Warmth on a Winter Day

Have you ever stepped outside on a cold winter day after a fresh fallen snow, preparing for that cold chill to reach the depth of your bone, but for a moment; a split second; you are overcome by an unexplained warmth. It is that unexplained warmth that I was thinking of the other day and moved by the thought that it is indeed not unexplainable at all. Instead, I thought, what if that warmth was provided by the Creator of the snow, indeed the creator of all mankind. This wondrous beauty to remind us of the pureness of his creation as we looked upon the glistening white ground, unviolated by any living thing. A reminder of the whiteness that he has allowed us all to reach through his son; a whiteness that brings with it a warmth of comfort in knowing that our soul shall never have to face the bone chilling fright of death. Yes, I conclude that this warmth is indeed not explainable, but serves as a reminder form my Father in much the same manner a rainbow does after a brief summer shower.

May God provide you a desire to slow down in life and explore the unexplainable; and bring to you warmth even on the coldest winter day!

~C. Mallard

In Memory of........

Marie Pravetz

Charlie's grandma passed away last night. Marie lived in New Jersey and married John Pravetz. I never met her husband as he pasted away before I met Charlie, but I know I would have loved him, because they say Charlie is a lot like him. John and Marie moved to Florida with their two children. She was a strong and determined woman, a trait she has past on to her daughter and granddaughter. The last few years have been hard on her with health issues. Charlie's mom and sister said that she looked peaceful and young after she passed away. This reminds me of the peace that God gives us as his children and the youthfulness we will live with in eternity in Heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:5-8

⁵ Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. ⁶ So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Bird Watching in our back yard!

This time of year in 2009 I was whale watching,

this year bird watching!

I just love taking pictures of anything!

TUFTED TITMOUSE

CHICKADEE

CARDINAL-MISSOURI STATE BIRD

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER

PURPLE FINCH

WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH

WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH

COMMUNITY FEEDER

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK

(We had a pair of these hawks flying back and forth in our neighborhood. They are beautiful! One landed on our fence and by the time I picked up my camera and opened the door she started to fly away. I had a hard time identifying them so I called some good friends who I know could help and they did! Thanks!)

Eagle Day

The Nature Center showed a video of Eagles that Soar, breathtaking footage of our National bird. It educated us on the plight of these raptors in missouri history and how their population is in recovery. Then they brought out Phoenix a beautiful female who is a diva since she is now a cover girl! She was featured on the front of Missouri Conservation Magazine.

They also brought out a Golden Eagle, who is one of the 7 in captivity used for education in America. He wanted to make a meal of a coyote who was caught in a trap and he himself got entangled. After is recovery he was too depended on people he couldn't be released back into the wild. They told us stories that Golden Eagles can take down small deer and mountain goats. We didn't believe it so we searched on youtube and were shocked with our findings. You should check it out. The Golden is Mexico's national bird.

Viewing area. There were hundreds of birds including a flock of wild turkeys.

Flight simulator viewing eagles perched along the rivers

Unbelievable

We headed down to the lake to watch for Bald Eagles. They had seen 3 earlier in the day, but they were no where to be seen when we out there. I thought this tree stump looked like a deer. Can you see it?

Great Blue Heron

The Three Musketeers or in Hope's words, peanut butter and jelly sandwich

While I was diligently on the eye out for a Bald Eagle, Charlie and the kids colored some beautiful ones. I had to judge and I hated having to choose! They all looked equally great to me!

Hitting the Slopes

Getting Started

View beyond the snow blowers

First try

Hope's friend

After a lesson

My Handsome Man

Tackling the big one. The girls were braver than me! Charlie was so good with staying with us. Thanks babe!

Getting tired and ready for a break before heading out again even after the sun went down

Proof of a Creator

Recently we went to a ski resort who covered the whole hill side with man made snow. It was awesome, beautiful and made for a fun filled day. It was amazing to see all the leafless winter trees and brown resting grass, yet this one area covered in a white winter land of wet snow, but.... as beautiful as it was it didn't compare to the slender of the natural snow that God has created for a purpose and our enjoyment. Each particle of the man made snow was a round circle of ice, compared to each individual snowflake that God has created is unique and spectacularly designed, not able to be reproduced. Also, have you ever noticed that natural snow sparkles as if it has been sprinkled with glitter, well I didn't notice this in the man made snow. I am not very good in the scientific world, but that to me has the signature of our Creator.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Thank you Lord for the love and care you put into your creation.

Hope's Room

My mom has been wanting pictures of Hope's room so here is her Hawaiian style!

Hope's New Favorite Poem

One dark day in the middle of the night;

Two dead soldiers got up to fight.

Back to back they faced each other;

Drew their knifes and shot the other.

If you think this lie is true;

Go to the blind man he saw it too.

The Heavens

The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament shows His handiwork.

~Psalms 19:1