February 24, 2021 by Karen Pickering

Walking Through the Woods on a Winter Day

This week my granddaughter and I were scheduled to go on a field trip in the woods.

It has been bitterly cold here. I wasn’t excited about going.

I was unsure the road would be plowed where we were supposed to meet.

Thankfully when we got up the sun was shining and the weather was milder. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

A few of the pictures have comments under them or things to look for.

Can you see the squirrel nest in the top of the tree?

What kind of animals do you think are hiding/living in the underbrush?

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

“But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; And let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?” Job 12:7-10

November 18, 2018 by Karen Pickering

Faith in the Creator

I have been teaching art to some children this year. Each week 17 kids ages 5-12 make their way to my basement and create. We are in the middle of making miniature hot-air balloons so we can imagine traveling from country to country in our journey around the world.

They have created Giraffes,

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Hippos (and a few seals)

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and Kente cloth from Africa,

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big red barns from Wisconsin.

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Pumpkins and turkeys will give a nod to our Thanksgiving holiday.

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We plan on “visiting” England, Australia, France and Mexico in the coming weeks.

As I get to know each student I am learning to recognize their artwork. They each have their own individual style. I am amazed at what they can do with the raw materials I give them.

If you would look in my basement you would see their creations hanging up or laying out to dry. Some things are tucked away in their portfolios. There hasn’t been an explosion in my basement that caused these things to appear. You would recognize that someone has been at work.

Hebrews 11:3 says “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.” (NASB)

We are asked to believe that God made the world. It was a purposeful act.

None of us were there. There is no way for us to prove it. We have to take Him at His word. Either He is telling the truth or He is a liar. God gives us the account in Genesis 1-2. If we are to walk by faith we must believe it. I will let God’s words convince you, not mine.

“Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, The one who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing.” Isaiah 40:26 (NASB)

“All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” John 1:3 (NASB)

“…since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so they are without excuse…” Romans 1:19-21 (NASB)

“…even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.” Romans 4:17 (NASB)

Spend some time looking around today. Does what you see look like an accident or an explosion?

Next, go back and read Genesis 1-2. That God created the world is the only credible explanation. If we are to live by faith, believing in creation is the foundation.

Take comfort that His creation is all around us to remind us of who He is and what He is capable of. He has not left us here alone. He has a purpose and a plan. Believe it. Don’t let this world’s trouble tear your eyes from your only hope.

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 (NASB)

October 6, 2017 by Karen Pickering

Wisconsin – Part III

I have lived in Wisconsin close to 40 years. Most of that time has been spent in whatever local town we were living in at the time. Often we went to Lake Michigan or another smaller inland lake. Door County was also a popular destination. We have driven by Wisconsin Dells and through the town a few times, but had never gotten off the beaten path to discover why it was famous…why it had become a tourist trap. We were pleasantly surprised by what we found.

The only way to see the Dells is on the Wisconsin river. Since we weren’t about to rent a canoe the five of us decided to splurge on a boat tour. My sister, Jill and her husband Dennis were along for the adventure.

My granddaughter, Arianna snapped this picture of the boat. We chose to sit in the open air on top.

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At first the scenery reminded us of the hike in Devil’s Lake we had been on the day before.

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But then it got more and more interesting.

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Twice the boat docked to allow us to follow the trails that wound between the rocks.

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There are no words…

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My advice in all of this? Look for the hidden things. The things right under your nose. There is always beauty and good hiding somewhere close.

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

October 5, 2017 by Karen Pickering

Wisconsin – Part II

The journey continues. Tomorrow we will be in Wisconsin Dells, today it is…

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK

Here is the beginning of the trail and a picture of what we will be climbing on.

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The steps went on forever much to Arianna’s dismay.

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Arianna found a stick to help get her up the steps.

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At last we made it to the top where we could look down on the lake below. (Remember the first picture?)

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After making our way down through more trees we wound through boulders and rocks.

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Finally leaving them behind to reach level ground that led us back to the beach where we started.

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(Most of the photography by Bill Pickering)

“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, … all things were created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things and by Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17

October 4, 2017 by Karen Pickering

A Weekend in Wisconsin

We spent a long weekend in a home on the Wisconsin river near Portage. The next few days I will put up some pictures of various hikes we took. Today we visit Mirror Lake and Parfrey’s Glen. Enjoy.

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There was a short hike through woods that led to a stream that we crossed a few times.

The end of the hike we were rewarded with a small waterfall.

And then it was the hike back to the car through a magical forest.

“O Lord, how many are Your works. In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your possessions.” Psalm 104:24

April 21, 2016 by Karen Pickering

Long Awaited Spring

My granddaughter and I went out this week to find Spring. We heard it had arrived. At first the only green I saw was her sweatshirt…but we looked further.