Thousands of Birds

My husband and were taking a ride through country roads and came across two soybean fields that from a distance looked like they was loaded with cotton ready to pick. But couldn't be because it was the end of December. 

As we got closer, I realized it was birds. Not hundreds but gazillons.  They totally covered the field.

After researching, I found out they were snow geese from Alaska, Canada and around the tundra. They travel over 3,000 miles with their migration route coming down through Tennessee and  Mississippi. So welcome guys. How do they arrange this migration? Do they get together and say, "Okay we leave on the 12th and will have a rest stop in Desoto County."

They wouldn't let me get close for better pictures. Could have been because my dog, Buddy was so excited and running ahead.

Also, took a picture of an old bridge on the way home. Always enjoy those riding around days even though I remember--that is what old folks do.

Shine on Those

 “By which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Luke 1:78-79

As we celebrate Christ’s birth, may we remember the shining light from heaven to show our way. Like the wise men, may we follow the light to the Savior. Thank you Father for the promise of guiding our feet into the path of peace.

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A Lesson On A Log

"Harness the horses, mount the steeds, take your positions with helmets on..." Jer. 46:4  

A friend has started a Bible Study in our neighborhood and we meet each week at her place.

Now what makes this unique is that we meet in her barn. You see, these ladies all share the same interests---a desire to study the Word of God and our love of horses.  So we meet, we study, then ride.  

 This week to change it up a little we went to a state park and rode.  So on a beautiful, crisp day we set out through the woods...

We had a fun ride going up and down the hills along beautiful trails. Then when one rider said her stomach was growling it was our signal for lunch. We stopped, tied the horses up and ate on a convenient log.

When lunch was over we sat on our log and studied the Christmas Story in Matthew and Luke. What a sweet story to be thinking about while you enjoyed being with friends, out in God's beautiful world with our horses  nearby. I thought about when our Savior was born and he was surrounded by God's animals and placed in a feeding trough. I thought about us just being a group of ladies, about six or seven, how could we ever make a difference? How could God use us? We are so unimportant in this whole scheme of life? Then I remembered how God sent an angel to a group of lowly shepherds. A group of nobodys. Yet God used them to give the greatest birth announcement ever presented. They in turn told everyone around. I pray God uses this small group of women to make a difference in our homes, to our friends, and to a lost world.

 We finished our ride and I have to put it in down in my book as a memory making day. Thank you Father for my love of horses, my friends, your beautiful woods, but most of all for the greatest gift of all, my Savior and His gift of salvation.

 Oh, and thank you also for the gift of laughter.

Just a Little Walk

   It is not that big of a lake. You can see all the shores. So when a friend texted...do you want to take a hike around Herb Parsons... I said sure. I take pictures there all the time, why not a little walk. She forgot to mention one thing. She had joined a hiking meet-up group and another man was meeting us there.

We started off a leisurely pace. No problem. A family was there and they were starting a hike and was asked to join us. Our group just got bigger. By the time we got to that distant shore, I was starting to feel it. My feet were hitting an occasional root more often. But hey, we have to be close to end. That is when our fearless leader stopped and pointed and said, "we are now close to the halfway." Close to Halfway?

Much later (Three and a half hours from start to finish and seven and half miles) we reached our cars. Did I whine? How could I? Did I mention that the mom and dad with us each carried a backpack with toddlers in them? For three and half hours. I couldn't even whine.

As an added note--this was Veteran's Day and the dad was an active Navy serviceman. I was able to tell a soldier and his wife on Veterans' Day--""Thank You!"

Give Me Jesus

 In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise

Give me Jesus

 When I am alone

When I am alone

Oh, when I am alone

Give me Jesus

When I come to die

When I come to die

Oh, when I come to die

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

You can have all this world

Just give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus

You can have all this world

You can have all this world

You can have all this world

Just give me Jesus

sung by Jeremy Camp

Sometimes we need a sermon, always need our Bible Study, but sometimes my heart is so lifted by a song. This song helps make this world seem less and Jesus is all. You can have all this world, just give me Jesus.

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Old Colorful Truck

Although I enjoy riding horses with friends, I also enjoy just going off by myself (with a horse of course!) And I always carry my camera. I loved riding up on this old abandon truck. It reminded me of 'Mater in the movie "Cars."

 Loved the colors blending with colorful fall leaves.

Wonder what roads it has traveled through the years?

Ames Plantation Festival

I love going to the outside festivals in the fall. This festival is one of my favorites. Takes place on an old planation that dates back to the Civil War days in LaGrange Tn. I grew up going to family reunions at one of the old houses here. My husband and I ride in field trials on horseback there in the winter months. 

Beautiful place. 

 Once a year they hold a festival with demonstrations of how life was in years past. 

 Loved these skilled hands working on her quilt...

 The South keeps trying to rise again...

 Logging horses

Everyone loves new shoes including the horses. 

Had a great day.

How my Heart Yearns within me

In Job 19:23 he wrote.."Oh that my words were recorded"...(they didn't have blogs back then!)

Job didn't realize that what he was going through would be a verse we would refer back to when we are struggling with problems. Do we realize that truth today? Do we remember that others are watching and learning from us as we go through our struggles. Job's trials and broken heart stirred him to write some of the most beautiful verses in the Bible and my own "life verses."

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my flesh has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes, I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" 
Job 19:25-27


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Dance

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.

Path of Life

"You have made known to me the 

Path of Life."

 Ps. 16:11

Corrie Ten Boom--"If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes."

Most Biblical people who made a lasting mark in Christianity had a point in their lives where they stood at a crossroad. They to decide to yield to divine intervention at the cost of their own plans or continue on their own paths instead. (Phyllis Shiver)

I have found this to be so true. I pray for myself and my family that we always strive to go to the next level with our walk with God. Never be content to just stroll along or put up road barriers that we allow Him to be a part of certain areas but not the whole walk.

(from "Jesus Calling) Keep walking with me along the path I have chosen for you. Your desire to live close to Me is a delight to My heart. All I require is of you is to take the next step...stay on the path. It is truly the path of life.

"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 

When you walk your steps will not be hampered, when you run you will not stumble...Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm." Prov. 4:11


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I Want to Be LIke Him

Through the years my father has made so many heirlooms with his woodworking. Enough that each of his children and grandchildren has treasures pieces to pass along.

But now Dad is in his eighties. Parkinson has invaded his body. Those once steady hands now have a tremor to them and that confident fast walk is now a slower careful step.

It looked like his woodworking days were over. But somebody forgot to tell him this. When asked if he could possibly make a cradle for his soon to be great-grandson, he went to work. He drew a pattern out then cut it out on wood for a guide. Then using that pattern he made a beautiful heirloom that will be treasured for generations.

He has taught us so many lessons in life by example. How to be a godly person, how to love others and now with this cradle--Don't ever give up or say you can't do it.

Be Still

“Be still and know that I am God.” Ps. 46:10

This is an enticing invitation from God to lay down our cares and seek His presence.  I believe that God yearns for these quiet moments with us even more than we do. I also believe He still speaks to those who listen to Him. J. J Packer writes,  “ God…guides our minds as we think things out in His presence.” (from “Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)

“Look to the Lord and His strength. Seek His face always.” Ps. 105:4


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Finding His Own Place

Buddy has found his own place in our hearts. Not replacing Tucker but filling a new spot. He has his own quirts and some are just as unexplainable as Tucker's were. Sitting in a room staring ahead making you wonder what he is thinking about!

 When it is a boy and BB gun on a safari hunt, he is a great companion.

But I had to laugh in amazement at him this week. I went out to take pictures of the fog and the horses running....

I was walking back and heard a commotion. I turned and saw a whole herd of deer in the pasture and Buddy in the middle. The funny part--he wasn't chasing them, he was running from them. The deer all ran out of the pasture except for one that was cut off from the herd. This young deer decided the dog running look like a deer so it chased him and wanted to play. My brave boy ran as fast as he could to my side and the deer chased him till he saw me. The young deer took his time making his decision but finally left to play another day.