Pastor's Breakfast

Many years the Fellowship Circle of women would do a Pastor Appreciation Luncheon. But it grew too big for our small group. So this year we decided to do just a small breakfast for the main pastor's staff,

Along with the breakfast the circle purchase a bicycle, some chickens and ducks for World Vision an Christian humanitarian organization in our pastors names.

As you can see, they did enjoy the food and fellowship. We enjoyed the service.

Ray Lewis? Where?

Today at work I noticed that the parking lot was getting pretty full. It almost seemed like it was Christmas time when you could not find a place to park. We were pretty busy, yet, i knew that all those cars were not for us.

One of my co-worker told me that it was because of Ray Lewis.

"Ray Lewis," I asked? "Where?"

It turns out that he was at Barnes and Noble near our store. I got off early tonight and headed straight for the book store. It was a challenged to get in by all the people waiting in line to get Ray's book and autograph, along with a picture.

As I made my way around all the store trying to find a good place to get just one picture with my phone, I found a small isle moved some of the books to get my shot, but the security guard was in the way. I politely ask if he could just move a little so I could take a picture. He was nice enough to move and I got this shot.

I am not a sport fan. But I know that this was a rare chance to get a picture of a celebity. And I was not missing this opportunity.

Yet, I still would prefer to get a shot of a bird, a deer or a beautiful scene. That would make my day.

A Swan Heart

I am getting there. My mission is to get the pair of swans at the marsh to make a shape of a heart. Today they were close enough to the road to try again. This was the best I could get.

They took turns putting their heads in the water forging for food. They would swim away from each other, than swam next to each other. One would be facing the wrong way, while the other would be in the right pose. I think I must have taken 100 pictures.

Even with sitting there for close to thirty minutes, it was worth it. The swans has my heart. I love watching them and the interaction between the two. They are truly devoted to each other.

I can imagine God looking down on us and loving the way we interact with each other when we show His love and His heart. Today I want to have the heart of these swans and the love of God showing through me as I interact with people.

Proof Of A Conquered Fear.

For those who know me well, know that I have an unhealthy fear of water. This is a picture showing that the fear has been conquered. I actually enjoyed being out on the pontoon with my grandson.

Year ago I went out on a boat with my cousins while on vacation. There was fear there, but I did enjoy that as well.

Once, I went out with friends from church. That was quite a few years ago. The fear was great then. Yet, I enjoyed being in the company of friends.

Sometime the fear that controls you takes years too heal from. It takes family, friend and others to help you get over the fears in your life. That is what happened to me.

God uses the people in your life to help you grow. I am thankful for all my family and friends throughout the years who stood by me. I can now enjoy going out in the water without fear.

Horse Farm

Today I got a treat. I was able to visit a local horse farm. A dear friend invited me to come along and take all the pictures that I wanted. Of course, I took a lot.

Here she is introducing me to one of her horses. I was in awe in the beauty of each horse, There were many different breeds. Each holds a special place here.

The day was breezy and sunny. There was a chill in the air, yet, the sun warmed us as we made our way around the farm. It was a perfect day.

Thank you my friend.

Yellow Rump

Here is one bird that the name really tells a story. Yellow rump warbler. There is no doubt to why it is call this.

What is in a name? A name tells a story. It can be a title of a book, a song or a poem. Just by the title you get an idea what you will be reading.

When you name your child, you are telling the world something about yourself as well as the child. Their names will tell the story of your family.

 The name of the car you are driving tells something about you.

Sport teams, clubs and groups names lets you know what they are all about.

The greatest name of all tells the greatest story of all. Jesus. His name has the power to heal, to give hope and to save.

Just as the yellow rump warbler's names tell his own story, Jesus' name tell the whole story of grace.

An Ugly Bug

I would be the first to tell you that bugs are not cute. But the bug that my grandson and I can across two weeks ago was one ugly bug. It was hard to get a front view of him, because he kept turning his back to me as Arthur held the stick.

Even though he was an ugly bug to me, he most likely was a handsome bug to another one of his species. He probably was the best looking bug at the ugly bug ball.

The one thing I can say, he was interesting. God has a purpose for him. I can not imagine what it could be though. But I do not have too know. God knows.

God has a purpose for me as well, even though I sometimes forget what it might be. There are times I feel ugly. But I remind myself that God does not create junk.

So even though I think this bug is ugly, God see the beauty in His creation. God also see the beauty in me and you as well.

Solitary Sandpiper

Today I had a rare treat of seeing a bird that I have never seen before. It was a pair of solitary sandpipers. They call them solitary birds because they do not travel in flock like other birds. I guess they like the solitude of being alone.

I can relate to enjoying the quietness of being by myself. There are times when being in a crowd becomes too much and I need to go off and be with God.

These birds have traveled along way to get here from Canada. I sat by watching them get their fill of food. In my solitude, I was getting refreshed with the pleasure of their company.

When I spend time with God, I get refreshed as well. I just hope my times with God does not become as rare as the sightings of these sandpipers. I need to be more conscious of how I spend my days.

Today I did well and God blessed me with a treat.

A Promise

The ringing of the phone woke me from a sound sleep. It was my son calling to tell me to look outside, there was a double rainbow. I told him to take a picture with his phone and text it to me. He said his phone did not take good pictures. I just wanted to sleep just a little longer, so I closed my eyes and started to doze off again.

The ringing of the phone work me up a second time. It was my husband telling me I needed to look out the window and see the rainbow. So I reluctantly got up, grabbed my phone and looked. There was one of the prettiest double rainbow that I have seen in a long while. It lifted my spirit.

I found out later that my daughter was going to call me as well, but she did not want to wake me up. I am glad my husband and my son had no problem waking me up.

Each time I get to witness a rainbow after a storm, I am reminded of the promise that God gave to never flood the earth again. What He did not promise was that we would never have storms in our life. But when the storms do hit, we need to just look up and see the rainbows that follow.

God made another promise, never to leave us nor forsake us. With each rainbow I hang onto that promise as well.