Could there really be anything more beautiful than snow falling? I know you Sandy people love the sunshine but every snowflake is a kiss from my Father and I really, really dig it!

Makes Me Smile!

One of the most wonderful things about being a Beste is discovering fun stuff like Jack Black on "Yo Gabba Gabba". Life is oh-so-good!

Israel

I have a confession to make: Israel has somehow crept into my bones. It may have something to do with breaking my ribs on the way to her border, but I dunno.....it just happened and I feel unalterably changed. Now, I'm not saying Israel will ever overtake Norway as first in my heart but it was amazing to be there and see the ancient stones and gates of her city. We wept together at the Holocaust Museum, climbed the steps to Mt Zion, prayed in the Garden ofGethsemane, witnessed the empty tomb and stole dirt from the place of the crucifixion (a major Immigration violation but you just have to do things when your son asks, right?), and worshiped at the Wailing Wall, to name a few things. Thank you, Jeanne and John, for such a gift.

Snowy Winter!

Collection of Interesting Experiences in Utah:

1. I have SNOW right outside my front door on most nights!

2. The white glow at night that comes through my blinds is the reflection of the moon on the SNOW!

3. I have icicles dangling from my license plate!

4. I saw six BIG beautiful deer walking through my neighborhood a couple of nights ago!

5. There are shoveled tracks through the grass in my front yard so Spencer can do his bi'ness and not be buried alive.

6. The arrow thingy on the car thermostat never rises above the "C" any more.

7. There are gorgeous clouds that hang like a gauze-y veils around the mountains in front of my house and it's a glorious site!

It's all amazing! Thank you, Utah, I'm falling more and more in love with you!

For my friends who have made the decision to embrace their creativity and express God in new ways, I have this quote from Dr. Wilson Yates to share with you (and it's one of my favorites):

There is a power art has that draws us as a religious people to the works of artists. It is a power that calls us onto holy ground and engages us in matters of ultimate importance. It is a power that invites us to explore the religious and moral depths of our life, to explore our own spiritual journey…We are each, I think, on a spiritual journey, for we all have at the heart of our larger human journey that set of experiences and explorations that are concerned with the inner struggle of defining who we are and who we are in relationship to God, of understanding the ultimate purpose and meaning of our existence, of responding to those events that shake us in often ruthless fashion…If we see ourselves as spiritual pilgrims then the arts, with their power to call us onto holy ground, become our inevitable companions on our journey.

So, my beautiful friends, CREATE, INSPIRE, ENCOURAGE, ENGAGE and show Christ through all you do! I can't wait to see what you come up with so don't hold back :)

For Becca: I thought I'd post one of my favorite photos from December in Norway. There was a fresh snow fall (gotta love that!) and the colors were unbelievably beautiful. It was so surreal, it may not look like it but the turquoise is a lake behind the trees.

PLOG?

* Sigh * A certain person wanted me to start a photo blog posting my favorite pic with the reasons why I chose it. I am finally accepting this challenge. My problem is that I have a millions photographs and I can't pick my favorite because nothing is ever "brilliant" enough to share. So, after finally getting sick of being discontent, I hastily picked a photo of a doorknob at Hearts Castle that struck my fancy. The color palette is gorgeous because it feels faded and old (which it is); the silver doorknob is just incredibly cool and there is a greenish patina in the creases; I love the tapestry on the wall; I love the mystery of possibilities this photo speaks to me. Oh, and Katharine Hepburn touched that doorknob so that's just icing on the cake.

Davis Farmer's Market

I've been asking the Lord to adjust my appetites (spiritual, natural, and whatever) for the past few months and I'm happy to report that fruit and veggies are finally beginning to appeal to me.  Who knew they could be so beautiful AND taste so lovely! This was one of the tables at the Farmer's Market in Davis. It was right next to the Karma Tent (hehehe)

Just for fun, I thought I'd throw in a couple of scenes of Davis life, as well. You never know what you'll see around there which is why I am SO IN LOVE with Davis!