. Saturday, June 21, 2008 .
We are just a few Christian ladies that have decided to share what we see through our cameras...God's abundant gifts we see everyday...big or small. Every two weeks we will have a different category brought to us by a member...round robin style. And each week you will be given the chance to vote for the best shot. We are not professional photographers by any means. Just Moms, sisters, cousins, and friends trying something new and fun. There will be stories about what God has done in our lives through the pictures. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. I know this to be true, but I like hearing the stories. So come back and see what we have seen on Saturday, June 21.

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. ~Douglas Pagels

Welcome to GAG

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here's my pic. actually, here are my pics. I couldn't decide between the two. we were at my mom and dad's at sunset beach in 2004 when hurricane charley came through. it had made it's initial impact on the states in southwest florida as a category 4. by the time it got to us it was a "minimal" hurricane. (I think that's a funny description.) the 7 of us stayed in our condo and waited it out. it was so loud! when it got quiet we went outside to see what had gone on. a tornado had been through our buildings and parking lots. there was quite a bit of damage to buildings, debris everywhere and so many large trees uprooted, lying on their sides. such a mess. we figured we were in the eye of the storm at that point, and it turned out we were because there was more to come. obviously we went back inside! when it was truly all over, we ventured over to the beach in the evening. the ocean was still rough but the boys played in the waves close to the shore. greg and dad took a walk while mom and I watched the boys play. people were on the beach but things were pretty quiet. maybe still in a state of awe and wonder at what we'd all seen that day. the sky was probably the most beautiful I have ever seen. pictures just don't do it justice. and such proof of the power and majesty of God! in less than 24 hours He had shown us a portion of the destruction His earth is capable of and also how very quiet and absolutely beautiful He can bring it to be. big lesson there. storms come, right? category 4 or a "minimal" hurricane - whatever life throws at us - storms are storms. but God can (and will) bring unbelievable beauty to our lives regardless. He is able!

Storms are Storms

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Well, so I took all of these pictures on Father’s Day when we went to every nursery in Cincinnati. When we were in elementary school we did a Christmas play at church. Cassie had the part of the snotty sheep BAAAArbra. One of her lines was, “like a peacock.” Every time I see anything peacock I think of her.

The story about this picture is funny, but kind of sick. Well, while at the nursery we were all walking around looking at things and Bryce found a big cage with an iguana in it. The boy whose parents own the nursery was walking around and asked Bryce if he could find the bird in the cage, of course Bryce responds to the 10 year old with, “well yeah dude it is dead right there.”

This one is for all the grief that I give you guys for taking pictures of flowers.

Wings and Things

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I have always loves clematis. They are amazing...one day they are this scrawny little plant with no direction or purpose. When you plant them you need to make sure that they are mulched well so they have a strong foundation. The top part of the plant needs the sun to grow up strong. They need watered. Sometimes the heat of the day makes them wilt a little but then when they are nourished by the sun and water they just pop back and start to reach for the heavens. I noticed when previewing all the shots that I took that there are three stages of the flower in this photo. The first is a large strong bud ready to burst in all of it's glory. Then there is one smaller bloom that is starting to show the effects of the hot day. But lastly, the biggest bloom seems to be smiling because the cold rain brought some sense to it all. Sometimes I think we are like these blooms. We need to begin with a strong foundation when we aer young. As we grow there are times that are good but then there are times that aren't so good. But if we keep our heads about ourselves and do what we know to be true, things turn around and life continues. It is all in out attitude as to how we continue. I will always think of these things when I see a clematis.

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into. ~Henry Beecher, Life Thoughts, 1858

The Wonder of It All

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Who can top this on natures critters on the way to the bus stop? Seriously, just wanted to share the beauty we found this morning after last nights thunderstorms. Click on the picture and look at its beautiful detail. Even its antennas!
Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.~Frank Lloyd Wright
End Note..."interestingly we saw it again 2 days later in the jap maple tree. and then a week later saw a different one when eating out at steak and shake. weird!~"

National Geographic