The Voice

Sometimes I just have to sit down and type something, it's a lot like an itch that must be scratched. There is also a bit of freedom in knowing that hardly anyone reads my blog so really, I could write whatever I wanted and no one would know, and yet it's out there in a vast cyber-space with millions of other peoples thoughts and words. Humph.

Isn't it almost absurd how many people have their own blog and can tell us so many things based on their own convictions/agenda/religon/politics/filters/childhood/.... I have read so many different blog posts by other mom's just like myself telling me how I should get my child to sleep at night, when to breastfeed or not to breastfeed, discipline my child or not discipline my child, or not let them watch too much TV, or let them play video games, or not let them play video games, or what to feed them, or what not to feed them all based on their own convictions and beliefs and experiences. The amount of information we have access to these days is astounding and mind-numbing, isn't it? Along with overwhelming and confusing.

Like right now in my life I'm desperately trying to figure out what to do with our own homeschool here in the Ward household. (sigh) I sigh because I am; 1. not an intellect with the fore-knowledge of a prophet who can conclude what each of my children need in the future and present scholastically, and 2. there is just WAY too many opinions and curriculum out there that I almost want to set fire to my computer and gouge my eyes out or just move my whole family to India and help feed, water and clothe the poor and needy and call that "learned".

I don't need any of these voices that are SO loud and constantly making themselves heard. I don't NEED them. Yet I find myself constantly turning to the internet and looking up what other moms are doing; how do they teach, discipline, feed, channel, clothe, form... their children. I enjoy seeing what others do, yet I'm not sure it actually helps ME and my children. Or does it? I can't decide.

I think if we're being honest the real reason we search the web and find out what others are doing in a matter that concerns us or to see what someone thinks of something is because ultimately we desire to succeed in who we are and what we're about and we're hoping to find the answer, the 'quick fix', the key to fulfilling that desire. (Much like my weight issues...).

In the deep recesses of my heart and soul I know there really is only one Person that I want to hear from. Know what He thinks and follow. There really is only One true source of input I need and only One I should put any 'stock' into. And only One whom I should be imitating and giving my children as an established opinion or way. He has already established a Way to follow and path to walk and a life to live. He established it in His Torah (Bible) and really that should be my plumb-line and foundation and the voice I hear in my head on a moment-by-moment basis.

Yahweh help me to pursue Your voice and write Your words on my heart that I might not sin against You or turn aside to the left or the right in my pursuit of life. The voices around us these days are so very loud and persistently trying to draw my heart from the ultimate Voice. Clarify my thoughts that only You are heard and help me to establish YOU and Your voice in our home.


Deuteronomy 11:13 `And it hath been -- if thou hearken diligently unto My commands which I am commanding you to-day, to love Yehovah your God, and to serve Him with all your heart, and with all your soul --

14 that I have given the rain of your land in its season -- sprinkling and gathered -- and thou hast gathered thy corn, and thy new wine, and thine oil,

15 and I have given herbs in thy field for thy cattle, and thou hast eaten, and been satisfied.

16 `Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be enticed, and ye have turned aside, and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them,

Joshua 22:5 Only, be very watchful to do the command and the law which Moses, servant of Yehovah, commanded you, to love Yehovah your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commands, and to cleave to Him, and to serve Him, with all your heart, and with all your soul.'

1 Kings 2:3

Observe the charge of Adonai your God to go in his ways and keep his regulations, mitzvot, rulings and instructions in accordance with what is written in the Torah of Moshe; so that you will succeed in all you do and wherever you go.

Proverbs 3:6

In all your ways acknowledge him; then he will level your paths.

I Find Myself

I find myself overwhelmed.... every. day.  I know this is the product of over-tasking and over-thinking and over-stimulation, and overemphasizing the small stuff, but mostly I have come to the conclusion that it is mostly because I have this internal perfective (not sure that is a word) instinct to control every situation, as relates to my own home/family/children.

I find myself in this soulish-controversy to want my children to be courageously themselves and then trying to make them who I think they should be, or train them to be good, perfect people.

I find myself wandering around my house, muttering about the state of constant disaster as I try to perfect my surroundings with picking up every little thing and tidying and scrubbing - mostly just following my 17 month old's wake of disastrous exploration - and I discontentedly wonder why no one else seems to care?

Then, I find myself in the small space of time that I do have to myself, at night, usually when I lay my head on the pillow, but often when I am prepping for tomorrow's lesson, or lunch making or sitting down at the computer to write someone back - the lack of demanding people in that moment of quiet startles me into revelation sometimes. Which clearly, is the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit), giving me the chance to listen for a moment, He glimmers at my soul with the hopes of tomorrow. You know what I mean?

I can see in that moment that everyday is a gift that I find I am forgetting to really open.

I hate the dichotomy of me; wanting to do everything right and feeling like I can't do anything right.... mostly.

I find myself realizing that all these struggles I'm having with myself - my home, my kids, my thoughts, my whatever... is because I'm finding MYSELF! and not finding Him. I'm trying to do it all within myself, my own ability, my own strength, my own way. No wonder I feel like the failure of the year. Because I just can't do this well, on my own. I can't.

He is able. He is even willing to be the good in me. He is longing for me to give up the struggle and walk in Him to the fullest degree and open up the day as a gift with praise and thanksgiving. "Oh, help me Father to be the wife and mother who reveals You and not myself."

Psalm 16

A miktam^a of David.

1Keep me safe, my God,

for in you I take refuge.

2I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

apart from you I have no good thing.”

3I say of the holy people who are in the land,

“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”

4Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.

I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods

or take up their names on my lips.

5Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;

you make my lot secure.

6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me.

8I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will rest secure,

10because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

nor will you let your faithful^b one see decay.

11You make known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Wonderful words of hope to us and our pitiful selves. :)

The thing about life is that it keeps on going... even when you haven't written on your blog in over a YEAR?!!  What?

And the funny (and true-to-form) thing is that I've had a BABY since the last time I wrote on my blog!

This little sweetie is a wonderful, adorable, walking, jabbering, cute-booty full of battling expression, fighting his way to be heard, felt and understood.... aren't we all?

And the AMAZING thing is that, my site-meter says that there are TWO of you who consistently check on my blog to see if I will ever write again - for that I am truly amazed. Thank you, whoever you are - that is love.

The mind boggling thing is that I've been homeschooling my oldest three children this year and next year there will be four that I will "teach" - I say that very loosely because most days, once I've crawled out of bed after a night of multi-feedings and falling asleep in the most awkward of positions, it feels like a miracle when me and my "students" have actually accomplished something academic. Every morning is an explorative search for my brain and it's ability to produce intelligent thought. Not to mention the exploration to find the sweet, patient, encouraging parent I think I once was...

And the most delightful thing is that I am still loved by my wonderful Creator-Father and by my dear husband and children and friends!

Life goes on, its ups and downs, its bends and corners, its surprises and pit-falls and I'm so thankful to be alive, to be healthy and to be able to continue on hand-in-hand with my family and my God.

The world around us is in such turmoil;  such shaking and loosening of morality, faith, beliefs, loyalty, courage, and truth. I pray whoever you are that reads this, that you will be bound tightly to the Righteous Father as the world shakes. That we will be shaken to the solid foundation of Him and be able to then loosen the bonds of those still hanging on to corruptible life, so that they could stand on the incorruptible bedrock of truth with a victorious Messiah who will be revealed as the True King; worshiped and found perfect.

 You will keep them in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because they trust in You. 
Isaiah 26:3

For He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition [between us].
Ephesians 2:14

He is the SURE THING.

Shalom!

Something to Really Celebrate

My girls love being artsy, especially Hope.

Chanukah (Hanukkah)is just a few days away and the kids and I are enjoying making some decorations. So I thought I would share a few pics.

If you have never read about what the feast or celebration of Hanukkah is, you should check it out here. This is a wonderful account of the history.

Here is my quick version;  way back in the time of Alexander the Great (about 200 BC), Alexander and his minions began to take over the world and every new territory they took they commanded those people to  speak, think and act like a Greek... or else.
 So, you can imagine how they felt about the Jews; those bacon-hating, Torah-adoring people who served only ONE God. They hated them.

There were some Jews who compromised, thought they ought to assimilate and become like these Greeks; bought into all the lies... but there were many who would not compromise.

About 175 BC, Antiochus IV declared himself "Epiphanes", which means "god manifest". He made statues of himself and demanded everyone worship him.



Justice loves the Star or Shield of David.

He brought a gymnasium into Jerusalem.
He slaughtered thousands of Jews and had the arrogent disregard to enter the Holy Temple, stealing the gold and silver, including the incense altar, the table, and the menorah. He turned the Temple in Jerusalem into a temple of Zeus and anyone living in the territories he had taken over had to worship him and his gods.

 How horrible this time must have been for the God-fearing people of Israel. If you were caught eating Kosher, circumsizing your sons or reading the Torah, you were killed.

But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Terrible affliction was upon Israel. (1 Maccabees 1:54–64)

 

But the people who know their God will display strength and take action.  (Don't you LOVE THIS?)

(Daniel 11:32)

An elderly man named Mattiyahu could take it no more and sent out word to all his fellow brothers, 
 

"Let everyone who is zealous for the Torah and who stands by the covenant follow after me!”  

       (1 Maccabees 2:27).

 

Grace painting her menorah painting and
Mercy's "God of Miracles" painting.

He, his family and other courageous brothers fled into the mountains and were soon followed by other brave, God-fearing men, where they formed a small army.

Mattiyahu was old and actually died in the mountains but his son Judah rose up and took charge of the army; "Engaging in guerilla warfare against the Syrian occupation force, Yehudah (Judah) and his freedom fighters came to be called 

Maccabees which means “Hammers.” Judah would forever after be known as Yehudah the Maccabee: Judah the Hammer." (FFOZ Hanukkah and the Disciples of Zion)

In a miraculous victory the small band of Maccabees clobbered the Greek army that came against them until they actually took Jerusalem back!

When the Maccabees found the Temple in such a horrific state, they immediately began to restore it, they tore down the altars to Zeus and returned the pure and precious - rededicating it to the Holy One.

They found some oil to burn in the menorah but it was only enough for one day, but they decided to light it and send someone to get more, thinking it would burn out after one day.
 But then another miracle happened, the light in the menorah kept burning and burned for EIGHT days!


Hanukkah is the Feast of Dedication; celebrating a God who performs miracles and gives light.

 I am so inspired by the intrepid courage these people had to fight for the Truth, to fight for Torah, for what is undefiled, pure and righteous. To not allow anyone to make them turn from God, His instructions and His name, even if it cost them their own lives and their children's lives. What a story. What a beautiful reason to celebrate and light our own menorah.

AND even Yeshua (Jesus) went all the way to Jerusalem to participate in the celebration as well. (See John 10:22-39).

Yeshua is the LIGHT of the world and He told us to be the light of the world too. 

And if you are curious as to why we are not celebrating Christmas.... well, here is a really fascinating video to explain that, just go here and watch "Truth or Tradition".

Why celebrate a holiday rooted deep in terrible pagan rituals when you can celebrate an amazing God-centered feast like Hanukkah - where even Yeshua Himself celebrated.

Heart-peace; Shalom to you all!

The River

Walking wearily along this dry, dusty, empty road;

my life and all its lonely places.
 

 I reach a dark, cold and rocky place
where my feet cannot go but painfully slow,
 it's there that I hear a sound.
 

 A sound of rushing, gushing, charging and fullness.
 

 I'm drawn to turn away from my present place
to follow what I hear.
 

 I find myself so thirsty; my tongue is so dry,

but it's the depths of me that feel especially parched and desolate.

With every heavy step the louder the sound becomes,

it envelopes my hearing and deafens my thoughts.

And then I see it:
a mighty, tumultuous river of the deepest hues.

 Photo by Encouragement

Its fury is obvious by the sound yet the waves are gloriously radiant and compelling.

Oh, the sight makes my heart feel so desperate,

my soul so empty, my throat so tight.
 

The river is close.

The edge my feet are standing near is sharp and deep.

I know what I must do for I feel so dirty, so filthy, so dry, and exhausted.

My heart screams "JUMP!".

Yet my weary mind is terrified of the leap.
 

Longing.
I must get in this River.

I'm so tired of this land I've been traveling

and bound to for so long.

The thought of going back to that road sickens me to the point of courage.

 

 

I do it.

I jump!

 

I feared it would be cold;
I thought it would take me away in a dark, frigid gulp.
 

But I feel so light, so nourished, so warm,
as though I'm being embraced by loving arms.
 

What is this place?
 

I cannot move for the current is too strong to fight,

I give in and let it take me where it wants.
 

My heart is overwhelmed!
 

The strong fluid rolls me and captures me,
washes and buries me deep.
 

Oh, I feel loved!

 I feel life coming in to my bones!
 

I'm in.

I'm found.

I belong.

I am in the submergence of Love.
 

I've been captivated, captured and covered by the thickest, purest, deepest Love.
 

The waves roll me in gentle hugs,

I feel the jagged edges of my soul wearing away.
 

All the weighty burdens that were attached to my being have melted away.
 

That thirst I felt for so long is quenched, yet

I feel completely addicted to this fresh Water of Life.
 

Inside. Hidden. Forgiven. Clean. Included. Received. Refreshed. Adored.
.......................................................................
 

May my heart and soul jump into the deep Love of YHVH;

the One who always was, always is and always will be.
 

May I be so utterly intertwined and buried inside of HIM
that onlookers would be compelled to His character.

Flowing with Him. Used by Him. Carried by Him.

Alive in Him in an abundant, passionate, unstoppable union.
 

JUMP - FALL IN LOVE!

This is my nephew jumping in!

I wrote a similar allegory about 10 years ago and it keeps coming to memory and reminding me of my purpose: to jump into God and get lost in His love, His purity, His truth and His mercy.
 This is a song from Jeremy Riddle about the furious love I speak of. Soak it in.

Fierce Momma

 Life charges on ahead even when we are digging our heels in and grasping for anything strong enough to hold onto to slow things down doesn't it? That's certainly how I feel lately.

 Over the last year there have been several epochs of God's chastisement to my character (or lack of), which ALWAYS, because God is who He is, brings me into that place where I am overwhelmed with disgust of my own humanity and overwhelmed by His love FOR my humanity. He's just like that, He made us human with human desires and weaknesses because He loves it when we humble ourselves, and run like an anguished child into His divinity. I think it's in that running to Him and in His embracing of us that we are changed and He gives us what we need of Himself to carry on and do the next, righteous thing.

We decided to take our kids out of public school this spring. Which has always been my desire, but with four young children and me thinking I had to be some kind of super-powered, organizational-wizard with the mind of Albert Einstein and the patience of Mother Theresa, felt duly underqualified to take on such a feat. Seriously.

But then stuff happened. Adonai began showing us things. Things like behaviors from our kids that were obviously NOT learned at home. Violent words were coming out of their mouths and where had their joy gone? I watched some home videos and saw the difference in my son's joyful personality BEFORE he started school! Uggh. That revelation feels a bit like getting socked in the stomach.
 From that, Adonai seemed to flip a switch on in me where I just knew there was no way I couldn't homeschool, I had to. And, like, duh. God would help me... He's sort of the ONE with the super-powers, He kind of organized the entire world, He put Albert Einstein's mind in his skull and filled Mother Theresa with patience. Ok, yeah, let's do this Father.

The other day I was reading a birthday card my dear friend had sent to me, and among the many lovely things she said about me, one thing she said was that I am "couragiously fierce". mmmm, what? Those words lept out at me as I read them, because, certainly I would LIKE to be couragiously fierce, but, I know myself pretty well and I would not put Couragiously Fierce under the definition of Stephenie Ward! Meek, timid, slightly odd with a splash of sweet but not Couragiously Fierce. However, my friend, who sees people how Adonai sees them wouldn't have written that if she didn't perceive it to be true.

  FIERCE: 1. Having a savage and violent nature; ferocious. (well, yes, when I find those creepy spiders) 2. Extremely severe or violent. (not so much) 3. Extremely intense or ardent. (I have my moments) 4. Strenuously active or resolute. (only when I can no longer stand the mess in the kitchen!) 5. vehement, intense, or strong. (it does take some intense strength and vehement courage to fish out the doody from the bath that some child left for me) ADJ. marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid; "fierce loyalty'....

HMMMMM. Wait a monute.... Ahh haa, I get it now. I got me some Fierce. Because if the Enemy of all that is rightousness and true, pure and innocent, lovely and joy-filled wants to wage battle aginst the fruit of MY loins; the precious treasures that Adonai has given me and my husband and draw them into his wiles and his deceptive plans, well then HERE is one couragiously fierce momma who plans on grasping one hand to the hand of her Beloved, and the other hand to the hearts of her children; pulling them into the divine protection and guidance of an even more fierce love.

The time we have with our kids is so small in comparison to the amount of time they will be "on their own", making their own decisions that will affect the rest of their lives and the lives whom they touch. We get one chance.

And if you homeschool, you ARE couragiously fierce. Because doesn't everyone and their sister start telling you exactly what they think of homeschooling when you tell them that's what you are doing? and dont they ALL say the same thing? "Aren't you worried about how they will be socialized?" "They need to be socialized."

It takes courageous resolution to do what society, peers and even family think is unacceptible.

  I personally don't think Adonai is covering His eyes, afraid to watch, biting His nails, worrying about how our children will assimilate themselves socially in this world. In fact, I think He and His troop of angels are standing behind our kids in an uproarious audience, shouting encouragement and life, joy and peace as the children pursue God's economy, intentions, destiny and truth.

 And frankly, I've seen what our society has to offer socially and I'm pretty sure we're not interested.

"Make me a worthy momma who will raise learned children who will dazzle the world with Torah and goodness". Part of our Shabbat Kiddush I pray every Sabbath.

And just in case there are those of you reading this and you are sending your kids to school, please know that I think you are very courageous too, especially if you believe that is what God is asking you to do. And I pray for Adonai to give your children everything they need to walk that destiny out with complete protection and mercy, unscathed by the plans of the Enemy and instead leave an impression of God on those around them.

 And I know many of you are just trying to put one foot in front of the other in the morning and the thought of homeschooling makes you want to burst into to tears, or perhaps you've already raised your children and they are now in adulthood and you wish you had done things differently. I understand that. These thoughts are my thoughts, and where me and my family are in life. I cannot speak for anyone else, other than to say that God is not going to fail you in your pursuit of Him. He is courageously fierce for you and your children. He loves to be given the opportunity to work in the "impossible".

Lets stay fierce,

Here's Some Random

Happy Autumn!

So, I seem to be turning into one of those "health nuts/granola" people. I have always loved researching health and learning the nutritional facts on foods, etc., which has led me to several things I have started incorporating into my life. And though I should be doing a million other things right at this moment, I just have to get this post up, it's on my mind too much!

The more research I do, the more I discover that a plant-based, living-food diet is the most healthFULL way to eat. Which is what I want for my family. I have been eating more and more living (raw) foods and less and less sugar, gluten, meat, dairy (still have coffee and tea, though) and I gotta tell you, I feel the best I've ever felt, more energy, I feel light instead of that ugly heavy feeling and my skin looks better as well as I'm down several pounds (yipee!).

Here are two of the many tips I have to share with you on this new healthy lifestyle journey.

GREEN SMOOTHIES

The first thing and my most favorite are "Green smoothies". Start the day with a tall glass of lemon water and then have a green smoothie. Here is my most favorite recipe:
Let's call it THE GOOD MORNING SMOOTHIE
1 mango (if no mango add another peach and a frozen banana or two.)
1 peach
3-4 large kale leaves or substitute spinach, collards or chard.*
1 inch (or less) of fresh peeled ginger
and enough water to blend in your blender to the concistancy you enjoy.

~A few extras you could add in just to kick up the healthy:
Flaxmeal
Coconut oil (really tasty in this smoothie)
Bee pollen (that's what those little flecks are in the picture - a little bit goes a long way!)
Parsley
Chia seeds

*a high speed blender works best on the greens, otherwise you may end up with a chunky version - which, though not the most palatable, still doable

SOOO cleansing, tasty and full of energy. The kids like it too - especially my one year old - she fights me for my cup. :)

DATES
The other little tip to share is date paste. Buy some Madjool dates, or whatever you can find that are all natural.

Pit them, soak 'em in water over night and blend them with the soaking water in a blender or food prcoessor into a smooth paste.

This makes a delicious sweetener in your smoothies (in case you don't have sweet fruit, add some date paste to the above smoothie). I've put this date paste on toast, oatmeal, quinoa, in salad dressings, hummus... the possibilities are endless and they are full of minerals and are an all natural sweetener alternative.

Just remember, small changes can make a big difference. Here's to a lovely, healthy life!

Love

You know what I love about love? It's unlimited. It's boundless. It disregards a blemish or fault because it's pursuit is far deeper than the external, superficial or even the crack in one's personal character. It's able to move up, over and around the seeming ominous "boulders" that often stand in the way of our own mental and emotional capabilites.
It's faithful - matchless loyalty.

I've been pondering the many constant adjustments and irritants and disturbances that usually arise within a day as not just a mom and wife, but as a human being. The inner workings of my personality combined with my weaknesses and lack of self-control smacking head-on into the unforeseen circumstances of everyday life can be a very unattractive collision. I see myself reacting (in anger) instead of responding (in gentleness). It's not pretty. I feel my loved ones deserve so much better than what I offer, which is a revelation that leaves such a bitter taste in my mouth and soul.

And then, mixed in with all this daily business, there are these profound moments.
These moments of absolute, heart-breaking joy and captivation.
Such as a moment where I look at my husband from across the room as he's administering his infectious sense of humour and adoration to our kids and I am overwhelmed with my feelings for him, where it feels like a hand is squeezing my heart and I have to hold myself back from jumping the counter to tackle him.

A moment where, it's as though I see my children for the first time and it catches my breath because of the physical beauty I see.

A moment where a reflection of my child's inner beauty sneaks out of them in a gesture of compassion and kindness.

A moment when my sweet baby wraps her little velvety arms around my neck and hugs with ferocious abandon.

A moment where I feel the gentle kiss of Adonai to my heart where I know He is whispering his forgiveness and mercy in spite of all the ugliness I see in myself.

I think these moments are because of LOVE (not to mention a whole lot of sweet grace). It's such a small, little, four-letter, english word, yet it has the power of life and death, because without it in us, for us and through us, what on earth would life be?!!

I'm not writing about the love you hear frivilously spoken of everyday, everywhere. Where the meaning is usually characterized by a feeling or a physical lust or a desire for certain objects.

What I'm talking about is the LOVE that exudes from the eternal, everlasting, uncompromising, true, all-powerful, all-knowing, life-giving, living, holy, perfect Creator. God himself. Love.

What I love about love is Love. :) Peace in.

I Cor. 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.


1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Hello, Summer.

Well, it's Summer, finally. It's been such a cold and rainy beginning, but August came in with some heat and it cools off quite a bit at night still, which is one of the many things I love about the northwest. I am sorry for those of you who live in the south - wish I could send you some relief from the heat!

So, my wonderful husband surprised me on my birthday this July with the camera I have longed for for years - so look out! - I am sure pictures galore will show up on Facebook and this blog. Beginning today! I still have so much to learn - I haven't a clue about editing and such, but I am having so much fun - when I get the chance to play with it.

A couple of weeks ago, Jason took us on a picnic in the mountains - which is one of my all time favorite family activities. So I just had to post the awesomeness that is British Columbia and the beauty that astounds me (if you click on the pictures, the clarity is much better). It was a perfect day, but the horse flies and mosquitoes were rather ridiculous - but we persevered. :)

<

Take a little walk with me.

So, I have been trying to upload the gazillion pictures I took when I was at my parents' place this April. I thought it would be fun to bring you all along with me to my old stomping grounds for a walk - where I used to explore/pray/vent and breathe so often as a child and young adult.
However, it has taken what seems like years to upload even these, so I am posting what I have so I can MOVE ON with my life! (for goodness sake!)

My parents home and the Grande Ronde Valley with Mount Emily.

I love mossy trees. Probably because they are only mossy in spring because of the dry climate here.

The driveway.

Pretty landscape below their house.

Sorry this is so blah, hopefully next post will be more interesting! Hope you all are having a great Spring!