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| Nancy Reinke |
Welcome to Mountain Manna
I am a freelance writer, photographer and year-round resident of Estes Park, Colorado -- gateway to the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park.
Christian since 1973
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| Bear Lake |
I've been a Christian since 1973. I got off to a rocky start with the Lord, but He never gave up on me. His grace truly is amazing. In 1988 my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and God used her illness and subsequent death to draw me into a fully surrendered relationship with Him. I am passionate about this wonderful God I serve.To think that He would sacrifice His Son for me -- to think that Jesus would give His life for me -- is beyond incredible. And then to have the Holy Spirit daily guiding and teaching me. . . well, it just overwhelms me. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me."
Widowhood
When my husband of 36 years went home to the Lord in May 2007, I began a journey with Jesus like one I had never before experienced. I came to understand in a new way 2 Corinthians 4:7-10: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." Without "the surpassing greatness of the power of God", I could never have endured the pain of letting go of my husband.
Healing of the Heart
There are so many layers of grief that cover the heart of a surviving spouse. But our loving Lord gently, slowly peels them away to reveal a heart that is cradled in His loving arms. He becomes everything we thought we had lost when our lover departed. And, oh, the communion with our Savior is sweet. So sweet.
Remarriage
In October 2009 God changed my life once again and brought Dennis Reinke a wonderful, godly man into my life. We were married on Valentine's Day 2010 at The Fawnbrook Inn, a magical place in Allenspark, CO. I relocated from Ohio to Estes Park where Dennis is an established visual artist (www.dennisreinke.com).
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Dennis Reinke painting The Fawnbrook Inn garden.
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Dennis and I live on a half-acre homestead at the base of Prospect Mountain.
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| Our home is a 1926 cabin we purchased and completely renovated ourselves with the help of our friend Will. |
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| We converted a 150 year-old log barn on our homestead to an artist studio. |
Writing for God
I've always enjoyed writing. As a little girl I played "journalist" and made up newspaper stories. After coming to Christ I wrote for Him -- letters of encouragement to others, devotionals, newsletters, poems and so forth. On May 3, 2010 I began blogging about my life in the Rockies on Joyful Altitude. When Dennis gave me his spare digital camera, I discovered a new passion: photography. On August 3, 2010 I combined my passions for writing and photography in my second blog Mountain Manna Devotionals.
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| Mountain Manna is my tribute to my #1 Passion: Jesus Christ. |
In my first Joyful Altitude post, Joy 7,522 Feet Above Sea Level, I wrote: "I started this blog in an effort to hone my writing skills, as well as journal my life in Estes Park, Colorado...a high altitude location." I didn't realize then how much God would teach me through blogging and how He would use it to encourage others in their faith walk. Nor did I dream that He would open doors for my writing to reach outside cyberland. My devotionals appear in:
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| "Pay It Forward" - January 24. |
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| January 16 - 22, 2012 |
I take none of the credit or the glory. It all belongs to my Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him I would not have the freedom (both spiritual and emotional) to live and write the way I do.
A Joyful Life
A Joyful Life
Dennis and I are very blessed to be able to do what we love.
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| Dennis's Studio |
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| My "writing space".
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| View from our kitchen window. |
Wildlife visits us daily.
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| Fawns |
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| A graceful couple in our side yard. |
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| Elk dashing through our backyard. |
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| Animals that hang around get named. We call this chipmunk "The General". |
Sunrises like this one inspire me to worship our Creator.
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| Sunrise view from our homestead. (Results of God's handiwork ARE typical.) |
Dennis and I are on a joyful journey together. Following God and allowing Him to work through us. We're not perfect. Far from it. But we have an awesome God who loves us and teaches us every day.
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| Breakfast at the Meadow Mountain Cafe, Allenspark Co. A favorite spot. |
Mountain Manna is a daily devotional site that I pray will encourage you and lead you into a more intimate relationship with God. There is nothing more satisfying than walking hand in hand with Him.
"Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.'”
Psalm 126:2
Nancy
We moved to Castle Rock last summer to be near our grandchildren. Great to be near them, but lonely sometimes as our friends in Kansas chose to stay there! I ran across your blog / devotional yesterday and have been blessed as I read through it. What a wonderful work you are able to do to bless God's kingdom. Keep up the great work! Larry Almstrom lalmstrom@centurylink.net
ReplyDeleteLarry, as a grandparent you have a unique opportunity to minister to your grandchildren in the name of the Lord. I can't tell you how many people have shared with me the impact their Christian grandparents had in their faith walk. I think of how God called Abram away from his family and friends to an unknown land and how his obedience impacted the world forever. I know God is using you right now where you are to make a difference, not only in the lives of your family, but in the lives of others you touch in Jesus' name. You've already touched my life and encouraged me greatly today. “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’ -- Nancy
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