Friday, June 27, 2014

I'm a walking

What scripture fits the beginning of this journey? On worrisome school days, I speak the beginning of Psalm 121 as I look at the Elkhorn Mountains during my morning drive to Baker City.  Maybe I should look at the whole psalm.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore
Oh my...yes indeed!!  I need to memorize the whole psalm.
Oh Jesus, my Lord, thank you for this promise to care for us.
 

As I climbed the pasture hill behind our barn, preparing my legs for inclines, I took this picture of Eagle Valley. These are the hills I view through my window when I type at my computer.
 
 

This picture is taken from the "S" grade. I was so proud of myself when I hiked to the top. It was a ten mile round trip and took me five hours (I'm really slow). I only practiced hiking this road three times and I never did the trip with my pack on. I hope I'm ready for Portugal. Oh Jan, repeat Psalm 121. Don't let concern worry ruin your journey.
 
 
Some horses in Akers' pasture.
Tymera's Ebenezer in her lama pasture.
Our cows. I had to take a picture of our own cows. Akers are taking very good care of them. We're glad they have partnered with us.
 
Foothill road has the best walking dirt in Eagle Valley. It's not like the gravel on the road outside our house.
One morning there were three lost goats in the road. They would follow me for a while, then turn back toward the corner.   
 
 

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

encouragement


“We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all.”  1 Thessalonians 5:14


 

I have wonderful friends. Some have walked with me and encouraged me to move to my feet to the dusty road when the lazy feet would rather stay indoors. My church family, which includes two different buildings, is praying for me. I know this to be true because my weird dreams have stopped and my fainthearted confidence is turning to excitement. I am blessed.




 

Saturday, June 21, 2014

splendor of flowers


“Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?”  Matthew 6: 25 & 26


 

O you of little faith? Yep that’s me.  It is so easy for me to worry. My worry dreams have been weird. I’ve dreamt of tsunamis, because part of our walk will be along the beaches of Portugal. In my dream I’m fighting the removal of the backpack so I can kick for air. I’ve dreamt of escaped fighting bulls heading our direction hell bent on destroying our lives with a sharp horn. I’m sure that weird dream is because Portugal is neighbors to Spain. I realize logic and my blustery, bizarre dreams don’t coincide, so why the dreams? Because this exciting adventure has me a bit worried. Where is my trust that God will care for us?

 

Oh God help me remember the June wild daisies growing along our Eagle Valley pastures when lack of trust blooms into my mind. 






 
I've started taking my camera while I prepare for my Portugal walk. Eagle Valley certainly has some beautiful flowers. Will the Portugal flowers compare?
The wild roses are one of my favorites. I used to pick a bouquet for my mom when I was a girl. And the aroma is ....is....is....well rose-like. Isn't interesting that some of the most aromatic flowers in our valley have the sharpest thorns? The small unattractive flower of the thorned Russian Olive provides a delicious fragrance that follows many steps past the tree.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

I'm checking this out. The picture on wordpress was really small.
 
 
 
Which is better?  Which blog-site to use?  Where do I start?
Yet as I try to publish or save, I'm getting error notices. This is frustrating to say the least.