A Beautiful Winter Wonderland Morning!

Having gotten home from our monthly Ladies' Night Out at 4:00AM on Saturday, the trees were already coated with a very thick hoar frost. It was absolutely beautiful, so I attempted to take a couple of pics as soon as I got home.

When I woke up later, (noon?) This is what I saw outside:

CJ looked out the window at this pretty little tree, and said, "That tree is BEAUTIFUL, Grandma! I think we should KEEP it like that!"

These first two were taken through the window, and also through plastic that covers them to keep the cold out!

I opened up the side door to get these two. The pictures honestly never do the beauty of God's masterpieces justice though.

A Few Fine Feathered Friends

I'm finding (a bit to my surprise), that I'm enjoying a bit of birdwatching these days. Not that I would necessarily go out on hikes and look for specific species or anything, but since we've moved out here in the country, where we are surrounded by trees and ponds, there seems to be an abundance of them right outside my window.I've watched a few of these blue jays throughout the winter months, and have even been awakened twice by their tap-tap-tapping on my windowsill...the window happens to be situated smack dab in the middle of our headboard...so this is quite an effective alarm clock for me.

This morning, I had a couple of new visitors, the bright red color of this cardinal caught the corner of my eye, while I was on facebook this morning. This picture is a little blurry because I think the camera was focusing on the window screen.

He was very shortly joined by his wife. She is a little hard to see here, but I guess that's why God made the females so much less conspicuous than their mates...for their own protection.

They were both posed "pretty as a picture" for a few minutes, right in front of my window...but alas, that is when my camera decided it needed fresh batteries!! I did manage to get this one of the pair, (he is next to the tree, and she is in the foreground here), after replacing the batteries. Right after that, he hopped behind the tree.

I'm thinking that it might be fun to get a bird feeder to put right here outside my window, since they all seem to like to hang out here anyway. I'll also keep my camera nearby, to try to catch them...which is easier said than done...birds can be so "flighty." Just when I think I'm all focused in for the perfect picture...they jump to another branch or take off to the skies.

Thursday Thirteen ~13 Reasons To Believe in Father God and NOT "Mother Nature"

I find it fascinating, that even atheists have no problem believing in "Mother Nature", and that scientific types can talk about "nature's plan" or "nature's design" etc. Like as if it somehow just happened, and coincidentally all worked out into some sort of wonderful cosmic accidental plan. I'm sorry. If there is a plan, it stands to reason to me that there was a "Planner". If there is a design, does it not follow that there had to be a "Designer"?

I'm just so tired of people saying the universe and all of its contents are the result of a big bang, (that came from absolute nothingness), and "evolved" over millions and millions of years. That is the most ridiculous idea ever thought up since the beginning of time. Oh wait, when exactly DID time begin? Was it before or after this supposed "BIG BANG"??

Anyway, the whole concept hurts my brain. I just can't fathom how supposedly intelligent people can even think this way. I wanted to find thirteen reasons to believe in our Father God, the Creator of the universe. Of course there are many many more reasons, but I'll start with thirteen. I've decided to use the lyrics from my all-time-ever favorite song, "Creation Calls" by Brian Doerksen for my inspiration:

Creation Calls

by Brian Doerksen

1. I have felt the wind blow, whispering your name…

2. I have seen your tears fall,When I watch the rain.

How could I say, "There is no God"?

When all around creation calls!!

3. A singing bird,

4. A mighty tree...

5. The vast expanse of open sea…

6. Gazing at a bird in flight...Soaring through the air!

7. Lying down beneath the stars...I feel Your presence there.

8. I love to stand at ocean's shore, and feel the thundering breakers ROAR...

9. To walk through golden fields of grain, 'neath endless blue horizon's frame...

10. Listening to a river run...watering the earth.

11. Fragrance of a rose in bloom,

12. A newborn's cry at birth!

How could I say, "There is no God,

When all around, Creation calls ~

A singing bird, A mighty tree,

The vast expanse of open sea,

I love to stand at ocean's shore

And feel the thundering breakers Roar,

To walk through golden fields of grain,

'neath endless blue horizon's frame...

I believe,
I believe,
I believe,

I believe,
I believe,
I believe,

Just like a child...

13. I BELIEVE!