Wednesday, September 3, 2014

There's A Storm Coming....


 This storm moved fast... the clouds were amazing, the colors were vibrant and the sky kept changing.
When big storms threaten, we need to figure out what to do... we need to evaluate how big it will be... we need to be prepared.
 We were working outside and noticed the clouds... they were beautiful, so I started to take pictures. We started watching the clouds and noticed they were moving really fast and the clouds changed quickly. It was beautiful.
My kids had been cooped up for many days with some sickness and they still had coughs, but this was an exciting reason to get OUT of the house! What a beautiful sunset....

 We left my husband working on the deck and the kids and I left in the vehicle to go where we could see the sky better... the kids were pretty excited... they seemed to feel like they had been set FREE. :) 


 We drove a ways to where there was more of the sky visible, away from so many houses, so that we could get better pictures. Just in the time we drove, the sky continued to change quickly....

 The sky was amazingly beautiful.





It was also looked a bit threatening...
the winds were picking up and the temperature was cooling.... a set up for a big storm...

 The top of the sky seemed to cap over the area.... The clouds looked like they were boiling...

Though beautiful, such clouds can signal bad storms... and sometimes here in the Midwest, storms blow up and strike with a vengence.
 We watched carefully as the sky continually changed since it was so exciting to watch...

We like watching the weather... after all we live in the Midwest where tornadoes and big thunderstorms happen. It makes for great Science study also. :)
 The colors had an odd quality to them... there was a glow and the colors were so intense... in the sky and on the ground. It was so wonderful to see.

After it got a bit lighter, then it got darker again... like I said, it was strange...
The winds were blowing a lot... changing between warm and hot.. and refreshingly cool, then we would feel the warm air again, so it was obviously mixing.

It made me think of the word blustery.....

As you look at the pictures, you can see some of the changes in the sky.... it was challenging to look in all directions for the changes... including over top of us. It was really quite a sight.
















You can see that the pink/red color is diminishing and the light was fading also.

The colorful sky has changed... not much color left, but it was still interesting.
See the parallel lines in the clouds? This system was interesting because it contained various types of cloud formations.... and we had studied those last year in school. :)
This looked a bit ominous over the house.... no that is not our house. :)

By the way, if things would have turned dangerous.... we would have either hightailed it home... or taken cover in a ditch if necessary. We enjoy watching storms, but we are careful with them also. It is foolish not to have a respect for what the weather can do.... so please don't think I was taking chances with my kids.



By the time we got home, it was dark... really dark... and we weren't gone terribly long. We had to turn on lights... it had been light enough for no lights when we left. We were all geared up for a big storm... expecting to sleep with thunderstorms throughout the night. That little bit of excitement was there with the danger of the impending storm.

The kids were quite disappointed the next morning that the storms had moved on around us... and they felt "cheated".  :)  Now, they wouldn't want to have severe storms that cause great damage, but there is something majestic about a storm... where the winds and sky seem uncontrolled and yet we know the One who calms the storm.

We carefully watched the storm... and the next time one comes, we will also watch. We will take pictures of the beauty and we will take note of what weather is expected... the wind, rainfall, flooding, tornado, thunderstorm alerts. We will do what needs to be done... like we will put the cover over the solar panel on the shed when the sky turns green or when hail is expected. We will be ready..... but we will also trust God to take us through the storm. We will not allow our amazement of the weather lead us to foolishly take chances with it. We will also work to not live in fear of it. 

This storm had some qualities about it that we have seen before when very bad and dangerous storms came that spawned tornadoes.... but this one went around us. What if we had lived in fear and been trembling over it.... only to have it not even happen? We would have wasted the opportunity to see the amazing beauty of the storm around us.... God created the winds, clouds, light, rain, color and more. He sure put on quite a show the night I took these pictures... and I am so thankful we were able to see it. How nice of Him to show us all of that wild beauty... even when the storm was headed somewhere else.

What about when storms of life come? We know they will come....and they will come many times. Life is like that. When we see a "storm" threatening, whether it be a health crisis, a problem with a family member, money issues, or anything else.... we need to watch carefully. The enemy loves to use such times to lead us into fear, doubt, anger and more..... we need to be vigilant.... but God tells us not to fear. That can be so hard and sometimes it feels impossible.  No, we shouldn't be foolish in the way we treat such storms... but we should allow the fear or other emotions to drive us closer to God.... and to trust Him. 



Another post with cloud pictures:
Look at the Clouds!









95 comments:

  1. The pictures are just beautiful. I live in Oklahoma and we love to watch the sky when it storms too.

    Thanks for sharing at Green Thumb Thursday

    Hugs,

    Valerie
    Cottage Making Mommy
    www.lovingmyheartandhome.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you.... the sky IS amazing in the midwest.... and other parts of the country/world... . Thank you for visiting and for the link up. :)

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  2. Those pictures are amazing! The sky is gorgeous where you live. :-)
    I really loved this post. Keep up the good work!
    ~Katie@ liliesofgrace.blogspot.com
    Have a blessed day!

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    1. Thank you - it was amazing..... Thank you for visiting. :)

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  3. Oh, I think I was sent over here to read your message! Today...my van stopped working after a day of stalling out. As a single parent, I count on that van. A LOT. I don't have family around to help, and only a few friends that work full-time. Not only has it been inconvenient, but my worry about finances and yet another repair this year has got me SOOO anxious and fearful of using more of my dwindling savings. I'm having a hard time TRUSTING today. I have enjoyed reading your message and seeing your beautiful photos!

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    1. Wow, that is a lot to have to deal with and I can imagine that trust comes hard w/ such a day..... but God never changes even when our circumstances do..... I am so glad you visited and I hope things are going better.... :)

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  4. It's amazing that such beauty can accompany a storm.
    Sometimes that happens during the storms of life, too. Beautiful things (personal growth, bonding with family, increasing faith, etc.) can come with the storms.

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    1. You are so right..... I am glad you visited.... thank you for commenting. :)

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  5. Wow what stunning photos! You captured the mood perfectly!

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    1. Thank you... it was so amazing to be out in it. :)

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  6. I love your sky photos ( and the lesson in it).

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    1. Thank you.... I am glad you stopped by and encouraged me. :)

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  7. Incredible pictures! ...and a great lesson on the storms of life. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you.... God can use anything to teach us and I am glad He shows us such lessons. :)

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  8. Awesome pictures! I love the feel In the air before a storm!

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    1. I do too! It is exciting and invigorating. Thank you for visiting. :)

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  9. Spectacular photos!
    Wishing you a beautiful day with no storm in sight,
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  10. How fascinating to see the progression and changes through your beautiful photography! Visiting from Thriving Thursdays.

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    1. It was pretty amazing! Thank you for stopping by and commenting. :)

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  11. Absolutely gorgeous photos & application! So glad you were mentioned at Faith Along the Way!

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    1. Thank you so much.... and thank you also for the heads up that this post was mentioned. I really appreciate it. :)

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  12. Those pictures are amazing!
    Thank you for linking them up at WYWW!

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    1. Thank you so much... it was an awesome sky that night. :)

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  13. Your photos are lovely even with the threat of a storm. We need rain here in California and are expecting some showers. I told Robert, perhaps we will have a gusher. He said, "I hope not because a gusher washes dirt away too quickly - just a slow steady rain over a long period of time is what we need." Thank you for sharing your inspiring post with us here at “Tell Me a Story."

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    1. I hope you get rain... we have been in a drought for about 3 years here in the midwest, so it has been nice to be getting more rain. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  14. Love these shots!!! The sky before and after a storm are magnificent. Thanks for sharing with What You Wish Wednesday. Please link-up again tomorrow.

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    1. Yes, the sky is beautiful before and after a storm... thank you for visiting and for the encouraging comment. Thank you also for the great link up party. :)

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  15. WOW!! As usual, the photos were very well fitting into the action of the time. I'm pleased. AND I'm a "cloudy" person, all day, all night, everywhere. Thank you.

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  16. Gorgeous photos!!!! Thanks so much for sharing them with us! I saw your post over at The Dedicated House's blog party. I am an Auburn fan...when there is an orange and blue sunset on gameday, we usually win. Auburn fans would LOVE those photos.

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  17. The photos are lovely, thank you so much for sharing your view of the sky!


    Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!

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  18. I really love the ones with pink..but that last one is crazy...hope no damage came to you.

    Thanks so much for linking up at Teach Me Tuesday last week. You are very much appreciated. Hope to see you again this week. Starts tonight at 8PM CST.

    Have a great week!!

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  19. The sky looks amazing, great captures!

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  20. The sky looks amazing, beautiful pictures :)

    Thanks for sharing #Wednesdaybloghop

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  21. Fire in the sky!
    Great shots.
    Please come link up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/06/nesting.html

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    1. It did look like fire in the sky... and it changed so fast... there was an ominous effect to the clouds as they took over the sky....

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  22. Hi, I am visiting from NC Sue's Wordless Wednesday.. Lovely sky images. I love to watch a storm roll in. Great captures. Enjoy your day!

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    1. Welcome... nice to see you. :) Thank you...... I do love to watch a storm come in also... what a awesome sight it is to behold the power there. :)

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  23. I LOVE weather! Thank you so much for sharing your awesome pictures! Storms excite me too. And the colors in this one were spectacular! God is so powerful and so great to give us an appreciation of the power of nature.

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    1. It is an amazing study to watch the weather... very interesting. Thank you for visiting and for you kind comment... it was a beautiful... and ominous storm. Truly amazing. :)

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  24. wow wow wow!!!!! everything is amazing, the storm obviously God´s work and your pictures really really good!!!

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    1. Thank you... it was an amazing storm and I loved that we were able to witness the beauty of it... and to get those photos. :) What a blessing.

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  25. Dramatic, colorful and beautiful!

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    1. It was such an awe-inspiring sight... and yes, very dramatic.... the colors were intense and beautiful. :)

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  26. Obviously, these could all be shared on Skywatch Friday. Very nice set of images.

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    1. What a nice comment... thank you... it was an amazing storm. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  27. He sure does... the more I see of nature and study it, the more I find my heart praising God for His creation... Thank you for visiting. :)

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  28. Wow...what stunning photos! I would have been right there with you...more interested in taking photos than anything else. What a capture!!

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    1. Thank you... it was amazing.. and what a blessing to see it... as you probably know, the sky only stays so intense for minutes or even seconds.. and it constantly changes. All of the views are beautiful, but it is so easy to miss some while they change so fast. :)

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  29. Wow those are some amazing pictures of the storms coming through, very powerful!

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    1. I often watch storms... and I see a lot of them, but not many are as spectacular as that one was. :)

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  30. Such beautiful pictures! You capture so many great thinks through photo!

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    1. Thank you... I do take enough pictures, that's for sure. :) My family laughs at me as I am snapping pictures so often... now most of my kids are also. :)

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  31. Amen! What a precious post! I was so blessed to read your words and was also greatly encouraged.

    Your photos are stunning - my, what a beautiful sunset. Thank you for sharing your loveliness with Roses of Inspiration. Enjoy your day!

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    1. Thank you... so many ways God blesses us... with beautiful scenes and lovely thoughts... and cautions... and more. Thank you for visiting. :)

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  32. I would have watched and taken pictures too of such a fascinating and beautiful sight! Love your analogy with the storms of life.

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    1. It was thrilling to be out there w/ my kids... the winds were whipping our hair around... the winds felt HOT, then cold, then warm... so many changes so fast... there was such a wildness to the weather.. and I am glad we were able to experience it. :)

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  33. Wow, these photographs are incredible! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend?!

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    1. Thank you.... what a blessing to be there to capture them. :)

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  34. Beautiful pictures! Glad you posted on Sat. Soiree & Social Media Share

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    1. Thank you... I do enjoy taking such pictures. :)

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  35. Your photos are amazing! I'm always awed by the beauty He provides us!

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    1. He does provide such stunning views... I am so glad He allowed me to see and capture these. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  36. What a lovely post and I love how you connected it to a message about God's faithfulness in the storms of life. Your blog posts are so creative and you inspire me to be better at writing mine. Thanks for linking up at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home!

    Jennifer

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    1. What a sweet and kind comment! Thank you... I am so glad you visited.. and I am enjoying your blog party also. :)

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  37. Beautiful post! I've just found your blog from "My Flagstaff Home" blog hop and what a treat! Your photography of those clouds is stunning and your message reminding us to stay close to God when we weather life's storms is timely.

    We had storms this past weekend and actually had a tornado. Our little town had quite a bit of damage but luckily no one was injured. It reminded us all that things can change in an instant.

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    1. You are so right... things can change so quickly... I am also reminded of something I recently told my son... problems will either draw us closer to the Lord or further away from Him.... and that depends on the state of our heart. It is so important to walk close to the Lord and trust Him... not easy, but so important.

      I am glad no one was injured and I hope the damage is dealt with quickly... what a frightening thing a tornado is. Thank you for visiting and for your sweet comment. I enjoyed "meeting" you. :)

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  38. Amazing post with incredible pictures and inspiring commentary. Glad I found you from Foodie Friday and Everything else and that you visited me. I can see we have a lot in common.

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    1. Thank you... what a nice comment. :) I am so glad you stopped in to visit and I look forward to getting to hearing from you in the future. :) By the way, I sure enjoy Foodie Friday and Everything else!

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  39. It really was... and we sure loved watching them. :) It didn't last long, but it was amazing!

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  40. Thank you for this post and the photos! It can be so hard to not have fear during trials but I know we are supposed to trust God always! Thank you for this great reminder and linking up at the Friday at the Fire Station link-up.
    Jen

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    1. You're welcome... fear can come so quickly. What a blessing that God is stronger than anything and is able to carry us through.

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  41. What beautiful pictures! I love when the sky seems to be on fire. Thanks for sharing with the Homestead Blog Hop! Hope to see you again next Wednesday.

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    1. Thank you... yes, it did seem like the sky just glowed with a the colors... Being out in it with the kids, seeing the sky changing, feeling the strong stormy winds, was quite an experience. :)

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  42. So nice to meet you at Wednesday AIM Link Up. Your photography is stunning!

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    1. Nice to meet you also... and thank you so much. :)

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  43. Thanks from Grammy Dee, #WednesdayAIMLinkParty, social media shared.

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  44. Wow - gorgeous shots of the storm!

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    1. Thank you... it was such a beautiful storm! :)

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  45. What wonderful skies! I love that you paralleled the weather with the storms of life. How often do we complain during the "storms" in our lives and how often do we display gratitude. The storms are so often the times we grow the most.

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    1. They are the times where we grow, but when we are in them, it is hard to see anything good about them. Thank you for your great comment. I hope you have a wonderful week. :)

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  46. Those colors are just AMAZING! Keep safe on the Storm!

    Steve

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    1. Thank you... it was one of the brightest colored storms I have seen and we sure enjoyed watching it. :)

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  47. wonderful development in photos. amazing images!

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    1. Thank you... I have often wished that I would have taken MORE pictures of that storm, but in reality... with driving and then getting on-site and accounting for the speed of the changes in the storm, I probably got as many as it was possible to get. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  48. I love all these sky shots! Beautiful colors in your skies.

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    1. Thank you... I love watching the sky... this one was extreme with the coloring and we sure enjoyed it. Thank you for visiting.

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  49. Replies
    1. Thank you... I was so glad to be able to capture the images. :)

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