Split

When we had the snowfall just before Halloween, a lot of trees fell.  Since they still had their leaves, the snow weighed them down, and it was literally too much to bear. But this time, something strange happened. Some of the trees just toppled, and others were split in half. This big tree behind our house was one that split. Half of it fell in one direction, and the other half went the opposite way. When we rode by, the tree men were sawing the limbs and feeding them into this machine. In the last picture, you can see the sawdust coming out the end of the chute. I noticed the brand name on this thing, it is MORBARK!


"He split the sea and they walked right through it; he piled the waters to the right and the left...He split rocks in the wilderness, gave them all they could drink from underground springs; He made creeks flow out from sheer rock, and water pour out like a river."
Psalm 78:13,16

Roses

 
I have a winner!! I put all your names in this basket and then drew, and I picked Ann at Snap Edit & Scrap. Congratulations, Anne. Please send me your address so I can mail you the purse! For all my other followers, I give the last roses of summer. I saw then a week or two ago and was surprised that there were any left this late in the season.  I will be having other giveaways, so there will still be a chance for you all to win!


"The spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners...To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit."
Isaiah 61

Playing With Fire

L

Last night at the Sparkles & Sweets celebration, they had a fire show. They usually have one every year. This year was rather pathetic. There were four young people doing the show, which they had to delay a long time because they were having trouble. They dropped their fiery batons frequently. They never could get the hula hoops lit, and they frequently set their clothes on fire, necessitating someone to put them out with a towel. Phil finally remarked that instead of putting money into the kettle, he was going to take some out! They did manage to bravely carry on, and I did feel sorry for them. So that is my first two pictures. Compare that to all my other pictures, which are from a previous year. There was one man, and he was amazing and stupendous!! Clearly an expert with fire, he was able to do almost anything with it. I stood just a few feet away and felt the hot air blow on my face. This man literally lived and breathed fire!


"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire."
Hebrews 12:28,29


After Monday off, I will see you on Tuesday, when I will announce the winner of my giveaway!

Sparkles & Sweets

"People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within."
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross


Tonight, a nearby city had their yearly Sparkles & Sweets evening. This is where all the downtown stores stay open till nine, and decorate their windows, show off their Christmas shopping gifts, and offer free sweets and champagne. They have strolling singers, mimes, magicians, fire performers, and horse and carriage rides! I will be showing you some more of this in the next few days.


"Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever."
Daniel 12:3


P.S. Some of you have been commenting to me, but are not telling me if you want to be entered in my purse giveaway. Please let me know yes or no.

150

I am having a purse giveaway to celebrate just getting 150 followers! Isn't this little Scotty adorable? And in  Christmas colors, too. The purse is about 11x6 and has this cosmetic bag to match. But it has NO pockets or compartments, not even a cell phone pocket. So in a way, it is more like a very small tote bag. It is in new condition, as I have only used it maybe once. Why am I giving it away? Well, it really doesn't match anything I have, and I have another one of these in a much more neutral color and pattern. So I don't need both  of them. What better than to give this to one of my loyal followers? If you would like a chance to win it, just be one of my followers and leave me a comment telling me you want it. I will put all the names in a basket and draw Monday night. So the winner will be announced on Tuesday. If I don't get the winner's address within two days, I will draw again.

Worth A Shout

Here is what we saw when we looked up in the sky tonight on our way home from church. What a special treat! The sky was very clear and there was a perfect half moon. Not big enough to howl at yet, but certainly worth a shout!

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing.
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand,
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You

Darlene Zschech

Walking The Walk

These are some scenes from last night in our small city. Every year on Halloween eve, between four and six, downtown opens the stores so the kids can go inside and get treats, a very safe way to celebrate. The streets are lined with kids in their costumes, and police direct the intersections and patrol the sidewalks, dressed in costumes. There are also costume contests, and this year Anne Marie's friend won the prize for best costume in her age range! As the participants head home in the twilight, walking up the hill past the church, not even one looks back.


"But one thing I do; forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:13,14