Creative Reflections

Resting in His Embrace

Prior to our heading up to Tahoe this year I embarked on a plan to get physically fit so that I could tackle some of the longer and more challenging hikes that I have passed up in previous years. Mario got me a gift membership to 24-hour fitness and for more than a month I faithfully worked out every morning after dropping Austin off at school. I would walk the tread-mill for at least 2 miles and started a weight-lifting program for the first time ever. I was CERTAIN that all that extra work would prove beneficial and help me to keep up with the boys on our hikes. So, it was with a great deal of disappointment that I found myself coping with some bothersome health issues when we got to Tahoe. The first few days here I think I had a minor case of altitude sickness and now I'm almost certain that my chronic anemia flared up again....racing heart, ringing ears, almost unbearable exhaustion. It all kind of came to a head the other day when the boys and I hiked Sagehen Creek.

Sagehen Creek is a tributary formed by the winter run-off from the Tahoe-Donner pass. It is a beautiful creek that runs and tumbles over itself for about 2.5 miles until it reaches Stampede Reservoir. The hike is VERY easy; flat and filled with the promise of abundant wild-flowers. (Because of the amount of snow and the late-season snow the flowers were not yet blooming when we took the hike, but you could see all the mules ear, lupine, Indian paintbrush, the camas and corn lilies, buttercups, bluebells and columbine that were beginning to sprout and cover the hillsides.)

Despite the ease of the hike I was aware as we were hiking and I was stopping to take photos that I really wasn't feeling all that well. By the time we made it out to the reservoir I was thinking I might be in some real trouble. I didn't want to scare the boys and I knew we had a 2.5 mile walk back to the car. So, I did the only thing I knew to do...I prayed. I told the boys we would take it nice and slow and we would be okay. They weren't really worried until they realized I had stopped taking photos. I NEVER stop taking photos on our hikes!!

As we walked I was something like Dory in Finding Nemo only instead of whispering, "Just keep swimming" I was saying, "Just keep walking, just keep walking." I kept thinking about the words of one of my favorite devotionals, "Behold you are in the hollow of My hand. Yes in the moment that you lift your voice to me and call for help, I will gather you up, I shall wrap you in my garment of joy. My presence will be your great reward....you will be in my embrace and there you will find rest."

When we finally reached the car all three of us said, almost in unison, "Thank you God!" As we were driving back to the condo I have to admit I had a little wrestling match with my attitude. It was very tempting to think about how hard I had worked to "get fit" prior to our trip and very easy to start feeling sorry for myself that things were NOT going according to plan. But then I set that all aside and thought about the faithfulness of God, whose very real presence saw me through on this day. Perhaps the Lord is using this experience to remind me that I should not look to my physical abilities (or lack there of) to find my strength but instead I need only look to him.

For my friends who might be reading this with some concern, please don't be worried! After a couple of days of taking some extra iron supplements and vitamin B. I'm back to feeling much more like myself. So much so in fact that today we hiked Cascade Falls...but I'll leave the details of that adventure for another post!

Despite the physical struggles I experienced on this hike, it was still a beautiful hike! Even in the midst of personal challenge the boys, Tramp and I had a wonderful time....and I even managed to take some photos prior to that long trudge back to the car!!

Walking through the meadow to Stampede Reservoir

There was something about this place that really seemed to "click" for our sweet Tramp. For all of his two years of life he has thought himself a lap-dog, terrified of water. But here in this meadow and before this gorgeous lake some little switch seemed to get turned on in Tramp's head. Before we knew it he was bounding in the water, "sighting" the birds in the water and actually trying to retrieve sticks that Austin threw in the water. It was almost as if you could hear him thinking, "why, I do believe I might actually be a Labrador retriever!" Even though I was dizzy as could be, my dog STILL managed to make me laugh!!

My two faithful boys! Anthony actually said on the way back, "Don't worry mom, if you pass out I'll carry you to the car!" He then added, with a twinkle in his eye, "and drive you home!" (He so wants to get his drivers permit and is trying every which way to get me to back down from my "rule" that boys can't drive until they are 17.)

And so I leave you with the calm beauty of this pristine lake...resting in His embrace....until my next post....Blessings!

 

Worship Walks

Spooner Lake was born in the early 1920's as a water reservoir. It has evolved over time to became a pristine wild-life sanctuary on the north-east corner of Lake Tahoe. You can find it at the intersection of State Route 28 and US 50. For many the hike around Spooner Lake is an easy, first-time Sierra hike. For me it has become a beloved early-morning, "Worship Walk." Often when I am visiting Tahoe I will get up with the dawn and head on over to take a quick 2-mile hike around the lake. It is a great way to acclimate to the higher altitudes and to keep in shape for the more strenuous hikes we take through out the region. More than that though these early morning walks have become for me a sweet time of solitude where I can re-orient my heart toward the things of my Maker.

Earlier this week Anthony and I got up early one morning and headed over to Spooner; he to train with a four mile run and me to "warm up" with a brisk two mile walk around the lake. I started the walk with my ipod, listening to some of my favorite worship music. But then, half-way through the walk I thought, "Why am I listening to recorded music when I could hear God's very creation singing their worship to him." So, I turned off the ipod and turned on my "listening ears." I prayed and asked the Lord to show me the wonder of His creation and creations response to Him. I thought about the verses in the Bible that speak of creation praising God...Psalm 148, "Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies,' Psalm 19, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands," Isaiah 55:12, "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands," Psalm 66:4, "All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name," And so many others!

As I thought of these verses the wind rose, the aspen leaves quaked, the chickadees sang love songs to their mates, the Canadian geese honked at their babies. It seemed as if all of creation joined in a symphony of praise to their maker. I couldn't help but think of the extravagance of God's love; He who gave us eyes to see glorious colors and light and mist and the clouds veiling the face of the moon, He who gave us ears to hear the chirp of a cricket and the splash of a trout as it jumps to catch its breakfast, and He, who gave us NEW LIFE and transformed our hearts so that instead of rejecting Him and all of His ways as would be our nature we are now able to embrace all that He intends for us and accept with grateful hearts the pouring out of His mercy and grace.

Worship-fully I walk around this treasured little lake and add my praise to that of all creation.

This layout is a compilation of photos I've taken at Spooner over the years:

 

Merry Christmas

The Word made flesh and light shines in the darkness. God stoops and becomes man. The only other act of love that matches this is when that same man became obedient unto death and paid the price for all our sins. My Christmas wish for you is that your heart will be tuned to receive that love; may the knowledge of God's love enfold you and give you wings to fly. Merry Christmas!!

(In the photo: Mt. Rose reflected in Ophir Creek; even the mighty mountains bow down in praise!)

March Already?!!

Wow, I know I say this almost every year but the time is really flying by! I can't believe it is March already. The Cozzi family has been keeping busy. February is always a rush because we celebrate not one but three different birthdays. This year I turned 50....ahhhhhh!!! It still kinda brings me up short. I'll look in the mirror and think, "wow, I'm 50!!" Then I'll second guess myself and think, "surely that can't be right!"

I do find that age does have some privileges though. It is good to be at a place where I'm comfortable with myself. Long gone are those painful years of transition where I wasn't sure who or what I was going to be and wondering what value I could possibly have. God's rescue and His sweet provision all these years have added not only joy but also sweet contentment to my life. Being certain of a calling, finding value and worth in God's priorities and being surrounded by a generous and loving family truly make the passing years not a thing to dread but something to rejoice. It gives me a chance to look around and see all the miracles both small and large that God is constantly working in my life.

I'm still serving in Women's Ministry helping to oversee our Women's Bible study. We are currently doing a study on Exodus. Each day as I work through our lessons I'm overwhelmed by the all-consuming nature of God's love for us. This week we "sang the song of Moses and Miriam;" praising him because He is highly exalted, He is my strength and my song, He has become my salvation, He is my warrior, He leads me with His unfailing love. He is majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, always working wonders. What more could anybody possibly want or need when the love of such a God is ours?!

The boys are all doing well. Alex is on Spring Break and took the opportunity to fly to Indiana and visit Pastor Rob and Lori. I'm so thankful for the gift of these precious friends and for the way they DON'T let time and distance interfere with the loving relationship they established with Alex all the years they were here in S. California. Anthony is a joyful light in our home; he has such a gift of finding joy in each day and sharing that joy with others. He is playing volleyball this spring and I think he has found a new "favorite" sport. His height is serving him well and he has become quite an exceptional blocker. Austin has been blessed this year in his teacher, Mr. Fikse. They have a special relationship and Al has a gift for drawing Austin out and helping him to make the most of his gifts. He is still playing the trumpet and handbells, loves algebra (go figure?!) and has been having a great time working on his science project.

Mario is still working with Wells Fargo. He is happy and content with his work and really enjoys his co-workers. He is still volunteering his time with our church Youth ministry as well as volunteering with our church music ministry playing piano during worship and Vesper services. He is hoping to put together a couple of traveling soccer teams for the fall but we are not sure if he will be able to round up enough boys for the teams; we shall see.

My partner Stacey and I continue to produce our monthly online magazine and I continue to design digital scrap products for the Guild. We have expanded into several different stores and our board of contributors has grown both in terms of numbers as well as artistry. I'm thrilled with our end product every month; it grows in its creative merit with every issue. This month I'm the featured designer at one of our stores, E-scape and Scrap. You can read all about it on their blog and find a link to this free sample:

I haven't had a lot of time to "scrap just for fun" but here are a few layouts I've made in the last few months:

Playing with Maia on the beach in December.

The boys and I last summer in Tahoe

My favorite "small" lake in the Tahoe basin. 

Remembering when my boys were younger-this is the newest March Guild kit called "Origins."

Anthony & Justin hiking Spooner Lake.

A Day Set Apart

I've always loved the idea of the Sabbath; a day set apart to rejoice in the provision that Holy God has made for us to live in intimate relationship with Him. To be honest, most Sundays have a sweet habit about them. Attending church, worshiping, hearing an uplifting or challenging message and spending time with church family is sort of the warp and weft of what Sundays have come to mean to our family. But every once in a while the Spirit of God will be so palpable that is shakes me out of habit, lifts me out of the routine and reminds me again of the indescribable beauty and power of the God who loved me, rescued me and daily shows His loving kindness to me. Today was such a day and this layout was born of my gratitude to Him....awestruck I fall to my knees as I humbly proclaim, you are amazing God! (Lyrics by Chris Tomlin)

Tonight at our monthly Vesper service the worship leader encouraged us to spend a few moments writing down our prayers of thanksgiving. This was mine: I thank you Lord for being the Great Author! You are the author of creation, of history, of life; the author of salvation and of faith. Unless the author puts pen to paper there is no story. How my heart trembles with overwhelming gratitude for the majesty, holiness, loving kindness and indescribable beauty of the story you have written for all mankind.

Thank you Lord that the simple, small story you are writing in and through my life is a story filled with the touch of your common grace, the power of your redemptive work, the tenderness of your mercy and the brilliance of your Spirit writ large upon my heart...you ARE amazing God!!

May you all have a blessed week, filled with the joy of God's kind provision and grace!

Sometimes It All Just Comes Together

Late this afternoon, after a long day of doing administrative work I thought I would unwind by listening to some music, editing some photos and...if inspiration struck....create a layout or two. I was listening to one of my favorite contemporary Christian groups, "Casting Crowns." The photos I was editing came from from our trip to Tahoe this past summer.

I was working on this photo when the song "Somewhere in the Middle" started to play:

The Song Lyrics:

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me

Fearless warriors in a picket fence,
reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle

This song has always spoken to me of some of my own struggles in my Christian walk. I KNOW that our most powerful experience of God is only found when we abandon self and fully embrace HIS path, HIS call, HIS ways and HIS holiness and yet in my brokenness I so often cling to my own willfulness....caught in the middle between temporal comfort and selfless abandon.

How precious is the thought that even in this in-between place the beauty of the Lord still shines, the reality of his love still comforts, and the certainty of our hope still encourages us to move forward. Like the sunrise coming up over this mountain someday, soon, we too shall be able to stand in the full glory of Holy God and NOT be caught in the middle anymore!

A photo, a song, a moment of prayerful thought, a creative process....sometimes it all just "comes together!"