#1381-#1400 Montana Gifts

1381. The deer and bunny who come eat right from my parents' patio.

1382. Reed's delight when he unexpectedly sends his sisters into gales of laughter.

1383. My sweet mom answering her phone, "Good morning!"

1384. Ice cream at Kagy Korner.

1385. Laughing with my big sis.

1386. Sharing stories and laughter with dear old friends--a chance for my kids to see the wonderful people with whom I was raised.

1387. The view from Grant and Marlene's: 360 degrees of mountain vistas.

1388. Discussing brokenness with lovely broken people.

1389. "There is only one type of person God can use: a sinner."--Grant E.

1390. Two weeks away to remind my children what good friends they are.

1391. Sweet Pea Festival: A celebration of community and creativity.

1392. Downton Abbey movie marathons with my parents.

1393.  A real Montana Rodeo.

1394.  My spirit refreshed by quiet days, mountain views, cool air and the company of family.

1395. Worship at "E-free," the church of my youth: Simple, humble worship and the congregation as the choir.

1396. The similarity between my parents house in Montana and our farm in Florida:  bunnies dashing everywhere.

1397. Evening walk up to Moberry for frozen yogurt---taking walks and not sweating!!!

1398. Going home after two weeks with CLEAN laundry.

1399. The only good thing about leaving the Cowboy at home: It makes it easier to leave Montana.

1400. The ache that comes from saying goodbye to those I love so much.

FMF: Graceful

Five minute Friday (or Saturday....)

And the word is....Graceful (HA!)

GO:

Graceful would be the last word that would come to mind for anyone who had seen me running the past two weeks, with my geriatric gait and the labored breathing that is completely unwarranted by the speed at which I'm moving.

One wouldn't know it to look at me shuffling and huffing and puffing down the trail, but I am enjoying myself.  I'm just not a natural athlete.

In fact, one of the reasons I choose to run (as opposed to, say tennis, or soccer, or even swimming) is that it requires relatively little coordination.  Just one foot in front of the other--I can handle that.

In contrast, I marvel at the grace of the young runners on my kids' Cross Country team.  Every movement is fluid and easy.  They run at a pace so much faster than mine, but seem to expend no effort at all.  Pure grace of motion.  I often wistfully wish that they could give me just a bit of their grace.

If only....

"graceful" is just not a state I can achieve.

I can, however, be GRACE-FULL, so full of grace that it pours out on everyone around me.

This bubbling-over soul grace is no more natural to me than grace in my gangly limbs, but this grace IS attainable from Another.

I have so little grace of my own, but I know the One who is Grace.  When I trust and receive His Amazing Grace to me, I am filled to overflowing with grace for others.

Even more wonderful is that when I have a heart of gratitude, I can see from His perspective that everything in my life--the good, the bad and the ugly--it's all grace.

Every moment--whether delightful or excruciating-- is a gift that He will use to fill me with grace if I receive the gift with open hands and trust that He is GOOD.

STOP

#1361-#1380

1361. A man who loves me even when I've failed him

1362. Tired, happy teenagers dancing around the gym.

1363.  Sweet Hannah: serious about what matters, light-hearted about everything else.

1364. Mad dash through the airport after a flight delay.

1365. Making our connection just before they close the doors.

1366. "Checked" carry-ons, so we had nothing to carry as we ran!

1367. Big breath of Montana air.

1368.  Sharing a room with my little sister again for a few days.

1369. Short run in the morning, struggling to suck enough oxygen out of the thin mountain air.

1370. Re-connecting with friends at a reunion.

1371.  Morning coffee with my dad.

1372.  Walking the Sourdough trail.

1373. Clear-to-the-bottom creeks.

1374.  Making new friends from old acquaintances.

1375. Cowboy's voice over the phone lines.

1376. The University of Grandpa--every conversation an education.

1377. Great fiddle music.

1378.  Chilly bedroom (in AUGUST!) and a thick down blanket.

1379. Hike to Palisade Falls.

1380.  Mountain beauty that cries out that God is creative, Almighty and GOOD.

FMF: Change

Five Minute Friday and the word is: CHANGE

GO

Such a fitting word for this girl! It seems the more I want things to stay the same, the more they change.

Homes: 12 different houses in 20 years of marriage.

The cowboy's career: because he is so curious and ambitious, (and because there's no money in just being a cowboy).

Children growing up too fast: this week my oldest started college and my youngest high school.  The empty nest looms large....

My body: What can I say? I'm 48. THE Change is beginning to rear its ugly head.

Every new change vividly reveals that I am in a losing battle for sameness, for constancy.  It's a battle that can't be won, because I am not the One in control.

And He never promises things will stay the same--only that He is working through all of the changes.

 What if....I just quit fighting?

What if, instead of looking at the dizzying change around me, I fixed my eyes on the God who is the SAME yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Rather than grasping at people and situations and trying to take control so I can feel secure, what if I simply let go and trusted the One who IS in control over all?

What if I found my security in my unchanging God, rather than my ever changing circumstances?

How beautiful could that be?

So my life is a rollercoaster...

Maybe I need to just throw my hands up and enjoy the ride!

STOP

#1346-#1360

1346.  Mission Interact, a beautiful way to bring the body together across denominations and love the community at the same time.

1347. Honor given to a humble young man.

1348. An eager anticipation of seeing how God's grace will turn a great disappointment into a great opportunity for a surrendered young couple.

1349. Blasting away the blues by singing show tunes with the girls at the top of our lungs.

1350.  Watching my cowboy persevere through hard things.  I love that he GIVES his best, but doesn't need to BE the best at everything.

1351. Outpouring of affection for our frenchman by the youth of FBCO.  He may not understand our God, but he will know His love.

1352. Coming up on the 11th hour, waiting to see what God will do.

1353. Another testimony of God's provision through our months of no income.  He alone--and not the government--provided for our needs.

1354.  A new school year, the comfort of routine.

1355.  A choice in every situation to praise instead of complain.

1356.  Songbird's brave testimony before others and the simple, profound truth she shared. 

"Brokenness is part of the plan."  

1357. A very hard and costly relationship lesson, and the bittersweet privilege of walking a child through it.  

1358.  English chatter on the way home from camp.  So many questions, so little time to answer!

1359.  A chance to collaborate with a friend.

1360. The difficult but liberating reminder that the only One I need care about pleasing is the One who takes me as I am.  

1330-1345

1330.  Late night call to hear the enthusiastic details of the day.

1331. Gift from the Word:  I bear His mark; I am sealed in the Spirit.

1332. Lacy spider webs heavy with morning dew.

1333. Bunny brigade racing me up the driveway.

1334. Pumpkin Pie's adorable underbite.

1335. Water day at the farm thanks to a generous friend.

1336. Great illustration by a young pastor: Righteousness matters, but our acts should be those of an adoring child imitating a beloved Father, not a striving to earn approval.

1337.  A long-awaited interview--in God's perfect timing.

1338.  A beautiful model of a truly repentant prayer for Divine help (Nehemiah 9).

1339.  Pilar, the Columbian firecracker, who never calls me just "Mary" but always "Miss Mary Odell."

1340.  My Happy Girl home again.

1341.  Mike and the boys able to hear Songbird perform.

1342.  Car troubles only a glitch, nothing major.

1343.  Waking up to find a child up even earlier and in the Word.

1344. Calves racing around the field on a windy day.

1345. The deafening roar of a frog multitude after a thunderstorm.

#1310 - #1329

1310. Bernice sitting with Katie providing information and inspiration.

1311. Doe and spotted fawn watching me fearlessly.

1312. Laughing teens playing UNO

1313. Camille's fascination turned to surprise when the huge, dead scarab he was studying turned not to be so dead after all!

1314.  My crazy cowboy agreeing to take another rooster (#9!!!!).

1315. DIY day: Protein bars and homemade laundry soap.

1316. Ivory soap in the microwave--so cool!

1317. The romping of Pumpkin Pie, frolicking in a zigzag, tail lifted and curled into a perfect "9."

1318. A gift from the Word: Psalm 50:23  But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.  If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.

1320. Picnic in the park with friends.

1321. Road trips with family and friends.

1322. Crystal clear, spring-fed river.

1323. Schools of big purple fish.

1324. Good goggles to see it all with.

1325. Multi-family sleepover.

1326. Small churches.

1327. Hearing Eulie preach again.

1328. Happy Girl off to SLU, so early and so excited.

1329. Texts during the day from my girl far away.