The Light of the World

This is Christmas Eve.
In light of everything that has happened in this year, some good and some not so good, I have been thinking a lot about this celebration of Jesus' birth.

The world has taken this celebration of God's love for the world and confused it with a  love for self and pleasure. 
God meant it to be a celebration of His gift to us, the gift of salvation through His Son.

I love Christmas, don't get me wrong. I love the decorations, the music, the gathering of family and friends, but this morning, I was thinking mostly about the lights. Everywhere you look, there are Christmas lights. On the tree,on housetops,in the yards, lights everywhere.

They remind me that God sent His Son into this dark world to bring us light. There is such darkness in our world today.  Without God's light, there would only be sorrow and sadness, but because of the birth of Jesus, there is Hope, and Joy, and Peace....not in the world around us, but in our hearts, because of Him.

So, I want to celebrate the Light of Jesus, coming into our world. May His Light shine in your hearts today as we celebrate the gift God gave to the world so long ago..His Son.  
Merry Christmas.

Resting in Him

I know I promised you more photos of birds I met along the way  on my journey home, but since I have been here at the cabin, I have had the opportunity to catch some beautiful scenery.

So I am going to share it instead. While here, I have also had some time to reflect on God's goodness to us in our times of need, whether it be financial need, physical need or emotional.
They all come under the promises of God. He is our Protector and Provider.

As I review my photos, I am in awe of the beauty our Father provides. I sometimes lay awake at night 'surfing' through my troubles,small as they are, cataloging and prioritizing them as to which needs 'my' attention first. How vain is this? My only priority should be to rest in Him, to trust in His love and to seek the path He has chosen for me to walk.
As I dwell on His Word, view His Wonders, and release my cares to Him, I will find peace.
"Cast all your anxiety on Him,because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7(NIV)

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.

Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
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Psalm 48:9
Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love...

Friends I met along the way.

I have just returned from an extended vacation...actually my personal 'retirement party' for me!
I left Garden City August 2,driving to Crescent City, California to spend three months with my Dad, who was 89 yrs old on July 20. I left Crescent City on Oct 1 , arriving home on Oct 19th.
Along the way, I visited old school friends(we are all 'older' now) and family.
I think some of them would object to my posting their photos on the web, so I'll use some photos from some 'friends' I know won't object. Hope I can remember their names and where I met them. Enjoy!

One of the Yellow Legs family, not sure if Lesser or Greater.

I loved watching the Stellar Jays in Dad's yard

Somewhere near Lakeview, Oregon I saw this Northern Shoveler

,one of my favorites in the duck family.

The American White Pelican,Upper Klamath Lake,Oregon...so far from the ocean!!

And these were just on my first day out. I'll catch you up on some more of my 'feathered friends' on another day. God's wonders never cease!

Learning a new skill

Memorial Day weekend is my annual trip to Camp Barakel to work in the kitchen at Family Camp.
This year I decided it was time to learn more about my new camera...actually it is not new.
 I have had it since August of 2011. I just have not taken the time to use it much. It takes more work than my 'point and shoot'  camera and I have not taken the time to use it much. Not only did I decide to use it exclusively, I decide to rent a zoom lens for the week as well.
Here are some of the photos I got with a 300mm prime lens. They are amazing!
Just think what I might have gotten if I really knew what I was doing???

Just outside my kitchen window, at the cabin, this beautiful Columbine is growing. It just came up on it's own. I think a 'little birdie' must have planted it for me.

This little Chipping Sparrow just hung around posing as I practiced.

 I watched what I believe was a 'romantic moment' for two little Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. Shh! Don't let her know she is being watched.

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The Monarchs and the Swallow Tails were enjoying the first blooms of the Lilacs for several days.

Saturday Morning

 Saturday, six O'clock in the morning. The sun is up, the birds are 'beating down my doors" because the feeders are empty. I love this time of day. I can get up, or if I want to, just snuggle back down for a few.
But this morning, the sun shining in my bedroom window won't take 'no' for an answer.
First thing to do is to satisfy my feathered friends, feed Abby,my Golden Retriever, then take a trip around my backyard to see what has bloomed this week while I was at work. 

The brightest stars of the day are the Irises. Several shades of purple are out today. I pick a couple to bring in, but mostly enjoy them with my "camera's eye". It is a sad thing that they don't last long, but it is a wonderful thing to think how much God loves the beauty of His creation. To create such color! What would our world have been like if God had made everything in black and white? I shudder to think!

A TRIBUTE TO MARY L. RENEAU

As

 

As I sit here on Mothers Day,thanking God for my children and the blessing of being their mother, I am also thinking of my mother, who is no longer with us. This delicate pink fushia is one of hers that I took while out there the last summer I spent with her. She loved her fushias that grow wild all around the yard. She also loved her children and grandchildren. She would have loved her great grandchildren as well. 

She was an example of what a mother should be. She prayed for each of us and never failed to encourage us to seek God's will for our lives.

Proverbs 31:25

"She(a wife and mother) is clothed with strength and 

dignity;

She can laugh at the days to come.

she speaks with wisdom, and faithful

instruction is on her tongue."

Tuttle Marsh

I don't know if I mentioned I was going up north to spend some time with my son, who lives up there and works at Tawas State Park in Tawas, Michigan.
While there, I was privileged to attend one of the outings of the Audubon group he belongs to, and to meet many of his 'birding' friends. We took a field trip to Tuttle Marsh, a protected wetland in the area. It was a cool and windy night, but I was fortunate and got this beautiful sunset over the marsh along with a pair of Osprey who make their home there.

I will never tire of the beauty God has created for us to enjoy and the responsibility He has given us to care for it. I hope you enjoyed this little bit of Northern Michigan with me.

Just one of God's Wonders

Found this Swallow Tail along a trail beside the Ausable River in Oscoda, Michigan last Spring.