May 27, 2009

A New Harmony.



So... here I am. In Southern Utah. Overlooking the most breathtaking canyons and valleys I've ever seen in my entire life.

This is the humble view from the deck of my parent's new house.

It is so amazing and peaceful here, I swear even the trees are sighing heavily with satisfaction. The other day I sat outside as a thunderstorm rolled in, and I thought maybe I'd actually died and gone to heaven- the wonder of it all was almost too much. The smell of the wet earth was enough to send me into raptures. I wanted to eat the air. The sunlight was boxing its way through the heavy gray clouds and punching the ground in gold and green streaks. The mountain peaks were lighting up and then slipping back into the shadows like brave little lighthouses.

I find myself running to the windows every few minutes throughout the day... unwilling to miss out on the constant light show before me. All that I can think of as I take in the scene is that God has crammed this earth to the very brink with beauty... that He hand crafted and placed every tree and rock and sunbeam. Also, He loves me enough to have given me eyes to see it all. And a memory enough to take a piece of this place with me wherever I go for the rest of my life.

The kindheartedness of it all is completely devastating.

******

Chris left on Monday, and, I'm not going to lie, I miss the boy. The days here are still quite busy and loud and full- namely because the children didn't evaporate into thin air when they heard we were going on 'vacation'. They are still the boisterous, needy little munchkins they have always been. They exhaust me. Except, now that we're here, we spend lots of our time outdoors... digging in the dirt and playing with old hot wheels cars that belonged to my brother when he was a kid. All the fresh air and sunlight and fun help me forget my tired eyes and remember my smile. I'm also remembering the strength of my arms as I plow the dirt with the pick axe and haul the rocks away... making soft ground for the future plants to grow in.

Every time I swing that axe I find myself praying along with it rhythmically as it sinks into the ground and pulls up another stone.

"Plow my heart. Dig up the stones there, too."

And as we sift through the soil and shake it down and pull out the smaller rocks after that, I find myself praying along once again.

"Sift me. Shake me. Fine-tune me."

I am thankful to be in this place. It is so very inspiring. It makes me want to write and write and write.

And breathe and breathe and breathe.

And live and live and live.

10 comments:

Danae said...

That place is so beautiful. I am always in awe at how our suroundings have such an affect on us; God is so good to give us such beautiful places.

Joel Limpic said...

thanks for sharing em!! love the images in nature that remind us of simple prayers.

got to see chris last night, he rode his bike down from the village for band practice... super fun to see him.

we miss you back here, but are so excited about the priceless time you get to spend with your family there.

talk soon.

mrs boo radley said...

Gorgeous all around.

Bluebelle said...

That is stunning scenery. I can imagine just sitting and looking at it all day and taking a million photos. Have a great time!

Megan said...

It's obvious from this beautiful post that you are feeling inspired.

Breathtaking pictures - keep them coming! They bring some contentedness to my day.

Have fun!

Annie Peterson said...

How unbelievably beautiful. It's those kinds of views that make you understand Romans 1 where Paul says that no one has any excuse to believe that there is no God, because they can SEE His creation. To think that that incredible beauty is only a small, teeny-tiny sliver of a view of how beautiful HE is... Thank you so much for sharing the pictures! I'm glad you get to spend some time breathing in that air.

Anonymous said...

I held that last image of Ezra and Momar in my mind all day today. Every time I referenced it I felt like I could cry. It just blesses me so much to see my boy walking down that beautiful road with such an amazing woman! Miss Y'all!!!!!

Chris

Karen Dietrich said...

Hi Emery!

I've been reading your blog for a long time now, but this is my first comment :)

Sounds like you're having a beautiful trip...I love your blog!

Samurai Scrivener said...

Thank you so much for sharing these breathtaking pictures and moments from your trip.

It is such a blessing that your parents can enjoy their retirement in their dream home surrounded by such magnificent sights, and that they have you and their grandchildren to share it with.

Candace said...

oh, yeah! That's what I said out loud after I saw the photo. OH YEAH!