Move Your Mountains

Often times you hear people say, you cannot give what you don’t have. Or maybe, you can’t promise to give what you have not yet received. People often speak of this referencing love. When I was given the most generous invitation to come out to Colorado and stay in my sweet friend’s house, I knew it would be special. I knew I’d receive so many gifts and blessings. My heart had no idea what was waiting for me. 

You cannot look in any given direction and not be blown away. I’ve never taken a drug in my life but this must be what it’s like. You are absolutely dumbfounded by what you’re looking at. My heart was literally beating out of my chest as I tried to take it all in. It’s as though you’re in a dream, it just doesn’t seem real. When you’re witnessing it, God seems to remove your daily hurried lens and gives you lenses that view this world in technicolor! There are fields of the most beautiful wild grasses that grow without abandon. There are the rustic pine trees that offer buffet style dining for the squirrels daily. The army of aspens and their gorgeous golden wardrobe, it’s like fashion week in Paris for the trees here!

 All of it nestled by the majesty of the mountains. They are so massive. The mountains are reminiscent of protectors of this beautiful land. It’s as if God told them you will protect everything with your size, you will create boundaries, you will offer a place of refuge for the animals, you will give people a chance to climb you and remind them just how small everything is when you see the view from the top. The mountains remind me of anchors for our soul. They are so strong, so sure, so true. 

What’s so amazing is that Jesus never said you have to have the faith of a mountain but rather the faith of a mustard seed to move a mountain. Isn’t that something folks…so counter cultural! If you have the faith of this tiny little seed you can tell the massive mountain to move and it will move! In life, how many things are really the size of a mustard seed and we give them permission to be the size of mountains in our lives. We give these obstacles permission to be our boundaries. We look at life as if we are surrounded and there is no way out because to climb them seems insurmountable. And so, we create our own little towns in the valleys of our lives when we actually are meant to be at the top of the mountain! 

Today, I had plans to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, but as my day began the Lord had other plans. So I traveled West to Leadville. I met the sweetest woman there, a shop owner. She was kind and welcoming, as are most of the people I’ve encountered here. She shared her story with me and how she arrived in Leadville. Like most of the other people I’ve met, she simply followed her heart. As I began my drive back, I thought I’d stop back through Salida. There I had the privilege of meeting Maggi Kelly. This woman has a heart as big as Texas as she welcomes people in. Not to mention, her boutique has the super cutest clothes! Maggi and I hit if off like timeless friends. We exchanged stories. We cried together. We laughed together. We were kindred spirits that simply had never met. She has the most precious soul. So inspiriting and so loving. 

There are the sweet friends I met at Amica’s , the most yummy restaurant in downtown. There’s the great folks I met at Safeway, the local grocery store. The waitress at the Patio Pancake House. This world is so big friends and yet just one touch, one smile, one moment to actually notice someone else—I’m convinced it’s why we’re all here. We get the opportunity to learn from one another, to grieve together, to celebrate together, to hope together. We get to be community only separated by zip codes but not by spirit. 

To put a bow on this journal entry, one of the greatest gifts I received in this journey—pure love. As our Great Creator showed me His love through the beauty and wonder of this magical place, I in turn could give that to others. I took time to slow down. I took time to see with the eyes of my heart. I recovered a piece of my heart that was waiting for me here. No longer will I perceive my world to be confined by the “mountains” I see. There’s so much more waiting to be explored one part of our journey at a time. 

I'm Going Through A Season...

Just read on twitter the Colorado photographer’s here are so surprised by the fall foliage. They can’t understand why the leaves are peaking so early this year. They say that the color is what is typical for October but most believe they peaked on Monday of this week. I spoke with photographers just today and he said, "the leaves were green up until Saturday and suddenly they went into fast forward!" Didn’t they know I was coming this week for my very first trip to Colorado and our Creator would not let me be disappointed. On my drive to Aspen yesterday, it seemed as though with every inch of the miles I drove, the leaves got brighter and brighter.

As I look out from the back deck to the beautiful mountains there is more gold today. There is more fiery orange nestled in too. it makes me realize the wonder of that community of trees. How amazing is it that nature realizes it’s perfect timing? The trees all transition together in such harmony. That’s what makes a strong community. That is the power of a tenacious team. That is what is unquestionable unity. You see when we look at the mountainside, we would not notice one lone tree. No matter how incredible it’s color, it would not stand out. But, when you have an army of aspens…you swear the trees are tinged with real gold they glow so beautifully. 

As I sat and rocked in the comfy rocking chairs built for two, I realized something. As the seasons transition here, nature understands it must give up something to gain something. The fall leaves are spectacular. They’re color so rich and vibrant, colors you won’t find in a 64 count box of crayons. But graciously, they shed these beautiful garments to flow into the barrenness of winter. Soon, only their trunks will remain and their branches will become resting places for the new fallen snow. The green lush grass will become dry and brown and will hibernate under the crisp pristine winter wonderland. 

Then it hit me. So often we as humans like to say "we’re going through a “season” right now. Which typically means we’re transitioning or being stretched in some way. I’ve said it before myself. But perhaps there’s something to learn from nature. If we are ready to receive a new season in our lives, are we willing to lay something down to receive it? So often I know I can be stubborn. I want to change the channel for my life but I want to hold onto everything exactly as it is. Give me more but don’t take anything away! I’ve learned this week from the rhythm of nature, that’s just not how it works friends. Our plates our only so big, so if we want that extra helping of “relationship” then we’ve got to get rid of some of the things on our calendar. If we want an additional side of solitude, then we have to be willing to let go of the bread of busy. i don’t know about you but I can lather me up some busy with lots of butter and enjoy it just fine not being aware of how much I’ve eaten! 

Well friends, two more days here and my moose has been playing hard to get! Until next time...

Making the best of life

This trip has taught me so much. From the moment I told my 83 yr old momma I was coming, she said she wished with all her heart she could come along with me. But the next thing she said was even more profound. She said, "I'm so glad you didn't turn out the way we raised you. I've never done anything like that in my life and now I'm in my last years. All I can do is make the best of it." My mother's statement shook me to the core and warmed my heart all at the same time.

 You see fear was a huge presence in our home. We were raised to be afraid of everything and anything that could possibly happen. The result? A very limited confined life. I used to own a lot of real estate in the community of Much Afraid. Pretty sure I was the HOA president! Twenty years ago I was diagnosed as an agoraphobe. I could not leave my home let alone meet new people and certainly not venture across the country solo to a place I've never been. But life is a great teacher if we agree to the syllabus. Thankfully we have an author and perfecter with other plans for our lives. I think where we sometimes go wrong is believing that we can't live with passion and desire. We do what my mother has done most of her life settle in and "just make the best of it”. 

This trip has taught me that is not the case friends. There is a journey that awaits full of twists and turns, excitement and intrigue and yes even lots of passion and desire. Do we dare to allow ourselves to experience it? There’s a song by One Republic, it’s aptly called, “I lived”. The chorus of this song says, “I owned every minute that this world could give and with every broken bone, I swear I lived.” I love that. We have to live and we have to “own” every minute or we allow fear to tell us how small the cell will be that will be our confinement of contentment. 

Today, I drove to Aspen. It was the most incredible drive through the mountains. And when I say through the mountains, I’m talking about switchbacks, no rail and only 1 car can go at a time. The fun thing was there were certain points where you couldn’t see around the corner. Best you could do was hope that there was no one else coming at the same time you were. I laughed to myself as I considered the definition of faith- faith is what we hope for but cannot see….just like this road.

 A few months ago, if someone had told me that this week I’d be in Colorado having the most amazing time, that’d be hard to believe but I would have hoped it were true. It has been my dream for quite some time to come to Colorado, for years in fact. The reality is I never believed it back then. Let me clarify, I didn’t believe it for me. Truth be told, I probably wasn’t in a place to receive such a gift. The point is, whatever your heart longs for, whatever your dream is, whatever makes you come alive—don’t stop believing for it! 

My son and I talked about this just yesterday. We discussed how most people that really don’t believe in a higher power or aren’t spiritual might say there is no such thing as fate, but merely coincidence. I don’t believe that’s true at all. I believe fate is that there is a larger plan, a specific purpose, dreams waiting to be fulfilled for our lives but that’s only the first half of it. The second half of it is believing it will come true. I have always resonated with mountains, rivers, trees and all that this rustic place offers. Going to Aspen today, I received so many of those gifts along the way. Sceneries that words cannot do justice. Friends, don’t let fear keep you from experiencing life, don’t just make the best of it. Live!

Follow The Yellow Brick Road

As I look out the windows of this amazing mountain hideaway, the sun plays hide and seek with the clouds. Today the Aspen trees look as if God hit the “enhance color” button on his iPhone! They are absolutely glowing today. If you look in the mountains long enough, it’s as though the yellow brick road runs through it and Oz is somewhere at the top of the peaks. 

Yesterday, I had the chance to venture into town. Quaint and charming are the words that come to mind. The locals are so welcoming. They were happy to help this crazy woman who said y’all and asked for sweet tea—which apparently didn’t make it as a staple in the diet here. The shops in the town were full of local artisans, people that understand their connection to the earth here and all that it offers.

 Of course I took the chance to sit down with people and ask them about what drew them here, how long had they been here, are they still stunned by the beauty this paradise brings? Most people said they came to visit and fell in-love with it. They found so much joy and freedom here, they could not imagine leaving it behind. I can completely understand that. 

Colorado has a way of mesmerizing you with it’s beauty. It draws you in and refreshes your soul quenching your need for peace and solitude. Coming here is as if the busy clock stops ticking and there is only time for deep slow breaths of the crisp clean air. Your schedule ceases to be the driver of your day and graciously agrees to be put on hold indefinitely. 

As I hiked today, I was reminded that the world is three dimensional and it is round! The world is not flat and you don’t fall off if you travel too far, so why do we fill our minds with those fables? The earth is gritty and wonderful. It gently offers the richness of it’s soil to the trees and the wildflowers. It beckons us to come explore, to come and taste the goodness. It promises it will not disappoint. If you’re like me friends, your palette is in desperate need of a new flavor for your life. One that your heart says has been there all along, you just have to quiet yourself long enough to find it. 

Time For Rest

If you've never had the opportunity to visit Colorado, you are missing out! Especially this time of year, nature it seems is transitioning into rest mode. The mountains are soaking up the healing mist their creator made to wash over them gently spritzing them with love. They proudly display pockets of gold where the Aspens on cue know it's their time to shine. In fact all the trees are loving their new palette of fiery reds, glistening golds and bursts of orange. They swear they're all falls and wish they could wear these year round. 

The rivers are rustling with excitement knowing they too get to relax. Humans won't be enjoying the ride they offer for a while, they get to let their hair down and run briskly kissing the rocks as they flow through, enjoying their journey. The animals play in the fields of gold, knowing the cooler weather is upon them. The wind will begin gently blowing whispers of what is to come, reminding them to forage and settle in comfortably. Yes, this place embodies the verse "even the rocks cry out" wander through the amazing terrain here and you'll swear that they do. 

I began having dreams of this place even before I knew I would be privileged to come here. As I approached, driving in from Texas, I felt like I was coming home. It was as if I was returning to a place my spirit has known forever. I was awestruck by the majesty the mountains command. In-love with the trees that establish communities of themselves. Amazed by the beauty this place freely shares with all those longing for a taste.

 Here, I find rest. I find freedom. I feel all the little things I make big things out of just dissipate and wash away with the healing rains falling on the cabin's roof. My spirit feels so connected to the earth, it's as though my heart beats with each movement of the playful leaves in the wind. And then there's the clarity of thought, the silencing of the world to hear. 

Just as nature obediently transitions so should we. I tend to fight rest. The to do list is too long. People need me for crying out loud! How in the world would things function without me? After I stepped down from my prideful pedestal, after I hung up my Super Woman cape...I gave myself permission to accept my Father's invitation to come away with Him. To simply sit in His presence. To allow Him to show off the beauty His hands have made, the treasures and gifts busy mode doesn't allow me to see. 

What I've come to realize is I'd rather be out in nature worshipping Him than worshiping Him in church dreaming about being out in nature. We cannot make things so complex and so rigid that we miss the simple and sweet. Until next time friends, I have a date with a moose! Love and miss you all!