Alaska

This summer, Blair and I had the opportunity to travel to Alaska with a mission group from our church.  We went to work at a children's music and arts camp.  

Sitting here back at home a week later, I still can't wrap my head around the majesty that is so prevalent in Alaska's landscape.  I also can't even begin to fathom how dire the need of a Savior is among it's people.

              "As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God." Psalm 42:1

"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."  Isaiah 55:12

"Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains into singing!  For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted."  Isaiah 49:13

 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."  Psalm 23:1-3

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"  Psalm 8:9

"I lift my eyes up to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."  Psalm 121:1-2

"Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.  Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever." Psalm 111:2-3

"Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends for the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgements are like the great deep, man and beast you save, O LORD.  How precious is your steadfast love, O God!  The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings."  Psalm 36:5-7

Visiting Alaska was truly a remarkable experience and being allowed to get to know some of it's people a true privilege.  I could never come up with enough words to adequately describe our experience there.  I consider it an honor that I was was chosen to witness God's mighty hand move in powerful ways.

Morning

Early morning sky

Although the sun has come up

I can see the moon

Friday Photo

Splish.  Splash.  Jump!

 It's raining at my house.

I don't think I really need the umbrella.

Can I put it down, Mama?

I like to play when it's raining outside.

There are so many fun things to do!

You can jump in puddles.

Watch me!

I can jump really high.

You can swim around with my plastic fish.

I'll share it with you, if you like.

You can yell alot, too, because no one else is outside.

I could reach up to the clouds if I were a little taller.  One day, I'll be tall like Daddy.

But for now, I'll just be small and play in the rain.

 

A Late Summer Backyard

Well, at least his arms and face are safe.

More Gardening

It's time to start thinking about what we want to put in our autumn garden this year.  Last year we let it slip by us completely, and I set my mind that I would not do that again.  We want to set out broccoli, cauliflower, kale, butternut squash, and acorn squash.  It's still about four weeks too early for most of it, but I did need to get my broccoli seeds started in the house now.  Last year, I marked this on Pinterest as an idea for starting plants inside.  It's an experiment, and if it fails, I guess I'll be buying broccoli plants in a few weeks.  Here's to optimism!  

Catching Up

This first trimester has been quite rough.  Not as bad as it was with Noah, but still plenty miserable.  There's been much laying around doing nothing around here lately because of that (and the insane heat).  This past Wednesday, though, I hit the second trimester, and I can feel myself beginning to pull out of this sick haze.  Noah and I have been a bit busier, mostly in the mornings, and it feels good to get something accomplished during the day.

I actually took this about several days ago.  It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's actually a double rainbow.

He's become quite the little tomato picker.  

Filling it Out

Well, I haven't quite accomplished everything on my list for the front porch yet, but I'm getting there!  Those ferns were buy one get one free at the school where Mr. Chadwick teaches, and I just couldn't pass that up!

Growing and Greening