Monday, October 8, 2012

Spend Time Outdoors

 I don't participate in the Blog Cruise nearly as often as I want or should! I simply couldn't pass up the topic this week: Exploring the Great Outdoors.

In case I haven't said it before (big wink), I love nature, and spending time in nature. This is one thing I have always desired to pass on to my children...and, for the most part, I think I have succeeded!

Sadly, I don't spend nearly as much time outdoors as I used to, nor as much as I wish I could. I do enjoy watching through my window, the birds at the feeder. Or, often, I will take my camera out and photograph the flowers or trees around our yard, or sky above our home.

Why do I enjoy observing nature so much? Well, these passages are special to me, and explain well:

...Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow... Matthew 6:28.

Go to the ant...consider her ways, and be wise... Proverbs 6:6.

Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator’s love.

“God is love” is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green—all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy.~Steps to Christ, by E.G. White.

I shared some quotes yesterday, too, about how observing nature is such an integral part of true education.

Charlotte Mason also recommended nature study as part of children's education.

I'd really like to incorporate nature journaling in to our homeschool days. We've attempted it in the past, and just seem to never "fit it in." If you have some ideas or suggestions, I'd be grateful to hear them! Please post them in the comments below. Thanks!

One of my favorite things to do while I am out in nature, besides photography, used to be writing poetry. I've shared a few of my poems on my blog....and would like to share more, some day. If you click on the label, "Word Vignettes" you'll find a few.

Be sure to read how other Crew members are Exploring the Great Outdoors. (Link goes live Tuesday, October 9) Pin It Now!

3 comments:

  1. I don't go outside as much as I should or would like to, but like you, I have bird feeders and a bird bath right outside my window so I can feel close to the outdoors. ;-)

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  2. Isn't it amazing how it happens we get outside less as we get older? Well, that seems to be the case with me. Used to be a little tan girl when I was younger- now I'm pale, pale, pale; no sun for me ;) I also love to look out the window. I think we can enjoy the outdoors without necessarily being in it, sometimes. As for nature journaling, nature study in general, I've had to schedule it in and just DO it sometimes. It is oft neglected in our house. We've done okay though.
    Love your idea and sharing writing poems while outdoors. Lots of great inspiration and the atmosphere is right for that in the outdoors :) (I don't write poetry but if I did, I think nature would be a great avenue for it.)

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  3. I love those passages and man oh man is the outside time I spend so relaxing. Nothing helps me have more peace than to simply sit on my porch and read for a while... XOXO

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