nate and ollyce

 sunday afternoon the family came over for dinner. nate and ollyce wanted some pictures together so mom when out with them.

i tagged along.

little things

*please take the time to read the poem ("little things") which is scattered amongst the photos!!

a spider is a little thing,

but once a spider saved a king,

the little bees are wiser far

than buffaloes or lions are...

a little pen may write a word

by which a nation shall be stirred.

a little money, wisely spent,

a world of sorrow may prevent,

 a little counsel, rightly given,

may lift a sinful soul to heaven...

a little fault, if left to grow,

an emperor may overthrow,

a little word but spoken in jest,

may rob your neighbor of his rest,

a little selfishness and pride

the kindest household may divide.

little vices many times

out-herod felonies and crimes,

a little virtues in the sum

great excellencies do become.

- a sweet little poem written by one or all of the lukens girls. ever heard of them?  they had a bit of correspondence with louisa m. alcott, as she encouraged them in their small, but quickly growing paper that was inspired by the in-house publications of the March girls. 

the first comers

concerning the poll that i had on the side there, i can't promise i will be able to take/post more of what you wanted.  however, now i know what you'd like to see, and can try better to be able to get more of those shots.  i do want to start some "people shots" soon though, as it is finally getting warmer. :)

Poppy Seeds

This morning we found this gorgeous poppy outside our window.  I instantly ran for the camera - it was beautiful, and really big, and I just couldn't help it!  I took a bunch with the shorter lens and then a bunch with the longer. :D  It was so fun!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

The first half of the day I worked in the kitchen at Life Action.  For the second half we had Nate, Ollyce and Mark over for dinner.  We made shish kabobs...such colorful foods to take pictures of!

Mother's Day

Our LORD left an example

for all whose parents are still living. He honored His mother. His last thought was to make suitable provision for the one from whom He derived His human nature.

"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said, 'Woman, behold, your son!'  Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, you mother!'" - John 19:26-27

Morning Bike Rides

Nearly every morning I ride my bike down this trail.  It seems that each morning it gets prettier and prettier.  I wish the camera could have captured the beauty that I saw, but it really didn't do its justice.  Now I just can't wait until the trees are covered with leaves!

Here are some of the wildflowers near the end of the trail.

Yes, my bike.  I took a picture of my bike.

 Trillions of trilliums on the trail next to the one I was on.

Ok not quite trillions.

It really was so much more beautiful than it looks on here. Of course, it's not the same without the sounds and smells to go along with it!

Mmmm - hierba verde {Green grass}

 

Aren't you so thankful that God decided to make grass!?  I mean, He didn't have to!  But He knew how much beauty it would bring - how fun it is to run on - how comfy it is to lay on...

"And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass..." - Genesis 1:11a

Aren't you also so thankful that God has the ultimate power...so that grass really did end up growing (and can you imagine - it happened just like that!).

"And the earth brought forth grass..." - Genesis 1:12a

 

"Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." -Psalm 147:8

 

 (Aren't you also thankful for animals? :D)

"And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so." - Genesis 1:24

The Beauty of Thunder Storms

Do you not agree with me in that thunder storms are wonderful?!

Lately it's been raining quite a decent amount, however there haven't been too many storms until this evening.  We were sitting down for dinner when we could hear the distant rumbling and the dark clouds rolling in.  Not long after (like several minutes later) it began to softly rain.  The thunder grew louder and I think I saw a flash of lightening and then when nearing the end of our meal we began to see "white things" (a.k.a. "hail") dropping from the sky.  They were about the size of a nickel - bigger than what I've seen for years.  The storm then rolled right away leaving a brilliant sunshine and the most gorgeous clouds.  I scrambled outside for some pictures. 

Thunder storms always excite me - actually, any storm excites me. I am also the most content to lay in bed at night when there's a storm outside.  And when I wake up to a storm, I try not to fall asleep simply so that I can hear the pounding rain, wind and thunder but most of all to catch each and every flash of lightning.

They show how powerful our God is.  It's amazing how that thunder storms seem so massive and powerful - but really it is absolutely nothing compared to His real power. 

 {Here is a bit that I read on "Pastor's Girl's Ponderings".  Almost like she was writing about me.}

She awoke with a start, listening to the rustling of the wind outside her window, the steady drum of rain on the roof, the rumble of distant thunder. Although she could not see them, she knew that the ominous black clouds were moving closer. Smiling, she leaned back, for she loved storms such as these. Turned onto her side, she was content to just listen to the steady rhythm of the raindrops. Her bedroom was bathed in bright flashes of light, and the roil of thunder soon grew louder. Nestled deep into her sheets, her eyelids began to droop complacently until she fell back into slumber. 

the rain, by carlotta cisternas

Late Snow

Spring is coming.  It really is.  It's April first.  It has to be coming.  Right???  It is only 50 degrees.  But spring is on its way.  Soon it will be warm.  God promises.  And when God promises - you don't have to worry.  Because God keeps his promises.  I've no doubt.

"And He changes the times and the seasons." - Daniel 2:21a

Come spring - I welcome you!

Spring Is Almost Here

I just found these this afternoon