I just wanna thank you Lord...

Recently at church Michelle sang a song and the lyrics said something about being amazed and overwhelmed that God would spend each day with us....that He would want to talk to us, and that WE hold a special place in HIS heart...and I have to say...I am amazed.

When I look at the mountains and the lakes, the green grass, the forest, the flowers and all creation...I am overwhelmed that the God who made all of that, and made me and knows me, would still love me...but get this...He loves me UNCONDITIONALLY....and that means so much to me.  There just isn't anyone else who I can say  does that....and yes, every day in every way...I'm amazed.

Canadian Summer

It has been a really weather challenged summer here.  Spring was a mess...actually, I don't think we really had a Spring in the true sense of the word...it went from Winter to mostly winter..to kinda winter...to July.  Cal & I decided we wanted to float down the Bow River in our canoe this past week, but the weather did not co-operate...it rained, lots...and was cold.  So, instead we decided to go for a walk along side the river.  But it was cold....like 45F...so on a wonderfully cold SUMMER evening we put on our jackets, gloves and hats and took a walk.  Here are some of the pictures:

Cal & Shelly

July 12, 2010

Do you see what I see?

Cal trekking along a swollen Bow River..

Camping Bliss

Cal & I took a "hippie trip" to Montana a few weeks ago and I am just now getting around to posting some pictures.

We turn the van into our little "home" by throwing down a mattress in the back and I put up curtains for privacy and even hang up pictures on the van walls!  LOL  We love it.

We headed to the Carway  crossing Friday night and we made it to the border with 15 minutes to spare before they closed for the night!  We drove into St. Mary, Montana and found a secluded place to park the van to sleep for the night.  When we woke up, this was the view from where we parked!

Now I think I could get used to a view like that!

We decided to go to Kalispell so we could get some provisions at Wal-Mart; which is about a 2 and 1/2 hour drive, but we took our time and did some major sight seeing on the way.  That is one of the nice things about get aways in the van, we are not on anyones time table but our own.

Waterfalls, rivers, sweeping views, mountain peaks...the list goes on of the beauty you can see on the way.

On the way back to St. Mary in the evening we decided to turn down a road we had not gone down before and ended up at Two Medicine Lake.  It was gorgeous there!!  There is an old lodge there that they have converted into a "store" and gift shop for visitors, but other than that, there is nothing there but beauty.

We stayed here for quite a while and took in the views and then I made us "dinner" which was just plain old turkey sandwiches, but I swear they tasted better as we ate them with the view of the mountains and lake before us!  On the way out of Two Medicine Lake we were driving kinda slow cuz I told Cal I just had this feeling that we might see some wildlife...and sure enough, for the first time in my life I saw a BLACK BEAR in the wild!!!  We were in the van, and the bear was a safe distance off, but in all the excitement I did not manage to get a picture...so you'll just have to imagine a beautiful black bear eating grass in a meadow.

******

We camped at Johnson's Campground that night and the next morning went out to breakfast at a small cafe.  Decided to drive around a bit more and did some hiking.  Just a really great day.

The trip was short, but so worth it.  We plan to go again and again. 

Here are a few more pictures of why we love it there so much.

We just had a really great time on our trip to Montana, and we hope to make many more in the years to come.  It is pure camping BLISS.....

Priceless Liberty

He was twenty-one in 1944

He was hope and he was courage on a lonely shore

Sent there by a mother with love beyond her tears

Just a young American who chose to rise above his fears

And as I watch him struggle up that hill

Without a thought of turning back

I cannot help but wonder

What did he die for?

When he died for you and me

Made the sacrifice

So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question

What did he die for?

When he died for me

To the darkest day in A.D. 33

Came the mercy and compassion of eternity

Sent there by a Father with love beyond His tears

Blameless One, the only Son

to bear the guilt of all these years

And as I watch Him struggle up that hill

Without a thought of turning back

I cannot help but wonder

What did He die for?

When He died for you and me

Made the sacrifice

So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question

What did he die for?

He died for freedom

He died for love

And all the things we do to pay Him back

Could never be enough

What did He die for?

When He died for you and me

Made the sacrifice

So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside and ask the question

What did he die for?

When He died for me

-Twila Paris

As you celebrate this 4th of July, remember the priceless liberty that you have...freedom due to the price that was paid for by others before us.

But, if you don't know the LIBERTY in Jesus Christ, then you really don't understand what it means to be "FREE INDEED"...take time out today to consider "What did he die for..when he died for me?"