Remember This

Would we know that the major chords were sweet,

If there were no minor key?

Would the painter's work be fair to our eyes

Without shade on land or sea?

Would we know the meaning of happiness,

Would we feel that the day was bright,

If we'd never known what it was to grieve,

Nor gazed on the dark of knight?

   Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties~C.H. Spurgeon.

~Streams in the Desert, July 23~

The picture of Mary and Thomas was taken the morning we left the lodge.  We were all a bit sad, but Mary

took it the hardest.  Mom had to leave to drive to Ronan and Mary opened the gate for her.  When I glanced out the window I could see her slowly walking down the driveway.  When I met her at the door, big tears were streaming down her face. It was hard to see Nanna drive away.  They climbed up on the fence  for one last wave and this is where I found them.

I have to say my heart was heavy about leaving too. Our time in Montana had been wonderful and I was going to miss the peace that  I felt.  I know a lot of "hard" waits me at home.  The pain that my children are experiencing while Eric and I are separated wears on their little hearts and it shows.  This is one of the hardest things to watch.  Each one dealing in their own unique way.  I feel so sad when I think about them and their innocence in what is going on.  I want to take it away, fix things so they don't have to go through this time of uncertainty.  I love each one of them so much...my mama heart aches to do something to make this all go away.

And then today I read the above.  Maybe when this horror is all said and done wonderful things will greet us on the other side.  No actually slash the word MAYBE.  God promises over and over in the Bible and especially through stories of his faithfulness to men and women who became great warriors for him that good always is on the other side.  I know God is faithful and loving, that He won't give me more than I can handle and that includes raising up these beautiful little ones He has blessed me with. 

Lately, I have been struck with fear that grabs hold quickly and  keeps me from sleeping and sometime even from accomplishing much.  The "what if's" begin to consume me and I am left numb.  Today I was sharing this with a friend and she told me to declare out loud "Satan get behind me!"  Such a good idea.  She reminded me that God is a god of peace and love, not one that "helps" us to become fearful, numb, break out in a sweat, and unable to sleep.  So...here is to speaking Satan into his proper place and letting God do the encouraging!

Some pictures of beauty from Mom's and my trip to Kalispell...ALL BY OURSELVES, thanks Christian!



Mom's House

Unfortunately, our time in Missoula  was  limited during our stay in  Montana. Mom has done some great things to her little cottage since we were visiting in October...never took a "finished" picture of her beautiful kitchen.  All white with beautiful quartz tops and the most amazing sink you have ever seen.  I snapped some pics of her house. Below Carolina is checking out the flowers in Mom's backyard.

Here is one of my favorite pictures ever.  Mom holding me when I was a babe with that orange hair of mine. I think my mom is so beautiful and obviously in love with me and motherhood.

                  Here is a picture of  Katherine and me when she was about 4 years old. I can't believe she will be twelve in just a couple weeks. She is so beautiful inside and out!  Loved the time with her when this photo was taken.  She has always been pure joy!  I love how mom puts things around.  This frame is one of my favorites~square and silvery gold.  Love the flower just laying casually there with the picture.

One of my very favorite pictures of me and with the girls. We are going to see a play together~

"The Sound of Music"  Love that mom has this sitting near the above pictures. Fun to see the generations together. On the bookcase sits a darling black and white picture of my grandmother Genevieve (my mom's mom). Mary's middle name is Genevieve after her.

I just love to go to my mom's house.  It is so much fun to slowly look around at all the cute

 things she has tucked here and there.  She has such a way of making her home

cozy and inviting and full of beautiful things.

Here is the built in book shelf that holds so many dear pictures of our family.

Another built in area at the foot of the staircase.  The gold, oval frame

holds a beautiful picture of Mom and the three older girls.

Here is a picture of Mom's living room.  The "French Girl" painting that sits over her fireplace is amazing.  Mom paid a lot for her and treasures her and the beautiful gold frame.  She bought the painting back east and had it shipped out to California.  Katherine wants it when Mom is gone....we'll see about that!

Another built in....this one in her kitchen hold her beautiful blue and yellow dishes and

 her collections of hotel silver, simon pierce and other interesting things.

Here is her wood island.  Love this little pine cabinet with a picture of Christian and Elizabeth

on the day she was dedicated and turned one. 

 The collection of pictures I believe are from England.

One last picture mom has had framed for a number of years in a frame I gave her....here Katherine is looking down at sweet Lizzy who happens to be smilin away at the camera. I believe they are about 3 1/2 and 6ish.  Notice the little nest propped up against the frame.  Mom is famous for collecting eggs from various nests around the lodge. 

I am going to try hard to patiently bug Christian to email me some pics of

Mom's kitchen....stunning!  Mom did such a good job picking out the flour, counters, and sink!

Gratitude Amongst the Beauty

the list continues.....counting my way to 1000 gifts!

#281 a dramatic storm on the lake!

#282 enjoying the view from this cabin

#283 these awesome candles mom is carrying in the gift shop

they smell so good and they have a cute book of matches tucked into the lid.

I enjoy the creativeness and overall design on the packaging and oh my goodness, one is burning

in the gift shop as I work and it is AMAZING!

#284 the newly stocked gift shop at the lodge, it was fun

to work with mom to organize the backroom

#285 thankful to have the opportunity to make my first cake with a little help from mom,

here it is on the bar ready to be served to guests. I am not a big cake person, but this recipe rocks!

Thank you Ina Garten! (wink! wink!)

#286 enjoying watching these deer each evening just steps away from



Christian's cabin

#287 the beauty of the Swan Mts across the lake and the ever changing

scenes that the weather brings.  When this picture was taken the lake looked like

an angry sea with white caps. The next morning the lake was as smooth as glass!

#288 happy moments reading Lassie Come Home together with all five gathered around...

#289 thankful that Mom and Katherine are safe after hitting a deer this morning. It

could have been such a different outcome.

#290 a relaxing afternoon with friends who came to the lodge...kids had a wonderful time with

their twin boys who are 9yrs.  They canoed and played by the lake while we

sipped iced coffees.

Life Around the Lodge

two amazing sights~the lilacs bloomed late this year so we are still enjoying them
all around the lodge and lots of swallowtales are fluttering around

tommy loves being in the water~clothes, shoes and all, an almost daily occurrance

christian built a fire the other night

what fun to just hang out with our hot drinks and talk
after a long day of working.....

miss lizzy always loves being in montana and

thrives being outdoors for the majority

of the day as all the kiddos do

the dining room was beautiful for the first wedding of the season

with all the lilacs on the table

I have been reading out of "Streams in the Desert" most days.  It

always seems to be what I need to hear or the encouragement I need

at the time.  I love how God does that, puts situations in my path or people or

words that remind me that he is faithful and with me each step of the way.

I can easily start worrying about each individual child and their future which truly can make

me neurotic or I can focus on today, the needs for today, pray for them and leave it up to Someone

with a whole lot more experience who loves them even more than I do! Sheesh...it sounds so simple!

Why do I have to make it so stinkin difficult then?  Probably for some of the same reasons

Thomas chooses everyday to be naughty....WE ARE SINFUL CREATURES IN NEED OF A SAVIOR!

Why do I so so so so SO easily fall into the trap of thinking the weight of the world is on MY shoulders?

When will I learn that He wants to lighten my load?  I am reminded of the verses in Matthew 11....

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and

 LEARN from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Awesome.....after writing and thinking and reading the above verse I already feel more at peace.

I know I am a SLOW LEARNER, but so glad the Teacher is patient!

Time to be off to bed.........

 

Holland Lake Falls~

Yesterday we hiked to the falls for the first time this trip.  It was a gorgeous day, even felt a bit too warm.  The mountains were indescribable.  All I could think of was Psalms 121...."the earth is the Lords and the fullness there of".  The wildflowers were abundant all along the hike.  The twins did great too despite Thomas falling a couple times. 

an awesome reflection on our way up the trail

                                                          carolina with the wildflowers

The Mission Mountains reflected in the Lake

The kiddos at the top with Wanda

beautiful views all the way down the trail

Thomas and Carolina are great little hikers. They sang all the way down (didn't want them to know but i was trying to

have us make as much noise as possible to warn any grizzlies that we were coming~

this area happens to be the gateway where the bears cross the valley!!! )

and talked about what they wanted to eat for lunch.  Eating is a really big part of

our time here at the lodge!  Hoping to get up to the falls often.  It's such a good hike!

Montana

Holland Lake

Montana

We arrived safely in Montana!  After such a crazy two weeks, driving actually felt like a breeze.  I hate the feeling that things are just out of control busy all around me, but that pretty much describes life leading up to our departure on Monday! 

Pictures of our trip...California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho and finally Montana!!!

This trip I think I appreciated the beauty of Utah more than I have before. Sounds weird to even say that, but I am a lover of green, with lots of trees and I find hot weather torturious. Bring on the cool, mild temps and I am one happy camper.  Needless to say, I think my thoughts turned to the awesomeness of God in creating such vast differences in our world.  I can finally appreciate and respect the beauty of Utah.  Would I choose to spend time there? Nope, passing through is just grand!

Especially, knowing BEAUTIFUL MONTANA is waiting for us at the end.

Packing up the car after our stay in Fillmore, Utah.

My four fellow travelers! Awesome travelers that they are....

They made the trip fun by keeping a good attitude, singing with Dolly Parton when

I would get sleepy and listening to great stories.

This amazing story helped us pass the time!

Highly recommended....

What is it about Montana, but as soon as our drive took us into Montana, we all felt peace and enjoyed just staring out the window at the beauty!

Holland Lake Lodge

It is so so so good to be here at my brother's lodge.  It has rained off and on since we arrived last night.  Everything is very green and lush and smells so fresh and clean.  I never get tired of going out on the point in front of the lodge and looking at the beautiful mountains in either direction.  The weather can literally change in a matter of minutes around here.  Just tonight as I walked the exhausted children back to the cabin to tuck them into bed, one of them exclaimed "Look, the sun has finally come out, but only on the lake".  Sure enough the water looked all shimmery and beautiful, but where we were standing in the trees it seemed to be getting dark already!  Awesome!!!!

Here are just a few things we managed to do before we left....
1. Lots of piano recitals.
2. End of the year pool parties for all the kids
3. Katherine's promotion from 5th grade
4. The twins birthday...they are five now!
5. A couple field trips
6. Helping with the flowers for a wedding
7. I had a lovely root canal
8. Visiting with a number of friends we won't see for at least five weeks
9. Preparing our home and garden for our departure

  We are enjoying just being here at the lodge.  Kids are playing outside most of the day, I have had a chance to read, all slept in this morning, and kids are getting a chance to work!  Katherine worked in the afternoon and evening~doing dishes, setting the dining room up for dinner, filling waters, Lizzy worked for nearly three hours cleaning cabins and the lodge.  It is good to see the kids work hard!

We gathered out by the lake for worship today.

Loved looking up from reading and seeing the twins chilling

on this big rock trying to follow along in their Bibles.