Rocky Mountain Adventure -Guest Heart Thursday

Years ago, when our children were "tweens," my husband and our family along with his Brother, Sister-in-Law and their family were sightseeing in the Rocky Mountains near Estes park.

The cliffs along the road sparkled like diamonds.  We were in awe so we pulled to the side of the road to look at the bright  rocks of the steep hillside. 

The kids decided to climb the side of the hill.

Our middle daughter had climbed quite a ways up when the unthinkable happened.  She reached out to grab part of the cliff when a huge piece of the cliff came loose on top of her.  Later she said,  “I tried to push it to one side with my hands so it wouldn’t hit my cousins, but it was too heavy.”  Everything went into in slow motion as I watched the boulder land on my nephew, then bounce back onto my daughter. 

The giant rock hit both her shins and she flew backwards off the cliff, landing on her back in a cupped area of sharp rocks below.

The huge rock bounced down to land on my young niece, hitting her hard on the thigh as she slid down the cliff on her feet.  My daughter said at that moment she felt herself blacking out--but she was so worried about her cousins, she wouldn’t let herself go into the darkness. 

As she lay there, she was afraid to move because she hurt so badly.

I don’t remember how I got to her side, but suddenly I was there, my husband close behind, checking her legs, her back while my brother-in-law, once he knew his son was alright, carried his daughter to the edge of the road.

Miraculously the kids only sustained scrapes and cuts—there were no broken bones, no lasting consequences.  They insisted on going on to Estes Park.

On our way back, we pulled over to the spot where our children had so narrowly escaped harm.  There was the rock which had fallen onto the children--it was so big and heavy my husband and his brother together couldn’t lift it.  It was a miracle no one was seriously hurt.  We knew God’s angels had hefted that great boulder aside.  There was no other explanation.

Then the kids decided to climb the hill again.  It looked safe and they were determined to go.  After examining the hillside, we as parents felt this was the best thing to do.

After climbing to the top and back our daughter confided, “Best of all I conquered my fear and climbed that same cliff--all the way to the top.”

Later we went back and got that big rock—it rests my brother-in-law’s Garden—a reminder of God’s incredible mercy and grace, and the strength and loving protection of those Rocky Mountain Angels.

For more heart art, photography, and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Angels Overhead -Guest Heart Thursday

If you look closely you can see a heart hidden in the arms of the cloud.  What a beautiful day it was.  I was down at the park with my darling little niece.   We were in awe of the beauty of the skies.

Then she gasped and pointed upward.  "Look," she cried.  "There's an angel!"  She danced on her small toes as she added, "and his arms are open for a hug."

What a beautiful thing--to see through the eyes of a child.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Roses for Mumsie -Guest Heart Thursday

Every Valentine's Day, Daddy always found a way to get Mumsie a lovely bouquet of flowers and a big fancy box of candy.  Because this was Mom's first Valentine's Day since Dad died, I knew it would be incredibly difficult for her.  I wanted to do something special for her in his absence.

So, I found some flowers which were reasonably priced and chose the best ones I could afford.  I looked longingly at a huge bouquet of red roses, but knew I couldn't swing it.  I asked the clerk if they sold fancy boxes of chocolate and if not, perhaps she knew someplace nearby where they did.

I explained my plans to surprise Mom with flowers and a big box of chocolates and why it was so important.  Unbidden, tears lurked in my eyes.

As I was ready to purchase the flowers I'd found, the young lady excused herself for a moment.  I stood at the check out counter lost in my thoughts--when I heard her ask, "Does your Mom like roses?"

"Yes, she does," I said, looking up with a tearful smile.

In her hands the girl bore a beautiful bouquet of a dozen red roses complete with baby's breath and gorgeous greens.

"These are for your Mom," she said, putting them into my hands.  "And they're on the house."

I gasped and burst into tears and when I could find the words, I thanked her.  She was weeping as she hugged me.   

What an unexpected, precious gift of love for our beloved Mumsie--on a day I know she was dreading with all her heart.

Sometimes Angels are people doing wonderful, unexpected things for each other.  I am so grateful for Miss Molly and her lovely gift of flowers.  Mom was astonished--and when she heard the story, she was even more touched.  (And yes, I did find a really cool heart box filled with chocolates to go along with those roses.)  (grin) 

We can all be someone's Angel--and you never know who's watching.  Click on the heart below--this song touched me SO much.  Thank you to all the angels out there--with one simple kind act, you can change the world.

I wish each of you, a wonderful Happy Valentine's Day! 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday! 
 

Christmas Eve Angel -Guest Heart Thursday

The holidays have been hard this year.  This was our first Thanksgiving and Christmas without our Dad.  It has been an emotionally hard time for our entire family.

It was Christmas Eve day.  I was working on Christmas presents, when the phone rang.  It was Sissy.  When she told me what had just happened, I laughed and laughed--It was exactly what we all needed.  I asked Clytie to send me the story of the Christmas Eve Angel so I could share it with you.

Sissy writes, "I was walking down our rural country road, picking up cans to earn a few extra dollars. It was Christmas Eve, and I was short of money for the month.

             I had just picked up a bottle and put it in my bag, when I heard a car come to a stop behind me. I turned around and saw a small Volkswagen Jetta, the window rolled down, an older lady behind the wheel. "Miss, Miss", she called.

            "Hi," I said, walking towards her car.

            "Oh, I don't want to scare you." she said, with a thick accent.

            I thought she was lost on our windy country road, so I asked her if she needed directions.

            "No," she answered. "God told me to stop".

            I backed up a bit - "Okaaay".

            "God told me to stop and give you something."

            I figured she was going to give me a religious tract or something. At least she was   being nice about it! "Oh," I answered "That's very sweet, but you don't need to do that."

            "Yes, I do. God told me I had to. If you don't take it, then I will leave it here on the middle of the road for someone else!"

            With that, she shoved a piece of paper into my hand ... and drove away.

"God bless you," she called as she went. "Merry Christmas!"

            I opened my hand, and tears flooded my eyes as I saw what she had given me.

A clean, crisp $20 bill.

            Was she an angel? Maybe.

            Do angels drive Volkswagen Jettas???"

Isn't that a wonderful story?  I think about what happened and I know Dad is smiling.  I am so grateful for Clytie's Christmas Eve Angel.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

Biker Angel - Guest Heart Thursday

This Angel Story comes from our wonderful neighbor Jerry.  He is a tough Vietnam Vet with a very big heart.

As Jerry tells it, he was riding his bike on the freeway, when he came up on a huge gang of scary looking bikers on Harleys.  They were going under the speed limit, holding traffic back behind them.  No one wanted to pass this group of mean looking bikers for fear of what they might do.

But Jerry decided he wasn't going to put up with that, kicked his bike into high gear and drove up through the middle.  The bikers parted as Jerry made his way through.  Then he was off and away.

Awhile later, when he stopped for a break, who should come riding up, but that same group of tough guys.  The bulky leader stalked up to Jerry and growled, "Who was that big guy you were riding with?"

Jerry told the man he had been riding alone.  But the biker insisted Jerry hadn't been alone and made it clear, if the large, well-muscled fellow Jerry had been riding with hadn't been there--things would have not gone very well for Jerry. 

Another incredible story of God's protecting angels at work!

This is the first time I've posted this blog on Guest Heart Thursday.  Can you see the big heart just over that big angel's shoulder?  For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.