celebrate

 

Last Friday I passed the half-century mark in age and entered into the year of (gulp) “51”.  My mind wanted to knock me down and shove it in my face; but my heart has been made too rich by friends and family to let that happen.  So, we celebrated!  Cards, flowers, candy, and gifts are so appreciated; and the love and grace that has been poured out so generously to me is amazing in its scope . . . thank you!

I also purchased a new camera this weekend and I am having so much fun exploring all its features.  I spent one day shooting “macro”, and today I have been “zooming” . . . on this post, I share the close-up shots of roses I received from a dear friend for my birthday.  She said they reminded her of all the children that we serve . . . we want to see the diversity and the beauty in each one . . .

 

He gives me beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning . . .

glenda

look up

 

On our recent road trip to New Orleans, I snapped several pictures as we made our way by car through some very narrow dark streets.  My vantage point was not one that looked down into the darkness, but one that chose to look upward . . . to the light, to the open skies, to the heavens.

Look up . . . see a different perspective.

 

“Unto You do I lift up my eyes, You Who are enthroned in heaven.”

Psalm 123:1

glenda

road trip

 

I just returned from a three-day road trip with three good friends.  We were all in need of a brief get-away from the day-to-day, and New Orleans was our destination . . . streetcars and jazz music; beignets and cafe au lait; architecture and history; seafood and sugar; Lake “Punch-a-train” and the mighty Mississippi . . . we crammed all the fun and food we could possibly fit into our short visit. 

Thanks ladies!  I savored each minute and every morsel . . .

 

        

                         on the journey together . . .

                                                                               glenda

promise

 

I accompanied my daughter and her friend to the park today for a short run (them, not me).  While they made their way around the trails, I took a few pictures.  The first thing I noticed were these sad little signs blocking the entrance to the beach. 

As I continued my exploration around the park on this drab gray day, I came across these surprising blooms. 

So even though the sun was hidden, and the weather was gloomy, newness was sprouting in all its finery.  In spite of the darkness, life finds a way . . .

 

“the people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light . . .”

glenda

winter lights

 

Last year around Christmas time, an eatery-tavern in town displayed the most beautiful stained glass and beaded creations.  As the light changed throughout the day, the pictures took on varied looks.  In full sunlight, the colors were bright and clear; on cloudier days, they were more subtle and subdued.  My favorite was at night, when the strung lights were shining and the glass took on a special starry twinkly quality.  Light always breaks through and shows the true colors . . .

“and the Light shines on in the darkness . . .”    John 1:5

glenda

how beautiful

 

Feet are for travelling . . . for dancing and leaping . . . for standing and running . . . and often they just need to be propped up for a bit . . .

They get dusty dirty tired . . . they get water refreshed and cooled . . .

And we keep on walking . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news . . .”

walk on . . .

glenda

relaxin’

 

Hope you are having a good weekend, whether hanging with friends or spending time with family.  Relax . . .

 

gull gathering

 

have a good weekend  . . .

glenda