victory and musings

Some thoughts on living in victory rather than the trappings of our depravity...

Isn't it time to thank God for His mercy, His goodness, His faithfulness?  While we can recognize our imperfections, we can also hold fast to the grace He has rained down on our very souls, the water that seeps into our blood, and makes us new creatures. 

"We are all broken.  That's how the light gets in."  -Ernest Hemingway

While we are living in our earthly bodies we don't need to wallow around in the dirt and pollution, Jesus didn't defeat death so that we could commiserate on how terrible we all are.  Jesus defeated death so that we could live victorious, reflecting the pure light of God, and drawing others to HIM.

We aren't called to shine our own light.  We are called to reflect His.

O victory in Jesus
My Savior, forever
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the cleansing flood.

 

././././././././././././.

 

 

The other evening leaving church there was a double rainbow.  We watched it most of the way home. 

 

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I dropped Austin off at his second to last driver's ed class.  On the way home I borrowed his sunglasses from the community college.  Then I got all nostalgic and thoughtful thinking how our roles have shifted so much and will continue to do so.  How at one time he had little Spiderman sunglasses that wouldn't even fit my face and he sat in the back in his carseat with his little boy shoes.  And now I'm wearing his college sunglasses while driving the car that will be his after he gets his license next week.

 

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Aaron has been working so hard on the house the last couple of weeks.  In preparing to paint he found some things that were not sound and needed to make some repairs.  I'm thankful for him, more than I can ever express. 

 

But, the painting has begun!!  And would you look at that hottie!?

 

 

 

This guy leaves in thirteen days for Bristol Bay, Alaska where he'll be commercial fishing for a good part of the summer.  I'm so very excited for him but also sick to my stomach when I think about being apart.  In our 20 years together the longest we've been apart is 9 days.  It's not going to be easy.  But I expect good things. 

 

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Enough musing.  It's time to make some dinner.

 

~Mandarin Beef

~Jasmine Rice

~Steamed Broccoli

 

~Cookie Pizza A La Mode

 





photo album

the little things

you've got to learn to appreciate
the little things
in life;

like a good cup of coffee,
or a fresh smelling flower,
or the smile of
a stranger
as you pass
on the streets.

the world is a
monumental beast,
frightening and
discouraging, but
in small doses, it is
the most beautiful thing
you'll ever discover.

(author unknown)

 

 

 

He's holding a cricket in his hand.  He ate it.  It was salt and vinegar flavor.

 

 

 

 

This one doesn't like his picture taken...

I told him I was photographing the water and he just got in the way (he didn't buy that!).

 

He's taller than us.

Heron in flight, part 1...

 

Heron in flight, part 2...

 

Heron in flight, part 3...

 

 

 

Beach flowers....

 

While Mom was here a week ago, we drove to the Mt. Baker wilderness area.  It was a beautiful drive, a beautiful day.  We stopped at these falls on the recommendation of friends. 

Nooksack Falls, Washington State

 

 

 

Mt. Baker

 

 

The very next day Mom and I took a ferry ride to the Olympic peninsula and drove to Hurricane Ridge.  The views are stunning.  We especially enjoyed looking at wildflowers along the side of the winding mountain road.

 

These Alpine Forget-Me-Nots were so pretty.

Sprays of them lined the bank of a sharp curve in the road.

 

 

I believe this is called Indian Paintbrush.  Their color is very striking.

 

 

 

The drive back toward the ferry had us stopping for coffee, for thrifting, and generally just meandering about.  This grain elevator in Sequim was very commanding.

 

 

That's all I have to share today.  Thanks for looking.

charmed

All the irises in the neighborhood are on full display.  We have THREE varieties blooming  right now!  They've not been this splendid in years past but I think that some of the landscaping we did recently aided in their health.  I just love these flowers.  I love everything about them!

 

 

 

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We had a photo shoot, spur of the moment.  It was for a purpose, a picture to go along with an endowment application.  But it was fun, capturing this boy and those eyes and that smile.

 

 

That is his rifle "Schatzi", the German for darling.

 

 

 

We had a few...err..."moments" between shots.

 

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The garden grows.  I visit every day and check the progress.  We added a rain barrel this year to collect and channel some of the "free" water.  I believe these particular sprouts belong to white radishes.

 

 

 

 

 

Elsa was curious about the bird seed in my right hand but maybe more concerned with the phone in my left hand.

 

 

 

 

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Aaron and I took in the Holland Happening.  Our town has a strong Dutch heritage so everybody pays tribute to that yearly with a parade and street fair.

 

We have old fire trucks...

Tiny horses...

Guys on tractors...

 

And giant pigs...

 

 

We enjoyed some frozen mochas afterwards at Whidbey Coffee.

Thanks, Maria!!

 

 

 

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Austin and Elena went to the ROTC Ball together.  He asked her to be his date a few weeks ago with a handmade poster and an original poem.  I don't have a picture of the poster but he worked on it for hours.  He's such a big hearted romantic!

 

 

 

She was straightening his cover....

 

 

 

Ah, young loves, you are a beautiful inspiration!

 

 

I was so not prepared for a picture but was coerced.  But...my son...he is so tall!

 

 

Austin and Elena, ROTC Ball, April 30, 2016

 

"The Squad" with Chief Thiel and Commander Black.

 

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Today is Monday and I've had the best and most peaceful Monday in a very long time.  The weather is gorgeous and 80 degrees!!  On an island in the Pacific Northwest, 80 degrees is something to soak in and thoroughly enjoy.

This has been my day:

• brewed sweet peach iced tea
• dough is rising on the counter for fresh bread
• beef stew is simmering in the crockpot
• peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream for dessert
• walked around the neighborhood with my Charlie dog
• played the piano barefoot (the BEST!) while Charlie laid at my feet
• changed my clothes 3 times because I can (and once because I heard a "Mom, what ARE you wearing??")
• cast my vote in the presidential primaries
• drank an iced coffee
• listened to Doris Day while working in the kitchen
• dropped a boy off at Driver's Ed

 

A puppy at my feet...

 

 

He's a great shotgun rider on a hot day with the windows down...

 

 

Have a great week everyone!