i am deeply loved

yesterday and today i have been overwhelmed by love from three and four year olds. it has been so lovely to be instantly loved and have a playmate for a few hours. yesterday was my most favorite when we visited some of dan's family. i first met emily at christmas (i was overwhelmed by all the italian family so i sat on the couch and emily snuggled up with me), and i hoped she would love me again when we saw her and she did! my favorite line was, "hey mom, me and mary and this guy (dan) are playing nice!" her mom then reminded her that dan is her relative! :) i love it! i love small people in my life- they are the ones that i am dreading saying goodbye to.

-mary

storms to rainbows

colorado of course has some breath-taking landscape but the thing that we got most excited about were the storms. fortunately for us this summer was a wet one and we watched storm after storm roll in. we saw amazing lightening, heard thunder that shook us, hail on 4 occasions and the most beautiful and bright rainbows i have ever seen. the picture below doesn't do it justice but you can try to imagine.

Faith to be Stong

this is my theme song for goodbyes- thank you andrew peterson.

Give us faith to be strong
Father, we are so weak
Our bodies are fragile and weary
As we stagger and stumble to walk where you lead
Give us faith to be strong

Give us faith to be strong
Give us strength to be faithful
This life is not long, but it's hard
Give us grace to go on
Make us willing and able
Lord, give us faith to be strong

Give us peace when we're torn
Mend us up when we break
This flesh can be wounded and shaking
When there's much too much trouble for one heart to take
Give us peace when we're torn

Give us faith to be strong
Give us strength to be faithful
This life is not long, but it's hard
Give us grace to go on
Make us willing and able
Lord, give us faith to be strong

Give us hearts to find hope
Father, we cannot see
How the sorrow we feel can bring freedom
And as hard as we try, Lord, it's hard to believe
So, give us hearts to find hope

Give us faith to be strong
Give us strength to be faithful
This life is not long, but it's hard
Give us grace to go on
Make us willing and able
Lord, give us faith to be strong
Give us peace when we're torn
Give us faith, faith to be strong

4th of july

it has been a long time since i have celebrated the 4th of july in the us. for some reason i found myself getting really excited as i read about the festivities that were planned in the small towns around MTI. dan and i caught the end of a long parade in monument and then walked around the vendors of a small street fair. one of the people we were with commented that small town america is where you find the american spirit you think about on days like this. and it was true. i really enjoyed walking around seeing people in all sorts of red, white, and blue.
later in the evening we went to the other town to watch the big fireworks show! again it was fun to be surrounded by the people who call this place home. and the fireworks were great! :) we got to stand right under them, shivering and enjoying every minute. so thanks small towns around me! it was a wonderful last 4th of july for awhile.

-mary

pictures from CO

pikes peak!

palmer lake reservoir











new friends!

at the top of a mountain with cory and tim

Garden of the Gods