the ice caves + apostle islands

Over President's day weekend, Jared and I, and our friends Nick + Kristina made the long haul up and over to lake Superior to see these magnificent ice caves that have been taking the news by storm. And whoah, you guys, did they ever deliver! I mean, they blew my mind, delivered. 

Because we wanted to make this a one day trip, we left our place before the sun was up, grabbed our coffee, and headed north, through Duluth, and over to the Bayfield, WI area. Thankfully a 4 hour drive goes well when you enjoy the company. :) So thankful for great friends and the chance to do something fun like this! We got to the access point on Lake Superior around 8:30 in the morning. On a, albeit cold, but sunny and stunning day. It's around 1 mile of walking from the shoreline out onto the lake just to get to the "starting point" of these caves, and over 2 miles of shoreline beauty from there. 

There is not one blade of grass, not one color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice! | John Calvin

The shoreline of one of the Apostle Islands, which is the the location of these caves is only accessible when Lake Superior is {totally and completely} frozen. Hence why it is making such a stir this year. It hasn't been accessible for over 5 years! Initially I wasn't super excited about walking on the lake {ok, at all.} But it turned out to be the last thing on my mind. I mean, it was so. pretty. 

If created things are seen and handled as gifts of God and as mirrors of His Glory, then our delight in them is also a delight in their Maker. | John Piper

The whole day spent on the lake we were just awe-struck with the grandeur and magnificence of it all. One turn seemed better than the next, and one cave smaller and more interesting than before. 

At one point, we found quite the gem. A small opening, with a cavern inside that could fit about 20 people. But you never would have guessed...

Ice Cave 2014 from Skyler Johnson on Vimeo.

We started our trek off of the lake around 1:30. Hadn't even noticed our stomachs and that we had eaten breakfast so long ago at 5am - there was just so much to take in!

What a picture dumping that was - thanks for hanging in there with me guys! As hard as it is sometimes for pictures to fully convey the scale and wow-factor of scenery like these caves, even as I was recapping last weekend in my head and through this post, I still am amazed. Not only that places like this exist, but that God is so creative as to allow us this enjoyment through His creation. 

It was a JOY-FILLED day, being outdoors, being with great friends, and being in the presence of God through stunning creation. Next time {or even still this year if conditions allow} I HIGHLY recommend taking the time, sacrificing a full day and going to see these caves. It was a blessing to my wintertime!

Blessed are you, God of Israel, our father
    from of old and forever.
To you, O God, belong the greatness and the might,
    the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendor;
Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth;
    the kingdom all yours! You’ve raised yourself high over all.
Riches and glory come from you,
    you’re ruler over all;
You hold strength and power in the palm of your hand
    to build up and strengthen all.
And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you,
    praising your splendid Name!

1 Chronicles 29:11 | the message

snow sculptures + winter carnival

Well, we didn't make it out to the ice sculptures this year as usual, but I was able to make a last minute effort to see the snow sculptures out at the state fairgrounds as part of the St. Paul winter carnival! As the temps have remained bone-chillingly low { I do believe I heard that today is our 43rd day this season staying below zero(!!) yikes!}  it has been a bit of an effort to get outside, stay active, or even enjoy the winter, but we have been doing our best. I have been feeling like my body has been acclimating to the arctic temperatures, such that on a day we are only in the negative single digits, it feels quite bearable. Goodness knows what 32* will feel like!! 

I think the last time I saw the snow sculptures, I was quite young. They don't do them every year, like they do the ice sculptures, but turning a big hunk of snow into such detail is pretty amazing as well!! I always love finding things to do around our area. I don't have mountains to drive up to, or beaches to frequent, as much as I would LOVE either of those things around me... :) so it's always fun to visit these kind of exhibits when there is the chance! 

Jared is still quite busy on the weekends, with Saturday double header basketball games, or writing stories, or even just mountains of homework.... so I was kind of bummed that he wasn't able to tag along to see these, but I was thankful that Dave & Chris were in town, and wanted to go exploring, and my parents as well.  

We are looking quite forward to this fall when Jared graduates with his MBA - not only a huge accomplishment, but we are anticipating the hours that it will free up for him. Especially on the weekends. :) 

merry merry christmas

Merry Christmas friends! It has been a wonderfully busy but blessed season for Jared and I. We have had the opportunity to be with both of our families, seperate and together, a reminder of what we truly have to be thankful for. :)

We spent Wednesday night through Christmas morning in Storden with Dave & Chris, Greg & Lori. It was peaceful, fun, and so good to get away from the city for a bit. We "took a drive" on Christmas Eve through the country watching the sunset and just "being," ate our fair share of cookies, creme brulee, & rice pudding, and the highlight: watching The Nativity Story for the first time. I'm telling you.... it is going to become a staple for Jared and I on Christmas Eve. If you haven't seen it, put it on the to-do list for next Christmas, because it brought me to a total state of worship for what actually happened on that Holy night. It definitely put the next activity in its rightful place. Don't get me wrong, we had fun... but this Christmas, more so than ever before (and thanks to the wonderful movie) I felt overcome of what Christ's birth means to me and to this season.

After church on Christmas morning, we ate a quick lunch, and headed back to my parents house (with Dave & Chris in tow!) :) Close friends Paul & Tammy joined us, for a packed house for Christmas dinner, games (including a 2 table tournament of 500), food, and enough sugar to result in deciding to start a game of friendly poker at this hour of the morning....

Husband rolled into bed around 2:15am. Thankfully all 8 of us woke up on the right side of the bed! We had "Christmas" with mom & dad (and Sami) just this morning. Although my spirit about Christmas is in a different place this year after watching The Nativity Story it is still such a joy to see faces like this over presents...

So merry Christmas. And this year, over the fun of gifts, parties, treats & friends, I am reminded of the holiness of what happened in Bethlehem. The humanly struggles were made real to me, and the reverence of His birth brought to life. That's the way it should be.