the girl with the red balloon

[find your own corner of the photo]

i think of my best friend.

\

in small steps

I know, second post in one day. But I skipped round up to breathe through my fingers.

God never promised easy. But he promised his promises are true.
Tonight when I close my eyes I see everything no matter where I go.
The dining hall, the cabin porch, the trees to throw rocks at, scaling the
mountain to the cross, or on the swing. The weight, its there.

Suffering isn't bendable. It is thick. It is raw. It is tangible.
But God has shown me each day how he is chiseling and refining what feels
so hardened and bare.

A good friend of mine, Mike Hojnacki, is battling cancer. He amazes me each day reading his blog and he encouraged me today to listen to this song,


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy8y6dDzYcE


He carries us,


Suffering isn't measured by time, or place, or story. It is carried by the broken, the valued, the strong.

in small steps,
m

[p.s. to follow mike's journey and cover him in prayer, http://fca-mchlhojnacki.blogspot.com/

but a vapor

it's june 14th, 2011, 4:51 pm in the west and there's a light wind under the sun.

after copying many checks, letters, and logistical information i took a walk. people experience the Lord in different ways. lately for me it has been in the pleasant beauty of nature where God welcomes my stubborn struggle and questions. oh, how he loves us when we least deserve it. these pictures below are little flashes of
where he's taken my feet and heart yearnings today.

finding joy in the simple tastes of the day...remembering that which gives me life...and being still in God's creation.

our first week of campers are here this week--high school youth with painted pasts and hearts that crave. pray for their spirits to be broken for Him.

love,
m

p.s.

tomorrow is my friend, alicia's, day. happy 21 sweet thing. shout out from the CO highlands.

as we've learned together this year,

this life is but a vapor. don't let it waste. hold onto those gifts He's given, even as they shift, chase and change.

brother came to town...

...and he let me drive the jeep.


"Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, the true road. Then take it. Discover the right path for your soul." Jeremiah 6:19

shenanigans off the road.

i cannot wait until we are all together again. God, it must have been a great day when you made Colorado, eh?
things missed today:
megans feelings, patricks laughter, brians tunes.

wee- wee- wee- wee all the way home.

elijah and i played this little piggy for a time today in the car back up to camp. so.much.love, that little man. we went for walks, played in the park, learned new words and ate alot of grapes. derlish days together.

i've learned much this week.

about parents: mine can't be replaced

about truth: it doesn't come from man

about God: He can grow my heart without changing it

about sheets: they feel best

about dogs: husky is the only option

about myself: i'm not one to sit behind a desk

about siblings: i miss mine

about music: listen to,

gungor-beautiful things
and
angus and julia stone- paper aeroplane
and
william fitzsimmons- beautiful girl


you are worth far more than you think.

love,
M


p.s. about sunsets: CO has the best


(growth team dinner and jenna's colossal burger)

ephesians 1: 4-5

"How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He takes us to those places with blessing in him. Long before he laid out the earth, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his son. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)"

"the will of God will never take you where the heart of God will not protect you." unknown

minglings.

trampolines, noahs ark, seeing brother, imagination, meeting with rebecca, spoons, hard(ly) breathing hikes with the girls, restful dreams, banana paper, camper scholarships, honey sunshine cereal, lactose free ice cream, snail mail, long walks, expectant prayer, training up, perspective cards, getting ready for the streets of denver.

[enjoy some captured]


our home, little mans new favorite-sand, noahs ark with the girls





silly faces, on the trampo, at the dunes where it all began

Colorado air, it bends my knees, and I go weak with joy and anticipation.

What a love I have been graced with for this place.

I arrived here on Sunday afternoon after one of my sweetest friends married her fond fellow.
(congratulations cory and allisa)



beautiful, eh?

So I got here Sunday and I met Snowridge 2011. I can't believe 2 years have gone by since that first summer. Caleb, now 7, came running down the hill yelling in happiness "margot's here" and jumped into my arms. Broke my heart. Made it real. Everything here is bordered in memories. The tight little cavities I try and squeeze through, the mornings with the sparrows and the aspens hit by sunlight. I love it. And I hate it. Because I need it more than I wish to say.

I am living with Wendy, Scott and their four kids this summer. I've been sent back to the bunk bed years and it has never been such a delight. Waking up to cheerios and the little bickerings of siblings. Feeling welcomed by their family. I was even presented the opportunity to wash the floor. The boys left it filled with grime last summer. And at 9,000 ft. elevation, we get to walk up a ginormous hill many times a day to reach home. God is so gracious to challenge me.

We have hit the sanddunes, embraced soul-to-souls, played with baby Elijah in the sand and water [He calls me marmo], eaten hobo dinners, opened up the word, had time to rest, and we have a new cook and his wife this summer- Hendricks and Judi. Currently Hendricks is singing his favorite melodies, Italian opera, as he makes charcoaled hamburgers. Couldn't be better.

Tonight I am going on an adventure with the boys. Lucas says we are going to collect freaky bugs.

Will post pictures later,
in the meantime follow the link to this song,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ

love,
margot marie