Certain Peace

At first glance it's a street like any other. And, I'd guess that for most folks there's nothing really special about driving this road. They just get on it to go from one place to the next. A connecting point for those going east to west, or vice versa.



For me, however, this road isn't just about getting from one place to the next it's about going somewhere with a purpose. When I crest the top of the hill, I don't just see telephone poles, transformer lines, cars, bad round-about art, clouds and a storm in the distance. What I see in my mind is what is unseen, and as I keep heading west, I know that peace is around a few corners. And, I'm willing to head into the storm clouds to reach it.

No one is immune from the storms of life. We can face the dark clouds of brokenness, addictions, heartache, loss, failed relationships or depression. Each storm can be different from the next and before we know it, we're unable to see anything but the darkness that surrounds us. I believe it's in these moments that each of us struggles to find peace.



As far back as I can remember I have found great peace in the mountains and it probably has something to do with the fact that I grew up surrounded by them. There is something to be said for feeling closer to God the higher up the mountain you go. At least for me anyway. I know for certain that peace is there because I've felt it, breathed it and walked it. I've experienced it.

I have faith that even when I can't see the mountains they are still there. I know without a doubt that when the storm passes those snow-capped peaks will still be standing just as majestically as they were before. And as I head west down that winding road, my peace is still just a few moments away.




For more on Peace, please visit my friend Bridget at One Word at a Time.

Haiti Devastated

The reports I've seen on several networks show a country that has be devastated. Bodies litter the streets, buildings have collapsed, homes are destroyed, people are wandering around dazed and searching for loved ones that are missing. There is no food or clean water and desperation is setting in.

Delivering the basic necessities and getting medical attention to the people of Haiti is a difficult task as the roads are blocked from earthquake debris and the airport was heavily damaged. There is an urgency to move quickly before unrest strikes Haiti.

My heart is heavy for the people of Haiti and I have made a commitment to do what I can to help. I have listed a few organizations below that have relief efforts in place and where one can make a donation to help. I know there are many other organizations that are helping in the relief effort and feel free to leave a link in the comments section if you'd like.

Soles4Souls

Campus Crusade

Compassion International

The Red Cross

You can also visit my friend Sherri at Matter of Fact, and read her post on Hope For Haiti.


*AP Photo

Another Form of Lust

Maybe we're not lusting after something we don't have, but something we wish we didn't.

It was one of those thoughts that crept into my mind as I was driving in my car and heading nowhere in particular. I tend to do that. Put the car in drive, turn on the radio and get to where I'm going without much recollection of actually getting there. Perhaps it's because I've been too preoccupied lately with what life has dealt or maybe it's because I'm too preoccupied with trying to forget what life has dealt.

Lust is defined many ways, including: to yearn, crave or hunger for. As I mulled that thought over in my head, I wondered if we can lust, crave, or hunger for something we have to go away. An problem, a situation, maybe even a person or a habit. If we strongly desire something out of our lives does that constitute some form of lust?

What are your thoughts?

For more of Bridget Chumbleys One Word blog carnival please visit her blog and check out what other's are saying about this weeks word, lust.

The New Year List

Most people think of the New Year as a chance to start over and make their list of resolutions. I've never been one to make resolutions simply because I can never keep them. But, I'm approaching this new year a bit differently than past years and have decided to throw caution to the wind and make a list of things I want to do. I thought I'd share that list with you:

I'm going to make sure I look inside my heart and follow it.



I'm going to take some chances.



I'm going to be more free-spirited.



I'm going to spend more time with my buds.



I'm going to keep looking up even when things become a little gloomy.



I'm going to take a road trip. Choices....





I'm going to jump for joy (yes, I'm in there).



I'm going to tackle the big stuff.



I'm going to play more in my backyard.



I'm going to enjoy the simple things.



So, here's looking at you kid, and wishing you a very blessing filled 2010.

Love Out of the Box

Perhaps everyone has their own definition of what the word love means to them and it's possible that it is misused and probably overused in describing every day things. While I'm sure I throw the word love around rather carelessly, I don't like the thought of putting love in a box to only be used in describing how I feel towards someone. So, here are my out-of-the-box thoughts on what I think love is.


Love Is...

Waking up to the beauty of a sunrise.



And witnessing that same beauty in a sunset.



Love Is...

Your childhood memories.



And your children's childhood memories.



Love Is...

Finding your passion.



Love Is...

Feeling drawn to a place,



no matter what the season.



Love Is...

Letting the underdog win, just because.



Love Is...

Being in a place that brings you great peace.



Love Is...

Immediate family.



And extended family.



Love Is...

Life long friends.



Love Is...

Acting like a kid again.



Love Is...

Reflecting His majesty.



Love Is...

Never forgetting



the great price that's been paid.



Love Is...

Forgiving others for their mistakes.



Love Is...

The smile of a child.



Love Is...

Hanging out together.



Is it so small a thing
To have enjoy'd the sun,
To have lived light in the spring,
To have loved, to have thought, to have done...

Matthew Arnold

Touching Souls

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls.” (Mother Teresa)

Two weeks after I graduated from high school I left the logging, ski bum town of 18,000 in which I'd been raised and headed across the country to live near Washington, DC. Culture shock doesn't begin to describe what I experienced but at 18 years old I was extremely fearless and spent every free moment I had exploring the city. I loved the history and the old buildings, wandering through the Smithsonians, visiting the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, going to Arlington Cemetery and sitting up at the Iwo Jima memorial at night to look out over the nation's capital and to watch the stars.

I explored Georgetown, Alexandria, the huge mall at Tyson's corner (our 'big' mall consisted of JC Penneys, KMart and a few mom and pop places)in which my love affair with Neiman Marcus began and the rural roads of Virginia. I ventured into Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio (to visit my grandma), and as far down as the southern states of Alabama and Florida.

While I didn't mind my time in the city, it was the quiet out-of-the-way places that interested me most. I loved getting in my car, turning on the radio and just driving to wherever the road lead.

I've lived in several places besides my hometown in Oregon that ranged in population from 350,000+ down to a tiny town of 217 where the pheasants out numbered the people. I've lived in towns at the base of the Rockies in Colorado, the Big Horn mountains of Wyoming, the coast of northern Georgia and on the Potomac River in Virginia. And of everywhere I've lived my favorite places are the small towns tucked in the mountains where the woods are just a few steps from my front door.

I don't know of any greater peace in life than being the one soul out on a trail surrounded by old growth pine trees and hearing the silence broken only by the breeze as it gently blows through the forest. Or walking beside the river and watching the small ripples form as it flows lazily along. For the most part, my footsteps on the trail, the click of my camera and the sound of my breathing are all I hear.

I honestly don't know how anyone hears God in chaos but I suppose there are those that do. I know for myself that I have never been able to. I guess I should be able to hear God speak to me anywhere, whether in the middle of a big city surrounded by noisy traffic and throngs of people or on the side of a mountain all by myself.

But there is one place that my heart truly longs for and where my soul finds peace. And that place is in nature.

Christmas Glow

Christmas Glow
Photo by Annie K



I know I've been somewhat remiss about posting here but come on over to my photo blog for a visit and see what I've been up to there.