On Bended Knee

I have taken enough bad photos to have learned to take several shots of one thing to cover all my bases. Often this means extended time on my knees in almost anything. It seems like a good place to start. Not afraid of being dirty or what others might think if they see you kneeling in the wet ground. Looking for the beauty God has provided wherever it is and being confident enough to not care how it might appear. I should consider this in the rest of my life goals too. Being humble enough to start on my knees and there is not too many other ways to go, but up.

A Fungus Amongus

After thousands of hours of walking and even more photos I am still amazed daily. This is one of our little mushrooms just fresh out of the soil. One I haven’t seen before in this lovely state. So bright and shiny! It is a Witches Hat mushroom. Look at those veins in that red cap! I wonder how many other amazing things I have missed in my life’s journey by just not taking time to look. These surprises are precious to me. Little love notes from my loving Father.

Lost in Time

What was this building for? What was stored there, who framed it and put a roof on it? When was it built? I imagine being in farm country it held its share of farm equipment and hay. Before the land started to retake it there must have been many stories unfolding under this roof. I love these old structures and the history they hold. At one time a family decided the sacrifice time and money to build this and now it is left as an afterthought. Always pushing for the underdog I adore these things. I love making up the stories that would go with them. Someone sitting on the edge of the upstairs, drinking their beer after a long hard summer day. Looking across the acres of farmland and the work accomplished. A job well done. Satisfaction in the labor, relaxing a bit before heading in to start all over again the next day. That is what I see.

Grass of the Field

“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothes you…?” Matthew 6:30. We have this field out by our Church, right in the middle of town, in the middle of a new housing development. Someone thought to throw in the dirt the most beautiful wildflower seeds. We drive by and I rubber neck all the way past until the are out of view. How could something so beautiful be stuck in the middle of construction zones and new roads? I finally took some time to stop and photograph it as best as possible on the fly. Just stunning! God made something so temporary so beautiful, can He not care for you and me? It is humbling to remember this in such a tangible way. Why must I be so anxious? What is it that I think I am going to accomplish or control being worried? Absolutely nothing good, only illness and fatigue. Be at rest, trust in the Almighty and His plan.

Weeds and Wires

During our Autumn season trips to the pumpkin patch are a normal thing to do. This year while waiting for our daughter to run and play I looked around the farm at places that weren’t on the warn paths and piles of pumpkins. I love old fences and Teasel. I wanted photo of an old truck in the field but this was what pulled my attention. Simple, overlooked and captivating.

An Honored Guest

Being in a location such as this and witnessing the magnificence all around me, I think “How do I get to see something like this? I must be an honored guest in this house to get such treatment.” I was thinking on that and it is true. An honored guest in God’s sanctuary. This is a place to see God’s handy work and worship Him, in places like this I feel closest to Him. He does see me as an honored guest and wants the very best for me. Sometimes it is hard for me to see that, live like it is truth. After all we are limited human beings. Like little kids not understanding why they cannot have candy for dinner. In between the hard learning parts of life, there these moments that stand out. Reminders of our Great Creator and His endless love that is beyond measure.

Surprises

When I go out with my camera I will ask God to show me what I need to see and and keep me from seeing what I do not need to see. Even if I do a photo shoot with people I do this. It always blesses me more than you could imagine in the end. My day job required me to go to the pumpkin patch with our preschool class, I took photos for the school and the parents while there. When getting in my car to leave after our trip this Cooper’s Hawk landed on the fence post a few cars down from me and just sat there hunting. It was so close and just sat there posing for me for several minutes then jumped off in a dive to go after its prey. What a surprise gift. Tender mercies my friends, tender mercies.

Walking for Years

Out in the woods, walking peacefully. One foot after another, and another…breathing deeply. After all it is very steep and he has been walking for years. This is a picture of my almost 82 year old dad walking through the towering giants in Yamhill Oregon. I follow his footsteps often and then sometimes not at all. But in this I pray I get to keep following and keep walking for years too. Each step being a gift and treasured as such. Our lives can be fleeting and being thankful even for this. An interesting side note, the beautiful yell leaves growing up the very large Douglas firs is…wait for it…Poison Oak. I didn’t know it could be so lovely.
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