the western front that saved me

I really believe I was meant to be neighbors and playmates with Laura Ingalls and live in Walnut Grove.

[enjoying the western front for a few more days with the gift of family God gave me]

things we have seen: bison, babies, used books... good day.

things still being sought out: my wolf and grizzly bear.


song for the ride...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkFB8f8bzbY

(do listen and close your eyes)


lifting you all up in whispers,
be back to maryland shortly.

with love,

m

last days in town

success and new experiences.

1. rock wall in the pool
2. swing dancing with brian (in a saloon)
3. francis chan in the real
4. tenth aves new song- "you don't owe me anything"
5. so much love from my brothers and sisters
6. bike ride in the sunset. you're never too old to wear protection. (as caleb says, age 7)
7. owling in fort collins.

God is so faithful to us.

love,
m

Friday, July 15

Thankful for you Friday,

in honor of

Christine McGrath

[i want to say, my walls are thick tonight]

Reasons that I value her:

1. giant bed concussed friend
(snuggle all night long)

2. no filter

3. banana suit (as seen above)

4. she makes music for us

5. heart for this city of denver

6. God knew i needed her

7. appreciation for words that dont make sense

8. her laugh...you must hear it.

9. her hugs are irresistible. so are her great looks.
so is her interpretive dancing.

10. she is my little one all grown up
(so she speaks her own language and i adore it)

11. she just knows...me, how to ask questions, that its OK to be angry with Pops,
that sometimes we just need to escape

12. her strong hands on my back. pro ma-souse

13. she gets EXCITED about Jesus

14. she challenges freaking idiots, and loves them anyway

15. she's a lifer i wasn't expecting to come around

i love you christine and i be seeing you soon,
m

what do you see?

I see God's grace in three,

A few days ago Caleb came in so upset because he had "stickers"--those plant things that are like sticky prickles-- on his shirt and they wouldn't come off. They didn't really hurt, they were just scary looking and annoying to a 7 year old.

Alot of times, that's how I feel with the things God deals me, but I've learned these stickers are just there to put the rest of my life into perspective. We don't fear the world with Him, but the fear of God is slowly becoming part of my heart. It is building me so. And its strengthening.

The first picture is of Jeneva. God brought her back safe to me another year. Three years, this now 13 year old girl, has swallowed me up with life and love and an eagerness to argue with me. I am so thankful, even when she says she hates me. Clearly, she's back again for a reason. And I know it is because the Lord has given me a want to pursue, as He pursues me. I don't regret tackling her to the ground three summers ago. I don't regret crawling under a bunk bed with her under cobwebs as she cried. I don't regret telling her I love her. I don't regret fighting with her this last year about coming back. Why? Cause I've been given His love through her.

The second picture is a chipmunk. Chipmunks are something special to me. Weird, I know. But they certainly grab at me. Today it was raining and there was this little squeak coming from below me. A chipmunk was hopping, slowly, on his one back leg because his other was bleeding and twisted. My heart broke. I compromised his life by petting it. But God is good, don't worry. I picked it up and held it for a long time. Asking God, seriously...why a chipmunk of all things? Well three of my girl friends came over and we watched the gospel happen in real life. No joke. We heard a few more squeaks and the brother came back to rescue his little one. He kissed it and nursed it back to health and gave us bad looks (noises) for taking him away. We named him Allen.


The last picture is more of my girls from the first summer who came back to learn about the One who cares best for them when we are away.

God is so faithful.

walking slowly,
m

Friday, July 8

Thankful for you Friday

in honor of,

Kristin McGregor

[Happy Birthday Lifer]






Reasons that I value this girl:

1. She speaks when I don't want her to

2. She has eyes that see the world

3. Intentionality sums her up

4. She TRUSTS God

5. She has the best laugh. ever.

6. We see right through each other

7. We understand our gibberish

8. We drink caramel macchiatos together

9. She shares a love for roadtrips

10. She rubs her hands together when she's excited

11. We snuggle

12. We make clay together

13. She holds the mountains close

14. She hates birthdays almost as much as I do

15. She's b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. and i'll tell her every day too


I love you Kristin,
m

concussed

On Sunday I wanted to go for a walk. There's this cross here at camp up the mountain. They say it inspires you. I haven't been up there since last summer when I went up to find a friend of mine. It's a place close to me, so it felt needed-- voiding all wisdom for stomach pains, I endeavored up by myself. It was a beautiful hike, though I could barely breathe and I found the cross by way of the aspens. The company was just what I craved too. Time with my Jesus.

Little later, the stomach pains came and I knew I needed to get back to camp. Long story short, I began my journey, at some point passed out and woke up with a huge bump on my head and cuts over my body. Thank the Lord I texted my friend (in gibberish) and she met me halfway up finding me to be "a zombie". I've been concussed ever since and sentenced to bed rest for awhile. What a humbling experience for a stubborn girl. Ironically, two days later, the friend that found me got her own concussion. But that's another story. Nap time number four out under the fresh air and rain.

[from the freeing hike]

the story...

...never ends with goodbye.

[banquet night. staff farewell. so much love.]

enjoy,

m

Friday, July 1st. I am starting a new thing:

thankful for you friday

in honor of, megan helene hemmerle
who snail mailed me with loving

(a giraffe and a kangaroo)

you should meet her too.





Reasons that I value you this girl:

1. we bicker
2. we drive around the town
3. she speaks jersey
4. she's strong
5. we dream weird
6. she just knows
7. she tells me when i mess up,
then she hugs me (by choice)
8. she is friends with the animals
9. snuggle buddy
10. she serves because she wants to
11. her heart is unstoppable
12. roommate
13. we do art
14. she lives free
15. she is b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. and i'll tell her every day

love you meg,

m