Savoring the present

It has been challenging to keep up with blogging during this season.  I want to be present to the moments in front of me, and sometimes I find that taking pictures, posting, writing, takes up precious moments and acts almost as a barrier to being fully present.  Once a wise lady and friend said she figured that she would rather make memories with her children, and be present in those memories, than always be on the other side of a camera trying to capture them, almost as an outsider.  I have pondered this since hearing it some 6 or 7 years ago.  And I am wanting to heed the warning it contains.  I have been the picture taker for our family when the kids were growing up, and it was true when I went to scrap book, it was challenging to find pictures of me with the kids.  How are you doing being all there, present to the moments right in front of you, the now? 
You may see a little less blogging from me over the next few weeks.  We are soaking up time with our new wee grandson--these treasured days cannot be had again--and that is as God ordained it, however, I don't want them to pass me by unseeing.  We also are preparing for our daughter Natalie's wedding.  And the end of June, beginning of July will find us on a plane, transitioning back to Quito for the year.  So, I find myself asking God to show me how to balance these divergent tugs on my time.  Packing, although not fun, must be done, and I want to do a little here and there, so as not to be overwhelmed by leaving it all to the last minute.  I find it tricky to know what to tackle. 
So, if you think of me, please pray, that I will gracefully balance these things.  That I will reflect Christ in all that I do, that His life will be in me, and pour from me, nothing more and nothing less.  I am just loving being a grandma!  Goodness!  No words really other than -- surreal. 

The beauty of a piece of seaweed against a jade colored rock down at the beach!  Beauty is everywhere, are you taking time to stop and look and be thankful for what He gives?  "Life is not an emergency."  Ann Voskamp.