Another Magical Evening at the Lake

 When I came out of the grocery late one evening, the sky was an amazing combination of blues and pinks. I drove to the lake to see if I could soak in the sunset before it was over. Some evenings the colors disappear very quickly. Other times the color hangs around for a while. At the lake, reds, purples, and oranges were the main colors.  

I'm amazed how much the colors can change in a short time

The Olympic Mountains are behind the trees

Magical Summer Evenings

 As good as iPhone cameras are, they can't always capture the beauty and magic of evening light. 

Summer sunset skies can be spectacular. 

Above - looking east

These next photos were taken at 9:30 at night. Another magical evening at the lake. The musician was still playing. The boats were coming into the dock. You can't tell from the picture above but there were three kinds of boats docking at the same time - a sailboat, a big yacht, and a small flotilla of electric boats.

People were enjoying the ducks, the water, the magic of this evening

I sat on the ledge by our "beach" just soaking in the beauty of the night. I'd been there quite a while before I noticed the HUGE, full moon. It didn't look real. As I observed it, I wondered what other beautiful things, or people, I was missing because I wasn't paying close attention. (Moon is in middle of picture, above the building)

The light at dusk made this hydrangea glow

Perspective

The gospel is not part of our life, but our life is actually part of the gospel of Jesus Christ.   Chi Hong Wong

What a difference this perspective makes. 

Reflections

 

Father's Day

Dad printed this Father's Prayer on his basement press

image June 2003

Reflections

a very Northwest sight

evergreen trees against white, puffy clouds

Chance To Be Brilliant

 “But it’s during those times, when we feel like we’re at our lowest, that we have the chance to be brilliant. The chance to be great. ... the one thing I was always certain about is that I would cling to my faith in Jesus Christ, ... I decided that I would control all other outcomes to the best of my ability. I would put 100% effort wherever I could.” Mason Wells*

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*Mason Wells was injured in the 2016 Brussels terrorist bombing. He recently graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. 

Remembering the Ordinary

"Ordinary people do extraordinary things just by doing what they are supposed to do at that moment, and it's worth remembering." Ardis Parshall

Parshall is an amazing person who has devoted her life to preserving and sharing people's stories. She is an inspiration. 

As I go through our family's letters and photographs, I'm often struck by the importance of what many would call ordinary events of the lives of those who came before us. Looking back, it's those ordinary things, done by ordinary people, that resulted in an extraordinary legacy of faith, family, and friends. I am thankful for the artifacts that help us remember our people and the lives they lived. 

Light at the Lake

 Light on the lake

All these pictures were taken within a few minutes of each other
The colors differ depending on direction

pink sky reflected on the water

Seattle in the distance

Legacy

 Legacy - I think about this frequently as I work with our family archives. The fact that I just celebrated my 75th birthday also brings thoughts of what I'm leaving behind when my turn on earth is completed. 

What stories, experiences, person characteristics have been left behind for us? What will we leave for those who come after us?

Leigh Nash addresses this in “Something Worth Leaving Behind.” 

…

I keep my eyes on what is eternal 

It's a song that won't fade away 

Still I ask myself what is eternal 

……

Cause I’m desperate for a life that has meaning

Try write a line that's worth repeating

That'll make you think of me when my heart's done beating You'll pass down the line

That'll stand the test of time

Something worth leaving behind

 

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Check out  “Grace Notes” on BYU TV. The host talks with musicians about the connection between their music and their faith.