Skip to main content

For the Beauty of the Earth


 I grew up in Central Oregon, where the Cascade mountains bust through the skyline, and here is where my love of nature comes from. Moving to Boise, I appreciated the hiking trails that would take me through miles and miles of God's creation. There are also the best sunrises I have ever witnessed! But Uganda -- oh! Uganda is the most beautiful place I have laid my eyes on. I am always amazed at the glorious splendor God sets before me, as I soak in His artwork. Lush vegetation, amazing scarlet soil, the Nile River, Lake Victoria, sunflowers (my personal favorite), trees, and the most amazing skies I ever witnessed! 
So often, I get caught up in whatever I am doing – work, ministry, life – that I forget that I am surrounded by God's glory. I forget to take the time and soak up the beauty God created for my pleasure. He created it to woo my heart. I must admit, this past year I have been bad about enjoying the beauty of God's Hand. But when I do stop, I find myself completely in awe of Him. 
I want to simply share some of the beauty I am surrounded with through this past year, and hope you see God's glory the way I do.



A storm rolling in








The clouds here glow!




River Nile




Sunset on the water












My most favorite flower! Can't help but smile



River Nile, where I got to kayak a few months back








Along the water, looking at a distant village





Makes me think of Oregon!











The clouds are blue and purple, while the ground is green and red. I love the splashes of color!


Although I love the color, I will not miss trying to wash this dirt out of my clothes!





Can you see the rainbow? 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It's Been A Year... Now What?

What a crazy year! I never would have guessed that my year back in America would be crazier than my year in Africa, but alas, God moved mountains and worked through many situations that reveal what His will is in my life. Yet the biggest question I am asked, "When are you going back to Africa?" Well, I may finally have answers to that question. At the end of October, I traveled to Richmond Virginia to attend the International Conference on Missions (ICOM). My intention was networking, and network I did! If you have never been to ICOM, it is an experience you must try if you are even slightly interested in what God is doing around the world. Speakers from all around the world come and share about their ministry. Workshops are set up for different ministry strategies or on mission topics. My favorite aspect of ICOM are the booths of ministries from all around the globe. I love wandering for hours, meeting different missionaries and hearing their stories. I am always encouraged...
1 comment
Read more

Every Fleeting Moment

I joined a huddle of friends in time to hear the words, "she didn't make it," followed by gasps, tears, questions, and heart break. As I quickly catch up to what is happening, my heart shatters along with everyone else. A dear woman (one which impacted all that gathered) was in a car accident. She didn't make it. Can this be real? Death brings such a flood of emotions. A sudden death, as with my friend, starts with denial. "No! This can't be. There has to be a mistake, and any minute, my phone will go off with a text asking me to babysit. And this sinking feeling of my heart will pass with a sigh of relief!" Then when all the doubts have been stomped out and reality sets in, memories, questions, and hurt flood the heart. This is where I stand at this very moment. Maybe I should not write in such a raw state. But this is where I heal. Maybe a blog shouldn't be for healing, yet here we are.  My friend has two sweet boys. They mean the world to me. ...
2 comments
Read more

State of Praise

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 reminds us to have a spirit of praise in all circumstances. It does not say to rejoice in the good, when ministry is smooth and all things are going the way you pictured them. Nor does it say to give up in times of struggle. It says to ALWAYS rejoice, to be in a spirit of praise through thick and thin! The past few weeks have been a battle. Living in Uganda means you are surrounded by images of poverty, brokenness, and death on a daily basis. That alone will encourage anyone to lose a spirit of praise. But of course, that is not all I deal with. Lately, it seems like everything is coming down at one time. Dear people in my life are struggling, including people back in the States. These are people who I use to be there to hold a hand through difficult times, and now they are going through something else and I am halfway around the world. A couple have confessed they wished I were there instead, and no matter how much ...
Post a Comment
Read more