Gathering Gratitude on the Missouri River ~

So we take our little mini-road trips to get out and take in the season.  All I need say to my husband is,  “Let’s GO ~ it’s sooo beautiful out there!”  He agrees!  “Okay – let’s get goin’, then!”  And I am so grateful!  So, so, blessed, to share this ~ “all of this” life with him.

He’s a back roads kinda guy, and I love that too, so we meander those lesser known back roads.  He drives, while I take in the color, the light, the shadows… the beauty of God’s creation… and wonder…

and consider… and say “Let’s stop here!”  I say.  And we go exploring… even if just for a minute or two {or three!} and we take it all in. The spot above is known as Pelican’s Point on the Missouri River, as we headed west into the Big Belt Mountains.  We breathe in the musty, damp, swampy smell of the grasses and mud.  We smell a hint of the forest fires in the air… and listen.  Soon, there is the sparkling, happy splashes of trout jumping in the water.  It’s a pleasant sound, and we wait for more…

The grasses on the river bank were well over 6 feet high in this area.  I just loved the stripey colors, and the wonderful textures…

The river was certainly “showin’ off” for us this autumn day, even though it was slightly overcast, and then of course, we still have the forest fires and the smoke.

Another delightful show stops us in our tracks! 

And I can see that a plentiful harvest was made in the fields here…

And I am grateful for this change in the season.  Grateful to see there is always “more” than meets the eye.  

And I understand better, that is impossible to take  in ALL the grandeur. 

I gaze ~ and stand amazed.  

Lord, you are God, alone.  

Beautiful  Isn’t He?

You are!  

I stand in Awe.

And I give thanks as I gather in gratitude.  Amen.