Pictures of the Day

After cleaning two houses this morning and no other work on the agenda today, I decided on the spur of the moment to head to the beach. I didn't even have to think twice about it on a lovely day like today. I spent an hour there with me, myself, and I, a few surfers, and the occasional man walking his dog. It was the perfect setting to get out my lesson material for Sunday's lesson which includes the miracle of Jesus calming the storm and the sea. It was some good thinking time. I couldn't help but thank Heavenly Father in my heart for sending me and my family to such a beautiful place. I know that He knew of the challenges ahead of us here and that I would need some place like the ocean. A place where I felt at home. A place to escape that's free of charge when funds are low. A place where I could commune with Him and renew my spirit. Medical school is not the only reason we were sent here. That's the main reason, of course, but slowly and surely many other reasons are being made known to me and I love having that surety that this is where we belong and that there are things for us to learn here.



My collection of doo-dads

My camera didn't focus right, but that little crab's eyes were looking right at me (or what's left of a crab)

Atlantic sand dollars are different than Pacific--these ones have the slits or holes in them, Pacific are all solid with no holes. Interesting.


When my mama was here she bought us this gardenia plant. It has been blooming wonderfully in our house. Can't wait for it to warm up a little more so we can plant it.

My favorite picture of the day--I call it "To Everything There is a Season". This is a dried up gardenia I plucked off the plant. The sun was shining in the window and this is what I came up with. I love how it glows, so magical!

And my favorite hymn as of late which I think is appropriate for this post:

Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness.
No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threat'ning
A grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:
Peace, be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, be still; peace, be still.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, peace, be still.

Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief today.
The depths of my sad heart are troubled.
Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o'er my sinking soul,
And I perish! I perish! dear Master.
Oh, hasten and take control!

Master, the terror is over.
The elements sweetly rest.
Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven's within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more,
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore.