Precious Moment 5-20-2017

I'll tell you right now this will be a little bit different post than I usually share. It is a record of my encounter with God and His presence while enjoying His creation.

I am part of a private "Beta" group of a friend of mine. I can't go into many details right now as she is still in the process of developing this ministry. But I can say her name is Rose. There are only 10 members in all including Rose and her husband. We have a private Facebook page. She communicates with us through live videos once a week. She has also given us some different ideas on spending time with God and journaling.

She had been giving us different prompts for the length of 10 days. Different ways to "spend our time with God".

This day she had just done a video earlier that morning. The challenge for the day was to "Get Out and Smell the Roses". Get outside and connect with God through His creation....right up my alley! This is my most favorite way to connect with him. I thought "this will be easy. I do this all the time". I wasn't however prepared for what was about to happen.

My dear friend Teresa and I had made plans to craft this day. We hadn't finalized plans until I was on my way back from feeding horses.

While at the horses I to a walk through the wooded land next to the horses while they were eating.

I just enjoyed seeing things he created and marveling.

Loves this mix of colors.

I just love cactus blooms. So elegant.

Then I found this heart shaped cactus.

This is a road in the neighboring pasture. It is owned by a brick plant but it is not actively used. There's just something about roads like this that draw me.
















After feeding and hearing from Teresa I go home to pack a few craft items and head to her house.

I have my camera with me as I hope to watch the sunset that evening. As I leave the city limits I begin to see wildflowers lining both sides of the road. I tell myself to keep going but as I pass by one batch of flowers that looked like a huge bouquet, I stop and make a u-turn then make another u-turn to be on the right side of the road and get out. If you are interested. The video tells the story 😉



I did take lots of "still" photos before the video.

The proper name for these is Liatris Spicata. I believe the layman's term is "horsemint".

Indian Blankets. I think I called them "Firewheels" in the video. They are called both.

These are Cones . I said I couldn't remember if they were cone or Mexican hats.

I just love these blooms!

Primrose

I called these "snow on the mountain" but I was wrong 😲

They are Boreal Yarrow. In the "Aster" family.

I don't know what the other one is.

This is the beauty that I videoed.

I headed on to Teresa's and we had a wonderful day. Talking, catching up, crafting and sharing supplies. We vowed to do this very soon! The plan is to get together next Sat as part of my birthday celebrating 😊.






As I see the sun lowering in the sky. I grab my camera and head to the back of their pasture to watch it set.

It was so nice to get to watch the sunset without houses and power lines!

I love reflection pictures!

Awe....peaceful.

If you watched the video then you heard me talk about praying against any chigger bites. Well, that didn't work. I...was...eat...up! I must say...it was worth it 😤

I hope I inspired you to "Get out and smell the roses"!

Have a good one!

Kisses From God 4-18-2017

Both horses were missing shoes and it was too pretty to not be outside so I decided to go for a hike at the State Park. I like to do that every once in a while as I can't carry my SLR camera with me on the horse and I usually get some great photo opportunities when I'm not on horseback. I feel most connected to God when I get out in His creation!

I ask at the gate where most of the wildflowers are and I am directed to Amphitheater area.
Look at these beautiful Wine Cups!

There are some wildflowers but not quite the assortment I had hoped to find.

A Firewheel with a bug.

Whenever I find a heart shape on my outings I feel as though God is just reminding me how much He loves me. It always makes me smile and yes....feel loved 😊










Now this was intriguing! I didn't know what this was. When I posted on Facebook I got some input!

This is created by a Spittle Bug. According to one of my Facebook friends "they blow these bubbles from there butt creating a bubble cocoon protecting them from predators supposedly they are tasty but the bubbles are sour and birds won't eat them."



I learned something 😉

I decide to drive to the other side of the park over by the equestrian trails.

This takes me across the spillway. As I drive I see these vultures. I found it interesting and humorous. I haven't seen them congregate like this at the spillway before.

I look out my other window toward the lake and see this Canadian goose.

Looking back to the spillway there are more vultures.












I wish I could have gotten closer but I liked the reflection in the water.










Look at these "Yellow Roses of Texas" (cactus blooms)

See the bee crawling out of the flower covered in pollen?

I find another heart 😊. This one reminds me that even when my heart is crummy, God still loves me!

More beautiful blooms!











Some of the trail is pretty treacherous. Very glad I had my lace up riding boots on!

Once I got to the top the view was great!

I didn't quite capture what I was seeing but I liked how the sun was shining on these tall green plants that will bloom in a few weeks.


























I rested for a spell and when I did this little guy decided to land on my camera bag.

I loved how the sun light shown through the foliage.

Then I came upon a magical place. There is a tree next to the trail that had butterflies fluttering around this tree in abundance along with some wasps.








I was mesmerized by all the fluttering beauty! The tree was plain and didn't even have any leaves yet. I'm thinking to myself there has to be something sweet that is attracting them. I just couldn't quit watching them and enjoy feeling them land on me occasionally.

The first butterfly to land on me landed on my hand.







Here is a short video clip.

The butterflies landed on me several times. I loved it 😍

If you interested, go here to see a video of just the butterflies fluttering around the tree.

Found where another Spittle Bug had been.

More pretty flowers.

You don't see them often but occasionally there will be a white or albino Indian Paint Brush.

A bird to finish off my walk. Not sure what this is. I haven't looked it up yet. It will be a nice addition to the picture calendars I do for my bird friends.

I had a great hike with Papa and certainly enjoyed His tokens of love and His kisses 😍

Have a good one!