grace cortez

Grace | visual storyteller | traveler | lover of the great outdoors | 1 john 4:18 | a collection of photographs, words and songs that hold pieces of me.

[mgracecortez]

"Together we stand,
united against the fear.
Love can defeat this.” -Tyler knot

The one I love. PC: Beth Wells

[tylerknott]

Together we stand, united against the fear. Love can defeat this.

Daily Haiku on Love by Tyler Knott Gregson

*Order All The Words Are Yours, through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieBound , Books-A-Million , or iBookstore! *

(via tylerknott)

[forestwoodward]

Man. Dog. Coffee. #enough

[furstyphoto]

[sidestroke]

+

[meggielynne]

I used to think that the ability to turn back time would be the greatest possible gift, so that I could undo all the things I wish I hadn’t done. But grace is an even better gift, because it allows me to do more than just erase; it allows me to become more than I was when I did those things. It’s forgiveness without forgetting, which is much sweeter than amnesia.

Shauna Niequist, Savor {Sweeter than Amnesia} (via breanna-lynn)

[mgracecortez]

Okay, I just HAVE to brag on my @rei for a moment! Today I got outfitted for #FYPx and the manager Rich was so welcoming and downright sweet! He asked about my story and we talked about our mutual love of the outdoors. He then passed me down to this lovely gem, Ashley. She got me outfitted and prepped for the expedition and we shared many laughs during our time together. She told me about her love for backpacking and where she has been. It inspired me all the more to get out there and finally try it for myself. What I appreciated about Ashley was her adventurous spirit and her knowledge. What makes @rei one of the most special outdoor retailer stores is that the employees relate to you in your love for the outdoors and they help to make your experiences that much more enjoyable with the right gear. I've been a customer of REI for some time and didn't know about a lot of gear/outerwear. I didn't technically know what layers were. Or that there's different kinds of sleeping bags. Ashley shared useful information with me that will now help me whenever I'm adventuring somewhere. She also shared her stories which made me realize even more why I love to be outside and that I wanted to be her friend so we exchanged information to go adventuring soon. Thank you so much sweet Ashley, Rich, Jesus and the whole Santa Monica @rei for getting me ready and for the joy that you brought me. Thank you @goparks for giving me the huge honor of being a part of something bigger than myself. Thank you @columbia1938 and @rei for making me feel like an outdoor queen in your amazing gear and apparel! I'm all ready to go! 💛 #FYPx #EncuentraTuParque #FindYourPark #goparks #REI1440Project #TryingStuff (at REI)

[tblaberge]

What a terrible thing to think “Did they not love me because I was not their first choice?” What a terrible thing that is, because you shouldn’t be on a list at all. Yes, love is a choice, but not one that settles. We see someone and we think “I want to love this person and build them up.” And so you do, and not in a way that says “I want to love this person because they can do A.B. and C. For me.” No, you love the person because you want to see them grow in beauty, grace, love, gentleness and wisdom. You want the best for them, because to you, they are the choice you made for better or worse, and not a number that fit all your needs and desires; because love comes with a loving and serving heart.

T.B. LaBerge // Things I’m still learning at 25 (via tblaberge)

[indigac]

The Grand Canyon, AZ

[taaaassh]

Have you ever just looked at someone and thought, “I really love you”. They’re just talking or humming or watching a movie or reading a book or laughing or something, and there’s something about them in that moment that makes you think, “I just really love you.

(via myhertsgard)

[wanderthewood]

[samelkinsphoto]

4:37am in the Canadian Rockies.

[jspark3000]

Today you were defeated, discouraged, dejected, burned again. Someone brought it up, dressed you down, told you off, staged a coup. Any other day you could’ve shrugged it off: but not today. A tone, a word, a face dragged you into a pit, a chokehold, a fog. It stings. But hey: you are not what has happened to you. You’re not someone else’s fake idea of who they think you should be. You’re more than a backroom whisper where rumors lose reality — you are more than seedy surface opinions born in a broth of fantasy. You are beloved by a cosmic king of constancy who has narrated a different history over today, and everyday, and for eternity. He underlines, highlights, italicizes you apart from who you think you are: and He is writing you with a furious final love. Don’t let a bad mood steal you; don’t let a bad day say more about you than today. Because it’s just today. Let love say good morning.

J.S. (via jspark3000)

[ahoydaisy]

[deeplifequotes]

Be patient. Everything is coming together.

(via

rootedandestablished

)

[mgracecortez]

[mgracecortez]

We made it! Hello Zion! 👋 #graceventures (at Zion National Park)

[endurbot]

We often demand of people what only God can give us — encouragement, affirmation, strength, motivation — and we end up wringing others dry. It’s okay to expect some things from people, so long as you know they’re just human beings who thirst like you. They need an Infinite Well as much as you do. If you drink deeply of Him first, you’ll be less controlled (and controlling) by your expectations, and you’ll actually seek others not to squeeze from them but to encourage them by your overflow.

J.S. (via jspark3000)