• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

April 15, 2015

The Path

I made him promise to not go too fast.  I made him promise to stay where it was safe.  Not too high (I’m terrified of heights..like pass out and die of fear..afraid of heights) no steep hills, no crazy detours…you get the idea. And he said, “I promise I’ll watch out for you.”  So we headed off.

Out on our four wheeling trip into the desert.

DSC_0151

We rode slowly as I acclimated to riding again.  He rode ahead and watched for cars coming over the hills when we were on roads.

DSC_0751-002

He scanned the horizon for cows and bulls (which get their entertainment from charging four wheelers riding through their grazing areas).

He rode side by side with me when he could have sped ahead, matching my slower speed.  And I felt comfortable and it was so much fun!

“Piece of cake!” I thought. “What was I nervous about?” I silently questioned myself.  It was sunny, the skies were beautiful and the weather was perfect.

We stopped at our destination. The Petroglyphs. No one quite knows how old they are…just that they are old.

DSC_0134

No one knows who left them or exactly why.  They say there was a battle in the valley below.  Was it a burial spot.  A ceremonial structure.  Who left the drawings..what were they like?

DSC_0141

We discussed and pondered.  Sharing our ideas on what had happened at that spot so very long ago. Enjoying our stop along the path.  Talking, visiting, relishing each other’s company.

“Ready to head back?”, he asked.

We followed the path back down.  Then he took a detour.  He headed into the dessert, along a wash.  A twinge of nervousness pricked at me.

DSC_0577-002

Now we could no longer ride side by side.  He had to go ahead to guide us along this narrow path. I sped up not to lose him from my sight.  I had NO IDEA where I was.  None. Nada.  He started to go faster.

The dust began to kick up from the dry desert floor.  I pulled my bandana up over my face.  Up through the wash and across the desert we trekked.  He took us over some hills and around a few sharp curves, the path getting narrower and narrower.

DSC_0586-002

Cactus rose up on each side reaching out to grab our sweatshirts and jeans.  I could feel a moment of panic well up, but also exhilaration at the freedom and vastness of the terrain.  Not a soul in sight, no sign of civilization but the two of us.

DSC_0662-001

I watched his back as I rode behind him. Broad, strong, capable, confident.  “How does he know where he’s going?” the question kept popping up in my head.  “I would be so lost. I AM so lost!” I have no clue where we are, where to go…but he kept on. Riding boldly forward through that vastness.  “I trust him.” I whispered to myself..more than a few times.  “He knows where the path leads, and he loves me and as long as he is with me, I am safe.”

And then…another voice whispered to me..quietly. softly.

“Just like ‘I’ am with YOU.” “Always…” “Through the wide open easy places.” “Through the narrow, rough, dry and scary places.”

“I am always here to guide you, direct you, challenge you, protect you.”

And I relaxed.  I looked up to enjoy the wild, untamed beauty on my journey.

Knowing.

Knowing that my husband loved me more than life itself and would NEVER let anything harm me.

Knowing that my Shepherd and Savior loved me more than life itself…and died for me…and would always be there to comfort, protect and guide me through the wide open smooth paths in life and through the narrow, rough, desolate paths in life.

“And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16

I am his bride.

I am HIS bride.

cross desert1

And they love me. 

signature[7]

12 Comments Filed Under: Devotionals

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Taking Down the Blinds
Next Post: Repurposed Candelabra Flower Planter »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Peg says

    April 15, 2015 at 4:09 AM

    You are fortunate to have that kind of love.
    We are all fortunate to have HIS love.

    : )

    Reply
  2. Rose L. says

    April 15, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    That was beautiful! Poetic!

    Reply
  3. Rosalie says

    April 15, 2015 at 9:30 AM

    That was beautiful Heather. I remember those days of motorcycling behind my love in the Mojave and 4-wheeling in Alaska. The joy, fun, fear, and the beauty of the places we went. Your photos are wonderful. They look like where I live in New Mexico, including the Petroglyphs and the Sandia Mountains!

    Reply
  4. Beverly Cook says

    April 15, 2015 at 10:05 AM

    You touched my heart again with this one, my dear. Going through a very rough patch in life right now. Needed to be reminded and reassured of His love. Thanks once again!

    Reply
  5. Cathy farmer says

    April 15, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    Beautifully said and so thankful that this His promise.

    Reply
  6. Cathy farmer says

    April 15, 2015 at 11:09 AM

    Beautifully said and so thankful that this His promise to all of HIS children. Two beautiful love stories.

    Reply
  7. Becky Mullowney says

    April 15, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    Awesome post, Heather. Thanks!!

    Reply
  8. Susie @ The Chelsea Project Blog says

    April 16, 2015 at 3:55 AM

    Such a sweet story. Great way to start my day. TY for sharing.

    Reply
  9. Cindy Barganier says

    April 16, 2015 at 6:04 AM

    wow. Brave girl and beautiful post. MISS YOU!!!!

    Reply
  10. Carol Reddin says

    April 16, 2015 at 6:36 AM

    Beautifully communicated Heather – both in pictures and words! Love you, Mom

    Reply
  11. Julia says

    April 21, 2015 at 12:35 PM

    Beautiful pictures and a beautiful reminder that HE does love us and that HE does know the way HE is leading us.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 21, 2015 at 7:54 PM

      Thank you Julia!

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Carol Reddin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • Simple Fall Decorating Ideas

    Simple Fall Decorating Ideas
  • Autumn Home Decor Tour

    Autumn Home Decor Tour
  • Apple Bread Pudding

    Apple Bread Pudding
  • Paper Bag Pumpkins

    Paper Bag Pumpkins

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Simple Fall Decorating Ideas September 14, 2023
  • Decorating a Sofa Table May 31, 2023
  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Happy first day of Autumn!! 🍂 Here’s a super Happy first day of Autumn!! 🍂 Here’s a super simple centerpiece that you can make in five minutes (or less) with just a few pumpkins and extra faux greenery. Let’s spend less time decorating and more time enjoying this season. It’s my favorite!! 🧡

#fallcenterpiece #falldecor #centerpiece #fiveminutedecorating
"Define your day", she told me as I held my newbor "Define your day", she told me as I held my newborn son. My mom and I were talking about how blurred my days and nights had become and how easy it would be to just stay in my pajamas 24/7. She encouraged me to make an attempt to put on 'real' clothes in the morning even if they were just nice sweatpants (bonus if they were clean!) and to throw a little bit of makeup on. That simple advice helped chart a course for my years of motherhood that continues today. And recently I began thinking about how critical it is that we not only seek wisdom from those ahead of us in our stage of life but that we are willing to apply it as well.

So, I asked this question on my personal Facebook page; "What is something you feel you've done well to create a peaceful/meaningful home for yourself and your family?" The catch was that the question was geared towards women in the 40+ age range. The responses came flooding in and were so wonderful and insightful. So, I'm going to be starting a new series where I share this wisdom with you and will include the first name of the woman who offered it. 

Today we start with Alison who said "I learned to set my alarm early to get up and moving before my kids woke up. I showered, got dressed and did my devotions while the house was quiet. It set my heart and perspective for each day.”

Is this something you do in your life too? What wisdom would you offer to a mom of young children?

I truly think our culture would greatly benefit from more women in different seasons of life being willing to invest in each other. 🍂

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #motherhood #parentingwisdom
If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a resta If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a restaurant I’m definitely ordering it! It’s one of my all time favorite treats. So I decided to try my hand at making some here at home with a little fall twist and it was SO delicious!! 🍎

Ingredients:

6 slices of day old bread (french, sourdough or even brioche works great)
2 cups of heavy cream
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
For the apples:
3 peeled and chopped apples of a tart variety
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour (or corn starch)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350
Cut bread into cubes and place in a greased 8 1/2 x 11 baking dish
Whisk together in a bowl the eggs, cream, vanilla, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg and then pour it over the bread cubes. In a separate bowl, mix together the apples, brown sugar and flour/corn starch. Pour the apple mixture on top of the bread mixture making sure to spread the apples evenly across every part of the bread mixture.
Bake for 45 minutes. 
Enjoy!

#falldesserts #breadpudding #fallrecipes #desserts
When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after onl When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after only a week of school, you take the opportunity to make Saturday a truly restful day. Pancakes on the griddle, puttering around the yard admiring the way the limelights have begun their autumn journey from white to green to pink. Sprinkling touches of fall around the house a little bit at a time. Savoring the slowness of it all and taking care of my people in this place that provides us all with a respite from the world even if just for a day.

Hope you’re weekend is off to a great start and that you make it a priority to slow down for a bit and soak up the beauty around you. 🍂

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #falldecorating
As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but thin As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but think about how grateful I am for the reminders all around me of God’s Sovereignty over everything including the seasons. It can be challenging in our world today to trust that there isn’t a single thing happening that surprises Him.

In a way, decorating my home to reflect the changing season serves as a tangible reminder of this trust. Even something as simple as seeing a pumpkin on my mantel or a basket of mums on the coffee table fill me with peace because they represent the things that remain constant and true.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #club31women
I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence