When a big change is coming, I find myself thinking and planning for the future. I think about minute details. For example, I have actually thought about how I will get my laundry done and where I will do my grocery shopping when I move to the big city this fall for school. I think to some degree, this is healthy, a natural part of mentally preparing, but at some point it becomes living in the future and I am actually living right now, so I must find a balance. Today I was reading At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon. I chose it because my grandma used to read this series and I've been missing her a bit. As I was reading I came across this snippet of a Wordsworth poem that put my mind at ease about preparing for professional school.

The sun, above the mountain's head, A freshening lustre mellow
Through all the long green fields has spread
His first sweet evening yellow.
Books! 'tis a dull and endless strife: Come, hear the woodland linnet
How sweet his music! on my life, there's more of wisdom in it.

Sweet is the lore which Nature brings
our meddling intellect/mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things
we murder to dissect.

Enough of Science and of Art
Close up those barren leaves
come forth, and bring with you a heart
that watches and receives.

This proverb brings even more clarity to the dilemma of enjoying life and taking on the task of an intense program of study.

For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair- every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you.
Proverbs 2:6-11

The fact is I could spend days studying a subject and have little understanding of it. However, true depth of insight and wisdom is a gift from the Lord. So as Wordsworth stated in speaking of creation, "there's more of wisdom in it." Spending time in creation brings perspective that lends itself to a deeper understanding of the subject at hand.

If this post isn't clear to you, I hope that you simply enjoy the photos from our backyard garden.

According to dictionary.com the word design has 17 meanings. I was thinking about the second definition today.

2. to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully.

I have a very humble friend who is quite the designer. Her friendship has made me appreciate the design process more in the past year. I have a slightly deeper understanding of the consideration and heart that goes into creating a good piece or project. Of course there is such a thing as bad design, but truly good design takes an incredible amount of focus and skill to create. I feel childish even speaking to this field at all because I still have a very limited perspective.

Here are some interesting examples of design I've seen. My friend, Linsey, snapped some of these shots although I was a witness to the taking.





Each of these shots have an effect of some sort. They make me think of various memories or films I've seen. One may inspire me while the same may have little influence on you.

The thing that I notice from looking at these pictures is that the photos of nature have a sort of warmth about them. Perhaps it is simply the color choice, but I notice this all throughout life. Things in their purest form somehow remind me to hope. Maybe this sounds crazy, but I find that a fresh tomato helps me believe that good really can continually come from the earth even in light of the present evils we face. The big Texas sky allows me to breath deeply even when I'm walking down a bustling crowded street. Lichens on a rock remind me that my God is a phenomenal designer. The pattern and color combination somehow moves me to hope. Isn't that the essence of art? And at the same time, God somehow manages to make His designs weatherproof. I've never seen any of Da Vinci's work out in the rain. Have you?