This is to be a post of pictures. :) Photographs have long been revered as one of my most loved things on earth, and it's time I shared a few of my favorites with all of you here.

First and foremost, here is our lovely tree. (Unfortunately, such beauty comes at a great price. This tree bears a heavy blame in my "state of crutches" right now. :) It's a really long story, but I'll be sure to tell you later.) Each of the limbs hold ornaments...each of the ornaments hold dear memories...each of the memories hold a portion of my heart. All this to say, I love my tree because it reminds me of all I most love. :)

This photo is one that was snapped of me tonight. Of course, it was one of those "on the whim" moments, but somehow, it called to mind one of those old songs I so love, "All is Well." I don't quite know why, but it seemed veiled in echoes of peace and quiet rest. I thought, perhaps, it would bring some tenderness to this cold, December night. :)

This little ladybug looked a bit vulnerable when it landed on my shoulder a few weeks ago. I figured I'd carry it around for a bit, before letting it fly off to the great unbounded fields surrounding my much-loved town. (In case I've never mentioned it before, I love ladybugs...especially yellow ones.) :) I was glad to have the company of a friend, for a little while.

This was the view from my sweet grandmother's front porch, last Friday evening. Is it any wonder that the Tyler farm is one of the dearest places in which I find sanctuary? I spend most of my life running--figuratively when not literally--and the moments when I can simply "Be still and know that He is God" are growing increasingly more precious, with each day I live. This was one of those moments, gazing on His creation in wonderment and knowing that, among all this, He still has a place in His heart for me...

For the truly strong of heart, I'm also including a link to the photos with which I returned from my journeys in Scotland and Ireland. You should all feel very honored; I went through over 1700 pictures from the trip and gathered only my very favorites for each of you, a mere 330 photographs. :) Needless to say, if you have a few moments to glean through the thumbnails, I'm sure you'll find some lovely pictures in the web album. I'm still in awe of so many things I found during my sojourning there. I hope you'll enjoy...

http://picasaweb.google.com/For.the.sake.of.the.call/AmySTripFavorites

God be with you all! Much love...