Love Can Move Mountains

I have always believed that Love can move mountains. 

In an imperfect world, where there is so much pain and suffering, it is so inportant to have love, and more than anything else, HOPE.  I know that for some of you,  hope is a four-letter word that only means disappoinment and heartbreak.  For some of you, the pain is so deep and so strong, that you feel like giving up. I want you to know that even in these times of hurt,  you are not alone. Please know that.

Peaple have asked me how I always seem so happy. They ask why I am always smiling and cheerful and positive. It makes me laugh when people say I must have such an easy life.  I have been accused of being "fake' at times, even called "insensitive" by people who can't understand how someone can smile during rotten times.  My joy is genuine, but it is not because of my life. My life is so far from easy and perfect it hurts.

 I have been hurting for a very long time. I don't remember a time when I didnt feel pain in my heart from circumstances in my life.  I do my best to not focus on the circumstance, but on the good things in my life:, My beautiful children, my family and friends and for God's merciful patience and grace for me through all of my many mistakes.  

This alone is what allows me to smile in the midst of all my pain. The peace in my heart through it all has taught me that it IS posible to dance in the rain.   At times when circumstances have become almost unbearable, I pray for the strength to carry on.  To just get through  one,   more.    day.  I thank God for all he has brought me through.  

Whether you believe in God or not,  I will not attempt to argue with you or try to change your mind.  I am simply sharing what gives me hope, strength to smile in the midst of my pain, and peace during the storms to "dance in the rain".I believe:

God is Love.

Love can move mountains.

Even the ones we can't.   

I have seen it for myself, so I know in my heart that this is true.  I need to look no further than my own parents,  and all they have overcome,  for a shining example of this.  

To those of you who feel hopeless,  please know that you are not alone, You don't have to carry around all that pain anymore, you can let it be lifted from your shoulders,  Please hang on,  even just one more day. And then just one more day after that.  You never know what opportunities are waiting for you just around the corner.  There is hope. .There is Love. 

And Love can move mountains.  Even this one. 

 I hope that any of the hurting hearts out there, searching for a shred of hope to cling to,  will be comforted by reading this.  And I hope your hearts will find the encouragement to just hang in there.

If no one else has told you they love you,  know that I love each and every one of your precious hearts  reading this.  And now that you know that someone out there genuinely loves you,  share that love in your heart with someone you know who needs it too.

A Big Warm Blanket Right Out of the Dryer for Your Heart,

-J

Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets,

So love the people who treat you right
,forgive the ones who don't,

and believe that everything happens for a reason.

If you get a chance, take it.

If it changes your life, let it.

Nobody said life would be easy,

They just promised it would be worth it.

HANG ON!

I did NOT take this photo, I was in the raft!  This photo is courtesy of the staff photographer at Interior Whitewater Expeditions. Their expert pro guided us through the rapids of the Clearwater river in Wells Gray Park.  And WHOA BABY!  was it ever exciting, hahaha.

This was my first time whitewater rafting, and it was quite an adventure! I will post more photos of my own soon. I camped in the area for the weekend, and did some great hikes in the park trails. I was scared of bears, but thankfully didn't come into contact with any! 

What I DID encounter however, were SWARMS of mosquitos. People had warned me to bring bug spray, which I stocked up on.  But what they SHOULD have suggested was 50 yards of mosquito netting and a Haz-Mat suit!   hahahahaha

I'm so covered in bites that I look like I have the chicken pox!  hahaha.  I'm all out of bug spray, and fully stocked on Watkins Bite Balm, hee hee.

Wishing I'd had a HazMat suit,

-J

Trading (Work)Spaces

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My love of a good DIY project got the better of me again the other day. After searching stores and wandering websites for a desk for my son's room without any luck, I finally came across a desk in need of a little TLC., My thrifty bargain-loving,  "fix-it-up-good-as new" artsy side yelled out before I could stop myself, "I'LL TAKE IT!" hahaha =)

A good scrub down and a new coat of paint was all this little desk needed to look right at home in the kids room.  It is now in full use a homework station, though at the moment it is the central hub of their very own artistic comic book creations.

More DIY projects coming soon, I have a patio table and chairs to fix up! In fact, I am planning to completely re-vamp my whole deck, so maybe I'll do a "Pimp My Patio" kind of  post, hahaha.

Dashing Desks and Pimped Patios,

-J



Project 24 - Rapids

This shot was taken during a hike to a waterfall on a  recent camping trip.

It was just above the most beautiful waterfall. 

After a hike I headed to the glacier-river fed lake to cool off. The water was freezing! 

-J

Project #23 -Editing Effects

This is my beautiful friend Sherri, whom I recently took family photos for. I figured she would be a perfect candidate to show one of my favorite photoshop effects, becuase the shirt she was wearing for the photo had such beautiful rich colors, and I wanted to highlight that.

She hasn't seen this photo all edited and "fancied" up like this yet, haha,  so I have to text her to tell her she graced my blogsite for the second time!

Wishing you all a great weekend and a Happy Canada Day!

-J

Project #22 Desert Canyon

The canyon surrounding Steamboat Rock (which is a state park in Washington, USA) was once the riverbed to the wildly raging Columbia River, before it switched courses, about 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, after the Missoula |Floods,  when it took a more direct course south.
 - J

Prtoject #21 Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

It all started with a solar flare coming off the sun, just a few weeks ago.  I was coming home for lunch and as I got out of car I saw a rainbow- colored wave of light in the sky above my house. I ran to get my camera so I could show it to you all!

It's not as pretty as when you see it at night, the colors aren't as bright. But it's still the Northern Lights, so it's a privilege to have the opportunity to see them. And during the day at that!

Sending pretty lights your way to brighten your day,
-J