Author: rutakintome

I married Ruth, my high school sweetheart, in 1983 and we have four children and 6 grandchildren. I have been the worship pastor at Mission Bible Church since 2004. We are located in Minooka, a southwest suburb of Chicago. I love singing, bicycling, music, Mahler, boxing, coffee, movies, The Beatles, sunsets, coffee, Mahler, the seashore, sunsets at the seashore, coffee, and… the seashore. Originally from New York, I grew up 15 minutes from the beautiful beaches of southern Long Island. I have a Fujifilm X-T5 that I use to capture the world I see. I also enjoy writing about the images that surface in my mind and heart as I work with the images from my camera. Thanks for stopping by!

a beautiful spring night

Amidst the changes and challenges we are all facing, I am grateful for the beauty of a wintry, Spring night. Here is why my Christmas lights up. White lights to represent that we are all created in the image of God. That is my conviction, therefore, I believe that we all carry God’s light. God is love, and when we care for each other, and put others first, we are becoming the highest expression of the light and love of God. Blue lights for the greatest team that I am honored to be a small part of: the Minooka PD. And blue lights for all first responders: firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, nurses, PAs, doctors, and all the medical professionals that are working so hard to help all of us… thank you. Give thanks for each other, and give thanks for so many who are helping.

we are all we have

We are all we have. Struggle well, and love with abandon.

willis tower views

It was a cloudy day, however, the SkyDeck at the Willis Tower in Chicago did not disappoint. Just fantastic! And freaky scary!

early spring ride

And the unusually mild winter is slowly giving way to a mild Spring… he typed with great hope. Mild enough to head to the Marseilles Mill Ruins on my so-fun-to-ride Indian Scout 60!

matthiessen moments

Spent about 3 1/2 hours hiking at beautiful Matthiessen State Park, in Utica IL. Winter here has been a bit strange: lots of unusually warm days, and not much snow. The park was especially beautiful, with a mix of winter, and a way too early for Spring vibe. The park is named for Frederick William Matthiessen. This was his estate and private park!

my happy place

Just love visiting my elderly parents in New York and, going to my happy place…

chapel sunrise

Enjoyed sending time in Texas the past few days, but, especially enjoyed this Texas sunrise.

ransom sunset

A bitter, cold sunset (we have been spoiled with warm weather lately) helps bring Thursday to an end. I am pretty sure there are more wind turbines than people in Ransom, Illinois.

chilly rise

A still, chilly, beautiful first sunrise in 2020.