(Photo taken 8.18.10 - Downtown Grand Rapids)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:2

(Picture taken August 2007 - Sartell, Minnesota)

When Your Hut's On Fire

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

Vacation Photos

Sorry I haven't posted in so long... This past Saturday, we got back from vacation! We spent an entire week at a cottage on Gun Lake and it was WONDERFUL!!!! It was so relaxing and very much needed! I had an amazing time with my camera! I have yet to go through all the pictures but I'll share some with you in this post..... and there'll be more to come! I hope you enjoy!

This first one.... I am still in awe of it. Thanks to my best friend, Google, for helping me figure out the manual settings to get this amazing shot of the moon!


LOVED how the sun was shining on the water in the morning. I thought these boats looked so cool... just a few cottages down from where we were staying. I used the free Orton action from CoffeeShop Free Actions to give it this wonderful effect.


Sunrise with sweet ducks swimming by....


Chilly morning with the warmth rising off the lake....