Beauty For Ashes

Isaiah 61:1,3 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. "

Fly away home sweet child of God! Six weeks and two days pregnant today, due May 19th, but it isn't to be. Two babies now await us beyond heaven's gates, perfect in form, whole in spirit. How blessed I am to have carried you, even if but for weeks, days. Praise be to the Lord for the wonderful works of His hands! We cry, we mourn, but already we see beauty instead of ashes, we find gladness beyond our mourning, and we choose praise instead of despair! Hope is not lost. Rest awhile, wait awhile, heal awhile. Spring brings new life, we will wait on God's perfect timing, we will wait for our spring.

Pslam 139:13-17 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!"

Blue Lake Backpacking Trip!

Here are the pictures. We had a great time!

Still Here!

Because we always love to see new pictures!

A sister snuggle in Mommy and Daddy's bed on a crisp, fall morning.

Chloe's favorite time of day...BATHTIME!!!

I realize it's been awhile since my last post, but in all honesty, it feels good to pace myself a bit, making more time for other things in the evening. But I have so missed you all and pray you are doing well. First, I must say thank you to all of you who offered such wonderful input on preschool curriculum! I've started to sort through the websites and it looks like I will have no problem finding what I need.

Fall is always my favorite time of year! So many of you have so eloquently described the bittersweet end to summer and the joy of the cooler weather. Something about the way the sun hangs lower in the South sky and the way the air smells and feels, it's simply wonderful. About a week ago, Emma came out on the front porch in her jammies with me first thing in the morning and proceeded to run straight back in for her winter clothes. She came back out looking oh! so cute in her snow boots, bare legs, night gown, winter coat, hat and gloves! I ran for the camera, but by the time I had it ready, she was back inside striping down and it was obvious she wasn't putting them back on simply for mom's photo obsession, at least not with a smile any way! Ah, the visions of hot cider and warm clothes, the intoxicating scent of decomposing leaves, rustling in the wind, rosy noses and cheeks after a hard play in the yard. And of course, the approaching holidays, life is just so rich in the fall!

I can't think of a better way to celebrate the beauty of this season than to emmerse myself in nature for three full days...and that is exactly what Travis and I are doing this weekend!!! We are heading up to our beautiful Rocky Mountains for an early fall backpacking trip. This is something we LOVE to do together, but haven't been able to do since before my pregnancy with Emma, so for four years! It brings a smile to my face just thinking about it. The crunch of the trail beneath my feet, the fragrance and sound of the evergreens and all the life that calls them home. The hiss of the stove at sunset, crawling into my warm down sleeping bag cuddled next to the man I love. Pure heaven in my book! Don't worry, it won't be just the two of us. My brother and his wonderful girlfriend Kim will be with us, and we'll have lots of orange flags, extra food, our trusty water purifiers and two first aid kits. The girls will be in the blissful care of their two grandmas, what a treat! This will be the longest we've been away from them though, so I'm guessing by Sunday morning, I'll be ready to march myself straight home to my babies! I'll be posting pictures of the trip soon after we return.

Until then, I pray you are enjoying your September, taking in the simple pleasures of God's astounding beauty, both in His creation and in the ebs and flows of your life.

Psalm 19:1- "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands!"