Frosty Leaves

Here's what I noticed when I walked out to my car this morning. . . .

He Knows My Path

This past weekend Peter and I drove to Indianapolis to attend the annual Harvest Fest at Verity. What a special time catching up with dozens of old friends! On Saturday afternoon I slipped away from the festivities on campus to go for a private prayer-walk/photo-shoot at one of my favorite places, the nearby South-Eastway Park. I just needed some quiet time to process, reflect, seek perspective about a lot of things. How assuring it is to know that God knows my path (see Psalm 142:3 and Job 23:10).

Dream Big, but be Faithful in the Little Things

"Dream big but be faithful in the little things" is a favorite motto of mine. In my mind I visualized a picture to illustrate the motto, by contrasting full-grown trees with acorns. Standing tall, clothed in their autumn finery, the magnificent trees in the background of this picture inspire me to "dream big." The acorns and leaf in the foreground remind me, however, that it is not enough to have big dreams. It is "faithful[ness] in the little things" that makes those big dreams possible. Big things grow from little things—every giant oak was once a tiny acorn. And big things are comprised of little things—the radiant canopy of a forest is made of countless colorful leaves. 

Along the Way

After several chilly, rainy days last week, what a treat it was to go bike riding again this weekend. Usually I just bike my favorite route straight to the Chippewa Nature Center and back, but this time I brought my camera  and stopped to explore more of the scenery along the way. . . .

Chosen Course

Beauty All Around

Today was one of those icky, chilly, rainy days—the kind that hints the impending gray, frigid days of winter. Nonetheless, I couldn't resist bundling up and taking a walk through the nearby Barstow Woods. Even on a drizzly afternoon, there was lots of beauty all around. . . .

Watered

Dancing in the Breeze

Today was a brisk, breezy day here in Midland. This evening before dinner I donned my cozy wool sweater and suede clogs for a photo shoot around the Dow Gardens. The fall colors of blowing leaves and blooming flowers danced before me. Here are some pictures from my latest visit to my favorite gardens.

 

reflection in the pond

reflection in the pond

Nothing says autumn like squirrels collecting their nuts!

Aren't these flowers lovely? They're called Endless Summer Hydrangeas.
If only summer truly were endless . . .

Browned, Brittle Leaves

The browned, brittle leaves framing the stop sign in this picture make me ponder the brevity of life. As the leaves change colors and quickly fall to the ground this time of year, it's good to be reminded not to trust what is temporal, but to look to Him Who Changes Not.

Consider God's Wonders

It seems as a culture we're always rushing, rushing.  We know we're supposed to halt at stop signs for safety's sake--and sometimes we don't even fully do that. “Life is so urgent it necessitates a slow and steady reverence,” writes bestselling author Ann Voskamp. What about pausing for beauty's sake--to take in the awe of God's creation and to worship Him for His marvelous works that are all around us? The splendor of the scarlet-, gold-, and emerald-clothed maple behind this stop sign took my breath away. “Stop and consider God's wonders,” His word beckons.

Ask for the Old Paths

Crowned with Goodness

City Forest in the Fall

Today has been another spectacular fall day in Midland. This afternoon after church a friend and I met together for a take-out Subway sandwich lunch in the Midland City Forest. I just cannot get enough of the beauty of this season! How fun to enjoy it with a friend. God's creation is amazing. Every leaf is a work of art, every tree a masterpiece. Everywhere I look I just want to take more pictures!

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand [or leaves in a forest!]; When I awake, I am still with You (Psalm 139:17-18).

 

Along the Trail

My dad and I have been enjoying bike riding together in the afternoons when I come home from school. The scenery along the Pere-Marquette Rail-Trail is especially beautiful these days. Today I brought my camera and had lots of fun taking pictures during my bike rides. . . .