The Calm…and Beauty After the Storm

Storms usually always clear to beautiful skies once they pass…whether the storms are of nature or a storm your life may be going through.

Today we had a series of storm fronts go through our area creating hail damage, wind damage and several tornadoes. The extent of the damage is still being assessed and unfortunately the storm front is still marching east creating havoc as it goes. But for now some of us have peace and the sky is magical as the clouds thin out and the setting sun creates colors that make us smile.

The clouds twisted as they moved across the sky and their colors changed as the sun slowly sets creating a picture of peace and beauty. Even the red bird sang from the top of the tree announcing to everyone who would listen that all is well, the storm has passed.

He sings a message we should all hear and take to heart as we deal with the many storms we deal with in life. God always has us in his hand…always. It’s just hard to visualize His beauty when we see so much negative destruction around us, but I implore you to try. For every step forward that you may make, a new bright light will find its way to your heart.

Allow it in and allow it to shine brightly. Even though it may seem like a setting sun at times, its warmth can give you new life. Embrace it and share its beauty with others. You may just make their day and help them to smile.

And I remind you always of the beauty of kindness. Kindness opens doors that some may think could not open, so always share the power of kindness and watch it work its beauty.

Weekend Sky #77

Its Sunday so technically, in my mind, it is still the weekend. I wanted to share this beautiful sunset. That is one thing I really love about fall and winter – the evening skies. Their colors are so rich and beautiful.

Hope you all have a good week ahead. I myself will be glad when this week is done and the political adds will stop. Take care everyone and remember to be kind.

Weekend Sky #71, Aug 20

Hammad Rais has a fun challenge for Weekend Sky and today was a good day for sky watching. When we started out in the morning, we only had a 15% chance of rain. So you can imagine our surprise when our outing at church got us “drowned rat” wet. It was not a great look but it did give us an event to always remember.

And I saw another line of storms coming around 2:00pm. After getting back home, and dry, I though that would be a great time for a nap…wrong thought. Aside from the lightening and thunder being on top of us, the wind and rain was so intense that it knocked down my sunflowers – remember my post about Sun and Mood 2 days ago. Yep, gone. They were wonderful though and I have picture to prove it. LOL.

So back to the sky. After the storm blew through I got these pictures of the amazing clouds as they cleared the area.

I hope these clouds can encourage you and help you know, regardless of the storm you may be going through, there is always a peace and beauty after the storm leaves. Hang on to that hope, you have got this and if you feel like you can’t hold on by yourself, God always has a hand stretched out to you for you to hold onto. Grab it and hold tight. He will never let you go.

And remember to always be kind, regardless of your storm.

Weekend Sky, July 30

After a week of cloudy skies, which I am not complaining about because of the cooler temps, it was nice to see the clouds clear away showing their artistic whims as they left. Hammad Rais reminds us to look up at our constantly changing sky and catch its beauty as it changes.

If you get the chance to be still and study the sky, ponder on its beauty and the fact that it does constantly change – at least at least as we see it. An different attribute that is seen that we can make as a constant in our lives is…kindness.

Weekend Sky, Sunset

Sunday found us at an outdoor concert by the river and the sky was fascinating. Hammad Rais had a fascinating photo on his #68 post that looked like a lion. Our weekend sky was much less dramatic but still beautiful.

First it was building…

Then its color started changing and it started falling…

Then it fell away and got swallowed by smaller ones…

The sky is always fascinating as it moves and changes. In closing I remind you to never change from being kind. Kindness is a trait we should always keep with us.

We can always use more joy in our lives – so always be kind.

Weekend Sky 60 – Update

Typical with most passing storms, the appearance of a spectacular sunset. I just wanted to pass along that this sunset meets that criteria after all of the menacing gray clouds that seemed to just hang around forever today.

“They” say that behind every gray cloud is a silver lining but todays lining is orangey gold and quite beautiful. I know my photography skills are not as good as some but this needed sharing. May your weekend turn out just as beautiful.

Remember to be Kind.

Weekend Sky #60, 3/26

Today we have more fun with Hammad Rais and Weekend Sky #60. I just had to play along as the sky today has been tumultuous, from rain to spiting snow and now the wind is crazy. We are under a wind advisory. BUT, it makes for great pictures. Even though I am no professional, it is fun to join in. So come show us your beautiful sky.

The Red Tailed Hawks are not even having to do anything but stretch out their wings and float on the currents of the wind. But the contrasting gray colors with the occasional blue patches of sky is what makes it so beautiful.

Since we are talking about weekend skies, I leave you with a sunset image of kindness for you to reflect on.

**Always Be Kind** ***enough so that the deaf may hear your kindness and the blind can see it.***

Have a great weekend.

Weekend Sky#59

Hammad Rais creates a fun and interesting way for us to share the beauty in the sky around us. Come join in with Weekend Sky and share your world.

This is a most special weekend sky for us in the Midwest…it’s the clearing out of winter’s hold as promised temperatures for Sunday bring in the start of spring.

After the two inches we got we got Thursday, winter is not going out easily. The thin wispy white you see is snow still trying to rain on us. But alas, tomorrow will be the last of the stronghold…and it will be done with a vengeance of single digits.

But Sunday brings in 40s – 50s. And all next week in the 50s. Yay!! Come on spring. And as we get into more tolerable temps, remember the value of Kindness as you go about your day.

The Summer Sky

The sky is always fun to watch as the clouds form fun and interesting shapes during the summer months of thunderheads and the colors of fall are always amazing as the air cools and atmosphere thickens.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Below are some of the picture I have taken this summer as storms have been busy this year.

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And as always, remember to be kind. Kindness was created by God and is a reflection of His love to all creation.

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A Reprieve

Reprieve – To give relief or deliverance for a time.

That is what we had today – a one day reprieve from this tirade of winter 2019. The temps today got up to 48 degrees here in western Iowa and even thought we know that Nadia is closing fast, we accepted this gift of a reprieve to helps us not lose hope in spring forgetting us as in Horton who heard the Whos – We are here! We are here! We are here!

So today I was actually able to get out and run a few errands and of course refill the bird feeders. With all of that ice on top of the snow, I was just too fearful to try. But as we type the temps are already falling and will drop back to single digits. I was ever grateful for this reprieve of shining sun and “balmy” temps.

IMG_20190214_130638 — Blue skies and shining sun today

As as we brace for another cold and snowy onslaught, we will remember this breath of fresh air in hoping spring to come sooner that later.

And as we wait for milder weather, let us remember to be mild ourselves and show kindness where we can.

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