As we hugged goodbye in the driveway yesterday, I realized that I had not been taking pictures since Erich and Mallory arrived on Friday evening.

I snapped a few with my phone, but I never actually got out a camera!

I remember thinking, "I should take a picture," as Erich and I were working in the memory garden Saturday morning.  I had looked up from my work to see Erich moving a bag of mulch.  He looked like a man, and I had a flashback to the little Erich who use to spend his time running through this back yard without a care in the world.  Hands too dirty to even think about capturing this with a camera, I snapped a photo in my heart.

Olivia plopped down on Mallory's lap at one point over the weekend, and they giggled as they talked.  But again, I was in the midst of some activity that kept me from being a photographer, so I snapped another photo in my heart.

Todd and Erich hung out and played some video games......brothers who are now friends......and not wanting to ruin the moment, I stayed clear and allowed them space to just laugh and visit.  Another heart photo taken.

Through the kitchen window, I saw Tim and Erich talking on the deck about the plans Erich and Mallory have to move to Dallas in just seven weeks.  Serious, yet smiling and talking, I watched a father and son have a conversation like two adults trying to solve all the problems of the world. 

Click.

Another memory stored within.

I thought of all of you as I missed these moments in photograph form, because I wanted you to see what I saw.

But then I realized.......sometimes memories are just that.

Memories. 

Special treasures for the person living them.

I stored up lots of special treasures this weekend, and I am thankful.

I think Mary was taking lots of heart photos as she raised Jesus.

Luke says several times, "his mother treasured all these things in her heart."

I am sure that as Jesus hung on the cross, Mary was reliving Jesus' life through a sort-of mental photo album. 

What pictures she must have tucked away in those 33 amazing years!

Can you imagine the memories etched in Mary's mind from the day of Jesus' birth?  The joy, the wonder of that day!

"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Luke 2:16-19

Remember the time Jesus was separated from the in a crowd, and they searched for several days before finding Him at the temple?  The fear, the relief of that day!

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Luke 2:51

Be aware of all the heart photos happening around you today, and take a minute to snap a few.

Treasure them in your heart.

Store them up.

I love you all so much,