Loving Arms

There's something about this picture that comforts me.

Solid

Warm

Home

Like being held in a loving father's arms.

I took this photo of my husband's studio

on October 5th 

after a light dusting of snow.

It was the first snow of the season.
No snowfall since.

It's so dry here. 

We badly need moisture.

A fire started October 9 in nearby 
Rocky Mountain National Park.
and has burned over 3,000 acres. 

It's 88% contained now.

We were under pre-evacuation notice for awhile. 

One structure was lost in the Park.

No lives were lost. 

Thank God for that.

Now my mind shifts to another barrenness;
A dryness of the soul.
 I think about the grieving in Newtown, Connecticut.

And I pray that my Heavenly Father will quench those 

thirsty

grieving

hearts

as only He can.

That He will hold them in His loving arms.

Life is fragile.

So 

fragile.

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end

    and the number of my days;

    let me know how fleeting my life is.

You have made my days a mere handbreadth;

    the span of my years is as nothing before You.

Everyone is but a breath,

    even those who seem secure."

Psalm 39:4-5

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Today I'm sharing with

Morning Orange

Photo taken at The Fawnbrook Inn, Allenspark, CO August 25, 2012

"Orange is the happiest color" -- Frank Sinatra

"May God give you heaven’s dew

    and earth’s richness —

    an abundance of grain and new wine."

Genesis 27:28

Linking up with 

Macro Monday

Inspire Me Monday Week #34

Mountain Song

I took this photo on Trail Ridge 
last week when we drove with friends 
from our home in Estes Park to 
Grand Lake for dinner. 
It reminds me of this psalm:


Psalm 121

A Song of Ascents

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.


The Lord is my constant joy and inspiration.




Linking up with
Weekly Top Shot
Inspire Me Monday

The Light of the World

A cross stands on the mountain behind our cabin.

High above us,

A symbol of triumphant love.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

John 8:12

May your day be blessed with His Light. 
Nancy

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Love Is

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; 

love does not brag and is not arrogant,

does not act unbecomingly; 

it does not seek its own, 

is not provoked, 

does not take into account a wrong suffered, 

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, 

but rejoices with the truth; 

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, 

endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4

May love fill your heart today.

Nancy

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Thursday Challenge

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Gentle Comfort

So many of our friends are in the midst of trials right now: the loss of loved ones or illness,  financial difficulties or broken relationships. These images and thoughts are especially for those who are hurting today. May God's love light shine on you and give you strength and comfort.

"Beautiful light is born of darkness, so the faith that springs from conflict is often the strongest and the best." -- R. Turnbull

It was a happy thought to bring 
To the dark season's frost and rime 
This painted memory of spring, 
This dream of summertime.

John Greenleaf Whitter -- From his poem "Flowers in the Winter"

As lilies fair from the foul mud grow, 
So oft it is with good men below;
In daily life they absorb the pure,
And the adverse elements endure;
And rise, through grace, to a higher sphere,
Their hearts in heaven, and their root down here.

Joseph Horatio Chant from his poem "Water Lily"
Watercolor by artist Dennis Reinke

Nancy

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What's to Love About Raymond

"Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius." -- Pietro Aretino

Several Sundays ago Dennis and I took a drive from Allenspark to Lyons along the St. Vrain River. This route took us through Raymond, which is called a town but is really just a small roadside country store and several miles of private cabins and ranches. In my humble opinion Raymond is a hamlet -- not a town. Besides I like to use the word "hamlet". It sounds so. . . quaint.


The sky was clear and the temperature mild, making it a great day to take photos.

This ranch gate caught my eye. Look at that shocking blue sky.

Beyond the ranch entrance. (I wonder. . . what's behind the trees?)

Red berries framed by a rustic fence. Charming, no?

I see this cabin and imagine a roaring fire, hot chocolate and a good book.

I'd like to have a wagon like this one on our homestead.

And maybe an old truck, too.

Dried flowers in the snow fascinate me.

I love this scene. So serene.

"Out of the south comes the storm, And out of the north the cold. 

From the breath of God ice is made,

And the expanse of the waters is frozen."

 Job 37:9-10 

Nancy

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