When the Valley of Tears is Filled with Sunshine!

Two of my grandsons came this morning for a hike in our local state park. Our plan was to put my husband's scooter in the car and go up to the Skyline Drive's Limberlost Trail. Unfortunately, Larry was feeling sick, so we stayed close to home in case I was needed. Seven Bends State Park is only ten minutes away so we packed our walking sticks and headed out.

I didn't really plan on a five-miler, but the original plan was stymied by a closed trailhead so we headed up on what ended up being a long circuit hike on four different trails. But what a glorious day to enjoy the Autumn filled with the wonder of God's creation! It reminded me of the morning prayer I began after retreat this year. Father suggested we praise and thank God for four things:

Guest Post: A Walk in the Woods with John Denver by Lise Baur

I took a walk in the woods recently on a rainy but warm day, one of those bad days, (Aren’t we all having them cooped up in our homes for months?) I took my dog, Chessie, a sweet chocolate lab and we headed out to Wheaton Park in Silver Spring, MD.

We have our favorite loop, about three miles. As I started out, I didn't feel like being in the rain, but then my eyes caught the bright Spring green of new leaves on the trees. Beautiful and serene, it lifted my spirits. The only sound was the rain rushing through the leaves to the ground. I suddenly thought of Annie’s Song by John Denver. I took out my phone, found the song online, and listened. I couldn’t help but sing out loud, maybe a little too loud, but heck, I was the only one there!