Clarity Cascading

Week Four of NH Stay At Home orders, so I begin with

this special, hand-drawn message from our friend Andrea

who shares her deep feelings of Hope in Christ.

I enjoy how the parachutes that are still attached to

the wand are heart-tipped - I feel her love extended.

As we are strengthened each day with understanding,

research, possibly-diminishing effects of virus,

focusing on the CANs instead of CAN'Ts,

we find that the whisper of HOPE is growing. 

We'll get through this before too long. 

No debate: this is a different landscape than we're used to

and a truly unforgettable time. In fact, it is easy to declare,

"Toto, I don't think were are in Kansas anymore."

(This altered downspout around the corner from

our apartment brightened my day when I noticed it.)

Getting out of the apartment for walks and rambles has become

our "restorative", as will be chronicled more in this post.

On a new walking route through a different neighborhood,

I passed this vehicle parked in a driveway.

It also made me chuckle with accidental introspection:

this may have been the next-best or only available

variation of "WARRIOR". But when I read it silently to myself,

it came out WORRY-ER.  That's me: Princess Worry-er!

My super power!

If I could talk face to face with you, I would ask what you are

finding to be your "comfort" mechanisms. How are you coping?

What helps you settle down, close out the terrors, 

find inner peace to "be still and know"?

My early-in-the-year diet plan is sunk, because this, below,

is my favorite thing right now (even better in my new

Georgetown Pottery 8 oz. ceramic mug), as well as

those lavender bubble baths at the end of the day

(which choice my fingernails rue).

I am glad it is mid-April now, and that sunny days, warmer

weather, and earlier day-dawns help lift my spirits.

This weekend, we took the suggestion of the Sansoucie family

from the Canterbury Ward and made a trip to western

New Hampshire (the Monadnock region) to explore.

(This picture here is 'spoiled' as Vince points to the arrow

to demonstrate for me where the 'eye' dot should be

placed, to make it into a fish!)

The Chesterfield Gorge is a fairly small natural NH State

Park with a trail loop that parallels the cascading of

the Wilde Brook as it tumbles down the gorgeous granite

(I'll talk about NH as 'Granite State' another time)

in the midst of a lovely forest.

Even before reaching the trail head, near the parking lot,

there was plenty to behold. Emerging lawn was carpeted with

last autumn's acorn bounty, and since they look so much

like hazelnuts (among my favorites), I was continually

and instinctively wanting to scoop them up for later

(my inner squirrel). So here begins my recounting of

 the life lessons that our nature ramble helped to "clarify" - 

hence the post title: Lots of "seeds" but not ALL must be 

taken in and nurtured. Choose the better part. 

Let the best find fertile ground.

Here, at the top of the Upper Falls, beauty is already

abundant. And as Andrea also reminded me today,

"There's spiritual food everywhere you look."

Rocky substrate keeps the water flowing on top,

and the splashing creates wonderful music and

sparkly dazzle in the sunlight.

It was soul-filling to simply sit awhile in the sunshine

on a bench provided by the NH Park Service, and watch

the water and listen. (It is verified emotional therapy.)

Working our way down hill and across a bridge,

we discovered vista after vista of beauty as

the water tumbled. Near the top, at a more level spot,

I found myself in the mood to 'warn' the brook that

even though not apparent, a quickening and

dramatic cascade lay ahead, just around the bend.

The plunge was steep. All along, the damage from

passing winter freeze/thaw and strong winds was

evident as the forest giants had 'failed', become broken

and tumbled into the chasm. 

 Here is one of the steepest and most beautiful portions.

Lots of force as the water falls - and that was why

we had come and why we were entranced!

Our journey was assisted (and lamps filled) as

we took advantage of steps and bridges

and protective fences placed or built by others,

to make the journey more accessible and safe.

Even the ever-reaching root systems rambling

across the surface provided stepping features

that assisted us wanderers to return to the top.

Now vigilant for lessons, I stepped across this seep

making its way downhill toward the main brook.

Here it crossed a fairly level and broad forest gap,

but because the 'path of least resistance' had been

struck previously, the trickle could not now find

any easier meander.

 Our route was not treacherous, but still comfortable

to have the "trail this way" markers there, just in case.

NOTE: there is a rubber slip-on cleat overshoe hanging

on the off-side, picked up after it had been misplaced,

I assume. Does that mean someone had them to use

but decided on this trail at this time of year

they didn't need the improved traction?

 I am always amazed at the tiny seeds from which

these giants grow! Here, Vince holds a few miniature "cones"

evidently dropped from the huge Canadian hemlocks.

 As I watch my footing with my head down

(unlike Vince who is scanning forward for promising pools

in the brook where the fish most likely would be)

I always find surprises. Here, the polished raised design

of the root on the path has the appearance of veins, 

as though this was animal and not vegetable, with 

furry arm reaching deep to hold its place.

 Our final picture from the forest walk is of this cut stump,

photographed by Vince. Amazingly colorful, it made

him think of a renaissance world map.

God's creations are a wonder, even on the inside!

 Two final items that added oil drops to our lamps

this week. Here is a shot of the fleet of mission vehicles 

"in storage" following recent significant departures. 
Poor Elder Warner has worked so hard over the past 

nine months to reduce total vehicles count to match 

what 'headquarters' says we are allowed, based on 

the number of missionaries in our 'complement'.

Then, suddenly, we have ELEVEN surplus (this makes for

convenience and independence for Pres. and Sister Beck,

and for us as well, when we have 'spare' cars to drive).

Another uptick: Vince was just apprised that we will

be receiving 26 new or replacement vehicles in late May

or early June. Translation: new missionaries will be

coming at about that time, too. (Keeping fingers crossed -

Church headquarters believes things will get more normal.)

Second, I understand the regular morning time that 

the pair of cardinals visit the feeder. Left is the female,

right is the male. Because they are feeding this time

together, they were forced into positions where

I could see them better than usual. Always a boost!

As we drove back from Chesterfield, the horizon

offered us a greeting from giant turbine-driving windmills.

Made me think of my view from home in Lehi, Utah!

Our lamps are filled with love, lessons,

warm weather and sunshine, buoyant messages

from missionaries and friends.

Hope you are finding encouragement in small 

but significant things, too. Take care!