full moments

growing up, it seemed like my family was always on some sort of outdoor adventure...cross country trips, sailing excursions, camping expeditions, and even an attempt at navigating a boat trip from Washington to Alaska (it wasn't quite a success, but that's for another blog post). it may sound like we had plenty of money, but my parents managed to do all this on teacher's salaries. i marvel at their love for adventure, desire to find new lakes to fish in, places to camp, and beauty to take in (they're still like this).

so i've purposed in my heart to get my "city girls" out in the beauty of nature more often. we started last weekend with a trip to the Bruneau Sand Dunes, which included a serious discussion with ellie on how fun it is to get dirty and play in sand. it took some convincing, but she jumped right in in and got really dirty!



first day of spring and 70 degrees!




as i sat on the side of the sand dune with ellie and we watched the invisible wind push perfect ripples across the lake, i realized i must find more moments like these...unforgettable, life-giving, full moments

our goal is to find as many spectacular places as we can this year, and in one week, here's what we've found...

Bruneau Sand Dunes
Malad Gorge
1000 Springs Preserve
Billingsley Creek

what are your favorite places where you've found full moments?

grocery project

The Do Project - Grocery Bags from Marcus Hackler on Vimeo.

500 families in our communities will be blessed with a bag full of groceries this week...and even more, they'll be given an invitation to be introduced to the One in whom they can find HOPE and can meet all their needs. How awesome is that!!

you were, you are, you will be

you are not just....a creation of our imagination
but the creator of all we can possibly imagine

you are not just...a solution to our need
but the solution before the need ever existed

you are not just...one way to live
but the way, the truth, the life

you are not just...a great model of servant-love
but the greatest example of live-giving love

you are not just...faithful when i call in distress
but you were, you are, you will be....faithful

Ann

today...I wondered if Ellie should do tap or ballet or gymnasics next fall

today...Ann looked at her daughter and prayed she wouldn't have to grow up without a mom


today...I worked on planning details for our upcoming Easter services

today...Ann wondered if she'd get to experience one more Easter


today...I made plans for our summer family vacation

today...Ann held each of her family tight, never wanting to let go

Ann has already lived longer than the three month expectation her doctors gave her, due to terminal cancer. I've learned so much from Ann's perspective & faith. I've learned that no matter how many days our life holds, our days are still numbered...our time is short.

In the Message Bible in 2 Thessalonians 1:11, Paul says "Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something."

We can't afford to do anything with out HIS energy...we're on a frugal budget in the currency of time. That's my prayer today...Lord, fit me & fill my good ideas & acts of faith with YOUR energy, so it amounts to something.

Please, also, say a prayer for Ann and her family.

dance party...v-day style

valentine's day dance party from jennifer lee on Vimeo.

blah blah blah

this made my day! my 8 year old nephew's heartfelt valentine's wish...