the last blog of 2006

So this has been my first year of blogging. As the year closes I must finish it out blogging. So Happy New Year to you all.
Today at church I chose to become a member. The pastor prophecised that this next year would be a of suddenlys. God was going to answer requests suddenly. And not just one but a series of suddenlys. So I am speaking and praying for several suddenlys. I will also be going to the New Years Eve service tonight and since its the first hours of the New Year I am interested to see what He will do.
See you all in the next year

Lessons from the ER -- reason #98 why not to use drugs

Logic somehow reverses when you use cocaine, alcohol and a few other drugs.....

For example, Where is the best place for firewood to be found?
- logically the answer would be --wood is found on the ground or if a tree is cut down.

I have learned that with drugs & alcohol, the mind can be brought to believe that firewood is found in a tree 10-15 feet up. And lead to falls.

Do you trust your mind and body to something that can twist anything to feel logical?

Christmas in the Emergency Dept.

Today I spent the day celebrating Jesus birth serving the sick that poured into the ER. I guess God might have chosen that as a place or maybe in a bar ministering to the lonely or maybe on the rainy street serving the homeless.

I was humbled serving people today. I treated 47 people over the 11.5 hours I worked today. Many sick with flu, strept or pneumonia or a combo of the above. We seem to have hit a peak in the flu season here. Although most are doing a good job staying hydrated, they were feeling miserable. A few I was able to pray over while examining them, but mostly had to stay busy seeing people.

Thank God for a healthy body. I really felt His presence around me today and knew I was in the place He wanted me to be. I wonder what destiny I fulfilled today.

This week I watched the movie Lady of the Lake -although a weird movie, what struck me most, was questioning my destiny. And has brought me into a reflective contemplation of what it is I do for God daily. Do I miss out on the opportunities or am I just unaware of the destinies I have fulfilled. I pray I am following through and that God will forgive my weakness that has failed Him. This week at church Apostle Ron prayed over the congregation that God has marked us with his mark so that any labels that are curses have been broken off. We are not bound by the worlds labels -- God doesn't see us through those and we should not operate in them, being bound by our own fears and insecurities. I pray that I can walk forward with His mark and not bring disappointment, but instead bring favor to Him by my life.

Today I gave a single mother a gift for her son, as they have not had money to buy new clothes. She was touched and I was warmed to know that I had served someone in need. I pray that God use that opportunity to touch and bring healing to their lives and draw them into an further awareness of Him. Is there somone in your life who needs a gentle word, a pat on the back, a hug or a wink that You can touch for God's glory?

I pray that God be with you and warm your heart during this holiday with a new awareness of his love.

I wish you a Merry Christmas

I have uploaded some pictures of Christmas in South Carolina this year. see link

Can you tell Jayden tended to be in the center of all our attentions. He is growing so quickly. Matt & Kristin made it in from LA and Mom & Dad flew in from PA. We got to talk to Larrian & Teri Justin, Josh & Walker via phone as they opened their gifts. Mom has been around for the last week and a half teaching Janelle all sorts of ways to use up left over chicken and turkey. I was pretty impressed with all the great cooking they have been doing as I dropped in on several occasions to test taste and prepare some baking (although I ended up watching more than helping with the baking).


But since I have to get up in 6 hours to go to work I will keep this brief --- but for all those other ED staff around the world here's a few pieces of advice.
Don't drive sleepy or distracted or drunk. Don't pry cans open with knifes. Don't drink all the wine prior to your first attempt to carve the turkey or the ham. Don't force the dishrag or dish towel down into the glasses as you clean them. Make sure the meat is cooked the whole way through. Have plenty of fun and guard your tongues and thus keep the peace and enjoy staying home And finally don't eat the left overs if they sat out all day. And a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT. MAY GOD'S PEACE BE UNTO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.
love you all

A girls day out at Grove Park Inn

I recently spent the afternoon with Kendra having lunch at Grove Park Inn. The inn had these huge fireplaces roaring with log fires (logs that were at least 5-6 feet long) and huge trees throughout the hotel each with different themes. We wandered through the hotel looking at the national gingerbread contest winners. It was an amazingly beautiful hotel. I also decided to take notes for my next attempt at Gingerbread houses, but don't have a clue what they even used for product for many of these amazing mastepieces. Check out this link for further pictures.

I get to babysit my nephew for his first time away from Mom & Dad tomorrow. But I got a chance to hang out with him on Sunday and again on Monday. He has gotten so big. And check out that cute toy from Aunt Teri and Uncle Larrian and cousins Justin, Josh & Walker. It plays music which he seems to listen too. A pictures worth a thousand words they say.... Doesn't this just seem to say "No worries Mom and Dad I'll have fun with Aunt Karla"

Homeowners lession #63

Waiting until temperatures are freezing is too late to clean out gutter. As the leaves decay and freeze into a mass that cannot be removed prior to thawing.
Note to self: Make time in October or November to remove leaves from gutter prior to freezing weather.

My new Christmas door

I have a new front door! My Christmas present to myself. And it opens the opposite way -- a much more inviting way. (And will be better for airflow if I put up a screen door in the summer.) Trevor came over and had to saw into some of the logs to get it in. Apparently they had sawed off the bottom of the last door to make it fit. One more reason it was probably leaking air around it. It now looks like a front door instead of a back door. It is white with an oval window. I now am motivated to paint the other windows and doors another color than that ugly mustard yellow -- unfortunatly its cold and rainy and will be delayed probably until spring. I also got a basement door that locks securely and opens properly. Hopefully no more leaking down there.

I also went out in the pouring rain yesterday in search of a tree. Luckily Lowe's had one I liked and I didn't have to wander the countryside in search of Christmas tree farms. Although that is a favorite memory making experience, I enjoyed only being drenched from the mid thigh down (I had planned enough to grab my oversized raincoat.) I was able to fit it inside the SUV instead of slipping around and getting drenched further trying to tie it to the roof. I took Dassah with me who still has not released the concept of car chasing while in the car. So I had a ringing in the right ear from her deafening barks and a sore arm from blocking her from jumping at me despite her seatbelt.

I love the smell of cedar in the house. This is the smell of Christmas. I also have my food dehydrating some lemons, limes and oranges to hang on the tree and it smells like citrus in the house too. Another year has come and almost gone and more memories to store. Thank you God for your blessings of this new house and new location. May God bless you all with His love and protection during your holiday plans.

My 5 day Thanksgiving journey

So, beginning around 8pm Tuesday night and ending 11pm Sunday night my journey covered 1400miles. It's a great thing to be thankful for -- a reliable car. With the addition of an oil change a headlight change and a break light change the journey was a complete success. Yeah God.. and special shout out to the charge nurse that let me sneak out for the lights from Advance auto before they closed prior to the trip. Ah the joys of being single -- is flexibility to attempt to get so much in during one trip. This could become my thanks list. Thanks to God for the great memories and the protection on the road. Thanks to everyone who prayed. Thanks to family and friends who gave me warm beds for free and a special thanks to my family for the three --- count them, because I know you are jealous ---- THREE THANKSGIVING MEALS. (Aunt Sue, Uncle Lynn, Teri, Rachel & Reatha you all rock as cooks and as meal planners-- I got ham, smoked chicken, turkey, pork and smoked duck during my meals and unbelievably the only dish repeated was the mashed potatoes -- a must for thanksgiving. I got several new ideas for vegetables --thanks again.)

The best part was being together and creating memories.
I got to play games including twister and spoons in Virginia. Check out my previous blog.
In Philadelphia I learned a few tricks in Happy Feet, the game boy addition, with my youngest nephew Walker, as well as learned how creative my oldest nephew is. Stay away from Justin's personally illustrated encyclopedia of the weird -or one of those monsters will get you. And learn that I am a bad driver especially of remote control cars per my middle nephew Josh. And of SUVs in city traffic, per my brother who swears a man jumped back on the curved sidewalk as I reverted into Boston type driving while getting through a mess of Black Friday traffic.
In Harrisburg I learned how to make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers. Mine was the mini sized house. (It suited me) While I think I succeeded at making a dog, my house left a lot to be desired, as did the adjourning dog house. I also got a chance to see cousins I haven't had much time with in ages. I got to check out missions trip pictures -- go Ryan and Jen. Get a ride in my cousin's Saturn -- and be reminded that it gets 38 miles per gal compared to my 20-21 miles per gal SUV. Thankfully he didn't give me the math on the amount of money I lost during that trip in my vehicle. A peek at his fill up at the pump cost vs mine was enough. :P Be teased with Heather's announcement -- o yeah its her birthday -- thats right. Happy Birthday Heather! Next year -- the big 30. Are we getting old....? Naah especially when you decide to revisit 27 a few times. Heather I highly recommend it. :)

On the road I learned how well my Mom is doing recovering from hip replacement surgery. Go Mom. I am so proud of you. I got to harrass dad about his projects and plans for retirement. I got to chat and just be with grandma.

Then back in the burg I got a chance to visit old ones from Alethia. God's blessing on you in your continued mission to reach the campuses. Thanks for the kind words and thoughts. And a chance to change clothes. Pick up gifts to be held til Christmas for me and for others. Return with a cool wagon from my brother to my sister. And I got to open my "Merry Birthday, Happy Christmas" present from Reatha, Rachel Mom & Dad -- a food dehydrator. (PS I am running my first load of apples I started this morning with it. I was so excited to try it. Thanks again guys.)

During my 6 hour return drive that turned into 7. I got caught up to speed on my soap opera -- Grey's Anatomy. Yeah. Got a chance to chat with Marissa, Aunt Debbie, Janelle, Charity, Lindsay& Rachel. Some for hours others for a few minutes. It was great. Thanks for all my chatty friends and family that kept me awake on the way back. And another thanks to God for not allowing that tractor trailer to catch fire on my side of 81 near Wytheville. In fact I saw traffic backed up for about 15 miles at a dead stop as they had both lanes clased to deal with it. And today learned there was a multi-car pile up as a result of the truck on the on ramp behind that truck. Thanks God for making my way safe, rain free and for the most part (besides the Staunton through Roanoke/VA tech region of 81) speedy home.

And last I learned... It was nice to sleep in my own bed again. Thank you Lord for warm and comfortable and quiet beds. Hope your holidays were as blessed as mine. See some pictures below



I am thankful for a warm, quiet home. Unlike this poor family of birds who built a nest on a diesel sign at a Sheet's store. Destined to deal with loud noises, horrible fumes and not a nice worm in site. Destined to feed off the trash of others.


Ever heard of what goes around comes around? It came back around on me as my nephew Justin returned my earlier bunny ears approach to pictures

And you thought you were hungry? This 5 yr old put us all to shame...


Both in the eating catagory as well as the push ups -- one-handed variety mind you...


My sad, first attempt at gingerbread houses. But the dog is cute. :)


Chillin with the mother to be.

Check out the web album for further thanksgiving pictures posted.

There is a time for everything....

A time to laugh....
Over the last few days I have caught up on time playing Games. I learned a fun one -- "boxers or briefs"-- a great one to play with friends you already know. And the old classic "twister" and"spoons" were on the agenda. Twister is an interesting game with two friends that are 6 feet or close to it and I am only five feet. I held my own for a couple spins but fell over repeatedly, but not before doing and impressive swing of my foot over the body and head of another player to get the last remaining circle (mind you this guy is 6 foot tall). The laughing alone almost wiped me out on that move.

In spoons, I held out with only getting "s" in spoons with seven players until the final face off with my speedy friend Lindsay who entered that final face off with "spoo" I thought it would be an easy win. She had slacked off during the game-- probably as intentional bait. She whips me each time I've played her. But this time I figured it was a no brainer. Luck had to be on my side at least once in four rounds, boy was I mistaken. She whipped me with 4 straight rounds of getting a set of four cards first and grabbing the spoon therefore winning the spoon finale.

I also got to watch Nicia play basketball in the local league. She played hard and dribbled well. She is so fast and has improved in her dribbling skills by leaps and bounds from last year. Go green!!

I had a blast playing Thanksgiving through. Although I did burn the gravy -- sorry guys. I'll practice more for next year. Thanksgiving meal was delicious. Thanks for hosting and inviting me to come be a part of it with you Whitcomb family!

--- 3 States traveled through 3 more states to go tomorrow. I can't wait to see my nephews and family. Mom's doing so well working hard to recover from surgery. And I am hand delivering a copy of some home videos of her new grandson.
Here are few shots of the day






A game of spoons... (Nicia's running around blinding everyone with the camera. Guess who is not winning)


A game of twister after I fell out...
Nicia's cheering squad for her basketball game.


Dad listening to the guys impromptu jam session.



And you thought your babysitter looked a bit hairy....

Ahh good old Virginia....

I arrived around 2am safely despite the drissling rain in Virginia. Thanks for any prayers for safe driving. I have just finished baking apple/ cranberries, a blackberry, and a blueberry pie. And gathered stuff for greenbean casserole. I will be spending thanksgiving day with the x-in laws here in the burg. Its good to see them. Then Friday I am on to Pennsylvania with the pies... to see my nephews. I can't wait to see them and my sister in law and brother and parents. Then on to spend the day with the extended family/cousins. I gotta run and catch up with old family now.

Happy Thanksgiving.

This week I have decided to drive the east coast. I will stop briefly in Harrisonburg, Va. Waynesboro, Pa, just outside Philadephia, PA, Harrisburg, Pa, back to Waynesboro before heading back for a brief break in Harrisonburg, VA and then a drive back to North Carolina. If I don't have a chance to say hi this holiday- sorry. Next holdiay I am not traveling so far. But can't wait to see and hang with everyone I can along the way. I miss you all. Pray for cheap gas along the way and God's angels to protect all sides of the vehicle and me.

The ugly, small, sharp & weak package object lession

Last night as I ran from my house to my car in the nippy air I paused. (Actually I was waiting for my dog to come bounding up behind me). But God used that moment. I just stood and looked at the stars. The beauty of bright stars on a crispy winter night while listening to the creaking bare limbed trees wrestlessly swaying in the night breezes struck me. God has created all this for my enjoyment. I need to take more time to stop and acknowledge and absorb the wonder in his creation. To realize that those stars have existed years before my existance was even considered; for me to enjoy them. Even if only for a second, in the cold of the night, to see them and thank God for their beauty. Their brightness at times put on by their death just acknowledge God's cycles of life. At the death of something is not the end of its usefullness. And as I looked down to look at what my feet were crunching I saw another aspect of life and death. As the trees loose their leaves they also blow seed packets from my maples. They are sharp and have been annoying me for the last few weeks as I run around barefooted. But God gave them that protection to give them a defense mechanism to survive its predators and have a chance of penitrating the ground to create another tree. The fact that something of such strength and beauty develops from such an ugly, small, painfully sharp, and weak package struck me. God does love to bring beauty from the ashes and strength from the weak. Thank you God for that soft spot in your heart to still desire and long to change those parts of my life that are weak and sharp and ugly. I can't wait to see what you will develop of strength out of those areas. Your beauty astounds me. Your love and mercies are new every morning.

Counting the Moments…

I have observed recently that counting is a integral part or parenting.
It begins from the moments of planning to have a child. Counting the days each month for the highest chances to become pregnant. Waiting each month to find out if you might be pregnant. How many days, weeks or months must we wait? And then the day comes. Your confirmed pregnancy! The celebration begins. You begin to count again. Did we call or email everyone who would want to know? You know you missed some, but how can you remember everyone? And then in the back of your mind you also have to begin to count money. Are you spending too much, because now you have a child to save for? Its not only you. You begin to count the days and then the weeks of pregnancy. Then you may get a chance to hear and count your babies heartbeat during your check up. Is it too fast or too slow? “No”, the doctor says, “It’s just fine, it is meant to be fast”. Then the months of pregnancy are counted. The counting begins to pick up. How many diapers must I have to be prepared? How much is this going to cost? How many bibs do we need or socks? How many nasal suctions does one child need? (none if you ask my sister, who still refuses to suction her infants nose).

And then the time may come for an ultrasound check. How many fingers, how many toes? Does my child have each arm and leg intact? How many chambers in the heart 1,2,3,4 and do each beat as they should? And if I must know –is it a boy or a girl or two or three? The counting increases. Have we gone far enough in the pregnancy for our child to be safe? How much is the birth going to cost? How many weeks until I can see my toes again? How many more weeks must my back ache and my balance be off? How many degrees is it outside? Can it be any hotter around here? Can it be much longer till this child comes? Birth classes are counted. Breathing is taught –in and out—can it be that hard? Hold you breath how long? Is it breath and then exhale or inhale and then exhale. How many seconds between the two?

Time begins to change… This child must come out now! I can’t go a moment or a day longer more. How many moments, hours must I wait in this waiting room to see my OB/GYN.? How many times do I have to get up to pee? How many hours did I get to sleep before I must awake to pee again? Only to be told by the doctor, “Everything is fine” “Come back and see me next week”. 'What! another week?' your body screams, 'and no change!'. 'You have got to be kidding me!', and 'Why are you smiling? -You nasty, nasty doctor. Examine me again! You must be wrong. Something has to be happening with all this pain'. Each moment drags by as time slows down. How can each day be so long? The contractions begin. Are they true or false (Braxton hicks). Do they come regularly or slowly? Does it count if two are close, but the next two are far apart?

And then through the magic of labor, time speeds up and slows down on its own. The water breaks and the contractions become regular and there isn’t time enough. Do we have everything with us? Are the diapers packed? Do we have the breathing exercises memorized? Are we ready? A hint of a thought begins to float in your mind. And then, how much longer till we reach the hospital? How many cars could possibly be on the road at a time like this? How many cops are there out tonight? How many mph can this car go? Wait, how much time was there between that contraction and this one? Where is the watch? How can this be happing? Wait, how much is this going to cost? How long until we get there. Oh, there is the entrance. How many feet must I walk? How many steps can I take until the next contraction hits? How many wheelchairs does this hospital have and none are available right now? Where is the nurse? How much longer can this check in take. How many pages of information must they make us fill out? How much worse on a scale of 10 can this pain be? Finally the bed is reached. How many contractions until the baby is here? How many minutes between the contractions? How many centimeters dilated? How long can I take this pain- or- How many minutes until the anesthesiologist can make it with the epidural? How many breaths can I take? How many hours can this pain go on? How long until I hold my baby. The minutes of agony drag on like hours and the minutes of rest between contractions fly by like seconds….. And funny, how now, looking back, the memory begins to blur of those moments as if they occurred years ago. How does the magic of labor and time do that?

Time jumps back to reality as the child emerges. How many seconds until you hear a cry? Is the child okay? The seconds hang suspended like a grass blade in a spider web. As if no one noticed, the questions hangs, unanswered in the air. And then the cry is heard either struggling or screaming the sound echoes in the silence of the parents ears roaring back life and breath into your lungs. The pain no longer importantly takes every second of your thoughts. The image of your child alive breathes to life a vague acknowledgement in the back of your mind. Something big, monumental is happening. But then time speeds forward and you have yet to acknowledge it.
You get to hold the baby. Your first look. You may get to cut the cord. Then baby is whisked off for the staff to perform apgars test. How does your child score on activity, pulse, grimace, appearance and respiration? 0-10. Oh, let their first test score well. And then further to the nursery for footprints; their first shots, their first height, weight and head circumference measurements. Their first pediatric exam and their first baths. The first are far outnumbering us now. Their first pictures, the first phone calls to relatives and friends and their first starring role in home videos. All have been noted and stored as memories as that monumental thought grows. But no time for that .

Now the child needs fed. The nurse explains and steps away. The first attempts they all fail. Who’s to blame? – the child, the mother the nurse, experience or time. Ah, good old time is to blame. It’s been confirmed, for who could blame a soul?, now looking back. Each did their best and yet time had not past enough to make it smooth. And then the cries are counted. The tears from mother and child are counted. The head rubs and shoulder pats from father are counted. Ah, good old time is to blame. It’s been confirmed, for who could blame a soul?, now looking back. Each did their best and yet time had not past enough to make it smooth. What’s that thought that grows? No it can’t be true and yet it consumes every moment that ticks by. WE ARE NOW PARENTS. How can that be? How did nine months pass by so slowly and yet quickly.

We don’t know how to be parents. How could this have happened? The years are counted. Its official we can’t be old enough to be parents, and yet our parents had us when they were younger than we are. How did they do it? There aren’t enough moments in those years to have learned all we need to know. What does God the Maker of the Universe expect us to know about raising one of His children. Ah, yes, now we have it. The answers exist in the help of our Father. And the prayers are sent up quickly. Praise for the blessing of a healthy child and wails of fear and uncertainty for the help and knowledge for the next moments and days and years to come. And it is answered with peace that passes the understanding for the moment. Faith must carry the parents forward for now.

As the days pass more things are counted….
Numbers of fingers
Numbers of toes
Numbers of feedings.
Hours between feedings
Seconds and minutes until the child stops crying
Number of wet diapers
Number of dirty diapers.
How much money have we spent on diapers?
Time child sleeps
Time child is awake
Time parents are left to sleep and wishing for just a few more seconds, minutes or hours
Number of wet and dirty diapers again
Time till the feeding needs to occur
Time till the crying will stop
And then number of wet and dirty diapers again
Ounces or pounds of weight gained
Number of shots for immunizations
Dollars paid out to the hospital and doctor
Number of diapers to be bought at the store
Sizes for clothing to be worn for the moment or worn for the future.
Months in the future are counted out –will it be hot or cold for those future clothes
First smiles
First hair cuts
First teeth
First time the child bites someone
Number of steps tottered as they hold on to someone
Number of steps done on their own
First time they say da da
Number of times they say ma ma…..

I will add to the list as I have time to consider it further.

Who wouldn't fall in love with this cute babydoll?

I've greatly enjoyed my week playing and interacting with Jayden. He loves to cuddle and is so interactive. I am so proud of my little nephew even though I have nothing to claim about him. :) Look he was even smiling in the mirror at himself at 6 days old. He had some tummy time and was even touching the fabric interacting with the mirror. Who wouldn't fall in love with this adorable face. Well I have to run since Josie want's his computer back to do some work. I will write more, but check out that new album in the web album link for more updated pictures.

Look at that cutie....

1. Jayden Isaiah weighed in on 10/19/06 at 17:25 with a head circumference of 14.5cm and a length of 20.5 inches. He is a sweet natured child that only cries when he is hungry or needs his diaper changed. I have had fun cuddleling with him. He loves to snuggle underneath your chin on your shoulder.
3. Of note is his extraordinary ability to spray everything in reach while getting his diaper changed. He made me laugh hysterically when he got himself in the face today. Janelle tried to cover him when he started to urinate while changing his diaper which shifted the aim to his own face. His disgruntled look was priceless. Champ that he is, he didn't cry until we cleaned his face with a cold wet wipe.
5. Poor Dassah was banned from the house here so I took her to the kennel hoping she will get more attention for the week. She had enjoyed the roaming of the backyard and sunbathing but didn't understand being stuck outside. Today I went back home and while running into the house for a few errands she made it obvious that she remembers where she is suppose to sleep -- in her (my) bed. She curled up and napped with multiple snorts and sighs prompted at getting acknowledged for her location. After being forced to the garage to be crated overnight the last few nights, I can't blame her.

I came back to SC and got to cuddle Jayden for about an hour. I fed his parents in exchange for time to hold him. I think I've got this figured out.... I feed them and get to cuddle him and then eat after they sneak him back. That works. I am so blessed to enjoy these special moments watching Jayden take in the world with those absorbing looks. It makes me recognize that God is so gracious. He created families to protect and love us and nurture us as we grow. What a blessed life we have to live in America with warm homes, food and love and freedom to learn about God. And what a blessing to overhear his parents praying with their 5 day old son as they laid him in the crib. What awesome examples of parents... thanks God for getting to observe these special moments that are just reminders of the small ways you love us as father, husband, lover and friend and creator. Lord you are good and your love it endures forever...

My nephew

Jayden Isaiah Wilder born 10/19/2006 at 5:25 weighing 8.4lbs has arrived. He is so beautiful and sweet natured. Check out the following link for further pictures:

So this is my chance to try to give a link for a few more photos from the hike. Can you tell I was excited by the beauty around me. Click the following link http://picasaweb.google.com/KLWhitcomb/WednesdayOctober112006 for more photos

These were more pictures from the hike. That last one is a picture from the cliff trail that I walked (looking back). It was used in the filming of "The last of the Mohicans". Cool. Unfortunately there were metal fences along the trail, although I must admit I was glad for them when others met me during the narrow areas going the opposite way. At one point they carved a path out of the rock that I had to go through sideways because it was narrow. These areas are amazing to me, in their beauty and in the ingenuity of man to create ways to get through and enjoy them. This morning it started off overcast; and while I write this it is thundering loudly as another storm rolls over me. Yet God allowed it to clear up and be a beautiful 65-70 degree sunny day as I hiked. God is good. :) And I had to stop and take a picture of that flower. Doesn't it look beautiful. It's been half stripped in this world, and yet it retains its beautiful color. The center of the flower still exists as it attempts to reproduce its seeds for next year. It has not given up on living. It has not curled up its leaves to shrivel up, as life plucked her petals, as if to say He loves me He loves me not... It stands proud with the beauty and love that God created it to have. It's a testament to God's love and divine protection. He does love me, it declares proudly to all. Just as He calls us to proclaim. I pray that God will teach me that confidence in His love and purpose in my life through my new year. (What a great reminder near my birthday) I pray that God touch you through these thoughts and pictures to grow in your faith as He grew mine today.- See ya 

More photos from the hike. Check out those cliff views...

These were more pictures from the hike. That last one is a picture from the cliff trail that I walked (looking back). It was used in the filming of "The last of the Mohicans". Cool. Unfortunately there were metal fences along the trail, although I must admit I was glad for them when others met me during the narrow areas going the opposite way. At one point they carved a path out of the rock that I had to go through sideways because it was narrow. These areas are amazing to me, in their beauty and in the ingenuity of man to create ways to get through and enjoy them. This morning it started off overcast; and while I write this it is thundering loudly as another storm rolls over me. Yet God allowed it to clear up and be a beautiful 65-70 degree sunny day as I hiked. God is good. :) And I had to stop and take a picture of that flower. Doesn't it look beautiful. It's been half stripped in this world, and yet it retains its beautiful color. The center of the flower still exists as it attempts to reproduce its seeds for next year. It has not given up on living. It has not curled up its leaves to shrivel up, as life plucked her petals, as if to say He loves me He loves me not... It stands proud with the beauty and love that God created it to have. It's a testament to God's love and divine protection. He does love me, it declares proudly to all. Just as He calls us to proclaim. And just for confirmation he drew my attention to this heart shaped leaf tinged in my favorite fall color - red. I pray that God will teach me that confidence in His love for me through my new year. (What a great reminder near my birthday) I pray that God will touch you through these thoughts and pictures to grow in your faith as He grew mine today.- See ya 

Hiking at chimney rock

I went hiking today. I thought I would get some exercise outdoors instead of at the gym. I had just commented that I should start the stair stepper machine. Today, there was no need. One of the staff members told me the trail I took had over 2000 stairs. I can tell you it took about an hour and a half including stops for pictures. There were steps, steps, and more steps. And just when you think there couldn't be any more steps, there were steps made out of rock, or carved out of the rock that existed. And that was after climbing about 250 ft by elevator prior to the hike. But the views were amazing. Nothing at the gym compares to the beauty in the earth that God has put there for our enjoyment. I just had to share some of the marvel outdoors that intrigues me about fall. Just check out the minor details in that leaf. Each color brilliant of its own and yet God wove them together for my enjoyment, if only for a few days, to fall to the earth and become dust again. And each spot that exists just draws my eyes to the beauty beyond it, with all the more awe knowing that God could have struck it to the earth as brown or black as each of those spots. Yet he doesn't. Kind of like me. Yeah I have spots of failure, injury caused by others or myself and yet God does not allow me to be a discolored blackend blob. He takes time in each season to light my life with gifts that color my life. I need only to take my eyes off the spots to see the beauty and awe of his work in my life. And as I was reminded this week at church... there is a time and a season for everything under the sun. I can't wait to see the beauty of the next season ahead of me. God how can I ever thank you for your grace and love? Help me to take moments to acknowledge your works in my life and the lives around me. 

Taking a break at the Lake

This afternoon I decided to get out for a break. I went down to the river for a while. About 2 minutes into my nature walk it started to rain. Looking ahead I found cover under a palvion not wanting to give up on the walk. As the rain continued, I chose to continue walking in the rain. As the thunder errupted echoing along the mountain edges I decided walking along the lake and under trees in a lightening storm was not a wise decision. Getting back to the car I saw a small spot of sun shining through the clouds in the distance. I decided to head back towards home as the sun began to peak through. I chose to pull over along the river and give my dog, Hadassah, a chance to run around. It was so beautiful after the rain cleared I had to stop and enjoy the moment with a picture. God has created so many beautiful spots on this earth. Can you believe the details he creates for our pleasure. Now its time to watch Gray's Anatomy so I will have to run.


 

Karla 

The local views and Dassah enjoying the front porch

So I got a chance to explore the country side this weekend.... I will write about that later. I just wanted to show a few pictures of the views around here. Its gorgeous around here. 

A trip away

So I got a chance to slip away this summer to the beach for a conference. But who wouldn't enjoy watching this view. Unfortunately this was sunrise I was seeing not sunset. What is it they say.. be careful what you wish for. I always said I have wanted to watch sunrise on the beach and I got my chance. It was absolutely gorgeous especially against the backdrop of the palm trees. More pictures available of trip after I figure out out to link -- any hints let me know.