labor day vibes

The day began with a beautiful sunrise, courtesy of the Illinois River.

Then my wife and I worked on a small wallpaper project in our main floor bathroom. No one was hospitalized, the bathroom looks great, and we are still married. The true test of a couple’s emotional health is their ability to finish a wallpaper project!

Finally, hopped on the Kawasaki and took a ride to the wind farms on this beautiful day.

Hope you have a wonderful week. Thanks for stopping by.

beneath a blanket of blue

i
lift
up
my eyes
to the
fields
and skies
and
let
this
fleeting
day
pass
away
another
moment
a shifting
hue
in an
instant
a crimson
glow
grows
beneath
a blanket
of
blue
this
choir
of
colors
quietly
slowly
lends
gentle
tones
to
feathered
clouds
above
time
softly
closes
the
door
as
i
whisper
prayers
of
awe
reverence
and
gratitude

life is still a bit hectic…

Still rummaging through the hard drive during this busy season and trying to find time to post. Not to be outdone by my previous post, this sunrise comes to you courtesy of our “rival” town, 10 miles due west of our humble home. Thanks for stopping by. What’s on your hard drive?

life is a bit hectic…

…so I have fallen behind in posting some images that have been hanging out on my hard drive. These two are from a sunrise in my home town. I have taken many images from this spot. It’s just a short walk from our home. Does anyone else see what I see in that sky? Thanks for stopping by!

glimpses of guatemala 2

Here is Part 2 of some images from my recent trip to Guatemala. Many of these were taken at Mixco Viejo: a fortress city Mayan Ruin. Thanks for stopping by!

glimpses of guatemala 1

Greetings! The blog has been quiet because for the third year in a row I have left the US for beautiful Guatemala. Each year our church partners with a church in San Lucas Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. We build homes for the poor in El Zapote, do basic medical and first aid training and other ministries. As you can see, we also enjoyed Lake Atitlan. Part 2 soon. Thanks for stopping by.

wind farm

Just a trio of wind farm images. Forgot about some images from a motorcycle ride last weekend. What’s on your SD card? Thanks for stopping by.

let it all in let it all go

and i find that i’m choosing to let it all in
i stand in the light while i’m feeling the pain
that keeps falling like rain on my story again
and the clouds crowd my soul so i let it all go
carried on whispered prayers with hands pleading
lifted in unspoken longings eyes searching
for some kind of answer in this darkened light
embracing the rain and the clouds and all the unseen
running into the light as it reaches all that’s been
perhaps a lament or two will see me through
the paradox of this impermanent journey
a time for everything and everything in time
i’ll welcome the longing with singing
celebrate the love with understanding
that all is fading into unending yesterdays
and the clouds crowd my soul so i let it all go
and i’ll walk towards the light
keep my eyes on things above
and choose to love here below
and let it all go through trembling whispers of faith
until i find my way home with some amazing grace

do you see

i haven’t thought this
all the way through
but i thought
i’d share it with you
i’ll start with a question or two
do you see
beauty around you
do you see
beauty within

colors and clouds
shout out loud
the sky canvas
telling us
connecting us
to deeper
fairer things
do you see
do you see

the beauty within
you are an image bearer
you are the only you
but let’s set pride aside
perfection does not reside
inside
His favor abides
you are
His child
His creation

do you see
beauty around you
beauty within
we are all
a glorious ruin
we are lost
but we can see
blind
but we can be found
do you see
do you see

all is well

a slow meandering
upon the ancient sands
the sea reminding me
how small i truly am
and that’s totally okay
much more
behind me
than before me
a few less steps remain
the waves will sing
long after my last breath
sometimes
i just want to stop
and join the clouds and sea
just melt into
the horizonless dance
and stay
listen
and pray
it can all feel
so weary
still
i journey on
back to go forward
reaching into the ocean of stories
looking for that perfect shell
listening for all is well
remembering the glory
still to come
yesterdays
just fly away
even memories
are fading
is anyone staying
we are alone
ever together with our life
and with others
we are alone