and the award goes too...

ok so i know it's not the most flattering picture..

but after driving in 100 degree heat with

no air through south dakota you try to be gorgeous.

what i DO like about this particular picture is that it's filled

filled to the brim with the personalities of my world changers.

and that makes me happy. because acting like you love the badlands

apparently isn't high priority for anyone in this pic but me.

so i win the award! YEAH!!! i LOVE to Win!!

giants.

they represent the big giants in our lives.

the things that either we rejoiced about or the things that broke us.

they represent how we were morphing into what God wants us to be.

they represent hard and open, soul searching conversations.

times that i live to love and hate at the same time.

there is something freeing in knowing that there are people

who know everything about you and love you as much as you love them.

they sit on tables, on car dashes, or perhaps in a purse.

but they also sit in the heart.

for the encouragement that was given, and felt goes both ways.

and i would give up almost anything

to not miss a night with

my groupies.

~~~~~~~~~

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

before.

i should have rethought today's happyday activity. yes, it was fun AND messy, but maybe i should have tried to work with the project materials (quick set concrete) before i was in front of 11 littles playing.. either way, i have to remind myself that it was fun, and a learning experience.. i just kick myself when i'm not as prepared as i could be.. yah that's a confession... when will i learn?

i just love this shot of these too little guys.. truely in the moment of creating something beautiful. maybe i'm too hard on myself.. (i can just hear your head noddin miss holly) so maybe before getting all pent up about something not going as planned.. i'll think about the fun and the mess as another opportnity for fun and mess to help someone have a happyday!!

we did read an excellent storybook about dogs.. the illustrations in the book are amaxing!!

Lost and Found: Three Dog Stories

by Jim LeMarche

the Path.

walking the straight and narrow path is easy at Yellowstone.

there is never any question in the way you should go.

so why is the conversation while you walk on this path

so full of how the many ways you should be able to get off the path?

it's so tempting. to step off.

but while you concentrate on ways you can step off the path....

there is a whole host of beauty around you if you only trust the Pathmaker.

stay on the Path.

be encouraged to look up and out at the beautiful things He has given you

and forget about the many ways you can fall off, go astray..

there is comfort in knowing the Pathmaker has made a way for you...

if you only step out.. He will make your path straight so you can enjoy the view.

J.J.A.C.S a few E's and Pastor T.

two years ago today changed my life, and i

wouldn't go back to my old life for a bazillion dollars.

for a host of reasons.. but the main one???... friends.

the ones that stick by you even when your ugly insides come out.

the ones that trust and i trust them

the ones who laugh with me not at me

the ones who forgive and really do forget

the ones that give you a chance to become something more.

the ones that pray with you and for you

the ones that model a relationship with God that inspires.

if i wasn't "flippant and insubordinate" you would have never become so important in my life, and for that i'm very very very thankful to a God that knew i needed you all in my life.