Monthly Archives: June 2012Challenge Summary / Week 1 / Week 2
Ok, here’s the recap from week 3 of my challenge. One more week to go – I decided to just end at 28 since I ended up only using 28 items (I left a few spots open for “just in case” pieces and didn’t end up adding anything). I think my favorites from this week were #15 & #17 – something about simple just appeals to me lately. It’s probably a summer thing, summer lends itself to simplicity. Huzzah, we’re almost at the finish line!
It’s pretty surreal how something so horrible can, in its way, look so beautiful. We have had the most incredible sunsets. And yet at the heart of that is something so painful and broken. My home is right at the front lines, so I’m not trying to belittle the situation at all, because I feel it acutely. But as far as I know, no life has been lost, and this is the most precious victory. What I keep turning back to is the passage of the bible from Isaiah 61 – where we are promised that beauty will come from ashes – that what was devastated will be rebuilt – that the end is a beginning. And somehow in the midst of fire, I find a strange peace. There’s a type of pine tree here in Colorado that needs the heat of fire to release its seeds and bring new growth to the forest. The devastation was intended for evil, but new life turns it for good. Let us hold on, in the midst of struggle, in the midst of unpleasantness, in the midst of devastation – to the knowing that good remains, that beauty remains, and that life remains. I believe tragedy does not come as judgement or as testing from a God who is inherently good, but that this God can turn all things around. All things can turn around. (image via, text added) I have a great one for this week’s soundtrack – it’s called Sun & Moon by Cloud Carrier. Emily is a good friend of mine and always inspiring me with her music (check out more of her stuff on her youtube channel). And the new direction she’s going with Dillon and Cloud Carrier is super fun. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPUfh8KxRdQ] A lot of times I feel like music is so complicated – when actually it’s the strikingly simple stuff that often leaves us with the greatest impression. SO lovely, guys, can’t wait to see what else you have up your sleeve! If you like what you hear, check out their page, where they’re offering a free download. Or check out their Facebook page where they update with show information, etc. Well, you’ve already heard about the fire. I thought I’d look back in the archives and edit a few photos from my last hike to Waldo Canyon – since it might look pretty different the next time I’m there. Funny, husband and I were just talking about needing to make another trip.
The trail head is on the north side of highway 24, a couple turns past Manitou Springs if you’re driving from Colorado Springs. There’s a series of stairs that leads up over the ridge and down into the canyon.
The trail takes you over the ridge and down into Waldo Canyon – it makes a large loop which I’ve never actually been all the way around for one reason or another. Kind of wishing I had made it now. When the fire is out and all is safe, it will be really interesting to hike up there and see how the landscape has changed.
On your way back to the parking lot you can see Pike’s Peak peering over the ridge line across Highway 24. It’s a little surreal now to watch plumes of smoke and haze pour out now. Not much else left to say except that I hope this passes quickly. If you’re interested in offering assistance towards Colorado’s firefighting efforts (there are currently Red Cross / Colorado Springs Gazette / How You Can Help |
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