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Prepare

Chehalis Western trail, Washington, USA with statue of Mary with baby Jesus from All Souls Church, Englewood, CO

Chehalis Western trail, Washington, USA with statue of Mary with baby Jesus from All Souls Church, Englewood, CO

As Christmas approaches let us prepare our hearts for the birth of the child Jesus.


#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #Prepare


Small Things with Great Love

American Kestrel, Nisqually National Wildlife Reserve, Washington, USA

American Kestrel, Nisqually National Wildlife Reserve, Washington, USA

Some of the most powerful things come in small packages. Things like the American Kestrel (sparrow hawk) or the infinite God, who is love itself, becoming a small baby born in a manger. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas this advent season, let us spend a few moments praying and contemplating the small things we can do with the tremendous power of love working through faith. Perhaps a few of the following quotes from St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta might help in your prayer and contemplation on the small things.

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.

I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.

Good works are links that form a chain of love.

If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.

Intense love does not measure, it just gives.

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home.

I want you to be concerned about your next-door neighbor. Do you know your next-door neighbor?

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.

We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.

Do ordinary things with extraordinary love.


#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #SmallThings


Help Them

Forest along Mt. Ellinor Trail, Olympia National Forest, Washington, USA

Forest along Mt. Ellinor Trail, Olympia National Forest, Washington, USA

As we prepare for Christmas this advent season let us be aware that many people are carrying a cross much heavier than ours. Let us help them on their journey by uniting our cross with theirs while always remembering Jesus’s words….

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” – Matthew 25: 35-36

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #HelpThem


With Thanksgiving

Eagle Lake viewed from Chehalis Western Trail, Olympia, WA with Mosaic of Our Lady from Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Lourdes, France

Eagle Lake viewed from Chehalis Western Trail, Olympia, WA with Mosaic of Our Lady from Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Lourdes, France

Happy Thanksgiving!

Trust

Millersylvania State Park, Washington, USA

Millersylvania State Park, Washington, USA

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not reply on your own insight.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

~ Proverbs 3: 5-6

Cry to the Lord

Large Drift wood log at rest, Dungenous National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, USA

Large Drift wood log at rest, Dungenous National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, USA

God desires to bring you to the harbor you long for. “Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.” ~ 1 Peter 5:7

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #CrytotheLord


Infinity

Trees seeking the sun, Priest Point Park, Olympia, Washington, USA

Trees seeking the sun, Priest Point Park, Olympia, Washington, USA

Carlos Acutis was a loving and kind teenage boy. He was gifted with computers but was even more gifted with love. The following are a few of his quotes.

To be always united with Jesus, this is my plan of life.

The only thing we have to ask God for, in prayer, is the desire to be holy.

Do not be afraid because with the Incarnation of Jesus, death becomes life, and there’s no need to escape: in eternal life, something extraordinary awaits us.

Sadness is looking at ourselves, happiness is looking towards God.

What does it matter if you can win a thousand battles if you cannot win against your own corrupt passions? It doesn’t matter. The real battle is with ourselves.

Not me, but God.

All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies.

Continuously ask your guardian angel for help. Your guardian angel has to become your best friend.

By standing before the Eucharistic Christ, we become holy.

The more Eucharist we receive, the more we will become like Jesus, so that on earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.

The Virgin Mary is the only woman in my life.

Carlos Acutis died on October 12, 2006 at the age of 15 from leukemia and was beatified on October 10, 2020 by Pope Francis. Blessed Carlos Acutis pray with us.

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #TheInfinite

Inner Self

New tree growing inside stump, Priest Point Park, Olympia, Washington, USA

New tree growing inside stump, Priest Point Park, Olympia, Washington, USA

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #InnerSelf

Light of Grace

Evening sun kissing Maple leaves under forest canopy, Olympia, WA

Evening sun kissing Maple leaves under forest canopy, Olympia, WA

I am amazed whenever I walk through the woods and see kisses of sunlight illuminating the leaves of the forest. It reminds me of God’s grace that surrounds us and comforts us and walks with us, even in the darkness.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~ John 8:12

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #LightofGrace


Children Come to Me

White-tail deer fawn, Spring Branch, TX

White-tail deer fawn, Spring Branch, TX

Do you see the child in yourself? Jesus does.

I was blessed by having outstanding parents, parents that would give their lives for me, and in many ways actually did. As such, when I look back to my life as a child, I can still remember the complete trust I had in mom and dad. The fawn in this picture, hiding under the leaves where its mama put it, reminds me of the trust I had as a child in my parent’s unconditional love.

This world; however, with its hardships and struggles, can strip us of trust. At times, it may even seem, that life is a one-person struggle against the world. Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, can heal our wounds, can restore our trust in His Father, and our Father. A Father that loves us completely and unconditionally. Ask the Holy Spirit for healing. Ask the Holy Spirit to allow you to see the trusting child in yourself. Begin trusting in God, your heavenly Father. Allow Him to teach you how to trust again and how to love the way we are meant to love.

Peace be with you.

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #ChildrenCometoMe

How the Flowers Grow

Moss Rose, Spring Branch, TX

Moss Rose, Spring Branch, TX

After my mother died, my wife and I took some of the moss roses that mom loved and transplanted them into our yard in Texas. The roses initially flourished but then the deer noticed them; and between the deer and the Texas heat, we have not seen a moss rose in our yard for years. Two weeks ago I looked down at the planter, where the moss roses used to be, and saw this beautiful yellow moss rose. I thought during this rather turbulent time, this little yellow rose was a good reminder of what Jesus said about faith, God’s love of flowers, God’s unending love for us and our need to keep our eyes on the things of heaven.

Jesus said, “Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. ~ Luke 12:27-34

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #HowTheFlowersGrow

A Place for You

Eastern Screech Owl, Spring Branch, TX

Eastern Screech Owl, Spring Branch, TX

Christians are always moving, always becoming, always keeping their eyes on Jesus, being transformed by the Holy Spirit until the day they rest in their heavenly home.

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #APlaceforYou