"When thou saidst, seek my face; my heart said unto thee, thy face, LORD, will I seek." -Psalm 27:8

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

A day in November with Full Fall Colors and Snow in Yosemite!!

You know, sometimes the Lord just out and out blesses you beyond words.  When my good friend and shooting buddy, Jeremy,  callled me and said, "John, you need to go to Yosemite.  I can't because I am on call, but you need to take a look at what is going on down there." or something to that affect, I listened.  Thank you Jeremy for calling me!!  So, I went down there.  Up at 5am and on my way.  I got at the gate and they said, "You will need to put chains on about two miles down the road."  I thought, "Well,  I have chains and they charge $40 to put them on (I have never put on chains.  I grew up in Michigan, but I always had snow tires or just managed through the Winter) so it is fine.  It was Veterans day weekend so they let me in for free, so I thought,  "I am only going to be out $20."  However, when I got to the chain area I heard the guy that was putting chains on say to the guy across from me, "These aren't the right size."  A chill went up and down my spine.  Sure enough, I looked in the back hatch and I had chains way to big for my little Ford Escort.  (This old beater gets me everywhere I want to go and doesn't miss a beat!  Thank you Jesus!!)  He told the guy, " $90 plus $40 to put it on."  Arrrgggghhhhh.  "Oh well, that is what my credit card is for", I thought.  So I said to the guy behind me and to the side.  "Hey, I will sell you these for $45."  He was game, but they were too big.  I didn't stop there.  To the guy in front and to the side of me.  "Hey, I will sell you these...." .they fit and he did.  He and his wife were from Chicago and had a rental car.  He said, "Thanks buddy, now I can still have lunch.", with a big laugh and a large appreciative smile and handshake.   So, the chain man put on the brand new chains on my car and said, "Ok thtat will be $130."   So,  I took the $40 I had with me, the $45 from selling the other chains and thought, "Well,  $45 more to shoot is well worth it.  Here put it on my card."  And he said, "Sorry buddy, we don't take that credit card"......Arrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!  "Now what?",  I thought.  Well, maybe I will just shoot outside Yosemite or perhaps I will go back to Mariposa and buy them there.  But, what about the light?  All the time I knew it would be  alright because with God in my life I just don't get too excited about things.  He always works it out.  It may not always be smooth for me, but He just gives me that peace that passes all understanding,  but, still, Oh my word!......And then he looked at me and said, "You're ok buddy."  I said what, huh?  He said, "Your'e ok buddy, just pay it forward.", with another big smile and handshake.    All I could think after thanking him was "Thank you for your blessings Jesus."  So, I continued onward and the following photos tell it all.  That was one of the quickest 8 hours in my life.  I couldn't stop shooting.  I beleive it was Michael Frye, Yosemite area photograper, that said it was probably a once in hundred years event.  Snow with full color! God blesses Robin and I, always.  And I am grateful......so grateful...Please enjoy.





P.S. This ones going on my wall, 20X30 on canvas!!