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!
Hi Beth, I’m checking in from Biloxi MS!!! Today I opened the doors to a rain storm! It rained all night and all day day today but we really needed it. We had a about a week of sunshine and beautiful spring weather that made the beach in Biloxi shine like sparkling diamonds! That was enough to start the buds of flowers and leaves on the trees to start their new beginning after a cold winter season. The rain makes the grass greener and gives the plants and flowers a huge watering from heaven! The Lord provides, Hallelujah!!!!
Greetings from Clovis, NM – about 10 miles from the Texas border. We are desperate for rain-it is incredibly dry here right now and the spring winds can blow some serious dirt around. The dust in the air makes for some spectacular sunsets though! Thanks Beth for your words on the unity of our faith in Christ-loved that.
I’m here about 30 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia. On Friday evenings, I enjoy watching the bridal shows. Living in a home with a husband and sons means girlie things are especially important to me. My youngest is home from college, and I am over the moon. Having all my guys under one roof is the best gift. If I could just get through the two bags of laundry that followed my son home!
Blessed to live on a small lake in Kent, WA. We have had so much rain that you have to wade to get on the dock. Beautiful blue skies in between rain showers.
Please pray for those affected by the mud slide just north of Seattle. Death toll is rising and still lots of ground to search. Praying for God’s mercy to those searching and those waiting for word on loved ones.
Greetings from the beautiful Flint Hills of central Kansas where tonight’s drive home was dotted with controlled burning of field stubble lighting my way in the moonless night. Our wheat fields are beginning to green but are still desperate for more moisture inspite of our bitterly cold & snowy winter. We have the best of both worlds; small town charm where carillion bells still chime hymns on the hour and big city attractions close enough to enjoy. Blessed beyond measure to call this place home.
I’m an Indiana girl, born and raised in Warsaw, Indiana. While I’ve enjoyed a snowy winter and basketball season, I’m really looking forward to Spring and baseball season with my three sons. Most of the snow piles are melting, but we’re expecting a dusting of snow tomorrow and then 60’s on Sunday! This is how it goes when the seasons change – we’re finally just days away from our trip south for the anxiously awaited Spring Break (spring training is what my hubby and sons call it!). Flip flops are packed! Hope you enjoyed your week of rest – sounded well earned and divine! Thank you soooo much for your ministry! Our tickets for your Fort Wayne event in September arrived in the mail today!! You have blessed my life (and my husbands and sons) – and I thank God for how He has used you to further His kingdom through all of the women your ministry has impacted. We serve a Mighty and Creative Savior!
Sure doesn’t look like Spring yet here in Upstate NY. In the hill country we still have piles of snow on the ground. Freezing rain hit here early this morning & the trees were covered with ice. Beautiful to look at (while indoors drinking my coffee by the wood burning stove), looked like the trees were covered with real crystal. Ready & waiting for warmer weather.
It’s sunny, 70° and a beautiful spring here in Southern California!! Following The LPM Blog during afternoon beach walks from San Diego! Looking forward to seeing you in October!
Almost Heaven, West Virginia! I moved here from Florida 21 years ago, and still marvel over the distinct seasons. We’re still having a mixture of mild and cold (schools had a snow day Wednesday).
I live in a remote part of Australia, Western Australia, on the Southern Ocean in town called Esperance (means Hope), 750kms SE Perth, WA. Even though the Southern Ocean can be wild, the area where we live has some of the whitest beaches in the world, and the bluest water, we can drive on our beaches for over 100kms as the sand has silica in it which not only makes it very white but also very hard in places . We often have 4 seasons in one day due to the sea breeze and the hot northerly winds that come off the interior lands . We have the most beautiful sun rises and feel so close to God when walking on the beach not a sound but the water breaking & birds and my beagle, Ruby, bounding in the waves. Feels like heaven some days
Hi Beth,
I sure enjoyed reading your post about the woods. I just lost my Mom on March 11 to leukemia. She is in heaven now but few could make my heart smile like you. Love you lots, thank you Lord for giving us our sweet Siesta Mama!
Rhonda in Portage, Michigan
I am amazed that we’ve only had one other Texan post this far!
Well, here in the deep piney woods of southeast Texas, we are battling the yellow war of 2014, the war against pine pollen which turns EVERYTHING bright yellow and in the process, it makes everyone terribly I’ll with congestion, cough, sore throats, violent sneezing, and possibly fever. We are so blessed to be able to actually SEE what is causing out upper respiratory difficulties, yet we are helpless to battle them! So the yellow war of 2014 is presently being won by the bountiful and plump pods on every single branch of every single pine tree! I think some of them even have a second supply! Do they get speed loaders from the pollen truck or something because even though my yard now has very yellow puddles since we got rain, there is still tons on the trees!!
One would think that would indicate spring for sure, not likely! Mornings at the beginning of the week were around low 40’s with highs in the upper 60’s-low 70’s. Sounds perfect, right? Not when it is 49-50 all up until about 1pm! We finally warm a bit just before it starts cooling down again!
But, we have the gorgeous bluebonnets blooming as well as out wonderful azaleas! Dogwood trees are beginning to bloom and the redbuds have been in bloom for over a week. My precious flower garden is starting to come up. I have petunias of purple, daisies of white and yellow, dianthus of red and pink and they smell SO good! Then there’s my hydrangeas leading out in preparation for blooming their beautiful pink and blue blooms next month! Our white wysteria is in bloom, and my precious roses are all budding out beautifully! Strawberry ants are awaiting transplant to their permant location, and they are LOADED!! I see some strawberry shortcake on our Easter table!! At the same time, my precious hens are so thankful to have some warm weather to try to dry out their yard! But all the moisture hasn’t slowed them from egg production!! I’m averaging over a dozen a day, and all of them aren’t yet laying!! I am so excited that it appears spring has finally reached Jasper, Texas!! Even though I know old man winter is going to rear his head on April 10 and 20! Those are the dates we had February thunder! Old wives tale…
I love the idea of a world map with a red dot on each location that replies to your post! That would be pretty cool!! God bless you all and please, keep the stories coming!!
Hop on 45, go north and in no time you’ll be in Dallas. Since we’ve had a few more freezes this winter than Houston, the trees are just now beginning to show their spring green. The last freeze a couple of weeks ago got my daffodils but the tulips are gorgeous right now. Even though I live in the middle of the city, our house backs up to a beautiful wooded creek. Thankfully we don’t have as many snakes as you do but at dusk you can see coyotes and foxes. During the day the woodpeckers are battling with our neighbors who are remodeling to see who can make the best noises. The dogwoods are blooming along with the pear trees which my children renamed stink trees. But my favorite is when God really shows off and ends our day with a magnificent sunset.
It is mid-afternoon here in Guam. We are in the dry season so there is not as much rain. Year round the temps are in the 80’s during the day and 70’s at night. In minutes I can drive to either side of the island and see either the Philippine Sea or the Pacific Ocean. My favorite thing is to see the waves crashing on the reef or the cliffs. I am thankful for the opportunity to experience living in another country for a few years.
Boise, Idaho is home. It’s an amazing valley with snow capped mountains to our north, south and east and wide open skies to the west. The river is bulging with our recent rains and snow which have spring arriving in the valley and winter capturing the mountains. It’s one of the most beautiful places to live where most things are within 30 minutes, the family is still important and trees and grass dote most streets. Kids can play and ride their bikes, doors don’t have to be locked when you walk to the park and hiking and river sports rule the day. Happy Spring, ya’ll.
Cheering my Kentucky wildcats this evening here in beautiful Lexington, Ky.
It has been a long hard winter here in the Bluegrass state and the snow and cold just keeps coming at us but just as we know our King is coming for us We know that spring is on her way.
So looking forward to celebrating Easter this year.
I can see the signs, spring flowers popping up, my Dogwood buds are swelling and the March wind is whipping up something wonderful and we are anxiously waiting….
Greetings from Morro Bay California. This little seaside village is a hidden gem along the central coast of California. You know you are here when you see the “Morro Rock” a beautiful volcanic neck located at the entrance of the Harbor. Being a seaside town we get mostly two seasons… 1)Sunshine 2)Fog. 🙂
I am looking out the gorgeous San Marcos river in Central Texas. The water is rushing and the trees are blowing but don’t worry be best has shown up. It was a gorgeous 85 today. I spent most of my day sitting near the river writing a paper today. I wake up each morning to a usual gorgeous hill country sunset. This area of Texas is gorgeous, hilly and has so much green. Portrays the absolute beauty of God’s creation.
I am so jealous of your hill country sunrise!
Greetings from Starr,SC. We are just a hiccup in the road, of the rolling foothills of the Carolina Piedmont. Today has been cloudy and rainy, but even in the clouds God’s presence has been evident. The grass is getting greener by the second and there are buds on all the trees. It’s lambing season here on the farm and we wait in expectation for the first birth of the year. There is nothing quite like those babies. Our Moma ewe, Sugar, will hopefully bring forth some more Sugarbabies. And her first babies, Gracie and May, are about to burst with their first babies too. If all goes well, before the weekend is through, we will be awash with lambs a leaping! There will be a lot of traipsing through the woods to get to the pasture and check on those Momas to be over the next few days. Sure don’t want to miss the wonder of new life!
Good evening my friend! I can’t wait to share with you the goodness of God in my life and where he has planted my husband and I of almost 14 years and our two cherubs (Carson, 10, and Emery, 8) [Grin]. So, come on! I can’t wait to show you
A beautiful sunshine-filled warm spring day in Chandler, Arizona! Thanks Beth, for the wonderful walk! I felt I was there with you!
Mountain Home, Arkansas is tucked away in the beautiful Ozark Mountains between two clear blue lakes and three crystal rivers. A quiet town of 12,000 smack dab in the center of the USA we enjoy all four seasons: dogwoods in Spring, water recreation galore in Summer, hiking trails meandering among the flaming, colorful trees of Fall, and USUALLY just a couple of snows in Winter that are just right for curling up with a good book or napping by the fire. Of course, we can fish anytime of the year! You do have to be deliberate in getting here but it’s well worth the trip for vacation or, even better, to call it “my mountain home.”
Greetings from Fort Smith, AR. we’ve had a long winter of ice, snow & windy cold temps. We finally had a break from that w/ decent temps & tornado warnings.
Thanks for the walk.
Hi all, I’m living in Duluth, MN. This winter has been FOREVER! It’s the coldest winter in 139 years up here, no kidding. We broke records for the most days below zero. Yesterday, Yes March 27th, we got another 8″ of snow! I live in the woods about 20 miles out of town on a country gravel road. Our road didn’t get plowed until 10 a.m. today, yes, we got the snow yesterday 🙁 I am surrounded by huge evergreens, maples and birch(all bare right now and still sleeping from winter). All the evergreens (cedar, fir, jack pine)are all covered in white snow. We live about 5 miles from one of the prettiest Great Lakes, Lake Superior. This winter is the first time it’s been frozen over in five years. It has beautiful ice formations on it and in summer it looks like the ocean. Crazy people around here even surf it in the winter when we have a big storm. It’s gorgeous here but we are LONGING for spring!
Hi y’all! I’m writing from Detroit, MI!! So my description will be a bit different since woods aren’t all that plenty around here! As many of you know Detroit has gone through so much over the last several years and we just entered into bankruptcy. But I am so proud of my city as it claws back step by step. So what do I see on my walks? I see once old decaying buildings coming back to life with tender loving care. Once covered with grafitti now sparkling with pride under new coverings and new inhabitants. I see people who walked about defeated because we had no idea if our city was going to make it now walking with smiles and hope. I hear kids giggling and laughing as they play in front yards. And all this is music to my ears. So while my description doesn’t have a lot of green grass in it there is lots of hope!
Spending my second spring in blustery Ardmore Oklahoma… where the wind does indeed “blow freely ‘or the plain!” It is hard to get used to. But I must say that the sunsets are a sight to behold. The Master Painter with His palate of majestic brilliance goes to work each evening painting a canvas that no mortal painter can equal !
Hello from Visalia in the Central Valley of California. I live among the dairy farms that supply the butter, cheese and milk , walnut, almond and cherry trees and many other blossoms from various stone fruits. We feed the USA! Spring came much too soon this year and we’ve been blessed with beautiful weather into the 80’s already. Birds singing, new blossoms popping open every day. Dogwood, magnolias, crepe myrtles and azaleas in full bloom which is a treat to the eyes but makes me a bit weary for a long hot summer ahead. We are praying for much needed RAIN! I am 30 minutes from the majestic giant Redwoods to the east and about 3 hours to the CA coast. Blessings to each of these beautiful women enjoying the beauty if the Lords creation.
Edmonds Washington is balmy,wet and wonderful! We’d grab a hat and scarf, walk the beach, feel the wind, watch the huge clouds fly by, maybe even see an eagle soar! All Praise be to our Creator!
I was born in Colorado, but as a military wife have moved around. We spent the longest chunk of time in Northern Virginia where it is green all year. We are currently living in the “Land of Enchantment”…New Mexico. From green to brown, from flowering trees, bushes and multitudes of flowers to cactus, and who knew how many different ones there are? Or that many produce flowers after “rainy” season? A walk here would be prettiest in the early or late hours as it is already warm and getting warmer. The sunrises and sunsets vary in color and magnificience, and we will need boots here, too, depending on where we walk. Rattlers love this dry desert clime, and you may also see Scorpions or Tarantulas. EW! Best end to a walk is a homemade fruit smoothie sitting on the back porch.
I live in the state that is shaped like a mitten and sadly on the 28th of March we still needs mittens in my part of the state! I live in Traverse City which is in northwestern lower Michigan. Lower Michigan means I don’t live in the upper peninsula for those of you who aren’t familiar with our beautiful state! Weather… well it is still winter here! I woke to snow blowing and swirling all around which just scares my border collie to no end! Those schools that had not already started spring break had a snow day today. We have had 11 snow days this year!! We endure harsh winters for the promise of mild summers (rarely hits 90) and the fresh waters of Lake Michigan that have the beautiful colors of the Caribbean up here. Praising the Lord for sisters in Christ all over this globe!
Wenatchee, WA here 🙂 Originally I am from North Coast California. I am a transplant to Wenatchee. As of late, being in the high desert, we have started spring with some light rain, daffodils and crocuses beginning to come up as well as irises. Usually the first thing to bud around here are the cherry trees which we have locally in abundance as well as apple trees. I haven’t seen any blossoms yet. Our last snow was more than four weeks ago but the ground is still a little hard. We have been warming up a bit. It gets down to 32 at night only now and the highs during the day have been anywhere from the high 40’s to upper 50’s. Wenatchee is located along the Columbia River and due to it’s vastness we are readily irrigated and so we do have lots of green in the area, mostly only along the river. The hills nearby will turn brown in June leaving the valley looking like a haven of sorts. A short jont to the north is the town of Leavenworth which is dressed in a Bavarian theme year round. It tends to be 10 degrees cooler there than here and so they still have a good amount of snow and probably will for another month. Our lawn just outside our house is starting to green up in places that had died off from the winter freeze and our rose bushes are beginning to bud with leaves. With that said, the allergy season has started and I have been blessed with an early bout of sinus congestion. I am looking forward to more signs of spring over the next few weeks and the start of summer where the heat gets pretty dry and hot and the evenings and early mornings turn in to the most treasured times of day when we can enjoy the outdoors with our kids and thank God for His Greatness. Presently though, our yard is going through changes because the ground has thawed for the most part, getting ready to pour a retaining wall 🙂 I hope this gives you a picture of our life and surroundings. We enjoy the home that God has given us.
Aloha Beth from Waipahu, Hawaii on the island of Oahu! The cool, yet tropical breeze floats through my always open kitchen window as the late afternoon sun, just shy of dipping beneath the distant Wainae Mountain Range, warms my face as I stand at the kitchen sink preparing a dinner with, of course, homegrown pineapple. The sound of a lone Ukelele & waves, just a winding, palm tree shaded bicycle ride away, call my name. I live in PARADISE! Ok, not really. But I DO live in Waipahu, Hawaii (pronounced WHY pa WHO) and can see the Wainae Mountains from my kitchen window (over a tangle of power lines). Other than those two things and the homegrown pineapple (super easy to grow, IN A POT, btw, but it takes 18 months to produce a single fruit, so I just mostly buy mine from Costco), I live a pretty interesting, yet extremely non-vacation life as a pastor’s wife & home-educating mom, in a parsonage, with a 4 y/o Golden Retriever named Charlie, and innumerable house geckos who are territorial & leave their poop everywhere, where I can also hear the congregational singing on a Sunday morning from our Master Bedroom half-bath, where I’ve run home to, to use the “lavatory” because I can. With no central A/C, our little wooden house can get pretty toasty, especially in the kitchen at 6 pm, with the setting western sun beating straight in on the kitchen sink. It’s so hot & bright at this particular location in the house, that before my husband put shades up five years ago,I prepared dinner naked & in sunglasses. (Ok, not the naked part.) With a plethora of Pituahua’s (pit bull/chihuahua mix) around our concrete walled neighborhood, there’s almost never a quiet-enough moment to take in the sound of mopeds racing up & down the not-one-tree tree-lined street. My daily view is most likely, THE postcard OPPOSITE of many picturesque scenes from around the Aloha State. p.s. We DO live about 20 minutes from “paradise Hawaii,” though. And of course Abba’s here, too, so I’m thankful & happy! 😉
Hello from Northwest Ohio!! My husband and I did go to our woods two days ago to cut wood for NEXT year’s winter!! Heard the tapping of a woodpecker, and my husband swears he saw a bald eagle flying over us! Two of my favorite things in one little trip!! This has been the longest, snowiest winter in many, many years!!….and we’re expecting a little more snow tomorrow!!! The only plus is that we’ll appreciate the wonders of Spring ever so much more (should it choose to show up!!). Nothing encompasses the feelings of “new birth” like the coming season as it ushers in the remembrance of Jesus and his death and resurrection!! Thank you Lord!!—-and thank YOU Beth, for your wonderful ministry!
Greetings from the “mile high city”! I feel so blessed to live in such a beautifully diverse state as Colorado! From the grasslands blowing on the plains, to the majestic mountains topped with snow, I get to bask in God’s glorious masterpiece everyday…oh how He loves me!!
I’m looking forward to a colorful, warm Spring after the harsh Winter we have had in Huntington, West Virginia! The daffodils are beginning to peak above the ground to say goodbye to Winter! Our West Virginia hills are so beautiful. They are soon to be full of rich, green deciduous trees and other wild flowers and plants! God’s creations never cease to amaze me!
We are rather new to the state of Oregon. I am a former California lady.If it is not raining, the sky is blue with big billowing clouds that grace the sky. Beth, if you were to walk with me we would walk through a forest of trees, with heavy moss clinging to them, lots of water tumbling on it’s way. Fern and other kinds of flora and fauna that I am not quite familiar with, just yet. On sunny days, you will see horses, goats, pigs, cows and chickens nibbling on huge fields of green grass.There are plenty of rustic barns and various kinds of nut trees. Lots to see and plenty of to explore. God is so good to us.
I live in what is called North Central Phoenix. People are surprised when they visit and see that this area is very green. Everyone seeds their yard in the winter for green grass all year long. Once this area was mostly orchards. A mature orange and grapefruit tree give shade to my backyard. My neighbor’s lemon tree hangs over my property enough for me to have fresh Meyer lemons too! I also have 7 palms trees of varying heights. They have to be trimmed every June or their blooms will fill my pool! Bougainville bushes are scattered throughout the yard and give it beautiful color most of the year. The most surprising thing, plant-wise, about my yard is that I have 3 pine trees. Two are in the front yard and shade my house from the hot afternoon and evening sun. Even though their roots are lifting up my driveway, I am very thankful for them! Finally, my immediate area has 3 or 4 synagogues in it and my neighbors are orthodox Jews. I am blessed every Friday evening and on feast days to see families walking to synagogue!
Being a new resident to Monument,CO, I am still in awe of the “purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plains”. My view of “America’s mountain” (Pikes Peak) is breathtaking against the rich, blue Colorado sky. Spring is teasing here. 50-60’s with warm sun for a day or two, then windy, cold and more snow. The snow isn’t staying around very long now, but it will be another month or so before it doesn’t fall this season. It is very brown here compared to the green of Ohio where I came from. The high-altitude warm sun and dry, fresh air are the trade offs for the lush green of central Ohio. Oooh,I must mention, the stars are spectacular here. A stroll around my area still leaves me short of breath at times, as my middle-age+ body adapts to high altitude living.
Blessing to all from Colorado!
My front license plate says Native Texas, always missing the piney woods. Rolling hills of the Bluegrass state is where I kick off my boots now. From our hilltop, looking out our back window on 100 acres of tiny, green sprouts poking through the brown, wintered grass. The horses have already found those tender shoots and are nibbling contentedly. There is a natural spring and a creek in a treed area, where we usually see deer when we go hiking. The creek bank has made a great earthen backstop with some hay bales in front where my kids & I target practice. The greenhouse already has trays of cold weather plants waiting for warmer soil to be transplanted. Strawberries are still covered with straw waiting for more days of sun. Crocus and daffodils are peaking in the flower beds and a few more days in the 50’s might remind us Spring is coming. Across the road are herds of black, angus beef cows and another 500 acres of what will soon be alfalfa, corn, and blue-green waving grass.
I’m blessed to be a student here at Texas Christian University, in the great city of Fort Worth. It’s got an authentic Texan feel in the stockyards area, where I like to frequent Billy Bob’s (the largest honky tonk in Texas!) with my friends for some good two-stepping times. Some of my other favorite areas include downtown (much more family-friendly and fun than downtown Dallas in my opinion), the West 7th area with lots of shopping, restaurants, and Lucky Strike bowling, and the hospital district where I have the privilege of volunteering with my sorority at the Ronald McDonald House. TCU itself is also one of the more stunning features of Fort Worth; if you’ve ever visited campus you would probably say it’s one of the most beautiful college campuses you’ve laid eyes on! Today while on my morning run, God graced me with the opportunity to notice some of the gorgeous pink tulips in bloom on the outer edge of campus. Fort Worth is a wonderfully unique city and I’m so thankful to spend my college years here!
I live in downtown Opp, Alabama. Most folks know it as the town they drive through on their way down to Destin, Florida or the hometown of the Rattlesnake Rodeo. One Sunday, my husband the music minister, came home from church, took off his coat and tie, pulled out his rifle and killed a very large snake (with one shot) hanging out of the soffit of our roof. What a man! It’s spring time in Opp where the dogwoods are blooming and the scent of wild wisteria fill the air.
Greetings from rural central Nebraska! It snowed 2 days ago, but we’re supposed to have highs in the 70’s this weekend. This time of year is our calving season, so there are lots of sweet coal-black baby calves on our farm right now. Oh, how I loved joining you on your walk! Thanks for letting all of your sisters-in-Christ tag along!
Hello from wintery and beautiful Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Like many others, we’re still firmly in winter’s grip in the foothills of the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains. We’re blessed to have periodic reprieves from winter, thanks to a phenomena called chinooks…winds that come over the Rockies full of warm Pacific air. It creates a dramatic warming trend, that often means a 20 degree rise in temperature in 12 hours or less. Unfortunately, it also means wicked migraine headaches for some. Praising God that I am not one of them. We don’t usually have much spring in Calgary, but when we do, it’s so welcome. Warm breezes, endless sunshine and birds singing praises to our God.
I have been spending the week in beautiful Phoenix,AZ visiting my sister who is living with ovarian cancer (prayers are always appreciated). Tomorrow I fly back home to Minot,ND. The weather is supposed to be in the 50s! However, the cold is ready to leave us yet! This has been a long,cold winter we are ready for some nice weather. Spring is around the corner (I hope).
G’day from Rockhampton, QLD Australia!!! Just wipe your screen cause the humidity here has probably fogged it all up! Very steamy and hot here in Rocky the sort of humidity that sucks the air from your lungs when you walk outside! So I’d rather tell you about the cool air con that some inspired person created I’m sure under the leading of the Spirit!! Looking forward to Autumn and a cool change!
Here in Oakland, CA we are in the usual push and pull between winter and spring. We have been having very welcome rainstorms mixed with intermittent sunny hours. The leaves on our trees are about to pop out and the azaleas have been showing their beautiful colors for a couple of weeks already. It’s a lovely season in anticipation of the next when we can enjoy being in the outdoors even more!
Live in ND…. Not as cold as everyone thinks. 30 degrees today, 60 tomorrow and possible snow/rain showers on Sunday. Weather always changing but God is the same today as yesterday and the days before! I live 30 miles from the Theodore Roosevelt National Park which will soon explode with color. My husband and son enjoy pheasant hunting and fishing–my daughter and I like a day at the spa, cooking and movies. AND fishing on a nice warm summer day!
Hi — This is Debbie in Tujunga, CA (Los Angeles area). It is sunny and quite pleasant here. We are still waiting for winter to arrive but I think we skipped it this year.
I loved the walk in the woods too! Here in Tennessee buttercups are blooming and Bradford pears have just started blooming! The sayin in Tennessee is if you don’t like the weather today, just wait for tomorrow because esp this time of year it can be 70 one day and 20 the next!
I live in the Yakima Valley, WA. Today it rained which for us was good. It’s been a dry winter. As I look out my windows I can see the Apricot blossoms and just the beginning of the peach and nectarine blossoms. Then comes the cherries and pears. A beautiful spring, one that I have enjoyed the 49 years we have lived in our home. I’m especially grateful when I am sitting at my drafting table painting a watercolor. This has been a real gift that I enjoy when I don’t have the energy to do a lot. God is so good. My faith has grown and increased as I have been in treatment for cancer for the past 4 years. Our Women’s Bible Study group has been studying Believing God which has blessed me as I have followed along at home. Thank you so much for making the videos available online. The daffodils are blooming and one early tulip showed up a few days ago. The Forsythia in the back yard is a beautiful spot of bright yellow. My two sisters spent several days with me this week. What fun to laugh with them and even shopping a little. They are from Oregon and Minnesota.
1. God is who He says He is. 2. God can do what he says He can do. 3. I am who God says I am. 4. I can do all things through Christ. 5. God’s word is alive and active in my life.
I’M BELIEVING GOD!