Memories of Summertime

So my plans to paint this summer have fallen by the wayside. Blame it on the creek and the swim hole.
The kids and i have been enjoying the water almost every day, whenever the weather and schedules have permitted. While most people work in a garden i work on the creek, trimming branches and cutting weeds. My efforts have been rewarded with a beautiful place to spend many hours and make many precious memories with family and friends. I cannot complain.
My watercolors are in the same exact spot i left them earlier in the spring. They will be there when the time is right and i can start painting. Maybe then i can paint from memory butterflies, dragonflies and lazy days on the creek enjoying God's creation and the company of loved ones.
Those will be the best paintings because they will remind me of what awaits me next year and fill me with hope during winter's cold.

God Reflected in the Water

“And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2

Water heals, refreshes and brings life. Water can also destroy. Water reflects…look into the water and see God’s creation mirrored upon the surface. Look deeper and you will see a small reflection of God himself-His power to heal, refresh and to give life. There is also the great mystery of God which no man can understand and when God destroys it is not always for us to know why but to trust in His unfailing love and His perfect plan. He is working all things for the good of those who love Him(Romans 8:28). Thank You, Father for water and the life giving lessons it brings

The Morning Symphony

“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:19
When i awoke this morning i heard a wonderful sound. The house was quiet. Everyone else was sleeping still. That is how i was able to hear. It came from outside my window and it was the sound of creation praising God!
The trees stood tall, their uplifted branches swaying in the breeze sang,”Raise your hands and worship the Creator of heaven and earth!”. The surrounding hills joined in the chorus. Their voices were deep and resonated with strength,”No one is greater than He!”. The changing colors of the morning sky reminded me,”His mercies are new every morning.”(Lam.3:23) As the sun began to rise, it sang with a voice so sweet,”The glory of the Lord shines over you!”(Isaiah 60:1) The wind blew,making the winchimes dance, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord!”(Ps. 100:1) it said. I was enjoying this delightful symphony when the rocks cried out, “Don’t keep silent, praise the Lord yourself.” (Luke 19:40) So that is what i did and i will continue to sing praises to my God and King. Will you join me today

The Monster Moth

There are times i take a picture of something and when i look at it later i think the picture does not do justice to the subject of the shot. This is one of those times.

When i came out the backdoor of the house the other morning i immediately spotted this moth on the wall of my husband's shop. It was huge, the size of both of my hands put together! It was too good to pass up, so i ran back into the house to retrieve my camera.

The "Monster Moth", as it became affectionately known, was an easy subject. Many pictures were taken and the moth barely moved. In fact, the little it did move was due to the breeze that blew that morning. When the wind did blow the body of the moth was exposed and it was just as beautiful as the wings!

It amazes me how much love and care God put into every aspect of His creation...even something as simple as a moth. That is one reason i love taking pictures of nature. Some of the most powerful, moving lessons God teaches me come from being outside. Taking pictures helps me remember those lessons and when i share the pictures i share what i learn and hope others gain from what i share. That is the purpose of my blog and i believe part of God's purpose for me as part of His wonderful creation!

Who or What is Shaping you?

Today i did something that i have not done in a while. It was while i was sitting outside enjoying the beautiful weather and reading a good book that i stretched out on the bench of our picnic table and started watching the clouds.

From where i lay i observed a terrier dog being pursued by a dragon, a poodle with his nose stuck up in the air and the grimacing face of an old angry woman. Of course, the scene changed many times as the clouds formed and reformed many different times. The slightest breeze would blow and suddenly the cloud would take on a whole new look.

All of this did make for interesting viewing and such a neat way to pass the time on a lazy day, but it did make me think. Am i like a cloud and changing with the wind? Is my countenance so easily altered by my surroundings?

Yikes! The more i thought about these things the more i began to wonder. I would love to say that i am not swayed by the "winds" of others opinion of me, my circumstances or whatever winds may be blowing at the time. But the truth is i am too easily swayed by those winds instead of letting myself be formed by the hands of God.

The good news is God showed me this truth not to condemn me but to teach me and guide me. I love how He uses nature to remind me of His goodness and faithfulness toward all His creation! The more i see the more i want to know about this God who loves me so much and the more i know about Him the more secure i become in His hands.

So i will continue to watch the clouds whenever i get the chance and as i do i will be listening for that still small voice...

Thank You, Father, for Your wonderful, beautiful creation and all that it tells us about You.

An Artist's Prayer

"When God sends His inspiration, it comes to us with such miraculous power that we are able to "arise from the dead" and do the impossible. The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that life and power come after we "get up and get going". God does not give us overcoming life-He gives us life as we overcome."-Oswald Chambers What do i need to practice my art? Courage? Courage comes from trust. If i truly trust in You courage replaces the fear. Right? When the fear comes i should trust You enough to give them to You. Then even if i don't feel artistic or creative i do it anyway in the belief that You are who You say You are and i am who You say i am. You are the God of all creation of which i am a part. To mankind You have given artistic talents and the ability to create. I will choose to believe that and i choose to believe that You have told me i am an artist. Now i must make the choice to practice my art even when i don't see it myself. In the past i have just given up but You have always given me some kind of creative outlet: calligraphy,crafts,writing,photography,cooking,cake decorating...so many outlets but i have been too blind to see them as artistry. Thank You, Father, for keeping the creativity in my life even when i took it for granted. When i am being creative i feel so energized, inspired and now i am seeing that is because being creative is what You have given me to do. However You want me to use it, help me to see. For Your glory Lord, amen.

Homeschooling: The Thrill is Back!

This image of children having fun learning and enjoying the great outdoors is brought to you compliments of "My Father's World-Exploring Countries and Cultures". Since our first day of school last Monday(8-11) some interesting things have been taking place. The children and i are thoroughly enjoying homeschooling again! We try to start school every day at 8:00. No problem. They are ready and ASKING to start school at 7:30! Brogan and Reece were actually disappointed when we didn't have school over the weekend. Rachel enjoys reading and would rather help me with her brothers who are in Kindergarten and working through "My Father's World From A to Z"than play the Wii. She now says she wants to be a teacher. The little ones are so excited to be learning the days of creation,numbers and the alphabet. The older two are fascinated by geography,science and learning about different countries and cultures. I am feeling much smarter myself! As their teacher i am relearning so much of what i have forgotten over the years. "My Father's World" has also sparked everyone's creativity, including my own. We have music and art three days a week because creativity is very much encouraged in this curriculum. Every Wednesday we enjoy a Nature Walk and that is what we are doing in this picture. This was our first one, we are eagerly awaiting tomorrow's walk when we will start our leaf and bark collection. To say that i am thoroughy impressed with MFW would be an undersatement. This is the curriculum i have so desperately seeking since we started homeschooling 4 years ago. I am so grateful a friend told me about "My Father's World" and thank God for this wonderful opportunity to teach my children in what is turning out be a great adventure! Stay tuned readers, there will be more to share in the days and weeks ahead...

The Artist

These are the lyrics to a song that a friend shared with me and i loved it so much i posted it on my other blog, Mosaic of Grace. The name of the song is "The Artist" by Mike Johnson. It was on an album from the 70's. Neither the song nor the singer ever made the big time and that is a shame because these words are beautiful. The Artist paints a landscape,filled with trees and mountains,colors of joy all around.Sheep and deer and lions living together,two children playing on the ground.The vandal hammers in,crosses out the picture,blood red paint dripping down;he hands the children brushes and he calls the paint wisdom,they spread the colors all around.Blood and paint mingle,the colors run together;you can't tell art from happenstance.The children are crying and they know they must be dying --who will give them another chance?The Artist paints a city,scenery's still pretty,children and babies play;the painting has been marred and the edges have been charred,but there's beauty in youth anyway.The vandal hammers in,crosses out the picture,blood red paint dripping down;he hands the children brushes and he calls the paint wisdom,they spread the colors all around.Blood and paint mingle,the colors run together;you can't tell art from happenstance.The children are crying and they know they must be dying --who will give them another chance?The Artist paints a manger,the birth of a baby,and puts his brushes away;he steps into the pictureand he touches his creations and he lives with them day by day.A hillside has been painted where a cross is standing on which the Artist dies;the vandal is leering from behind the jeering of a thousand painted eyes.To the horror of the vandal,the Artist is standing,brushes and palette in his hand;he erases the vandal and all who believe him --paints the beauty of a thousand lands.He touches the children,every face is smiling,then he steps inside,with the kiss of his lips and the touch of his breath the children in the painting come alive!The Artist paints a landscape,filled with trees and mountains,colors of joy all around.Sheep and deer and lions living together,children are playing on the ground.He touches the children,every face is smiling,then he steps inside;with the kiss of his lips and the touch of his breath,the children in the painting come alive.