giving

I recieved an email from a friend who works here in the northwoods and his words are clear and true, "It is wonderful to be here and to be called to such an amazing place. We are blessed!"
I find myself living these words even in the small moments, as I make the short trek from the office to the staff house or walk the mail out to the end of the lane or spend time thinning the seedlings in the garden. Yesterday I glimpsed a most beautiful thing as i walked one of these paths.

A birch tree, a magnificent vision in its full glory as it grows strong with its silver and green leaves celebrating in the wind inviting me to dance, carries its beauty and glory even into death and decay as it gives back to the soil and nurtures the ones who will sprout and grow after it.
Thank you.