Week 9

                                                The youngest musician in the family - February 2013 

"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High,

to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night."

Psalm 92:1&2 NIV

He has very good posture at the piano and seems to be seriously studying his music!

                                                                                              Tim shovelling - February 2013

"Do everything without complaining or arguing"

Philippians 2:14

We have had a snowy February in Southwestern Ontario this year.  Tim doesn't love shovelling, but he willingly helps out, if asked.  This morning we had to "dig out" again, although this photo was from a couple of weeks ago. I kind of like how the panes in the door and the snowflakes on it are out of focus, and the focus is on my helpful son. I am sure going to miss that boy if he goes off to university next year!

Week 8

     I woke up this past Sunday to another beautiful, sunny, still, frosty morning.  I thought I had better take advantage of this gift and go out on another photo shoot, even though it was cold at 8:00 a.m. (-18 degrees Celsius)  I took a little Waterloo County tour and saw some spectacular scenery and had the added good fortune to witness seeing many horses and buggies carrying their Mennonite/Amish families to either their meetinghouse or someone's home, when I was standing at the covered bridge in West Montrose.  While I am used to seeing Mennonite buggies, I have never had the opportunity to photograph them in such an isolated, beautiful setting and just be standing there with my camera in my hand innocently taking photos of the covered bridge.  It was a thrilling experience for me.

     When I arrived at my own church later in the morning, I experienced a particularly special time of worship.  I think it is because my heart was well prepared.    I had already been in God's presence and experienced His love and peace, as I was out admiring and appreciating His beautiful creation.  

                                                                                                                   looking west from bridge in St. Jacob's, Ontario

"Be still and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46: 10 NIV

                                                             still looking west from the bridge in St. Jacob's,  and including the train trestle

"I will extend peace to her like a river..."

Isaiah 66:12a

                                                                                              looking east from the bridge in St. Jacob's - Conestogo River

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; 

 because he trusteth in thee."

Isaiah:  26:3 KJV

                                                                                                 Covered Bridge in West Montrose - frozen Conestogo River

"The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

Psalm 121:8 NIV

                                                                                                                      a family-sized buggy entering the covered bridge

     "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will...

     Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honour one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

     Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.

     Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."  

Romans 12: 2, 9-18 NIV

                                                                                                                             exiting the covered bridge in West Montrose

     "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.  Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.  Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him."

Psalm 32:8-10 NIV 

                                                                           an open buggy on a cold winter day on their way to a Sunday gathering

"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man;

the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Psalm 147:10,11

                                                                  after crossing the bridge, they are continuing their trip to a Sunday gathering

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. 

 Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

Week 7 - Ash Wednesday

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;

 according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.  

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin... 

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

Psalm 51:1, 2 & 7b NIV

                                                                 Hoar frost on Sunday morning - Feb 10, 2013

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, 

though they are red as crimson they shall be like wool."

Isaiah 1:18 NIV

                                                                                                                                             Neighbour's birch tree - Feb 10, 2013

"Create in me a clean heart, O God:

and renew a right spirit within me."

Psalm 51:10 KJV

                                                                                                      The frost was gone, but still lots of beauty - Feb 10, 2013

"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, 

whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." 

Romans 4:7 & 8 NIV

                                                                                                                                 Early morning country view - Feb 10, 2013

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22 & 23 NIV 

Ash Wednesday was not something that was focused on historically in my church tradition, but the last few years we have had an Ash Wednesday service.  It has become very special to me.  It is a time to reflect on our sinfulness and our mortality, and makes us realize why we need a Saviour.  It helps set the stage for the Easter season when we remember the sacrifice of God's son and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Last Sunday morning I woke up and when I drew back the curtains and looked outside, a winter wonderland greeted me.  Everything was covered in a thick frost.  The timing for taking photos is tricky in this situation - I wanted to wait for a blue sky, but then the frost disappears quickly.  Some of the above photos were taken when it was still overcast and foggy in the distance, and some when the sun started to shine.  The frost reminds me of how I look in God's eyes - I'm "covered" with Christ's purity!

Week 6

                                                                                                                                          Blue sky and sparkling bushes - Feb 2013

"Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies."

Psalm 36:5 NIV

                                                                                                           Thistles covered in frost - Feb 2013

"He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes."

Psalm 147:16 NIV

I love waking up on sunny winter morning and looking out my window to see everything outside covered in frost. God gives us so much beauty in nature, even on a cold winter day!  After breakfast, I grabbed my camera and went for a little walk in my neighbourhood before the frost melted.  Praising God is always a great way to start the day!