The Heavens Declare The Glory of God

In my devo's this morning, James McDonald writes of the brilliance of God's design for this earth. "The design shouts a designer." At the end he suggests the reader check out Psalm 19, a chapter I memorized in 9th grade Church history or 12th grade Christian Doc. with Rev. Meyer. Re-reading that Psalm this morning while I look out my window here in the mountains at 8" of fresh snow for my last day of skiing is almost more than I can take. God is so good, and his workmanship is amazing. Romans 1 states that Gods invisible attibutes are clearly seen - so no one is without excuse. Some of those attributes I see all around me today and it renews my soul. Thank you, Lord.

Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard. [a]

4 Their voice [b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Day 3

We awoke with a few new inches of snow. By the time we headed to the mountian we were in white out blizzard conditons. We skied all day, busting through the trees and bumps, while it snowed heavily. Gore-tex is an amazing thing. We found a lot of untracked areas and glided through the champange like fresh powder. We tucked a rope to a closed off chute for our last couple runs and found boot deep powder and a great kicker (a jump). Probably one of the the best days skiing ever. Often we would stop to catch our breath, I would look around at this amazing place God has so craftfully made. As the monstorous flakes filled the sky, I had to prasie Him for what he has done. I am so grateful to be out here.

Rick and I are both feeling it tonight and I may take a day off tomorrow, depending on how much fresh we get.... we'll see in the morning.

I want to thank Mary, too, for taking care of TC and working this week while I (the chump husband and father) am a thousand miles away living like a ski bum. She is amazing and I love her so much. If you think of it, thank her for me.

Here are a few pictures of where we are staying.

Crooked Creek -Young Life camp
Our Cabin
View from the porch

Winterpark Colorado '08

Winterpark is made up of 2 mountains - Winterpark and Mary Jane. We began at Winterpark and then headed over to Mary Jane for the more technical skiing - Moguls, trees, rocks and deeper less groomed snow. The snow was decent and the sun was out most of the day which made it a great first day. We finished the day a little early, bought a boatload of groceries at Safeway for 11 people and headed back to Crooked Creek to soak in the 75 person hot tub... amazing. As sore as I was at the end of the day I am feeling pretty good about today. We got 7 inches last night and we all have equipment and lift passes already so we will park at the base of Mary Jane(less crowed and touristy) and ski right to the lifts before they open at 8:30 for first tracks, one of a skiers biggest dreams. YAHOOO!!!

Jon McLaughlin-Proud Father

Walking a quarter mile from the parking ramp to the floor she works on, this song fills her mind. Channeling through little white wires from her ears to her pocket the words flood her heart with the truth that her Father in heaven is very proud of her. So am I.

Proud Father

There will be crying,
being the man that you should.
But, always be trying,
to see all the bad and the good.
And yours is a promising future,
but, know if it all were to fade.
But a proud father of me
you have already made.

And I'll try to be,
all of the answers that you'd ever need.
And I'll try to show,
All of the love that you need to know.

May the sparks in your eyes,
Outlive the lines on your face.
Hold on to the moments in time,
when you and I share the same space.
And thoughts of you hurt me,
but I know the feeling of wrong.
'Cause there are lessons to learn,
in all of the places I've gone.

And I'll try to be,
all of the answers you'd ever need.
And I'll try to show,
All of the love that you need to know.

So hold on to someone,
who'll love you through the hot,
and the cold.
And hold on to someone,
who'll love you,
no matter what they know.
Just hold on to someone,
who'll love you when your hot,
and when your cold.
And hold on to someone,
who'll love you,
no matter who they know.

Open your mind,
So colors of skill you embrace.
And open your eyes,
to harmony coming of age.
It won't always be easy to love,
when you give and you never get back.
But, no one's intended to die,
with their heart still intact.

And I'll try to be,
all of the answers that you'd ever need.
And I'll try to show,
All of the love that you need to know.

So take time to be still and to know,
that all of the world that you'll face.
That a proud father of me,
you have already made.

Proud Father - Jon Mclaughlin

But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' Jesus quoting Hosea.

LUV2SKI

After taking my 2 year old skiing last week, I reflected back to when I began downhill skiing in 5th grade. I was nine. 20 years on the slopes. I think I may have missed one or two seasons after college, but most winters have been well skied. Tessa has gotten a 7 year jump on me. Hopefully skiing will be as natural as walking. I have looked forward to the idea of taking my child(ren) skiing probably longer than I have looked forward to having kids.
First Tess and I did few runs on the bunny hill with her in a backpack. She enjoyed it despite the cold and the wind. When I yelled back to her to see if she wanted to go fast or slow, all I heard was FAST, we went as fast as you can on the "major" incline of the bunny hill. A few weeks later we strapped on the skis at the local sledding hill, Tower Park. Again, she did pretty well, but probably liked wearing her kid sized goggles more. Up north last week, Mary and I took her down the bunny hill with her skis a few times while Opi and Oma watched. While on the run she seemed unsure and her legs became intermittently limp but she loved the magic carpet which took us back to the top after each run. The rest of the afternoon it was about all she could talk about. Good times Tess, good times...