Grateful

Grateful.

Looking back over this past week I want to share with you some of the things I am grateful for.

Snow Beauty.

Today as I look out my window, I see the bright sun shining onto the snow which makes it sparkle and shine. This picture really doesn’t do it justice, but I truly am grateful for the beautiful snow. Wintertime in the 4 seasons makes our 3 other seasons so beautiful in Iowa.

 

Glistening snow

It looks as though someone threw out glitter all over the snow! Absolutely beautiful today! The evergreens surrounding our house and back yard are full off snow with their boughs hanging a little lower that usual. If it were December, everyone would be thrilled to have a picturesque backdrop for their Christmas lights to set the mood for the season.

Looks like a Christmas tree!

It is way past Valentine’s Day now, and winter is lingering on, with more snow in the forecast. Our area got around 8 inches over the past couple days! Once the temp warms a bit, their will be fancy  snowmen of all shapes and sizes adorning front yards. Jen and I love to build snowmen, even though we are adults. I continue to hear that no matter what our ages we should always keep that child’s heart tucked away and treasured. Then, in moments like these, it helps to bring it out. (You know….when life gives you too much snow, make snowmen. :)) Giggles and laughter can help a weary soul as the winter lingers on. Today I plan to heat up my new copper teapot Joe, Molly and family gave me for a Christmas present and have a cup of hot chocolate with others gathered at my kitchen table, enjoying their company.

New landscapes!

Last week my view of the landscape was quite a bit different. The terrain of southern California this time of year looks a bit different than winter in Iowa.

Shoreline of San Diego just blocks from the airport.

The beauty of the snowy  Midwest winter just can’t be beat. The beauty and temperature is southern California certainly can’t be beat, either.

Setting up for a beach picnic to commemorate Gramp’s birthday on Coronado Island. The sand is almost white and the ocean view sunset was spectacular !

Although we had colder temps in our visit this time around, mixed with some rain, we enjoyed the warmth of CA as Mr. Farmer and I visited Annie, Shane and the kids. Time spent with the family is  so important and precious to us. Mixed with new sights and sounds  the trip was quite a gift.

Hotel del Coronado touring was a fun stroll after our beach picnic.

The backdrop of Hotel del Coronado, the oldest hotel in the area. Magnificent architecture! It’s a must-see.

 

There’s always a stop at In and Out Burger when we go to California.

Close relationships.

As you know, this takes time, and more time. And commitment and sacrifice, but it is so worth it.

Outside one of the many illustrious shops at the Hotel Coronado

Airplanes.

The sun shining on the clouds thousands of feet high in the atmosphere.

Traveling over a thousand miles away takes only a few hours. I ALWAYS thank the pilot when I can. His giftedness, education and commitment spills out onto so many people and makes travel doable and affordable!

Traveling.

So many things to see and do in God’s wonderful creation right here in these great United States!

Our little group decided to take a last minute trip to Hoover Dam. Took around 4 hours to travel to Boulder City where we spent the night. The next day the sights were spectacular and the weather cooperated for us! The trip was well worth it!

This magnificent structure was build back in the early 30’s during the Great Depression. Took over 5 years and 5,000 men to bottle up Lake Mead and create hydroelectricity to be used all over southern California, Arizona and Nevada. It is simply amazing what man can do! The men finished their work 2 years earlier than the targeted date.

 

The bottom of the basin holds 5 generators that turn the water energy into electricity. The guided tour took us down an elevator over 600 ft. The generators are a larger than you can imagine. The tour, museum and the whole area are well worth it! If you have the chance, I hope you can go!

Horses

Horses are a beautiful creation. So glad the kids are learning all about them as together they are involved in a horse class.

Bennett riding on an English saddle, to gain balance.
Addison and her ride for the day.
Lincoln learning how to groom his horse.

We packed in quite a few things in our little trip. Besides what you saw there was also another birthday, Valentine’s Day with a party and cookie decorating, church, wonderful meals and gatherings around the table with delicious food and even more sight seeing.

Grateful!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, on how you enrich our lives with meaningful relationships gathered around beautiful scenery, great foods and so much more you have managed for our pleasure!

And mostly, I am grateful to God for His many blessings, His beauty in creation, His beauty in relationships and that He loves us so.

What a mighty God we serve. 

Maybe you are not serving our mighty God. Maybe you are wondering about how to even get connected to God. Click below to understand more:

A Relationship with God

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving  kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable

worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12: 28

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