Hiking the Highline Trail in Glacier NP.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

This is a photograph that I took a little over a week ago while out hiking with Marylynn at Sweet Arrow. The park is not even five minutes from our house and has become one of our favorite places to hike. And I love hiking or running in fresh snow.

This was sunrise at our home a couple of years ago. While there is unquestionably something special about sunrise at the beach, there is also something special and comforting about this view from your front yard.

Winter. It has its moments, like this image of a pine cone from one year ago. It’s not that I hate winter, but I don’t really enjoy the cold weather. I like snow, but I definitely don’t like driving in the snow.

Part of seeing God in all things is paying attention to the little blessings that surround us.

Marylynn and I just got back from Nicaragua. This was the view looking out the back of the health center where we were having medical clinics. It was definitely a reminder that we were “not home.”

This photo was taken last year in Nicaragua. For me, the image of the moon shows that there are reminders of home no matter where you go.

My word for the year is “home.”

http://wordoftheyear.me/index.php

I’ve decided that I am going to reflect throughout the year on what “home” means to me.

This photo is taken on a flight to Jamaica. Sometimes, the best way to think about home is to get away from home. I write this as we are about to leave for Nicaragua. It is interesting what you miss and what you don’t miss when you are far from home.

Family and friends are always missed, unless they’re traveling with you which is one reason why it’s so nice to travel with Marylynn. “Comforts,” like your own bed or hot water, are missed but not as much as they are appreciated when you get home.

Busyness- rarely missed.

I’m not sure why, but I think it’s comical seeing birds walk across ice on a pond. Maybe just because it’s unexpected. We even use the word “funny” to mean unusual or ironic, even when there’s nothing comical about a situation.

We encounter many unexpected events every day. Some of them are definitely not comical and may even be painful. But it’s been said that “laughter is the best medicine”. Certainly, what may seem frustrating at the time can seem quite comical in hindsight. Which again comes back to something I have written about before, namely “perspective”.

May God give each of us “perspective” throughout this new year.

The LORD bless you and keep you!

The LORD let his face shine upon

you, and be gracious to you!

The LORD look upon you kindly and

give you peace! Numbers 6:24-26