A Slice of Summer

Can we believe that we are headed to the middle of August already? Where has the summer gone?Our summer has been filled with busy days, puppy training, freezing peas and corn for the freezer, camps, cutting of the grass, camp fires, roasting marshmallows, hanging out with friends, and much more! I trust your summer has been great. It isn't over yet, and we have a few weeks, but I decided this week, to post many, many pictures I have captured over the past two months. It was hard to pick and choose, but I trust you will be blessed by the ones I selected. Not because I took them or posted them, but ALL because our Creator chose to give us abundant things each season.

 When I started this blog, I wanted first and foremost to praise God and cause others to stop and reflect on all that He is doing in the day to day life. I also wanted a place to post the pictures people seem to enjoy. I often pray before taking the camera for a walk that I will capture the moments He wants captured to share with others. So, I hope you aren't overwhelmed, but I selected 40 of my favorites.

 This is the barn door to the hen house. Every day when I open and close it I am reminded of my siblings. YEARS ago, when painting it, we each wrote our name and left our hand prints behind. It is a treasure to me.

 Honey suckle.  I wish I could capture the smell of it on my blog for you. No wonder it is usually covered with bees.

 On a previous post, you meant these two gems.....When I go for walks they follow me. It really is cute, but I know they are just hoping I feel sorry for them and give them more food when we return.....

 Toby taking a nap on my favorite rocking chair.

 Snoops "helping" take pictures one evening.

 Catching a few evening rays as the sun sets.

 I love to watch the bees and bumble bees on all the flowers.

 Our wheat shortly before harvest. We were blessed this year with our crop. Given the weather, we weren't sure what it would yield. So thankful for what we got this year.

 Snoops is the skinniest cat I have ever seen, but I think it is because he is soooooo busy. Walking the fence rail here, hoping to catch a bird from the blue bird box. All you bird lovers will be happy to know, he was not successful.

Right after a rain shower I went out and took this picture. I love the raindrops.

 Female finch eating my flowers. The male flew away before I could get my camera. I am still trying to get one of him.

 One of my favorite butterflies. They float when the fly. I love to watch them on my bushes.

 Our latest addition. Maggie. We love her and she takes much of our time, but she wants to please you and wants to be everywhere you are. She also can dig holes and grab laundry in a second.....

 This Heron loves to catch fish out of our stream.

Added to our flock this year. Eveyone is getting along finally and I am getting lots of eggs.

A blue bird just sitting on the fence post. So peaceful.

The verse I want to leave you with is this: John 10:10b "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."  This particular chapter is Jesus reminding us that He is the Shepherd. He could have just given us life and that would have been enough, but He takes it a bit further and reminds us that He gives abundant life! He gives us the fullest life possible. Not only here on earth but with an everlasting life. He is the only one who can do that for us. Are we living that way? Are we thankful and celebrating each day what we have and what we have to look forward to in the life to come? This life isn’t forever, but the one you choose next will be. I couldn’t take my mind off the word abundantly. Do I look at life this way? Do I trust that His way, is the abundant way? When things aren’t going the way I want, do I remember I want what I want, because I am human, but He wants for me, what is best and to the fullest! Enjoy the sights of summer and look out for future photograph type blogs, gotta warn you….Fall is my favorite!