Ceaseless Praise....

Taking a minute to see...truly see.

Have you ever noticed the snow as it skirts across the road on a wind-driven day?

Or gazed at the frozen lake, covered in thick blanket of white, moon illuminating brilliant in midnight glow?

Have you ever captured the look of satisfaction on a child's face after he has conquered the mountain of snow in the backyard?

Have you lingered a moment longer than usual over crib of sleeping baby, a world of peace and contentment that we seldom realize exists anymore?

Or have you taken in the mountain silhouette displayed against a morning sky clear?

So many moments I have taken for granted...I have passed on by without the slightest thought. Moments that my God is displaying His grandeur for all to see, if I will just stop and LOOK! And when I look, I worship! God is honored and glorified. It is in the looking, the noticing, the naming, the counting that ceaseless praise is lifted to the God of the universe! So, keep counting and dancing His glory! He delights in our praises!

Counting Moments...

We have been counting the moments here lately. This excersise has become a huge part of our lives. Stopping in the middle of something and just naming the moment. The kids have had fun with it and so have I. It makes us aware of our blessings as we live them out. It makes us aware of our God, and that we are living apart of something much bigger than ourselves. This counting, it has changed my life. I feel as if God has given me a new set of eyes...a set that sees from His perspective a little bit better. It has definetly slowed me down to breathe in the delights that He places in my path daily. Here are just a few of my favorites from the past couple of days...

So thankful for weekend wanderings...time spent with just our little family. Creating memories and delighting in the moment!

Thankful for the rays of sunshine that reflect off of barren birch in winter's mid-afternoon.

Thankful for little hands folded in reverent praise for all she has to be thankful for. It fills my heart to the brim and joy spills over and out in more directions than I can name!

Thankful for silly faces, friendships formed, and love that holds families together when miles and distance split us apart.

Thankful for joy that cannot be contained...happiness seeping out and exploding into every life this little guy comes in contact with!

And I'm thankful for a hillside dotted with Christmas, pine in deepest scent on cold, crisp day.

My list goes on and on. It is my favorite part of my day now...sitting and naming. Wes and I started a journal...we are at 218. It thrills my soul...this counting...giving a name to the moments I am so thankful for. Just thought I'd share this afternoon how it is changing me...making me more like Jesus. It is exciting...I challenge you to try it:)

These Moments...

This moment...right now. This is the moment I am living. And how thankful I am. For breath...life...words...emotion...God designed it all so intricately and unique. Living blessings all day long. Basking in His moments, designed just for me, delights my soul. Stopping, and seeing. It makes time so still and glorious. Watching Him work...capturing His craftsmanship excites this tired, worn-out mommy. And it brings energy, passion, joy into my being. It renews my spirit...refreshes my soul.

And so, I set out...looking. I am searching for the time-stopping moments of delight. And the places where I find it are earth shattering. They are in the lone tree on side of the snow covered mountain...its shadow creating friendship...



The moment of boy playing in middle of white, chest high, and breathing in the joy through every smile.

The moments lie in snow caves and knee deep fluff, cold and wet. Afternoons filled with adventure.

Stillness amid the grand and glorious...sun-drenched, snow-covered, tall and lean. Pictures of beauty stretched high into blue...majesty raw in winter form.

Time standing still...my soul's deep breath...my heart calmed by life anew. It makes my spirit tremble to be surrounded by such great and good. The moment is sweet...and I am resting in it's promise.