to everything there is a season ...

Springtime comes. The crocuses peek up from the dead grass around them.

Waking up from the long winter - their beauty catches our eyes.

They look "fuzzy" as they bloom and grow.

This photo was captured at Sunnyside Cemetery last Spring, 2009.

Not sure what these beautiful wild flowers are called.

These were found growing at Sunnyside as well.

This picture was taken in Fall 2008, Thanksgiving Weekend,
when Alvin and I and our kids retreated to the cottage.
It was a beautiful day, very quiet, and good to be together as a family.


Winter comes.
Everything gets covered with hoar frost, and sparkles when the sun shines on the branches.
Everything lies dormant under the blanket of snow.
Our lives also experience "winter" seasons as well.

To Everything there is a season. The Bible talks about that. In fact, it is a portion of Scripture that is often quoted at funerals. Ecclesiastes 3: 1 says: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.....

Seasons..... the other day, the girls (Ashley and Leah) and I went for a walk during the day when we were out at the cottage. Everett was fast asleep in his stroller and we walked and talked about the retreat ministry. I love brainstorming with the girls. It seems that our family comes up with some pretty amazing ideas when we walk. And last Friday was no exception.

In the process we began to talk about seasons, and some ideas we had focusing around that idea.

Today Leah played a song that she found on iTunes. It is absolutely beautiful. I won't give away the reasons we were talking about seasons in regards to the retreat ministry BUT I WILL share the lyrics from this beautiful song with you. ... drink them in.

Every Season by Nicole Nordeman

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children's games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and what's to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that's new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season's change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring