Beautiful Creation

Waking up at 4 in the morning isn't so hard when your office is the outdoors. I've lately been doing a lot at a location along the Illinois River and it is so beautiful and pristine. The wetland surveys are over now and we have begun looking to the trees for identification surveys as well as prairie burn assessments. 

Me hugging a huge oak tree

I am truly blessed to work in such a beautiful place. Illinois isn't all corn fields like most folks assume; We have a few hidden gems. I'm having a great time exploring them and appreciating the landscape. 

A wetland pool we surveyed

Of course there are days that are not as much fun as others, but for the most part by looking at all the good in each day and the positive aspects of life, like I am just thrilled beyond words to be outside adventuring and learning for my job. Yes it's muddy, I get ticks and mosquito bites more than I ever had in my life, it's sweaty and hot but you know what, I LOVE it. I  don't even care about all that. I see the sunlight shining through tree leaves and the contrast of the river and shore and I have no other feeling than gratefulness and pure happiness. 

View of the Illinois River in early morning

A lot to my internship is land related with a lot of invasive removal to keep lands like this the way they ought to be. It's not the most fun thing to do obviously but it reminds me that God gave us this beautiful world to live in and take care of. We don't have too many untouched places left and we have to do our part to keep what we have around. 

Prairie location 

My Bible verse for this one is, "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:7-10. I love it, think on it, it's pure poetry. 

💜Nichole