I WAS DISOBEDIENT

I know that is hard to believe. That I would not do something God asked me to do, either directly in Scripture or through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I admit that there are times when I don't do what I am supposed to do. Sometimes because of laziness, or fear of rejection, or stubbornness, selfishness...It really doesn't matter what my excuse is, I was and am disobedient.

I was to send notes of encouragement and thanks to certain people that had invested in my life. I put it off for another day.....and the days passed and I thought about it but thinking isn't doing and I didn't do.

I composed notes in my mind but never put pen to paper. My flowery thoughts were beautiful and flowing and those who received the epistles would know how deeply they had touched me. But they never knew.

One day, I did. I wrote a couple of notes. At peace that these dear ones would finally KNOW. And then I learned for one precious saint, I was too late. In my disobedience the time had passed and this beloved lady was called home and I never did tell her.

In her honour, I share with you the thoughts I penned to her:

"May 2013
Mrs. Donaldson,

You may not remember me, but I have never forgotten you.

Your beautiful smile and the gentle way you loved your Sunday School students. I always felt important and special to you. I have taught Sunday School now for many years, inspired by the example you set for me.

When I think of the verse 1 Peter 3:4 "...the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." I think of you. What a precious gift I have been given -wonderful women who have invested in my life over the years, expecially through difficult years, imprinting godly principles as standards to live by.

I certainly have made regrettable mistakes in my early years as I tried to figure out where I fit in this life. I am so thankful that by God's grace he drew me back to Himself and I returned to a blessed life of walking daily with Him.

Thank you for being a faithful part of "training me in the way I should go." I am priviledged for the opportunity to pass this heritage down to the amazing children God has blessed me with.

I am quite certain I will not be in North Bay again but I look forward to a heavenly reunion with you and all of the other dear saints from Bethel Chapel.

Much Love and Prayers,
Marnie"

WEEK 14 - BLUE

So, the beginning of this week finds us still in San Francisco. The blue, blue sky was a constant during our time in California. It seems that most of the pictures I took were dominated with blue.

 

However, since I overdid last week's challenge with numerous pictures, I am going to stick to just one.

 

My absolute favorite.... subtle but captivating....

 

As we toured the bay by boat, I looked at the distant skyline and was thrilled to see tints and shades of blue from top to bottom.

In the bouncing boat (the Bay is not calm, kind water at all)

I hoped I could capture what I saw and felt.

This doesn't do the breathtaking moment justice but still, I am drawn to the angry blue-green waves and the grey-blue majestic mountains with a hint of clear sky blue across the upper edge.

 

 

Next Week's Challenge - Three

 

 

 

WEEK 13 - ARCHITECTURE

 This week I had the pleasure of touring San Francisco and Santa Rosa for a friend's wedding. San Francisco was a treat (no pun intended) of varying architecture. A eclectic mix of the old and the new. Bear with me, since I couldn't choose just one favorite, while I give you an architectural mini-tour of our trip.

 

We started at Detroit Metro Airport. The ceiling in the McNamara Terminal.

The ceiling intrigued me.

It's a good thing because I had a few extra unplanned hours to stare at it.

 

 

Driving through wine country. I liked the intricate lines of this bridge. Thankfully McKenna is handy with a camera so I didn't have to stop.

 

She captured just what I wanted to remember!

 

 

Korbel Champagne Cellars. Absolutely beautiful grounds surrounded by redwoods. History and nature and culture and wonderful food from the delicatessen to be enjoyed on the patio all in one stop!

 

 

I love wrought iron. It is beautiful even when aged and rusting. Character. Strength. Elegance.

 

Another McKenna capture (I hope you don't mind my inclusion of her shots. I will give her credit. Often she was forced to put down her book and take pictures of things I wanted to remember because I couldn't shoot and drive.........safely...)

 

 

 

I loved the light at the end of this tunnel. Though the curved tunnel was more fun to drive, this was definitely more picturesque.

 

McKenna captured this well through the front window of the car!

 

The Golden Gate Bridge. We didn't walk it. We ran out of time. We did drive over it one way to Santa Rosa in the wee hours of the morning. (We don't have any pictures of that.) We drove back the other way Sunday afternoon.

 

McKenna took a series of pictures while we drove up to and across it.

This is one of my favorites. 

 

 

Sunday afternoon we took a hop-on/hop-off tour.

 Sitting in the top of an open bus was a great way to see San Francisco downtown.

We didn't ever "hop-off" but took the opportunity to capture the sights. I thoroughly enjoyed the diversity in architectural style.

 

 

Our tour guide described this building as books lined up on a bookshelf.

 

 

 

I love columns. Classical Greek style Ionic capitals on the columns. AND I love sunshine and the moment that individual rays of light are distinguished.

 

An image that captures both!

 

Ornate arches - Roman inspiration.  

 

No simple or clean lines on this building. It makes me think of Europe.

 

 

 

The Transamerica Pyramid.

 

Saint Francis of Assisi Church.

 

 We were waiting on the corner for the historic trolley to pick us up. I found these houses built on the hill very captivating.

 

Thus ends our tour.

 

 I hope you have enjoyed the sights of San Francisco and the wine country around Santa Rosa.

 

 

Next Weeks Challenge - Blue 

WEEK 12 - FLORA

My sister is amazing.

She's older and wiser and talenteder...I know that's not a word but it flowed better than "more talented".

She has a knack for decorating and anything creative.

Her home is beautiful and welcoming and could be featured in a magazine. She and her husband are the perfect hosts!

Her yard and gardens look like a park -a place to relax and kick back. I love to wander and look at her flowers. Lately I have been focussing on closing in on the flowers that stand as sentries along her driveway.

 

Daisies are one of my favorite flowers.

Peonies are my new favorite flower this year!

I am planning on planting a bush in my yard, as soon as I figure out where.

Okay, so I admit to cheating a little with these two. They were not taken this week, but a couple of weeks ago, however, I liked the pictures so much, I couldn't resist using them!

So here are some shots from my visit this afternoon to my sister's garden:

Day Lilies - I have a pale pinky-peach in my yard but love the dramatic effect of this fuschia colour.

 

 

I think she called these Foxgloves. I had fun trying to capture the bee as he enjoyed his evening snack.

 

 

I remember when I was  ten years old, being mezmerized by slides of plants and animals and landscapes and people.  Uncle Harold took the most beautiful, thoughtful pictures. I am sure that is one of the reasons that I love to take pictures of flowers.

 

His wife, Auntie Audrey, had lovely gardens and always had little bouquets of flowers in the most unexpected vases gracing tables and counters and bedsides and bathrooms. It was a beautiful welcoming touch that I love to continue in my own home.

 

What wonderful memories I have of my many visits in their home.

 

Peace, grace, joy and love. Precious, sweet moments imprinted forever on my life.

 

 

Next weeks challenge: Architecture

 

 

 

Week 11 - HERITAGE

I have taken a very loose interpretation of the definition "something possessed as a result of one's natural situation or birth" Merriam-Webster

Being born in Southern Ontario and living on the border of the United States, crossing into a "foreign" country is a common thing. Seeing The Ambassador Bridge on the horizon - a reminder of an open border and the close relationship shared between the US and Canada.

I have spent significant time in Michigan....going to Junior Girls camp at Upper Peninsula Bible Camp, attending Young Teens and CIT at Bair Lake Bible Camp, Bill Gothard Seminars at Cobo Hall (and sneaking down to Greek Town) YPMs (Young Peoples' Meetings) with the Detroit area PB churches, occasional trucking trips with my dad, Single Mingle and church services at Mount Zion, Christian concerts, Creation Fest  at Agape Farm in PA and dinners in Mexican Town - all before I even started dating my dear husband! Trips across "The Bridge" and back became a regular occurance.

 

 

So many friendships I have built South of the border with some family by blood and others that have become like family through the Blood.

 

And after marrying Leo, introducing him to the joys of BLBC and being introduced to The Birth Place - where our three American children were born.

Walks along the river front (I admit that I prefer the green Windsor parks compared to the grey City of Detroit that edges the river), watching the Fireworks, we even took wedding pictures by the River.

And as we make our way slowly across the Bridge, I glance to my right and see...

a "blast from the past". Memories of visiting Boblo Island via the hour ride on the Columbia from this dock or on the Papoose from Amherstburg....and three years of working on "The Island". One in games and two as a photographer. I'm not sure they were my best years but they were definately learning and experiencing years. I grew up alot and can look back with fondness at my time there and wish my children could enjoy the same memories.....

A look up....

and a look back....

and we are home in the True North Strong and Free! ♥

 

Next Week's Challenge - Flora

Week 10 - New

So many cliche things I could post for new, but I thought I would share Wil's new talent.... mimicking McKenna.....

 

 

 

 

and thinking he is quite funny in the process.

 

Though they are not the best pictures technically, I love them. Fun moments in our life.

 

This weeks challenge - Heritage

Week 9 - Contrast

I was definately determined to capture the contrast between my eldest two children on the day of graduation. Drew would be dressed up in suit and tie. McKenna in the working clothes of a photography assistant.

Drew rarely smiles for pictures. McKenna is ALWAYS smiliing.

Drew holds his emotions and affections close. With McKenna you cannot help but know you are loved and she generously pours out affection and encouragement.

Boy. Girl.

Introvert. Extorvert.

The diffence between these two is night and day.

BUT the grad day was SO busy that I absolutely missed getting the shot I wanted. *sigh* I will have to try to capture that another time.

The day before grad was a very yucky, rainy day. As I was heading home from work, running late  as usual, the sun was heading down to the horizon. As I stepped out of the grocery store and into the darkness of an angry sky, the sun dropped just below the storm clouds and shone in brilliant wonder. It was so beautiful I caught my breath and just stared, wishing I had my camera in hand at that precise moment. I didn't, of course.

Since the grocery store is literally down the road I rushed home, grabbed the camera, leaving the children to unload the groceries, and I tore to the road desperate to capture whatever moment I could.
This is one of my many attempts:

The angry forboding sky broken by the horizon all aflame.

So this past week while I was sitting under the towering oaks in my sister's back yard I leaned back and looked up to the sky and for the first time noticed the beautiful lacy effect of the layers of leaves against the sky. Like an exquisite lace tablecloth...