
take hold, and shake-awake my tired beating heart?
Why do my thoughts keep returning and pondering and thinking deep, many days -
these words?

Time has passed since this visual picture was burned into my synapses and soul-abyss.  

And I have wondered - what if I don't want to bloom?  Why do I have to stay planted?

And then the thought came at that very moment:

"you don't have to stay planted ... bloom where you are planted."

I have also discovered in this little life journey since the 'heart-awakening' - 

that on the days where I don't have the energy, or the will, or the desire, 

or the passion, or the know-how

to "bloom" ...

that He - my Savior of my soul,

my Redeemer of depth abyss,

the one who in all suffering did what He did  for me,

out of pure unconditional love -

fills in the discouraging places 

to help me just bloom.  Even when I don't want to.

It's the least thing I can do in return.

It is in this moment

that I know

with Him,

I can just bloom.

Wherever I go.

Whoever I come across.

What I say.

What I do.

What I think.

How I feel.

It has been said, that with God everything is possible.

If this is true, then I - with Him alongside, 

and within my heart,

can bloom.

Flowers have it in their DNA

to bloom.

No matter where they are planted.

Even in concrete, rocky, untamed earth.

I then wonder - do I as well?

Yes.  I do.  We all do.

With Him.

We were created to bloom.

~ You're Almost There ~

A life-moment embraced with proving trials, created hearts stronger than ever imagined. 
Soul-deep. Life altering at every turn.  Push.  Pull. Teeth gritted.

The men are called to leave and join the Mormon Battalion.

The women stay.  

United. 

Hand in hand.  

Heart to heart.

Voices sing, with heavy hearts: "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."

I, an observer through the eye of my camera - caught and captured glimpses that will forever remain etched within heart-soul.

Standing at the halfway point of the "Women's Pull"  while capturing this touching trial - 

I cheer at the top of my lungs:

"You're almost there!"  "You're Strong!"  "You're So Close!"

Women come back down the hill to help the remaining handcarts below.

United. Determined.  Strong.

They pull as one.  Crawling, digging, cheering, echoing in response to my voice:

"We're almost there!!  Keep going!  We're strong!"

I have pondered this experience daily ever since.

And my heart and mind have been filled with many thoughts, parallels and analogy's to life.

We - like these amazing pioneers in all culture's, times passed, as well as present

and those still to come - in all the world - have our own burdens to

carry, push, pull and move onward with.

I also consider, how many times I have been on hands and knees -

crawling with all might and energy, just to make it to the top as the echo from Him rings:

"You're almost there!"  "Keep going!"  "You're stronger than you think you are"

.... and ...

"I am here - to carry you - when you no longer can walk."

I know this to be true in my life.

That through, of and by Him - He will always be there for me ... for you ...

to help lighten our burdens in life as we see that rewarding moment of the hilltop and hear:

"You're almost there."

-Pioneer Trek-

Riley's Farm, CA

Amazing 3 days.  Life altering.  Will never forget.

{Photography by: Lisa May}

www.lisamay-photography.com

~ A Matter Of Time and Keeping The Moments ~

I hear it.  I feel it.  I see it.
It rushes, it slows, it disappears. 

It births light and shadow.  Day and night.
Sunrise and sunset - every second a new Masterpiece.

It gives. It takes.
It spends.  It exhausts.
It's young, it's old.
It's a first and a last.
Before and after.
It's a race.
There's never enough most days.
It tests patience and long suffering.
It has within it, love etched forever and love lost.

Time.

It is visible right now as I look out my window -
gilded Spring beams of light and shadow, lay planked across emerald blades,
closing the end of day. 

I see it visible in my children's faces who are not so small anymore, as time has grown them up.

Amidst this battle of time - every day - every hour and second ...
I armor self with camera in hand, pen to paper and rely on
synapses to keep the moments forever. 
Thousands of photographs captured - frozen moments of time,
held forever in print,
are kept within albums, books, scrapbooks,
and memory on my computer ...
endless moments.
This is how I keep them.



The moments that fade every second.
The moments that once held small babies, now span into mid-teen years. 
Did I do good with the time I've had with them up until now?  

Still - the moments that at the end of the day, reflecting back I wonder -
where did the time go?
And more important - what did I do with all this time I had today,
beyond the everyday mundane living? Did I do my best with my time given?
Where was my attention during the seconds ticking along? 

This precious commodity within these ticking moments of life breath.




And in time-stress moments, pounding down - knees to the floor, God-time
I remember ...

I am guilty indeed, as conscience pulls at the heartstrings ... family, friends, God. 
I know I can do much better. 
Service.  Love.  Time spent with value and meaning with those around me.

Not more time - but enough time.

In a truly touching book I am reading titled: "Before My Heart Stops" (by Paul Cardall) he quotes:

"The reality is that our time here on earth will not last forever, so every minute is precious. 

Once we gain perspective about our own mortality, realizing that our time is limited,

we have the opportunity to accomplish important things for our family and our community. 

And since we usually do not know how much time we have,

we must work hard today to accomplish those things."

"Every minute is precious."

If only the world could grasp this simple statement. 
If only I really could. 

And when the world is saying otherwise,
pages skin-thin
teach me to "trust in Him at all times, pour out your heart before Him:
God is a refuge."

A refuge. Every minute. 
I re-commit.

"Life is not an emergency. Only amateurs hurry.

Race for more and you'll snag on time and leak empty.

Hurry always empties a soul.

We don't need more time - we just need 'enough' time.

Time to breathe deep and time to see real and time to laugh long, time to give,

rest, give you Glory.

sing joy.

And just enough time in a day to not feel hounded,

pressed, driven, or wild to get it all done - yesterday."

-Ann Voskamp

~ This Day ~

"For unto you is born
this day
in the city of David .... a Savior
which is Christ the Lord."

"And his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace."
-Luke 2: 15-17

May this Christmas be one filled with the best gift of all.

The love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Which love surpasses all understanding,

beyond any comprehension.

A love so immense

that He gave His life for us ...

so that we may live

with Him again.

Let Him in.  Make room for Him.

Be filled with His love.

A sweet touching reminder of

The Real Meaning Of Christmas.

Enjoy.

~ Merry Christmas ~

~ Christmas Oranges ~

A joy that is shared

is a joy made double.

--John Roy

May we all at this Christmastime, remember that even the smallest portion we can give, has the biggest meaning of all. 

Even if it's just a smile, a hug, a note or being there -

that can be the best gift ever given.

~ Christmas ~

"Oh Come Let Us Adore Him ...

Christ - the Lord."

Can you believe Christmas is upon us?  It seems like just last week that I put up all of my decorations, and now it's almost over.  I love this time of year.  I love it for WHO it is we remember and focus upon.  I love it for the reason that the world is feeling the Spirit of it as well - within their own way of celebrating. 

A union of all humanity, gathering us together in one purpose - for a season.

What does Christmas mean to you? 

I have a few touching stories below that we read each year.  Video's to enjoy as well ... our family favorites.

So!  Here's to your own Christmas celebration.  May you enjoy being together - united in hearts.  And may you remember the REAL reason for the season.

Merry Christmas!

"Christmas Love"

This December, I vow to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I will have to cut back on nonessential obligations, extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. I do not want to find myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, is in kindergarten this year. It is an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he has been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Program." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of his show. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I arrived 10 minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas" I didn't expect anything other than fun songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love", I was slightly taken back by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, all adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row, center stage, held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas", a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy", and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message,

"Christmas Love".

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her, a small quiet girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down, totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W" . The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W". Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high…the message read loud and clear:

"CHRIST WAS LOVE”

...and He still is.

And finally, these videos will surely touch your heart.

Wishing you miracles this Christmas!!  See you next year!! : )



p.s....I did it!  What began as a New Year's resolution as a goal - I have blogged an entire year at least once a month!  What an accomplishment!!  Here's to 2011!!  You never know what it may bring!!