Today I went for a little hike through the nearby Barstow Woods, enjoying the beauty of the freshly fallen snow. . . .

Here is one of my favorite pictures from my hike/photo-shoot earlier today. The double set of footprints in the snow conveys to me the idea that Jeremiah 10:23 expresses. It is not up to me to determine my own steps. God is walking alongside me as my Guide and Companion, giving me the direction and encouragement I need to keep going in the course He has set for me. It's a timely and much-needed reminder to me.

Steps

Evergreen

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good (Psalm 52:8-9).

Here in mid-Michigan, we don't have olive trees like the Psalmist mentions, but we do have a variety of trees and shrubs that stay green all year long--even through the long, cold days of winter. These evergreens covered in snow remind me to keep trusting in God's faithfulness.

Wildwood Metro-Park, Toledo, Ohio, Winter 2005

Second Snow

When I looked out the window first thing this morning, I noticed it had snowed again last night. The just-rising sun illuminating the lace-y limbs took my breath away. I ate breakfast extra speedily, in order to snap a few pictures in our driveway before work. . . .

I also took my camera outside to morning recess. My third graders love sledding on the little hill that borders the playground. I took a number of fun close-ups of the children, for our classroom photo album. (For privacy, I don't post identifiable images of my students, without expressed parental consent) . . .

This afternoon my drive home from school was so beautiful, that I decided a spontaneous photo-walk around the neighborhood was in order. . . .

First Snow

Last night here in Midland we had our first snow storm of the season. This morning I gave myself extra time to drive to school, so that I could stop for a few pictures along the way. . .

As soon as I got home from school this afternoon, I changed clothes for a photo-shoot around the neighborhood. By mid-day, the temperature had risen well above freezing. The golden rays of the late afternoon sun illuminating the dripping, melting snow was spectacular. . . .