Ok, Sisters, your replies to the previous post have inspired me to pen this one. As I read through your comments to our walk through the woods, I was stricken with a fresh sense of awe over the lovely grace of God to tie our lives together in Christ from so many different locations. We are a clickstream from a spider web in thousands of ways but this screen can also become a coloring book of connect-the-dots for people who love Jesus. Last night when I did Bibby’s Secret Closet with Annabeth and Jackson, I gave Annabeth one of those CraZArt Spiral Art sets. You know what I’m talking about:
Since I talked in the previous post about where I live, lots of your comments referenced your own surroundings. By the time I’d noted the locations of the first six, I practically had a lump in my throat. The gift I gave Annabeth last night popped right back into my mind. Your comments swirled the page like geographical Spiral Art, and of the sacred kind, bright and multicolored. Just take a look at a smattering of them and behold a glimpse of you. Each of these sentences are copied and pasted from comments to the last post that took us on a walk through the country.
I live in Guelph, Ontario, Canada and we are just waiting for Spring.
I’m here in the Mid Atlantic on the shores of the Delmarva Peninsula where the winter won’t loosen its grip and we still have snow on the ground when we should be about ready to cut grass for the first time this season.
Next time, let’s do a walk in New Zealand!!
I have been out enjoying our Spring weather too because before we know it we will be trapped indoors with the air conditioning here in Az. (Arizona)
We are still waiting for it here in Ohio—it snowed yesterday!
My family has the privilege of owning a cabin in the NC mountains and it’s a little slice of heaven on earth. (North Carolina)
Wave surges are shockingly high – my fair Island will be swallowed up in the storm surges. So thank you for the glimpse of Hope in Spring.. -6 C wind chill feels like -29 just in case we thought we might like to put our face outside tonight… (I loved this one because I don’t have a clue where it is but it’s a “fair island” and COLD. Thank you, Iris! You took me there through your words without my even knowing where I’d gone!)
I love long walks in the country, but being from Illinois, I don’t quite have the same scenery you have (and might I say in a whining voice…I also don’t have your TexMex), especially those slithering things (except the black snakes).
l appreciated, being a California girl, all the references to various snakes, and remember the “rattlers” we used to see all the time…now living in Costa Rica, snakes have taken on a whole new meaning: we have some deadly AND aggressive snakes here, not shy, like the rattlers, but snakes that will actually “hunt you down.”
Living on the Portage River for nine years in MI, I experienced lovely spiritual moments: our giant blue heron flying low down the river, a white mother swan swimming down stream with a baby swan on her back, a shy deer family eating apples from under our apple tree. precious moments I’ll treasure now that we are living in the desert in AZ. (She goes on to identify Fountain Hills, AZ)
Thanks for the refreshment…still feels like winter in PA…longest winter ever! (Pennsylvania)
Your back woods look alot like mine up here in Central Saskatchewan – except for the fact that we’re still layered in a few feet of snow.
Loved taking this walk with you! I love your wild woods! They remind me of the woods around here in TN. (Tennessee)
AHHH where were those boots last night? We had a black snake on our porch and here in my neck of the woods in Uganda…
Come on, somebody! Give the Lord some praise! Is that gorgeous, or what??
So here’s what I want you to do if you feel like participating. Leave a comment telling us where you live and, if you don’t mind, add a description heavy on adjectives so we can picture ourselves there with you. I am looking so forward to this!
I’m so blessed to serve you, Sisters. The beauty of sisterhood in Christ is a work of divine art. I kept thinking that last week at the Colour Conference in Sydney because my friend, Bobbie Houston, has been so phenomenally used by God to gather a sisterhood of servants around the world to aid the poor, the oppressed, and the abused. We are a part of the same sisterhood because we are also in Christ and called to do some good in this weary world.
What an honor to seek Him with you. Unity is not about lining up on 100 points of doctrine. It’s about faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the holy Son of God, born of a virgin, crucified for our sins, raised from the dead, and returning to take His Throne. If that’s what you believe, you’re blood to me. I think sometimes the stuff of unity is all the sweeter to Christ – not when we already see eye-to-eye on all our doctrine but – when we don’t. Sometimes just agreeing that Jesus Christ is Lord is bond enough. When we only agree to love people and walk with people just like us, that’s tantamount to making our goal to become more like ourselves. Ick. Somebody else can have that. I’m trying to figure out how to forget myself, not make a mirror out of every woman of God I see. I want people to sharpen me, to cheer me onward when I’m discouraged or harassed, to make me think, and to keep me growing. A mirror can only make me more like me. Give this girl a seat by the window and let her capture the features of Christ gathered from the faces of many.
OK, rescue us all before I get sappier. Let’s hear about your locations!
I have lived in one place or another in central Ohio since attending OSU in 1975. Met my husband and raised our kids here. Back in 2006, we got the urge to move to an area of our suburb that has a gorgeous ravine and creek running through it. Wanted a house with a part of the creek in its backyard. As you might imagine, houses that back up to the creek rarely become available to purchase. We looked and looked, and hoped that the Lord might open something up, but finally in 2009, gave up. Two days later, the perfect house became available to purchase! Back in 2009, it was very difficult to find buyers for homes, and we now had a house to sell to be able to acquire the gem on the creek. But, the Lord, in His extravagant grace dropped a buyer for us out of the sky, and we never even had to put a sign in our yard! Not long after we moved in to the property of our dreams, my husband built a patio overlooking our ravine and creek. Its beautiful in every season! Have a large blue heron that periodically swoops through. See all kinds of wildlife down there, deer, raccoons, and can even glimpse fish in the creek. Its a great place to have a quiet time with the One who made it all possible!
Greetings to you from Evans, Georgia. We don’t have woods to stroll through, but we do have squirrels and rabbits in our backyard and our labradoodle loves to chase them. We call ourselves “the zoo”. We are four generations living in one home, nine and a canine. My husband and I moved here to help our daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren and last summer brought my parents here from Mississippi so we could care for them. As part of a new church plant in our area and not having our own facility, we meet in a school gym. So, every Thursday night we have the privilege of having our youth over for fellowship and Bible study. Sunday nights we have an adult small group Bible study here. Our lives are chocked full of excitement, and challenges, most days (homeschooling too), but God has truly blessed us to be able to share in the lives of those we love most. Thank you for encouraging me in the Word and with this blog. So many days it comes just when I need some encouraging words or laughter.
Hi! I live in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is an hour north of Denver. It’s also an hour east of Estes Park. Spring hasn’t completely arrived here yet. It’s still cold, and there’s snow on our magnificent Rocky Mountains!! We can see the mountains from our back deck. Temperatures are starting to change a little, but it’s been a long winter. We love being so close to the mountains and spending time there with picnics, seeing some of Colorado’s wildlife, even just enjoying a quiet afternoon up there reading.
We are excited to see you in Denver this July, Beth!! 🙂 I continue praying for you, your family, and ministry!! See you soon when you will be able to enjoy our Rocky Mountains too….. 🙂
Hi Becky! It was so fun reading this because I can imagine everything perfectly since it’s where all my people live! I’m in Fort Collins quite a bit!
Hello from Green Bay Wisconsin where they tiniest peak of spring may be starting. We moved here from Dallas, TX in December. The blanket of white that has covered the area since we arrived has been truly beautiful and breath taking. My children back home have said they think I have sent enough pictures of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior in their frozen, glistening beauty. I have walked on water….well a frozen river to get a glimpse into an ice fishing hut. The blanket of white God so generously let us view for these some 3 months has been serene, sparkly, calming, and so beautiful! I miss my Texas desperately but have so enjoy getting a glimpse of winter in all it’s beauty. Thank you God for the opportunity.
Driving from East Tennessee to Asheville, NC yesterday I made the comment to my husband that the trees were just waiting for the exact moment to pop their new beautiful green leaves. I could sense their anticipation. Once they have popped it is one of the most beautiful drives in the United States because the highway is up with the treetops and you are able to see for hundreds of miles over the Appalachian Mountains and see the smokey midst they often produce also giving them the name Smokey Mountains. I am very blessed to live in such a gorgeous area.
I’m here in the armpit of Florida. Well, if you want to be politically correct, the Big Bend of Florida…you know, the spot where the peninsula bends around to become the panhandle. Here at the house, the dogwoods and azaleas are blooming, and the moss-draped live oaks shade us graciously year-round. I just put in my most of my spring vegetable garden, although I still have some cabbages and mustard greens left in the ground from my winter garden. I work on a wildlife management area that stretches along the Gulf coast, so I’m blessed to be able to spend time daily in the sweeping views and grandeur of the tidal marshes. I know the “solace of open spaces” to the bottom of my soul. The marshes are shifting seasons now, too. The birds are singing and shouting to establish their nesting territories. Some are molting from their winter to summer plumage, so they look all mottled. Some are leaving us for the summer and others are moving in, and some are just passing through on their way to somewhere else.
Somehow I feel like I can’t even begin to explain the beauty that is in the complexity of our “now home”. One year ago this week, while 28 weeks pregnant, and with a two year old in tow, we moved to Lower Hutt, New Zealand. More specifically, a suburb called NaeNae. You see, in the merciful providence of God, at just the right time my husband and I met a family from NZ who were in the states for seminary at the same school I was attending in Louisville, Ky. After a few years, tons of prayers, and many miracles God put us smack dab in the heart of a valley filled with people who need Jesus so desperately! We are surrounded by huge green hills (where I grew up in Indiana we would call them mountains) to our east and west, there is a beautiful river that runs down the heart if the land, and just south of town is a drift wood beach that is gently lapped by turquoise ocean. It’s so beautiful…I mean, Lord of the rings beautiful! No, seriously they filmed it all here, and lots of it within an hour of our home! Most of the houses have clay tile roofs, and there is an air of ease about the community. When we tell people we live in Naenae, they gasp in horror. You see, we live in the heart of the “ghetto”. Let me tell you though, they have no idea what poverty en masse really looks like. We live on a street that looks like anywhere USA. The people are friendly, the yards are manicured, and there is an elementary school across the street. Hardly a place anyone from the US would feel scared of at all. I have grown to understand over the past year though that this is a place where all the people live, that NZ wants to forget. Lots of people have diagnosis’ of mental illness, physical infirmities, and alcohol and drug abuse in this area is shocking. The biggest problem though is the spiritual vacuum that exists. The people here need Jesus so desperately! Would you pray with us that people wouldn’t just see the beauty of God’s creation, but that they would see the beauty of a risen Christ that He has sent to redeem all if it!
Writing from LaGrange, Georgia. Spring has begun and the grass is slowly turning green again. The flowers are close to blooming. We are surrounded by beautiful hardwood trees and they are getting fuller everyday. Georgia experienced an uncommonly cold winter, so spring is welcome here. Prayers for this Georgia girl wouldn’t be wasted. 🙂
Hi! I live in UPSATAE New York! I live in a charming rural community where we are surrounded by farmland. I grew up here and have lived here all my life. My Dad was a dairy farmer when
I was growing up but his land and our family home have been bought, now, by Amish farmers! And I consider myself SO blessed to keep our surrounding area rural! And doublably blessed by our new neighbors!
It has been the best winter ever in Northwest Ohio. Our annual snowfall is around 30 inches. Are you ready for this? More than 80 has fallen and we are supposed to have it again today. Have I mentioned I LOVE SNOW! When it wasn’t snowing the sun was shining and there were snow diamonds everywhere. God has outdone Himself with beauty this year. “Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow!
I am living in the capital city of North Carolina, Raleigh. It’s a cloudy, rainy morning on this particular morning but it won’t last long. The sun is due to shine tomorrow with temps rising to the 70’s. The pine trees sway with the wind that is picking up. There’s flowers popping out every single day. The yellow bells are in full bloom this morning with the spark of color just outside my window against the dull gray. Spring is here and I am loving every pollen filled moment!!
Hello all the way from the Shenandoah mountains. We live just at the base of the mountains and as we drive to work up and over the mountain range, the sun comes bursting up over the mountains every day, just a beauty of God’s own personal masterpiece of colors. It has just stopped snowing as of a couple of days ago here. It is still chilly but by afternoon, you can feel just a hint of breezy warmth, a hope yet to come. If we went for a walk it might be on one of the local farms that I like to walk on (which even has signs to watch out for copperheads but I have never seen one). We might even pick out own fruit on one of the farms to purchase for the table..
Good morning from Indian Head, MD just 20 miles south of our nation’s Capitol. My back yard stretches over a state park right up to the Potomac River. Yesterday I watched 3 deer come out of the woods looking for a little something to eat in my neighbor’s back yard. We watch for the bald eagles who nest in these woods beside the river. They truly are a majestic sight to behold. It’s been a long, cold winter but hopefully the snow is finally behind us and the leaves will soon return to the trees. I love the beautiful sunsets from the back deck on a warm spring evening!
If my 3-yr-old granddaughter were writing this, she would take you to Mimi’s Secret Garden (right outside Papa’s office) where gardenia bushes tower with their scent (they were just planted), liriope is taking over like groundcover (new little tufts), and euonymous creates a yellow-green backdrop (twigs). She would meander with you through long paths (12 pieces of slate) and insist that you sit at her tea table for teatime (3 broken cement blocks for 2 chairs and a table). And Mimi planted bulbs right.there. so we could be surrounded by tall daffs and tulips while drinking tea. Its a very Blessed place.
My walk takes me around Whiterock Bay in County Down, Northern Ireland. The ruined castle on Sketrick Island has a causeway wide enough for one car. With the bay being tidal but free of waves, I have the company of oystercatchers, terns, a lone curlew and some geese and ducks. When I get to Sketrick I visit the donkeys and Shaun the sheep and the views of Strangford Lough are amazing. A great walk for prayer and mental refreshment. Not a snake anywhere – we say St Patrick banished them all!
My two year old son and husband are currently living in southeaster Alabama. We are privileged to live in my family’s old country house that is surrounded by two acres of a pecan orchard. The great big trees produce a harvest of pecans in the fall and provide great shade for the summer. The grass beneath is so soft. You must take your shoes off and walk along. I believe grass in heaven is just like this old place’s grass.
I live in the Texas Hill Country, northwest of San Antonio. You know the country…so much of nature sticks, pokes or stings, but spring has brought grape kool-aid smelling blooms to the mountain laurels and sweet, tiny yellow flowers to the sharp agarita. With the recent rains followed by the bright sun, the bluebonnets are covering the fields and roadsides. The birds are singing, including the delightful little Golden-cheeked Warbler, soon to raise young and continue the loveliness of God’s creation.
I live with my husband on a small farm in Ohio. Today we are still expecting more snow but spring is coming. We have cows with calfs. We have a lane that connects our house with my inlaws house which is where I walk our dog. There are fields surrounding the lane and woods that connect to those fields. Right now the fields are not planted except for winter wheat. As I walk I see deer and sometimes coyote but not many snakes of which I am thankful. My favorite time is fall when the leaves of the trees are so many different colors and just beautiful. I love where I live and feel so blessed.
Barb here in Crown Point in NW Indiana. After the long, hard, cold, snowy winter I appreciate these days in the 40’s even though it should be in the 50’s. I am really looking forward to the 60’s that are coming this week. So our spring is cool but if you look you can see some small buds on the trees and flowers starting to poke their leaves through the ground . At least the snow is gone!
I live in Moneta,VA on Smith Mountain Lake. The water is green and our cove is quiet as the boating season has. It yet begun. Our only ripples are from fisherman silently stealing our way as the wait for bites.
Although our little study group here in Sterling, VA is aching for some Spring and warmth, I have to say we make the best of all the “snow days” that come our way! Occasionally I’ve stayed off the roads during one of our “days” and looked out to my back deck with excitement at the amazing variety of bird life … wrens, purple finch, goldfinch, titmouse, chickadee, cardinals, nuthatch, bluejay, pileated woodpecker, downy woodpecker, junco, red winged blackbird and even the peskier swallows and grackles! You’d think they only came around to show off just for me!
Two of my girls are elementary school teachers and they get downright giddy, complete with Snoopy dancing, when “Wayde”, the public voice for the school district, announces school closings for snow or ice. (“Wayde” has become a local folk hero!) One of the girls goes home from study and makes snow angels outside her apartment!
But only so much of a good thing … grey, overcast skies are good for undistracted times with the Lord, but we’re ready for the new green Spring!
Oh – I forgot the city rollcall. That Secret Garden is in Richmond, VA.
Here in Knoxville, TN I look out my window and see The Great Smokey Mountains there is a dusting of snow left on top of Mount Leconte. I bring my eyes down to my yard and see the first signs of Spring. A yellow daffodil, the trees beginning their awakening and the yellow finches starting to come back to our bird feeder. Spring always reminds me of our Risen Savour, He makes everything new!
I live in a cedar and live oak forest (6 acres) just north of “weird” Austin, Texas, in Lago Vista. Enjoying open windows today with the sounds of birds singing and windchimes playing. I love the brief “open windows” season in Texas!
I could just write out lyrics to one of the songs here, but then if you don’t live here you wouldn’t know them…:)
Most of y’all know where I live lol…
Palm trees. sunrises over ocean, sunsets in the gulf, manatees, alligators, cranes, snakes, canoes, whipperwills, screech owls, bird sanctuary, moss, lakes lakes and more lakes, Mickey Mouse, World’s famous beach…Closer in my hometown a few blocks away is Steson University, Downtown, Santorini’s Greek food, Boston Coffee, Candy shop, Antique shops and more antique shops, my church the Sanctuary Church Of God, and sweet old two story Victorian homes lines the neighborhood I live…I’m not much of a country girl, but I dig being a small city girl, I love the look of downtown, meeting my friends for coffee or Greek food and other places within walking distance…Because this is home. 🙂
Yea, I got all poetic and didn’t share where I lived…Between Daytona and Orlando Florida 🙂
And I decided y’all just need the songs…
” I like to wake up in the morning where the orange blossoms grow, where the sun comes peekin into where Im sleeping and the songbirds say hello, I like the fresh air and the sunshine, its so good for us you know, I like to make my home in Florida, where the Orange Blossoms, Orange Blossoms, Orange Blossom’s grow!” :0)
Hello from a siesta in Denham Springs, La!
Travelers Rest, SC (less than an hour from beautiful Asheville, NC and just north of Greenville, SC)
We also live in the country with much land surrounding us. Just earlier this week, my son and I watched five deer run across our field, with one small fawn hopping up and down in the midst of them as they went to join three others that were just grazing on the edge of some trees. It is not uncommon to see a large flock of turkeys traveling on the outskirts of our property. My son thinks they belong to the man over the hill because almost daily we will see 40-50 of them in his yard. My son says ” if they would go over to our property, they would belong to us wouldn’t they mom? ” I, of course, have to remind him that those are God’s creatures set here for everyone to enjoy. This morning I went out and was sure that I heard a few coyotes down in the bottoms of our fields. I often listen to them late at night and immediately tense us because they sound like they are standing on my front porch even though they are not, but then can allow them to lull me to sleep. Seldom do we see them, but often do we hear them. The river that runs way down in our fields has been overtaken by beavers. While I can’t say that I am overjoyed by the fact that our creek is now a swamp, it is amazing to see the wondrous ability of creatures that God put on this planet. They can fall a tree with nothing but their teeth and drag it several yards away to build a home for protection. Yesterday morning, there we some beautiful pink hues in the skyline that I had not even noticed until my son said, “mom, do you see that pink stuff? God painted those and put them there for us to enjoy”. What a blessing to live where I live, but to also be reminded of the innocent eyes we can appreciate God’s beauty through. The Bradford pears are now in full bloom. My daffodils, hyacinths, spirea, and periwinkle are full of color in the flower beds. And my “yellow bells”are the prettiest golden yellow you can imagine. My husband cut the grass for the first time last weekend and the smell of the wild onions was intoxicating. I do love that smell. It is times like these that my name for God is “masterful artist”.
St Cloud, Minnesota has had a l o n g, hard winter. It snowed (again) on Thursday. LOTS of snow on the ground in many parts of the state. I have family in TX and can’t wait to visit them again even in the HOT of summer. I too am having Beth withdrawal. Excitedly waiting for “Children of the Day” to be released in May.
Thank you for your obedience to God and your servant’s heart in leading and teaching us through life.
“When we only agree to love people and walk with people just like us, that’s tantamount to making our goal to become more like ourselves.” Oh yes!!! Lord, help me love ALL your children.
I live in southwest Missouri in the Ozarks. We live in the town of Monett surrounded by trees. My forsythia bush is starting to flower and the daffodils are in full bloom around the neighborhood. I grew up a few miles away on the Elk River. It is beautiful here in the spring!
I live in south eastern Kentucky. We have the most bipolar weather known to man! But God is good and this weather will soon be past these mountains!
Greetings from Cary, North Carolina. I’m currently snuggled up under an afghan on my sofa looking out my window at the rain dripping off the roof. The tree outside my window is bare with just a hint of the tiny buds that will soon burst forth into a beautiful maple tree. The sky is gray and when I close my eyes I can hear the birds chirping their different songs and the drip drip of raindrops. Peace! John 14:27
Ahhhh….Spring has finally arrived here in East Texas. When I read your awesome post about walking in your Houston woods and you saw signs of the dogwoods blooming, I must admit I was a bit jealous as I felt like our spring was “sleeping in” far too long! My daffodils had raised their bright faces to the sky on time, only to be hit with a hard covering of sleet and ice which took about the only color of spring away, but alas!!! This week my soul soared as I saw our dogwoods begin their opening debut:) Although they look a bit more yellow than I remember from years past, they give the shout that we all need to hear that spring is here!!! My azalea bushes have bright pink buds just waiting for a day like today which is going to be in the 70’s to add their beauty. Nature is one of the greatest gifts The Lord gives me and I see HIM and feel HIM most in HIS unaltered creation. Thank you for your “walk” so that we might see through your eyes, not only in your woods, but in your walk with Jesus. Your studies have given me hours of time seeking to know more about our Lord and HIS desire for me. I look forward to where He is taking you now and know that just as each year He provides an awesome display of HIS creativity in spring, that HE will also use you in a most creative way that will be beautiful because you have been faithful and unselfish and shared what HE shows you. Can’t wait from your friend in Athens, Texas!
We live in the Ozarks. We have a lovely log cabin overlooking the hills. The sun has begun to crest the hills and there is a light fog because of the rain that fell last night. Every time I look out our window I’m reminded of the awesomeness of God. Put on your boots when you come visit, we have a few snakes I am wary of. Love you, love how you speak into my life.
Hi… I am writing from BsAs, Argentina. Fall is in the air here. I love the smells of fall… When I walk early in the morning to school, the cool fresh air is so envirgorating. The smell of the due, the cool breeze fills me. I grew up here as an Mk, and then God took me as a single missionary to Morocco, passing through France. There in France, I met my husband and lived for 13 years. ( yup, never got to Morocco). We have three children. And even though I lived in the aLps, next to an amazing lake, surrounded by an amazing creation, I never had the same joy in the early morning “smells”. However, God in His wonderful ways, two years ago, called my husband to study the Bible here. We rented our house, sold most of our belongings, my husband left his cozy job, and here we are, living a God adventure. And in a land that I love. My children are in Spanish schools, I am teaching EFl in a Christian private school and most of all, I am smelling the world I grew up in. Fall here is not as impressive as in the northern hemisphere, but there is still beauty. The very green grass, the little yellow on the trees, reminds me how God knows the desires of our hearts and once in a while gives us little big gifts. I don’t know what God is going to do in the future with us, but I thank
Him to be able to smell once again the beauty of autumn in Argentina.
This past fall, the Lord gave us the farm we had been admiring for years as we would drive by. It has a wonderful landscape and a testament of the beauty of our creator. We are in the mountains of Appalachia, nestled on a ridge, overlooking the rolling hills of pastureland filled with cattle, sheep, and horses. Each morning, we can see the sun rise over the mountain. We can see the mist lift off the hillside, and feel the winds that blow our maple trees. As spring is approaching, (finally), we hear the sounds of sweet birds returning. We watch the flowers burst forth with color. It is a gift and a blessing to live in the hills of Virginia.
Spring is teasing us with glimpses of herself here in Colorado Springs, Colorado! Robins happily chirping are busily building their nests, tiny buds from deciduous trees are daring to peek outafter a long winter, and only Pikes Peak is snow-capped this morning.
I am writing from Cadillac, MI. We are on the Northwestern side of the lower peninsula. It is very much still winter here. Overcasted and 27 degrees right now. We are hoping to reach 40 this week and that would be a heatwave to us. We received heavy amounts of snowfall this winter and very cold temps, though we have lost snow our ground is still covered with a thick blanket of lovely white stuff. The schools started spring break this week and as many of our friends head to a warmer destination, we will tough it out as we watch for the signs of spring that you described on our walk. Many birds are returning so that is a reasuring sign that spring is on its way! Every season here in Northern Michigan is beautiful. But growing a bit tired of bundling up every time we go out. We pray for sun and warmth everyday at this time of year!
from the rugged ravines to the expanse of sagebrush dotted plains these eyes can spot the purple peaks of the Big HOrn Mtns. far in the distance. They are covered with snow but soon will relinquish that covering and our streams and rivers will swell with spring run-off. THEN, finally comes the anticipated spring newness and the baby calves with tails in the air will charge in a full out gallop around their moms so as to say, “look at me mom, this feels sooooooooo good.
northern Wyoming
Hi, I live in Elkins, WV. It is in North Central West Virignia. I hear we make the news quite often because of the snow we get, and we got our share this winter. We are surrounded by beautiful mountains – beautiful any season. 🙂 Elkins is also known for the Mountain State Forest Festival. There is a queen crowned during a fancy coronation – she and her entourage (two maids of honor, 40 princesses, a minor court, Woodly the Elf – the Mascot – state and local dignitaries, etc walk down Davis And Elkins College hill, dressed in their colorful finery. There is a Carnival downtown, activities in the city park, many displays, such as photography and art – which are my favorites. There is so much going on that week in late September, early October, and prior to that having to do the with festival. Some people tire of it and don’t want to be here, but not me. 🙂 The mountains of WV are full of beauty and many surprises, too. Thanks for asking. God continue to bless one and all.
Thanks to everyone for sharing from where they hail!
Anniston, Alabama
I’ve lived here in the north alabama mountainous region for 2 years and am moving to Florida’s gulf coast in June. There’s nothing like a little variety! Here, in N. Alabama it’s not alabamaish at all! Mt Cheaha, the highest point in the state of Alabama and part of the Appalachian Mountains is in my view almost everywhere I go in town. There are beautiful views including Cheaha’s little sister waiting at every turn. This week, the trees are bulging with blooms. White dogwoods, purple, pinks and those happy little green leaves are bursting forth to clothe the empty, lonely, cold branches of winter. It’s lovely! I will miss the foliage and greenery of Alabama when I move. Palm Trees and bougainvillea here I come!
Enjoying every day of 80 degree weather before the rainy season comes, down here in Guatemala where the volcanoes blow! Our (English speaking) women’s group just finished LBY yesterday. Beth, you are a blessing to us.
Today was gorgeous here in Beijing, China where I live with my family of 5. As I walked around my apartment complex, I saw the bluest sky (something we do not get to see very often). Spring has arrived with trees starting to bloom beautiful yellow and purple flowers. As I walked through the park area, an older Chinese man played a traditional Chinese stringed instrument and there were lots of children singing and dancing around. There is an amazing group of Christian women here and we love to do your Bible Studies, Beth. I am a born and raised Texan myself. Feel free to come and visit us anytime!
Good morning from Dacula, Georgia! Located northeast of Atlanta…the trees are in full bloom with delicate pink and white flowers lining the streets. My favorite time of year here in the south! But I am blessed not to have allergies! Thank you, Lord! Family and friends are not as excited to see the blooms as it makes them miserable. 🙁 The warm air is here and we are so thankful! Being from the frigid north, we enjoy the beauty and warmth of living happily in Georgia!!
I loved the walk, too! Though I am not too far from you, Beth, today was a WET, WET day in southeast Louisiana–over 6″ of rain so far! Definitely need those boots….to enjoy God’s splendor. Working with the warm sunshine of tomorrow it won’t be long until we see lots of beautiful green all around us……
I live here along the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania on a 100 acre Bible school campus. I come from the urban roots of NYC and always enjoy a good walk there :). It took me awhile to adjust to the multitude of gnats that swarm my head as I walk through the fields of our campus, as well to not jump every time I would hear a rustle in the trees or bushes. We’ve had some aggressive groundhogs here :). But, knowing at any moment, deer can leap over the fence (as they have) and there could be a buck amongst them. My husband laughs at me, as he watches me walk through the toughest streets of NYC, with rats’ eyes peering out amongst the garbage bags and I’m not moved. lol…It’s been 11 years I have been here and I still enjoy my moments of walking through NYC, but I’ve grown to appreciate and love the beauty of where God has set my feet. One day, we had the pleasure of watching wild turkeys flock through our campus. The funniest part was watching them get to our fence and not know what to do. One by one, they ran forward, flapped their wings so hard, and had enough momentum to get over the fence. Needless to say, traffic had to stop as each turkey made a concerted effort to get over one-by-one and they waited for each other!
Then, there’s the neat experience of having a training army base in our backyard, so-to-speak. We can often hear “fake bombs” go off, and to our visitors unless explained the looks on their faces says it all. 🙂 The best is when the paratroopers get a little off course and land in our property. There’s a rumor from years ago of when one landed on the roof of the house I live in now. Then, they do a lot of nighttime helicopter training, so you’ll hear the helicopters but not see them as they do nightvision training.
But, here’s the beauty of my campus – it is a gorgeous one here in Grantville, PA right in the area of Hershey and Harrisburg. It’s the PEOPLE! I read your post, Beth, and my heart resonates with the reality of where God has placed me. I look out my window and I see young people who have set aside time & their agendas & plans in life to seek God. I watch them walk the “loop” we call it, which is simply the road through and around our campus, and they are in good conversations with one another. I watch students from Zimbabwe, Ukraine, Switzerland, New York City & Oregon walk together. I watch these same students in the fields of our campus, praying & seeking the Lord. We have such a blessing of so many students from every walk of life, every different culture who come together because they LOVE Jesus! It’s incredible. I can get so used to it, I can miss it. Then, I can also see the busses & vans pulling out, knowing they sit in these vehicles heading out to feed the homeless, reach children & youth in inner city areas where the Gospel is not so common , visiting children in behavioral health hospitals and more. God is GOOD! To be a part of such a beauty of His creation is something I never want to take advantage of! Thank you, Jesus, for interweaving Your children together in such spectacular ways. May I never lose sight of PEOPLE – the best part of Your creation! Beautiful!
Oh, btw, a few of us are bummed we’ll miss you when you visit Hershey in May. That’s our graduation weekend. It’s a double graduation, 20 year anniversary and dedication of the chapel for our late founding chairman of the Board…a BIG weekend! But we’ll be thinking about all of those awesome sisters meeting in Hershey. We will be celebrating with our graduates & families, but also celebrating ladies with like hearts 20 min. away 🙂
I am so jealous reading of the warm weather locations. I am in central IN and we woke up to snow, not much, but I was so excited about the lilac buds I saw on my bushes yesterday and hope this doesn’t kill them. I think the best adjective to describe IN is bipolar. I got to golf last Friday when it hit 67, I don’t think 67 has ever felt so warm, then 35 by Sunday, ice on Tuesday and snow today. We will definitely appreciate spring when it gets here!!! All of that being said, I will take the never ending winter over the snakes. They terrify me, so IN works right now 🙂
Beth – I could relate to your walk perfectly as I live in Central Texas amidst the Loblolly Pines and giant cedar, post oak and pin oak trees. My walks with my lab, pointer and Catahoula are treasured as the four of us search for dropped sheds from whitetail, elk, axis and fallow deer. And now, thanks to our Creator, I have a field full of bluebonnets to enjoy! I revel in God’s glorious creation every day, listening to the song birds, and now, every once in awhile, the gobble of a turkey and watching my world turn green again. But it won’t be long until the snakes come out of hibernation and the dogs will have to stay in the house. Thank you so much for bringing us into your world. You are God’s gift to each of us.
Much love & peace to you from Springfield, IL, where I am eagerly awaiting for Spring to truly arrive. Fighting a bout of increased depression/anxiety and could truly use all the prayers I can get. I know that some warm, sunny days would help, too. Trying to stay positive with much prayer & Bible study, but, I must admit, it’s been difficult. Will be finishing up “Jesus, The One & Only”, this coming week. Looking forward to our next study! God Bless you all at LPM!
Greetings from Ocean City, Md. I have been blessed to rent a winter condo at the beach. Due to a divorce I do not have a permanent residence yet. It has been an unusually cold winter but I put on my snow pants and walk the beach each morning before work to have a quiet time with the Lord. He has spoken to me in different ways. Almost every morning he has given me a unique shell. One morning someone had written “don’t give up” on a broken shell another time someone had taken broken shells and made the word “blessings!” I have been blessed to photograph the snowy owl and seals which is unusual to the area. God has let me know his love for me through this. I wonder what is around the corner!
Being a transplant from Texas some 30 years ago (Dallas)nastalgia sweep over me as we strolled thru your woodlands, but, our fabulous state of Washington, in the small logging town of Sedro Wolley, a 2hr drive north of Seattle, sends your senses reeling as you stand mouth agape in the rows and rows of tuplip fields that wave toward heaven like unfolding rainbows.