weekend away

I had a wonderful weekend away at Camp Perkins! It was so refreshing to spend the weekend in God's beautiful creation. You can't be up there and not just feel His presence. We got up there Friday afternoon after stopping in Fairfield for burgers at The Wrangler. I just wish I would have seen they had a veggie burger on the menu before I ordered. Oh well, it was still tasty! I did some digital scrapbooking, got a massage, went snowshoeing, night luging, watched some movies, did a foot spa and hand wax (creepy, but awesome) and relaxed. Here are a few pictures from my cell phone (gotta love the retro cam app) of the weekend. Today's been rough, it's hard to go back to real-life after a little vacay. Heather posted her photos from this weekend HERE, be sure to check them out too!

peace and hope

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."

Romans 5:1-11 (NIV) [emphasis added]

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Tattoo Tuesday

I don't want to steal from Danielle, but I figured it would be fitting to do an Tattoo Tuesday post today. Last Tuesday I went to Black Cat Tattoo and got tattooed by Sean Wyett. This was taken right after it was done. Once it's completely healed I hope to get more pictures of it.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and gone tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:25-34

wait

Once again, I am in a time of waiting. I can feel God testing me and my patience while I wait. This time I am in complete surrender. There is absolutely nothing I can do, except wait and rest in Him and His promises to me. Trust. Be still. Wait. Believe. Pray.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:4-8

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40

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Music Monday: Jason Gray

Lift Up Ellie

Please join me in praying for this beautiful little girl, Ellie Potvin who was diagnosed with cancer (Rhabdomyosarcoma, Stage 4) on July 2, 2008 at age 6. In a post Ellie's mom wrote on her CaringBridge website today, hospice said Ellie may have about a week left. My heart breaks for her parents and her twin sister, Grace. Her mom has asked that everyone pray for a miracle for Ellie, because we know God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or image (Ephesians 3:20a). Pray for peace that surpasses understand for this family. Lift up Ellie.

Music Monday: Britt Nicole

I usually don't write anything with my Music Monday posts, but felt like I needed to with this one. Not only is Britt Nicole the cutest girl EVER, but she has a beautiful heart. This video moved me to tears. Please watch the whole thing, even the little intro. It's worth your time. Love you my friends.

My Prayer

My Lord God

I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following
your will does not mean
that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that my desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope that I have that desire
in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this
you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear,
for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me
to face my perils alone.
- Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

sources: lelove and ffffound