tic toc, tic toc

only 18 more days!!!!

sometimes i wonder

so i'm sitting in a meeting in Milwaukee yesterday afternoon with all the techno-babble you'd ever want to listen to. after a while it just sounded like blah, blah, blah to me. then i started thinking, "what am i doing?" a thousand miles away from anyone i love or really care about. another day is ticking by and i haven't kissed my wife. i haven't hugged my son, daughter or son-in-law. i haven't chased or tickled my grand babies in weeks. i hate those moments. and for a fleeting moment i even imagined standing up and saying, "you know what, this just isn't that interesting to me." . . . and then walking out the door and heading to the airport. then someone said something in the meeting that must have gotten my attention. ugh! escape was so close!

a canvas in the sky

On Wednesday afternoon, June 2nd, a cloud formation on the east side of Longmont developed into this massive display. I raced home to get my camera just in time to capture the striking colors of the sunset bouncing off these monster thunderheads.

There were people all over the place standing outside watching this unfold and the photos can't really depict the moment. Standing there watching God paint this picture in the sky is something you won't quickly forget. And to think . . . the one who painted this knows my name and calls me friend. It's times like these when you can feel really, really small.


(The posted photo is actually two separate shots I put together. I needed to shoot one exposure for the clouds and another for the house.)

the boys are back in town!

together . . .

32 years ago today we embarked on a journey "together" that we never could have imagined. two young kids facing odds that most people would have walked away from. the twists and turns of life have challenged us all along the way. we have loved "together", suffered loss "together" and learned "together". but through every situation, "together" has been the constant. we were never meant to be anything other than "together". i'm so glad that you believe in me and have stood with me when others would have said goodbye. now, we reach another milestone on our journey and we will celebrate "together".

i love you . . . happy anniversary sweetheart!

if ever you worshiped

it wasn’t that long ago
you were a girl all alone
there was no way to know
how soon you’d have kids of your own

now you’re the first one awake
the last one asleep
cleaning and making your plans
and there are days when it feels
like there’s no time to pray
you wonder if God understands

but if ever you worshiped, it’s now
if ever you kept your vow
you may not understand how
but if ever you worshiped, it’s now

the memory of leaves in the fall
walking through canyons so tall
God was so close in it all
now your chance to worship seems small

you’re the first one to taste
but the last one to eat
when everyone goes their own way
and it’s your name that’s called
in the deep of the night
one more hour of sleep floats away

every shirt that you fold
every nose that you blow
is a gift to the Father above
every lunch that is made
every game that is played
is an offering of love

but if ever you worshiped, it’s now
if ever you kept your vow
you may not understand how
but if ever you worshiped, it’s now

Danny Oertli - Breathe It In
Watch the Video here: "

my favorite song

What can I say, what can I do
What can I bring to offer You
There is no gold, no precious pearl
Nothing on earth that compares to You
Lord, here I stand with empty hands

I will exalt the One who lifted me
Out of the miry clay to heights of eagle's wings
Words cannot express, all I know is this
You changed me!
I can remember how I used to be
I was so bound, but now I am free
I will exalt the One who lifted me!

I've never known a Father like You
A love that is strong, gentle and true
You draw me close, just like a child
Safe in Your arms there is no doubt
This is my place, this is the way!

CFNI: upsidedown