From the front porch...
Water Wheel on Highway 105 in Boone...
Little man, big icicles...
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
A Blustery Day!
Some pictures from the snow and cold on January 3, 2012:
From the front porch...
Water Wheel on Highway 105 in Boone...
Little man, big icicles...
From the front porch...
Water Wheel on Highway 105 in Boone...
Little man, big icicles...
Our first real snow!
Well it has finally come... our first real snow event since moving to Boone.
You can follow the data at
http://home.roadrunner.com/~scmarks/Steve'sWeather.htm
or at
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KNCVILAS2
I will post some pictures later this afternoon. Enjoy!!
You can follow the data at
http://home.roadrunner.com/~scmarks/Steve'sWeather.htm
or at
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KNCVILAS2
I will post some pictures later this afternoon. Enjoy!!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A Montreat Lesson
I hope you will not tire of my thoughts from our youth trip to Montreat. It was such a wonderful experience and there is much to share from our journey. This week I would like to address the theme of God’s love – an important lesson for young and old alike. As a youth at heart trapped in the body of a 40 something year old, I have a unique perspective. For the youth, God’s love is often overlooked as one of His most special gifts.
Life as a teenager has its ups and downs. It’s a time of great transition from childhood to adulthood. Yet there is much turmoil during this period of change, for both the youth and those who care for them. Youth are often insecure and uncertain about their future. They can be emotionally unstable at times. Every now and then they may make poor choices as they test the waters of responsibility and authority. We have all been teenagers but our memories of these trying times have faded over the years.
Perhaps now more than ever, our youth need affirmation. During our time at Montreat, the adult leaders stressed to the youth that God will always love them. Through the good times and the bad times, through the right decisions and the wrong choices, God’s love for them is a special gift. It is not something that must be earned or purchased. It is something that must simply be accepted. In return, we should all learn to share His gift.
As their congregational guardians, we can demonstrate God’s love for our youth. We can take a moment to reaffirm God’s love to the youth (as well as to one and another) through our positive comments, through a hug or pat on the back, or simply through a smile of encouragement. I am confident that the outcome will be quite favorable for the youth and for you too! It’s a lesson we can all take to heart.
“O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136.26)
Life as a teenager has its ups and downs. It’s a time of great transition from childhood to adulthood. Yet there is much turmoil during this period of change, for both the youth and those who care for them. Youth are often insecure and uncertain about their future. They can be emotionally unstable at times. Every now and then they may make poor choices as they test the waters of responsibility and authority. We have all been teenagers but our memories of these trying times have faded over the years.
Perhaps now more than ever, our youth need affirmation. During our time at Montreat, the adult leaders stressed to the youth that God will always love them. Through the good times and the bad times, through the right decisions and the wrong choices, God’s love for them is a special gift. It is not something that must be earned or purchased. It is something that must simply be accepted. In return, we should all learn to share His gift.
As their congregational guardians, we can demonstrate God’s love for our youth. We can take a moment to reaffirm God’s love to the youth (as well as to one and another) through our positive comments, through a hug or pat on the back, or simply through a smile of encouragement. I am confident that the outcome will be quite favorable for the youth and for you too! It’s a lesson we can all take to heart.
“O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136.26)
Thursday, June 30, 2011
A New Opportunity
Back in January I wrote about the start of something new. This evening I am writing about a new opportunity that I would have never envisioned back in January. It is truly amazing how God can work in one's life. With all the changes we have experienced in our move to the High Country of North Carolina, we have been so very blessed!
Next week I begin my work as the Interim Director of Youth Ministry with First Presbyterian Church in Boone. I am excited about this call to serve the youth within our faith community. In the coming weeks I will blog about this new journey. To learn more about First Presbyterian Church in Boone, please visit their website at www.firstpresboone.org.
Next week I begin my work as the Interim Director of Youth Ministry with First Presbyterian Church in Boone. I am excited about this call to serve the youth within our faith community. In the coming weeks I will blog about this new journey. To learn more about First Presbyterian Church in Boone, please visit their website at www.firstpresboone.org.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Finding Balance in Boone
There is always a balance in life. Without sadness, one does not fully appreciate happiness. Such opposites provide this necessary balance as well as a perspective for comparison.
Lately I have been feeling sad… missing my friends, disappointed that our house has not yet sold, discouraged that we cannot find a home we really like here in Boone, wondering what I should do next and confused as to the direction that I am being led. I think God is just sending me a little reminder that patience is a virtue (which by the way is not necessarily one of my strengths). God provides the appropriate balance at the right time.
I have discovered that taking a few minutes to reflect on my blessings and the grandeur of life helps me to regain my balance. Last night I walked to the top of our neighborhood hill, some 3400 feet above the sea. Off in the distance lightning danced across the sky. There was no thunder as the storm was many miles away. At that altitude, one can see for miles and miles, so I stood quietly just taking it all in.
As I was pondering the meaning of life atop the mountain, captivated by the beauty of my surroundings, I was suddenly startled back into reality by what I can only describe a loud snorting noise. Have you ever felt like someone was breathing down your neck? Well that’s how I felt! I couldn’t see any movement but I sure could hear it and even feel it. In a brief moment of panic, I uttered a few choice words and jumped back away from the side of the mountain top.
I really believe that God was looking down on my little pity party and decided that some levity was in order. It had to be a funny sight - a grown man so startled by the local wildlife. But all I could imagine was a scene from one of the animals gone wild videos. Here I stand watching quietly in awe the majesty of a distant thunderstorm only to be trampled and devoured by a heard of deer.
As you can see, I made it home alive (thanks to my family for the ride back down the hill). And we all had a good laugh at my expense. Last night God provided the necessary opportunity for a little humor and the perspective that I needed to achieve some balance. The serenity of the mountain top is a wonderful place to experience God’s grace. Next time I’ll take a flashlight and maybe even some deer repellent.
Lately I have been feeling sad… missing my friends, disappointed that our house has not yet sold, discouraged that we cannot find a home we really like here in Boone, wondering what I should do next and confused as to the direction that I am being led. I think God is just sending me a little reminder that patience is a virtue (which by the way is not necessarily one of my strengths). God provides the appropriate balance at the right time.
I have discovered that taking a few minutes to reflect on my blessings and the grandeur of life helps me to regain my balance. Last night I walked to the top of our neighborhood hill, some 3400 feet above the sea. Off in the distance lightning danced across the sky. There was no thunder as the storm was many miles away. At that altitude, one can see for miles and miles, so I stood quietly just taking it all in.
As I was pondering the meaning of life atop the mountain, captivated by the beauty of my surroundings, I was suddenly startled back into reality by what I can only describe a loud snorting noise. Have you ever felt like someone was breathing down your neck? Well that’s how I felt! I couldn’t see any movement but I sure could hear it and even feel it. In a brief moment of panic, I uttered a few choice words and jumped back away from the side of the mountain top.
I really believe that God was looking down on my little pity party and decided that some levity was in order. It had to be a funny sight - a grown man so startled by the local wildlife. But all I could imagine was a scene from one of the animals gone wild videos. Here I stand watching quietly in awe the majesty of a distant thunderstorm only to be trampled and devoured by a heard of deer.
As you can see, I made it home alive (thanks to my family for the ride back down the hill). And we all had a good laugh at my expense. Last night God provided the necessary opportunity for a little humor and the perspective that I needed to achieve some balance. The serenity of the mountain top is a wonderful place to experience God’s grace. Next time I’ll take a flashlight and maybe even some deer repellent.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sooner than Later
Flexibility is the key to a smooth transition... and I am so very fortunate that my family, friends and co-workers can bend when the need arises. In the past two months, our plans have changed dramatically. I'm sorry that I haven't contacted everyone personally. Here's the latest on our adventures in moving.
For a variety of reasons, we decided to move everyone in April. Carol and the kids are now comfortably residing in a wonderful home we are renting in Vilas. The view from 3200 feet is delightful and the walk up the driveway will take your breath away (literally)! Vilas is located just outside of Boone, near Valle Crucis.
The kids have settled into their new schools and Carol is enjoying her new job. I will finish up work in a week and begin my new career in parenting immediately thereafter. I have already scouted out a great little coffee shop and several grocery stores in Boone. I am excited about beginning this new chapter in our lives.
Although we have moved to the High Country, several return trips to Greensboro are on the schedule for the coming months. We didn't get the chance to say our good-byes to everyone, so we'll take these upcoming opportunities to visit with our many friends as well as the orthodontist, pediatrician, hair stylists, etc. while we're in town.
I look forward to sharing our continued adventures with you here on Blue Skies. Look for additional comments on Facebook and Twitter as well.
For a variety of reasons, we decided to move everyone in April. Carol and the kids are now comfortably residing in a wonderful home we are renting in Vilas. The view from 3200 feet is delightful and the walk up the driveway will take your breath away (literally)! Vilas is located just outside of Boone, near Valle Crucis.
The kids have settled into their new schools and Carol is enjoying her new job. I will finish up work in a week and begin my new career in parenting immediately thereafter. I have already scouted out a great little coffee shop and several grocery stores in Boone. I am excited about beginning this new chapter in our lives.
Although we have moved to the High Country, several return trips to Greensboro are on the schedule for the coming months. We didn't get the chance to say our good-byes to everyone, so we'll take these upcoming opportunities to visit with our many friends as well as the orthodontist, pediatrician, hair stylists, etc. while we're in town.
I look forward to sharing our continued adventures with you here on Blue Skies. Look for additional comments on Facebook and Twitter as well.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Something Very Different
In January, I blogged about “The start of something…” with the thought of sharing the news of my new venture with Westminster Presbyterian Church. In case you hadn’t heard, I accepted a part-time position as Assistant Director of Youth. As I was crafting my message about this new adventure in my life, something else was soon to be in the works. It’s ironic that I was set to write about something, and suddenly now I really have something very different to write about.
This something that I now write about is a family relocation to Boone, North Carolina. Carol has accepted a position with Boone Dermatology and I have decided to retire from the public safety profession to support Carol’s career and help out with all the work that goes into moving to a new town and nurturing a family in transition. We are quite excited about all this but at the same time sadden to be moving away from our friends. While this is a wonderful opportunity for us all, it does not come without some angst… leaving old friends behind and making new ones, the logistics of moving (selling and buying a home as well as all of the packing and unpacking, starting a new job, a new school system… the list goes on).
Over the course of the next few months, I will be sharing our progress as we relocate to Boone. Here’s the plan as of today… Carol will be the first to move as she begins her new position in April. I will work through the end of April and then focus on the move as well as wrap up some projects at church. The kids and I will then move as they complete school and church activities. We expect the process to be completed sometime in June, but one never really knows how to anticipate all the variable associated with relocating a family. We welcome your prayers during this time of transition. I will keep you posted with stories and pictures!
This something that I now write about is a family relocation to Boone, North Carolina. Carol has accepted a position with Boone Dermatology and I have decided to retire from the public safety profession to support Carol’s career and help out with all the work that goes into moving to a new town and nurturing a family in transition. We are quite excited about all this but at the same time sadden to be moving away from our friends. While this is a wonderful opportunity for us all, it does not come without some angst… leaving old friends behind and making new ones, the logistics of moving (selling and buying a home as well as all of the packing and unpacking, starting a new job, a new school system… the list goes on).
Over the course of the next few months, I will be sharing our progress as we relocate to Boone. Here’s the plan as of today… Carol will be the first to move as she begins her new position in April. I will work through the end of April and then focus on the move as well as wrap up some projects at church. The kids and I will then move as they complete school and church activities. We expect the process to be completed sometime in June, but one never really knows how to anticipate all the variable associated with relocating a family. We welcome your prayers during this time of transition. I will keep you posted with stories and pictures!
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