North Carolina Birds

I have been SO very blessed and entertained by the birds that I have seen here in North Carolina over the past six months! I could write a book just about my observations of their habits and antics but this collage of the majority of them will have to suffice. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

(Back & forth from top left: dove, grackle, mockingbird, sparrow, baby sparrow (?), eastern bluebird, robin, junco,
purple finch, male & female cowbird, male/female/juvenile cardinal)

       But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:

   Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.

   Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?

   In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:7-10)

First Day Of Summer

As I write this it is June 20th, the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Coincidentally, it was the warmest day of the year so far for us (and the day after was even warmer!) and we are enjoying it in a Christian summer camp. It began with the flag-raising at 7:30 as the sun showed itself over the buildings...

The cross on the hill was always so beautiful, I couldn't seem to take enough pictures of it

as the light hit it from different angles.

Soco, the camp director's dog, enjoying a morning sunbath.

Never heard him bark once, a gentle fellow.

I just love the late afternoon sun hours to take pictures. This is of a young tree

 of an unknown identification...at least by me.

I love the sight, sound and feel (ice cold!) of this babbling brook that runs through the camp property.

    There are beautiful lawns there with a few cultivated flowers. And I think

 I managed to take pictures of about 99% of them, ha!

Ok, we need a closer look at those lovely little lavender hostias...

                                            Water. What greater joy for a boy is there?!

"Daisy, daisy, give me your answer do, I'm half crazy all for the love of you..."

                    I love this shot of a couple of the younger girls playing in a sandbox. Sigh...

"The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun

unto the going down thereof." (Psalm 50:1)  

"The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun." (Psalm 74:16)

Hope!

My one and only rosebud began to open up last week. I took pictures of it every day until Sunday when we had to leave on a trip. I'm looking forward to seeing the full potential of this beauty as she fully opens up while I'm gone and made my next-door neighbor daughter promise to take pics of it every day! These photos show the development of growth and HOPE.

(click on pictures to enlarge them)

(4 days later) Here is a postscript photo:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

The Bible: A Challenge To The Skeptic

The Bible is often under attack. Many times throughtout history men and nations have tried to destroy it. But since God has said that His Word will never pass away(although everything else will) we know that it is our ultimate authority. Unfortunately and unhappily, the Bible is not seen as that authority by many people, churches and other institutions today. I know that God is in control of His own Word so I really don't worry about this but it does bother me somewhat when people say that we cannot have the Bible as our sole authority. For now, I would just like to leave the skeptics an interesting link. Just click on link.

A beautiful hymn from my childhood now comes to mind...

THE BIBLE STANDS

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted
’Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime.

The Bible stands like a mountain towering
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can.

The Bible stands and it will forever,
When the world has passed away;
By inspiration it has been given,
All its precepts I will obey.

The Bible stands every test we give it,
For its Author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live it,
And to prove and to make it mine.

Chorus
The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands.

                                                                                            -Haldor Lillenas

"Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)

Scenes And A Song On A Sunday

I know I've posted one or two of my petunia but...here it is again. I daily admire its beauty.

Especially with the sunshine in the background.

                                  The view of our little veggie garden as I came downstairs.

                                  My 25-cent book that I bought on Saturday at a garage sale.

I have already been blessed by reading the story behind "Jesus Loves Me".

Indeed, I've already "gotten my money back" on this book!

It's possible that some of my readers (seeing as how they come from many countries around the world)
have never seen or heard this song. Here are the lyrics and you can hear the music by clicking here:

JESUS LOVES ME                                     
Jesus loves me! This I know,                 
For the Bible tells me so;                                
They are weak but He is strong.

Chorus:Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! He who died,
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! loves me still,
When I'm very weak and ill;
From His shining throne on high,
Comes to watch me where I lie.

Jesus loves me! He will stay,
Close beside me all the way;
He's prepared a home for me,
And some day His face I'll see.

Flowers In My Neighborhood (May)

Let's see how many new varieties showed up around here in May! I'm know there were many more than just these, but here are the ones I had opportunity to photograph...

Roses from my Mother's Day gift. Perfect.

I had to include these lovely sunlit Pansies seen in front of a church.

Mexican Heather (cuphea hyssopifolia). Reminds me of a little bonsai.
is and the next one are my most recent plants which I bought.

Ornamental Pepper (Black Pearl)

Daylilies

I had to include some blackberry blossoms which were profusely seen in this area throughout the month of May.
 I hope it means that we'll be seeing some blackberry pie in the near future!

These cuties from the neighbor were given to our granddaughter and made such a lovely little bouquet.

Petunias. My lovely petunias in their hanging basket, it brings me joy every day!

Gardenia. Can you smell it?

Miniature Rose

Hollyhocks

These look like they might be a cousin to Queen Anne's Lace, don't they?! Sorry, I don't know their name.

Marigold

Torenia, sometimes called the Wishbone Flower.

Hydrangea

Impatiens-just before I planted them.

What beauties will I see and photograph in the month of June?? 

Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men. (Psalm 66:5)
                                                                            (NASB)

Flowers In My Neighborhood (April)

"These are the people flowers in my neighborhood..." (Remember the old children's song?). Well, I would like to show you some of these flowers, pictures that I have been taking for the past 2 months or so. For lack of space I will only post one of each. Aren't you glad that I won't post all 800 (rough guess) of them? You don't have to answer that, I can already hear you.

I don't know the names of all of them but, for those that I do, I will put the name under it. I guess I'll be showing my lack of knowledge (or memory) but perhaps my readers can help me out with some of the names.

This looks alot like azalea but I think it's something else. Anyone know?

The ever-beautiful daisy. These were wild, not cultivated (my DH calls them weeds), but nonetheless so lovely.

 

Rhododendron, which comes in several colors. I really should do a post just of them!

Pansies. The Portuguese language calls them "Amor Perfeito" or "perfect love". Like it?

Wisteria. Not sure if it's classified as a bush or tree. Maybe a vine. I just know one thing: it is SO beautiful!
 (I learned later it's a vine.)

Azalea, also of many colors. It's difficult for my camera to capture its true color but these really were hot pink!

Lavendar. This as well as others are at a neighbor's house. Love these little beauties!

Geraniums

Iris, from our neighbor-daughter's yard...as are the geranium and pansy above.

Do I need to tell you what this is? :) The spider already knows it's the most elegant place for her web.

 

Bachelor Button

Foxglove

Clematis

Snapdragons

Ok, so these tulips were in a grocery store but only a few miles away.

After seeing how many different kinds of flowers I have pictures of, I've decided to post only these of April.
 Later on this week I will post those I took in May.
Enjoy!

Looking at flowers...those little creations of God with such amazing details...just makes me praise Him for Who He is and what He does. The Psalmist says it well:

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. (Psalm 148:5)