Warmth

Warmth, originally uploaded by Snakelover61.

No words today. Just warmth.

Mountaintop

Family Fun, originally uploaded by Snakelover61.

Have you ever stood on a mountaintop? I mean the very apex. The point where every direction you look is down. I think it's something everyone should do at least once. It's exhilarating! This mountain is 4,900 feet tall. That's small by Denali standards. But to us, at least that day, shared only with a herd of Dall Sheep, a few Arctic Ground Squirrels and a Caribou, it was magnificent!

Go LARGE Or Stay Home!

She Colors My World

Rockin' M in Color on B&W, originally uploaded by Snakelover61.

This photo is an example of an after-the-shot processing technique. I started with a color picture that I took of my sweetheart. Then in Photoshop Elements, I carefully selected just Mindy. Next I inverted the selection so that everything BUT Mindy was selected. Then I changed the selection to grayscale, which makes that part the same as a black and white image. The result is that my love is in color and everything else is in black and white. I liked it so much that I printed it in 16x20 and put it in a black frame above my computer desk. Can you dig it?

In the black frame, it looks kinda like this.

Ty

Ty, originally uploaded by Snakelover61.

While sitting in a city park in Anchorage, Alaska eating some funnel cakes, my kids and I met Ty. Ty is a Yup'ik Eskimo. He was a friendly and interesting fellow, but I think he has a bit of an alcohol problem. He kept repeating himself and drooling just a little. He told us of his island, Nunivak, and that he played football and basketball when he was younger. He seemed very pleased when I asked him if I could take his picture. For some reason, it pleases me too. Here's to you, Ty. Hope you're doing well.

View Ty On Black

A People Story of My Own

MSS loves DLH, originally uploaded by Snakelover61.

On Thursday, October 16th, I posted a blog called "How Wonderful Life Is While You're In the World" that included a story from "Story People" called "Possible Love." Today, I decided to try my hand at writing my own people story. So here goes...

"Yes, I have loved with my whole heart before," he told her. "But my heart is so much bigger now and I want to thank you for that."

Prayer Day

White-crowned Sparrow, originally uploaded by Snakelover61.

View One of God's Sparrows On Black

OK, this is a day of prayer and reflection for me. Some may choose to skip this blog and that's fine. But I can only blog what's on my heart and mind and so here goes... First a little scripture I was thinking about.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
~ Matthew 10:29-31

You want to talk attention to detail?! God cares! Even about the smallest details of our lives. There is nothing too small to take before our Father. You might say He sweats the small stuff! And we're valuable to Him. Extremely valuable. If He concerns Himself with little things like sparrows and hairs, just imagine how concerned He is with those things that matter most to us. The big stuff. The pains, troubles and sorrows we face. And especially the loss of those we love.

There was a tragic accident on Saturday. One of God's beloved and cherished children fell from a deer stand and died. His name is Keith. I didn't have the privilege of knowing him, but I know of him. He was a a man who unselfishly served others, a police officer. He was a Christian and a father. Keith is rejoicing with his Savior in heaven now. But his family and friends are hurting and could certainly use your prayers. Just take a moment to lift them up in prayer, would you? Especially Keith's son. Thanks!

Father, I know that You are large and in charge! I want to trust You to take care of the smallest details of my life. Thank You for being concerned with things like little sparrows and the hairs on my head. You care about the little, seemingly unimportant things, so I know that I can trust You with the big, important things. You love me and I know that I'm of immeasurable worth to You. So I choose to trust You and praise You even when things that happen don't seem to make sense from my point of view. Lord, I thank you for taking Keith into Your loving arms and wiping away his tears. I know that You have prepared a wonderous place for him that no eye has seen nor ear has heard and I praise You for it. Father, I lift up his family and friends to You. Please comfort them in their time of sorrow and give them the peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank You, Father! These things I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.