Guidance

Instead of writing my paper, or studying statistics, or reading my never-ending homework chapters, I took a moment to ponder what possible insight I could glean from the writings of Gilbert Keith Chesterton. In his piece called Enjoying the Floods and Other Disasters (July 21, 1906 Illustrated London News), he mused that he had missed the flooding of London for his trip to the country and rambled on of all the inconveniences one faces which can be joyful in some aspect. He wrote of some of these, such as waiting for a train and grumbling while a child sees the station as a vast play land filled with immense discoveries yet to come; and, chasing a hat on a windy day as such an unpleasantry (I know that's not a word, but it should be), and yet one could chase a leather ball and be applauded. (This is paraphrased of course and I am sure I have all but butchered his eloquent thought process.) He sums it all up by saying that inconveniences, whatever they may be, should carry within us some form of poetic enjoyment. This was pulled together to call attention to the importance of guidance as a spiritual discipline. While I was delighted to read this article in all of its romantic illusions of seemingly disastrous events; I still sat back and wondered what in the world does any of this have to do with guidance as a spiritual discipline. Then it hit me...
I used to look at guidance as having someone there for me to consult with; someone who actually knows what I am attempting to accomplish in the future so that if/when I unknowingly diverge, I can be lead back not too much worse for the wear. :) While I don't believe I am too far off, I think I will add to my thought process. I can see guidance now as also a way of seeing things that aren't focus driven, but rather "now" focused - if you will. Today is a day rushed with goals to accomplish and eyes so set on the results, or the proverbial "bottom line," that we fly by (at hyper-speed I might add) the beauty of the day, the wonder that God places right before our very eyes. A.W. Tozer said "In the deep heart of the man was a shrine where none but God was worthy to come. Within him was God; without, a thousand gifts which God had showered upon him" (The Pursuit of God: The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing).
I am of the opinion that to deeply pursue the things we desire without looking around and taking note of the "gifts" the Lord has given to us, is to endure the race with all self-sufficiency - self propelled - and selfishly, not trusting in or being guided by the One who gives us life, passion, and the drive to press toward that goal.
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained." (Phil 3:12-16)
I am not thrilled about clichés, but stop and smell the flowers along the way - they were a gift to make the journey far more pleasurable than rushed. Who is in a hurry anyway...God will complete his purpose any way He chooses, so I will choose to be guided by Him and find the wonder again in all the gifts He so freely gives me.
ps...if you choose to do the same, don't forget to give thanks. He is above and beyond worthy of it. :D

I think I did it! Take 1

For explanation, see previous post...a bit dizzying at times, but I hope you like it as much as I liked making it.

Such a fun day!

The hills were sweeeeeeet yesterday, so I thought I would chronicle the day.
Thank goodness I was the one with the camera. :D lol

Ok, we are heading out just after 7am.




This is my ski & boarding buddy Cindy (we skip work together to get some jibbing in)...lol...ok, I really don't jib - intentionally anyway.

Just as we thought Anthony had slept in this morning, he arrived.

Ok...so, we're off. Now, Breckenridge really isn't that far; however, on an early Saturday morning, it seems far because it everyone on the road wants to be the first on the lifts too, so traffic is HEAVY, but tolerable. So, we're stuck in traffic, but lightly talking - not quite sure what about...something to do with my ski's and Cindy took a deep breath and said "we have to go back." To that I replied "whatever, I saw my ski's on the rack." She said again "we have to go back; I forgot my boots." I laughed and grabbed my camera for the most awesome moment of panick ever! I got the hand! I tried to load the hand for all to view, but for some reason it wouldn't upload. She wasn't very happy, as you can imagine, so I offered my counseling expertise and asked her if she would like to discuss her anger. Ok, so we are all in a better mood now after couch time with Kate...so I snapped another pic on the sly. lol
She's not actually smiling...she's biting her lower lip 'cause she is still thinking we need to go back.
I know I am such a bratty friend. hee hee


Ok Cyn...I know you're reading this, so you might as well just get that blogger account and respond. What were you thinking?

Here are my guesses:

"Hmm, if we turn around now, we can get back to the house by 9am, then back to this spot by 10:30, then at least we could get some good AFTERNOON skiing in."
-or-
"With all this traffic, maybe I could jog back and catch up with them by the time they get to the first tunnel (sure wish I could remember the name of that tunnel)."
-or-
"Should I drag her on her ski's behind the jeep or just break her camera."

Anyway, I talked her in to renting boots for the day...good idea.

Anthony slept. Apparently our conversation couldn't hold his attention.






WELL...




As it turns out, the rental shop was right next door to Starbucks! HOW CONVENIENT!!!! Guess what I did...















Guess what Cindy did...










Ok, pic's a little fuzzy, but I don't have a paparazzi fast action camera.




Finally we arrive. I'm in my gear and ready to run...just waiting on the Gumby's:

















Pose Time

Goofy Gumby on the left,
Regular Gumby on the right.

FYI: Goofy & Regular are boarding terms for which foot you lead with. Goofy leads with right & regular with left.

Gumby refers to that little green man of long ago with a horse named Pokey...yeah, remember how Gumby walked...that's how boarders walk when on their boards.


Ok, I thought I would take you on a short jaunt with me; I created the most awesome video of our trip (with some live ski action from yours truly), but I couldn't get it posted because of it's extension (I created it in Windows Movie Maker), even You Tube couldn't post it! So I have to figure out how to convert it (that's ok, it helps me sharpen my evangelism skills...lol)...ok that was a bad joke. Anyway, I'll post it as soon as I can figure it out.

So, here's the rest of our day...

Cindy and Anthony decided they were going to do some jumping, and well, I just happened to notice that Anthony caught a bit more air than Cindy did...even today, I bet Cindy is pondering how Anthony could have possibly jumped higher...not that she's COMPETITIVE or anything. Side note: I actually told her I was going to ski because when a boy is with us...she tends to get aggressive on those hills...thus the helmet too. Now, I'm all for safety, I wear my helmet every time I board, but Cindy only wears it sometimes (like when boys are with us...lol). Truth is: I HAVE to ski to keep my edge on Cindy - I don't like being left behind...(yup, I've got the C* streak myself).

The guys at the gondola stop were decorating again...I thought it was charming:
















Anyway, Cindy is still not over that fact that Anthony jumped higher than she did and began practicing her jumps in the parking lot....and...

WOA... Ok, either the rapture just took place, or Cindy jumped pretty high. I don't know, Anthony and I didn't want to find out, we just got in the car and left...isn't that what friends are for?
haa haa

Just kidding, we all got home safe and sound, another great day on the slopes.