Wordless Wednesday

Estes Park makes my heart sing.  May your heart soar today.
Noreen

There are so many in this world, in our lives, in our neighborhoods that are hurting both physically and spiritually; those who are in desperate need of the Master's touch. Healing comes from His hand, if we would but immerse ourselves in the waters of His life. Come take a dip with me this day. This song says so much of what this world is needing.

The River Is Here by Andy Park
Down the mountain the river flows

And it brings refreshing wherever it goes

Through the valleys and over the fields

The river is rushing and the river is here

The river of God sets our feet a-dancing

The river of God fills our hearts with cheer

The river of God fills our mouths with laughter

And we rejoice for the river is here

The river of God is teeming with life

And all who touch it can be revived

And those who linger on this rivers shore

Will come back thirsting for more of the Lord

Up to the mountain we love to go

To find the presence of the Lord

Along the banks of the river we run

We dance with laughter giving praise to the Son

Be blessed in His life today. Noreen

Thankful Thursday

Today we got to do one of my favorite activities-heading to the high country. Our closest friends, Rick and Barbara, suggested this trip because it was Rick's birthday.

Spending time out in nature puts a song in my heart and it was a beautiful day for hiking.

Overlooking the Big Thompson river....so beautiful!

I have so much fun with Barbara and we are perfectly matched with walking, which is unusual for me to find a friend who I can keep up with.

Hubby and I...the first of many hikes we hope to take in RMNP.

Although we haven't been neighbors and friends for long, it feels like we've known eachother forever.

The High Places

This is a photo of one of my favorite places, you guessed it, Rocky Mountain National Park. I took this last weekend but I love the colors and the scenery so just wanted to share it with you.
Although today is cloudy and cooler with rain predicted I know we'll have more sunny days next week. I am planning to get back up there and see some more of God's Handiwork.

Have a wonderful day.

Life Science

When we home schooled our daughters one of my main goals for them was to fall in love with learning. So it is with great joy that I watch Carrie home school her children and see them going out into nature to explore and learn from their surroundings. Although the boys are intrigued with finding different things outside than their sister would find; bugs verses flowers etc, it is so fun to watch them learn. We are blessed to be able to be in the mountains within an hour and as they get older I know there will be hiking, skiing and wonderful adventures. This summer they began a Gratitude Journal and will often draw and write about different things in nature. Seeing children learn and the excitement in their eyes as they discover new things is amazing. I am so thankful that they can be at home where the creativity is actively nurtured.

The Beauty of Color

Last weekend hubby and I joined our oldest daughter and her family and drove up to the mountains to enjoy nature at its finest. Carrie and her family trekked off to the trees to get some family shots and I followed. I have always been passionate about fall colors, especially the vibrant oranges and reds but this year I fell in love with the golds and yellows of the Aspens in Colorado. Good thing too because we don't have the brilliance of the sugar maples and liquid Amber's that we did in California. Slowly I am coming to appreciate the more subtle colors and although I am looking forward to seeing the brighter hues next year if we travel to the East Coast I am content right now. Just being out exploring and enjoying God's paint pallet is enough to bring a smile to my lips.
So wherever you are, go out and explore and revel in the changes of the season.

Up Close and Personal

As many of you know there is nothing that gives me more joy than to see God's handiwork up close. One of the many blessings of moving to Colorado has been to travel to the "high places"as I like to refer to the Rockies and view the wildlife. Today we decided to make a quick trip up to the Rocky Mountain National Park to see the Elk bugling and also to see the colors of Autumn. What a wonderful day; we saw the bulls up close, really close and at one point had a ranger moving us back because we were off in the trees taking photos and didn't notice the bull traveling towards us. I was surprised at their bugling, I expected it to be much louder. What magnificent animals they are-such strength and beauty. Hubby and I are hoping to plan a few days up in the park after our newest grandchild arrives so I am looking forward to it and today's trip will keep me until then.

Thank You Father, for the beauty of Your creation and of all living things.