Ginger.

While there are so many things in life that seem to be amiss, there is so much that is "right".  There are so many things to be thankful for, so many blessings right before our eyes that go unnoticed perhaps because we don't take the time to see the "ordinary miracles" that are right before us.  I know in my own life my daughter has helped me each day to notice so many more miracles than I have ever noticed before because through her eyes, everything is new and amazing-a miracle.

Ordinary Miracle

It’s not that usual when everything is beautiful
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when its time to snow
You don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
Cause we are all a part
Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle
Do you want to see a miracle?

Its seems so exceptional
Things just work out after all
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sun comes up and shines so bright
It disappears again at night
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

I know that we are children of God.  I know that He sends us to earth with a mission to accomplish.  I know that He watches over us constantly.  I know that those "ordinary miracles" that happen in our lives are not coincidental, but are reminders from Him that He is still very much a part of our lives.  We are not alone.  He loves us and watches over us.  I know that to be true.

Love.

You may wonder what the significance or meaning is behind my pictures because of the title of the blog.  The answer?  A lot of times, there isn't one.  Most days, the pictures I take help me remember my blessings.  They help me remember to look for the good in life.  They help me remember past experiences that have touched my life.  They help me remember that God is in charge.  There won't be a lot of words on this blog, but the pictures speak better than I ever could to convey what I feel.

Red.

I've been thinking a lot about treasures lately.  What are the "treasures" in our lives?  Yesterday in primary we talked about Lehi's journey with his family in the wilderness and how they could only take a few things with them while leaving behind many of their earthly "treasures".  I asked my 6 year olds what they would take with them if they were asked to leave on a journey into the wilderness.  Some of the answers were:

-a tent.

-food.

-water.

-a refrigerator.

-gold (Really?  Rich at 6, huh?  I wish I had some gold!)

-my family.

A lot of the answers varied from kid to kid, but FAMILY was one of the universal answers that each kid said.  Yes, that is my treasure, too.  Many of the kids in the class come from less than perfect families, but that doesn't matter to them.  They love their parents, siblings, grandparents...they love those who love them.  Not much else matters without those we love to share our "treasures" with.  My Mom has a sign that says "eternal love".  I love that sign because that's what life is all about to me.  We can be with those we love forever.  What greater treasure can there be?

By the way, this very beautiful gift bow is one of my daughter's most beloved "treasures" at the moment.  It's almost up there with fake flowers. ;)  It doesn't take much to please a 15-month old.  Guess there's another lesson to be learned there.

I feel my Savior’s love

In all the world around me.

His Spirit warms my soul

Through ev’rything I see.

I feel my Savior’s love;

Its gentleness enfolds me,

And when I kneel to pray,

My heart is filled with peace.

I feel my Savior’s love

And know that he will bless me.

I offer him my heart;

My shepherd he will be.

I’ll share my Savior’s love

By serving others freely.

In serving I am blessed.

In giving I receive.

Chorus

He knows I will follow him,

Give all my life to him.

I feel my Savior’s love,

The love he freely gives me.

-Children's Primary Songbook

An oldie, but one of my favorites.  Taken with a good old point and shoot at my Grandpa's pond.  It doesn't take much to make His creations look as grand as they really are.  There is nothing that speaks of my Heavenly Father's love more to me than a sunset.  It's like a warm big old hug from Him to me.

"There is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are" (2 Nephi 2:14).  That is my testimony.  That is the reason I take pictures.  Taking pictures helps me find ways to see and remember that there is a God and that I am a daughter of God.  Taking pictures helps me to see all the ways that He shows me His love for me that I might not notice if I were just going about my day to day routine.  I know we can see the love He has for each of us if will take the time too look a little each day.  Take time to "Be still and know that {he} is God" (Psalms 46:10).  The evidence is all around us.

I love the lyrics to this song:

Try and put your arms around the 100 yr old tree
Climb upon a horse and let him run full speed

Take a look out at the world from 30,000 feet
On your next flight

Watch a flock of birds against the morning sun
Close your eyes and listen to the river run

Catch a firefly in your hands 

Or a raindrop on your tongue

That's right

Plant a seed and see what comes out of the ground

Find the heartbeat on your baby's ultrasound

In a few years hear him laughing
And don't it sound like a song?

Stop and think about what you don't understand
Things about life and love and how the world began

Hear the doctor say he can't explain it
But the cancer is gone

Science says it's all just circumstance

Like this whole world's just an accident

But if you want to shoot that theory down

Look around, Just look around

There is a God

There is a God

There is a God

How much proof do you need?

Here's the "proof" I found today.....

It's Spring.  Messy?  Yes.  Beautiful?  Absolutely.