On this absolutely perfect fall afternoon, we took two neighbor kids on a hike.

There was so much delight in discovery that Sarah said, “This place is a palace!”

 

Moss carpets the floor of the woods - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Not 100 steps from our home and we were in another world under the canopy of oaks and beeches.

We took them on an incredible adventure… it was if we entered Narnia.

As we left the palace of the pines we entered a mighty swath of dune grasses.

 

Swath of dune grass we hiked though as we went discovering. - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

At 6 and 10 their imaginations were in full force.

“Where are we?” we heard multiple times.  And multiple times we answered.

Not a half hour into our hike, Tim told them we were still in Michigan.  But, if we told them we were in Minnesota or Madagascar, they would have believed us.

Tim hinted that they should be looking for evidence of dragons as we hiked through the tall beach grass.  I’ll let you imagine the discussion that ensued.

We collected pine cones from the soft forest floor covered in a fresh blanket of needles.

 

Moss and Mushrooms and more carpet the forest floor - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

We discovered mushrooms.

 

So many mushrooms as we hiked and delighted in our discovery - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

And more mushrooms.

 

Mushrooms push up through the soft needled forest floor - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

And another variety of mushrooms.

 

Sheer delight in discovery - the joy of hiking with children - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

We ran our fingers over mounds of moss on the forest floor.

 

Pops of moss and mushrooms so fun to see on our hike - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

We saw the tiniest lichens.

And evidence of deer.

 

And then as we came through a pine woods, they exclaimed! Our school!  How did you know it was here?

We swang on the swings, we tested all the playground equipment and heard about recess, and then the 6-year-old excitedly showed us the way home via the paved sidewalks.

But, even there, the discovery didn’t stop.

 

Discovering woolly bears on our day of discovery - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

There were woolly bear caterpillars on our paved path…

 

The delight in discovering woolly bear caterpillars - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

And milkweed pods to blow on…

 

Milkweed pods bursting with fluffy seeds add joy to our delight of discovery - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Honeybees still scurrying to capture the last bits of nectar…

 

And bugs! Who knew we'd discover a new hatch on a late October afternoon hike.  - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

And a new hatch of bugs to be seen.

 

We hiked for an hour and a half and opened innocent eyes to the beauties and intricacies of God’s amazing world.

And we all came home with treasures… pretty leaves… an acorn cap… pine cones… and more.

We were so close to home and yet in another world.

God’s world.

A world He created for us…

For our enjoyment…

A world that shouts His glories…

A world that beckons us to be still…

A world where peace is loud in the forest…

A world where we can just be…

A world of hope…

And joy…

God’s world!

 

Delightful day of discovery on this beautiful fall afternoon - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Who knew that on one beautiful fall afternoon we could enter God’s palace by taking a simple stroll through the canopy of the pines?

He did.

All for His glory…

…and our joy!

 

JoyDay! A day of discovery and delight - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It’s JoyDay!

 

And time to get our joy meters soaring!

Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.  This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.

I’ll start…

Thank you, God…

  1. that Tim starts a part-time job this week!
  2. that another interview has been scheduled.
  3. for a warm fall and a couple of chances to enjoy it.
  4. for sand fences already in place… how hard it is to let go of warm weather.
  5. for hikes through the forests and the dunes and how your creation delights all ages.
  6. for loving friends who pray and listen and care.
  7. that you are are our faithful Lord and provider.

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.  You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.

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Comments

  1. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You God….
    1. for Glorious weather and great weekend!!
    2. for answered prayers for several petitions for friends this week!
    3. for healing of my lower back…
    4. for a job that I love!
    5. a week of work this week for my son, while he pursues several new job opportunities…
    6. for your endless patience with me!
    7. for Godly Friends who encourage and support me in prayers…

    • Oh my friend, you NEEDED a glorious weather weekend. 🙂
      Yay for answered prayers and healing and work for Jordan!!
      Rejoicing with you and trusting with you for God’s amazing grace and goodness to be released in new and fresh ways! {{hugs}}

  2. Gwen says

    Joy Day
    1. An overcast breezy fall day of rest for me after a very busy week
    2. A baby shower that went so well yesterday and was shown kindness too
    3. Acsurgery date set for Curt
    4. Rest
    5. Quiet day with enough food leftover for tomorrow
    6. GdciscmynGod
    7. Thank ful for this sweet story. My eyes took the trip,too just by your explanations…..I felt I’d tagged along!!! Such a blessing

    • Sweet Gwen… I rejoice with you at the goodness of God and His wonderful blessings throughout your week.
      Lifting Curt in prayer for his upcoming surgery.
      I’m so glad you enjoyed “traveling” along with us.
      Sending love and hugs and blessings for a joy-filled week!

  3. Gail says

    You’re a good photographer, you have an artists eye esp. the wooly on pavement photo

    • Gail, you are so kind. Thank you! Capturing nature with my camera is one of my most favorite things to do. 😉
      All the best for a blessed week!

  4. Well done!! What a lovely time you had–and how good you were to share all the treasures with us! We should all have a child’s enthusiasm for experiencing the delights of the season.

    Thanks so much for sharing this at Grace at Home. I’m featuring you this week!

    • Thank you Richella! It really was one of those God-times. The kids have requested we do it again. 😉

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