Wednesday "Treasures"

Good Wednesday morning friends!  I am running behind schedule this week with a lot to do, still trying to get our house back in order and we have a busy week going on at Dixie Cottage as well.

And actually these pictures should be "Tuesday Treasures", because this was yesterday morning. If you are a Facebook friend you've probably already seen these "pink sky photos".

The sky was such a lovely shade of pinkish lavender, so of course I had to take pictures. The sunrises (above) in the east on the front side of our house, but there is usually some reflection of it on the west side over Still Waters Pond from our back side of the house.

Therefore, I went around to see what I could see, and there was this big white bird flying across the pond toward me:

At first I assumed it was one of our usual Great White Egrets, which are more common around here.

But the closer he came, the more I realized this was something different... (excuse the poor focus...it was still kind of dark and this was my cell phone)

He flew in for a landing right up on the shore in front of me, as if to say, "Good Morning!"

And that's when I realized that this was a Wood Stork!  We don't see them here often...maybe once or twice a year! Last year there was a pair of them, so I'm wondering where his/her mate is...

So he stayed a couple of minutes to get a drink and/or fish for his breakfast...

And after he had stayed long enough for me to get a few pictures and tell him how happy I was to see him right at that precise moment when I "just happened" to be there watching (another God-thing, I think!)

He flew away and was on about his day...and so was I.

But don't you just love those pinkish purplish skies? Another blessing and surprise from the Lord to start our day right.

While we are still admiring the morning sun, let's zoom past the day and take a look at another of God's masterpieces in the evening...same place...about 10 hours later:

I just stand in awe and marvel at the beauties of God's creation...never any two the same...

I was in the process of getting ready to go to choir practice at church when I looked outside and saw these skies...

And I wanted to stand there and sing along with this song, which we are currently singing in our Sunday morning worship service as a call to worship:

"You are beautiful beyond description,

Too marvelous for words,

Too wonderful for comprehension,

Like nothing ever seen or heard.

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?

Who can fathom the depth of Your love?

You are beautiful beyond description,

Majesty, enthroned above!

Chorus

And I stand, I stand in awe of You!

I stand, I stand in awe of You!

Holy God, to whom all praise is due,

I stand in awe of You!"

Speaking of our church, I usually try to share our Sunday service with you, and I guess I'm running a little behind...so if you would like to listen to our choir sing "He Has Made Me Glad", and then stay for a great sermon from our pastor from 2 Corinthians 8 & 9, entitled "The Grace of Giving". 

And speaking further about our wonderful little church, as you know last week we had quite a storm blow through town, "Hurricane/Tropical Storm Nicole".  Thankfully she didn't do as much damage here as she did along the coasts, but we did get a LOT of Spanish moss blown down from our many Live Oak Trees around the church property. And so on Monday we had a clean up day for those who were willing and able to come and help out.  Hubby and I went and did our share of raking up the moss, but I also took a few pictures of others working so diligently to get the big job done in a record amount of time:

What I was pleased to see was that we had a good group of people, men and women, youngish (not really very young!) and old...

And this little doggy came along to bark out the orders!! He was quite the supervisor!

And here is our Pastor, who ought to have been working on his next Sunday's sermon, but he was out there raking away with everyone else...true leadership...

This man below is 92 years old...and he worked the whole time just as hard as the rest...

And this dear lady is one of our newest members...a recent newcomer to our church and community, and she also pitched right in to help...

These fellas had the truck and wagon ready to haul away to wherever you take a load of spanish moss...

This was truly an example of "many hands make light work"...teamwork and willing servants.

Very thankful to belong to a church who goes beyond the Sunday morning pew to help out in so many areas of our church and community.

Okay, I need to get a move on. Gotta get to Dixie Cottage on time. We are having a big event this Saturday called "Sip and Shop"...refreshments, door prizes, sales...getting everything ready for Christmas! So we are busily getting the store in order for hopefully a very big day!  

Meanwhile, my unpacking of stuff is somewhat on hold until I can get around to it.

Have a blessed and wonderful week dear friends!!!

Go out and make someone smile today...

or stand in awe at God's handiwork in the skies or nature or His beautiful creation of His people.

Love to all of you.