Joyful Celebrations

Lots of activity at the Reinke homestead this week. Dennis spoiled me rotten on my birthday, which was Thursday.  Starbucks' mocha, flowers, breakfast at Meadow Mountain Cafe in Allenspark and a driving tour of the area.  We stopped at a friend's antique shop, then saw Herman at the beautiful Fawnbrook Inn, where we were married on Valentine's Day.  Herman's the chef, and owner along with his wife Meeka. The inn's gardens are in full bloom now.  Hummingbirds everywhere. Breathtaking.

After our Allenspark tour we drove back to Estes Park and spent a couple of hours hitting the thrift shops.  This was completely my idea.  I love thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, Craig's List -- any place where I can find a bargain.  After our shopping spree we enjoyed ice cream cones and a little relaxing back home.  The finale was dinner at The Dunraven Inn owned by Dale and Laurel Hatcher.  Dale sang happy birthday to me when we entered the restaurant.  That was fun.  Dennis had cioppino and I ordered the pesto with grilled shrimp.  Wonderful food, great service and birthday spumoni on the house.  It doesn't get any better than that.

The Scandinavian Festival is taking place in Estes Park this weekend.  Dennis and I purchased four handwoven rugs from Donna Erickson of Kangas Weaving.  I hesitate to use the term "rag rugs", as although these beauties are made from recycled material, they are far from typical rag rugs.  They are tightly woven, high quality works of art.  Donna and her mother Margaret were kind enough to pose with Dennis for this snapshot.  Gotta love cell phones with cameras. -- NR

Good Intentions

Michael Lane writes in his thought provoking devotional You Never Thoroughly Intended It:

"I'm busy! I have work to do! I'm tired! Wrap the excuse any way you wish and surround it by any reason you like. When you unwrap it, what you will find inside every time is the same basic truth. You don't intend to have a better relationship with Jesus. 

The relationship you have with Jesus is exactly the one you want to have. When you want to have a closer, deeper relationship with Him, you will. Nothing in this world can prevent it."

Lane's words struck a nerve.  Do I want a closer, deeper relationship with Jesus?  I believe that I do desire this. Yet, if I'm honest with myself I have to admit that I don't always pursue my relationship with the Lord in a way that reflects my desire.  As a writer I'm much too eager to jump into the day with hands poised on the keyboard, rather than giving first priority to Bible reading and prayer.  And I have to wonder how much more of an impact my writing would have if Jesus had first place.

So, okay.  Now that I've written this down and published it, I'm accountable to all of you reading this as well as accountable to the Lord Jesus to put my good intentions into action.  "Nothing in this world can prevent it."

Joyfully giving Jesus all the glory!

--NR

Adam's Rib

Dennis and I met last October through an online Christian dating service. He wrote in his profile, "I want a wife that I can cherish as Christ loved the church". Those words hit me hard.  Christ loved the church so much that He gave His very life for it. If Dennis desired to love his wife that way, then he was a man I wanted to know.

It didn't take long for me to realize that Dennis is an honest man and that every word he wrote is true. In this joyful altitude where we live he delivers on that promise every day. I've never felt more loved or cherished in my life.  

This Matthew Henry quote came across my laptop screen today:

"The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him; but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved."

I am equal with my husband and he treats me as such. But he also protects and loves me. A wonderful combination.

--NR

Change is Good

Most of today has been spent revamping my blog.  From purchasing my own domain name to changing the template and layout, everything is new.  This is a much needed change and motivation for me to continue blogging.  The Be Joyful Always tile is a photo Dennis took on one of our recent walks.  It is from a collage of tiles made by Estes Park students that adorns the pedestrian tunnel entry at the end of Riverwalk.  I'd love to give credit to the artist, but he or she is unknown to me.  Perhaps someone who visits my blog will recognize the tile and clue me in on the artist's name.  In the meantime, the befitting tile will remain a permanent fixture on my blog and is the inspiration for the new look.  There will be additional changes over the next few weeks, including new pages.  Watch for a posting of chapter one from the novel I'm writing.  The working title is Breakfast at the Aurora Borealis Cafe.

--NR