Simply XSBaggage

Welcome to Lake Crescent

If you ever make a visit to the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state, you must make a trip out to Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. I recently made a couple of trips out there (it's about 20 minutes from my home in Port Angeles.) 

On a Friday I drove out to deliver an order of products from my business that will be available for sale in the Gift Shop at Lake Crescent Lodge Resort. As you turn off of the Highway, you're greeted by hanging moss and huge ferns.

It was a sunny, blustery day and the lake had white caps on it. The setting here is breath-taking.

See what I mean?

Lake Crescent was formed by glacial activity. The ridges surrounding the lake are steep, and the center of the lake is as deep as 624 feet!

There are rooms in the Lodge and also quaint cabins for rent. I could have stayed out here for a week, but, sadly, I had to get back to work. 

The gift shop opens May 8th, and I'm going to use the excuse that I need to get some photos of my products, and make another trip to the lake.

Fingerprint Friday - Being grateful

Over at Pampering Beki's blog, she does a feature every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday". Her idea is taken from a Steven Curtis Chapman song that goes like this:

I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god

She invites other bloggers to join in and give their interpretation of how they see God's fingerprints in their daily lives. 

I took this picture recently on a hike at Lake Crescent. 

It's so easy theses days to focus on the negative. Just turn on the evening news, read a newspaper, or talk to family and friends about the current state of our country.

Now, more than ever, we need to turn to God with thankfulness and gratitude for what we do have. I have a book by Greg Laurie called 'For Every Season', and in it he uses this verse:

  "Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men." (Psalm 107:8)

He talks about how, in the Old Testament, King Jehosaphat took an uncommon approach when his enemies waged war against him. He ordered his people to sing to the Lord "Praise the Lord for HIs mercy endures forever." (2 Chronicles 20:21)

God sent an ambush against the army, and they were destroyed. God's people were able to go into this situation giving thanks, because He was in control.

Do you remember to thank God for the blessings he gives you every day? I know I fall short constantly. I'm so busy praying for needs, that I often forget to thank Him for all the times He has helped.

What would happen if we spent more time praising and thanking Him? I'm going to try to spend just as much time thanking Him and being grateful as I do asking for His help.

And I'm betting His 'fingerprints' on my life will be even clearer to me!