My thoughts through a camera lens as family opened gifts.
A creation word. Expression. Facial art in a smile, frown or other muscle configuration. Frost, snow, rain, rays of sun on landscapes and filtering through grasses or dense forests. Genesis. “In the beginning God created” it all. Wow…our kids express this…Love, Joy, Peace and sometimes patience is a real thing in this family. I wish I could take the DNA credit. Only God can do that. Evidence in expression.
I put together a slide show of a week of the expressive in my life here in northern Minnesota. I came away feeling blessed with family, beauty and an appreciation for good winter wear. Click on any picture to enlarge. hit the side arrows to advance.































Caught unaware, we and all of creation seems to be expressing the moment. Looking over a couple hundred pictures, I was deeply moved to see the love and laughter, with the banter, our kids and grandkids have for one another. They reflect God’s love and care in everyday expression.
A good start for 2025. I think there are hints of God’s character in natures expressions. I’m hoping there is in mine.
Gary
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good….” Genesis 1:31
Stunning photos, Gary. Wonderful to see a happy and loving family in a house filled with joy.
Happy New Year wishes for a blessed 2025 and all the years to follow. đđź
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Thankyou Nancy. I do feel blessed in an age when so many families are total strangers or at odds. Best wishes to you and your family for 2025 and beyond
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Happy New Year, Gary! Thanks for sharing your joy and love through your pictures!!!
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Thank You Mandy. WE have had postcard weather here. Trees full of frost. Winters wonder. I am hoping to get out more with the camera this winter. You have a great new year.
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Amen and amen. As we contemplate 2025, Rees Howells, the great Welsh intercessor, often reminded believers “The best is yet to be.” May it be so for you and your loved ones.
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Ah yes, Erroll. The hills and valleys we go through to reach the mountain top. When Jesus is our guide it’s so true. He has been there. We cannot out-suffer him or find a way he does not know.
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Thanks Gary. Looks like a great Christmas! Happy New Year to you and yours and may the Lord take a liking to you.
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Thanks RJ. Whenever the sun comes out on a cold day. I’m reminded of Gods Love shining on me
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You’re right, Gary. A loving, happy family can never be over rated and should never be taken for granted. Do have a happy and healthy New Year
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Thanks Malcolm, I pray 2025 is a good year for you as well. Good health will never be overrated in our family.
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Amazing pictures, Gary! When happy families gather, God smiles. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New year to all!
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“God Smiles”…exactly G.W. And when the sun comes out in this cold winter, It will feel like God’s face is shining on us. May God bless and keep you this 2025!
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“…a hint of eternity in expression…” beautiful Gary!
By His grace may your 3025 be filled to overflowing with hints of eternity.
Keep Looking Up ^ . . . His Best is Yet to Come!
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Whoops! 2025 another senior moment đ
We’ll both be celebrating an endless Christmas together with Him come 3025 brother.
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So much truth in a typo Fred…love it. Looking forward to it brother…Thanks.
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Oh,Gary. Such stunning captures of expressions (and love oozing through all of them!). Hint’s of God’s expression. Amen! We are made in his reflection~ through your “lens” we clearly see the goodness in this world~ and the Fultz family! I enjoyed this so much. I’m blessed to be able to “see” your gift to us! By the way, I giggled at some of the gifts and shirts. My family can relate! Happy New Year to all of you. I’m sending prayers, warm wishes, and hugs and love to the Fultz family! â¤ď¸đđť
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So kind Karla…Thanks. Those T-shirts were so funny as they fit the character who will wear them. A diverse but solid bunch. Yep we love one another. I wish every family could have at least some of that.
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Amen, Gary! It’s my blessing to be here!
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Happy New Year Gary. Family together at Christmas sharing joy wonderful pictures. Tania continues to be in my prayers.
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Thanks Matt. Tania participated in gift opening…a huge blessing. We are blessed with togetherness as a family. It matters to us and we do not take it for granted.
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I am glad she could participate in gift opening
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Thanks for letting me “peek through your family’s window” as you celebrated Christmas with them. God has truly blessed you and your loved ones. The images you captured of God’s four-legged creatures were fabulous. Thank you, Gary! Wishing you and your family continued happiness in 2025. God bless you all! đ
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Thank You Nancy. The family didn’t seem to mind me sharing their pictures with those who read my posts. Nature never minds (I assume).
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Wishing you more love, joy, and peace in 2025!
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Thanks…I can use them all. It’s good to know the author wants us to have Love, joy and peace.
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Love these expressions, Gary! The Boys Book of Adventure and squirrel being my favorites amongst so many great pictures!
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Those expressions sure fit their character…a fun exercise…with nature shots too.
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Oh, and don’t I love these photos, and your narrative, Gary! The smiles, joy, love, wonder, surprise shown in the faces. This is family, and what a blessing. Beautiful capturing.
I had to chuckle at the completely covered surfaces in the home. Such is it when family gathers. I know those covered counters and piano tops well, from our own gatherings, and it is a wonderful thing, with food and decorations and treasures.
And good fish! Looks like a bounty gathered in family togetherness.
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Ha, the grandkids still uncover the piano enough to play. There were 14 of us. I only need a bigger house a couple times a year. The little rustic cabin in the woods sure helps. The kids are actually good at fishing through the ice. Most have enough patience. Some even have warm enough boots and mitts (issue for another time).
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đ Merry Christmas & Happy New year to you & yours, Gary.
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Right back at you AJ. May the next year be a great one for you and your family. Here’s to catching some great fish this next year. Maybe it will get cold enough for you to fish through the ice where you are??
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ÂŻ_(ă)_/ÂŻ
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I think I interpreted that correctly, so, yes, you are invited on my next outing….
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Haha, I’ll bring the hot chocolate!
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Great post. Thanks for sharing the special time with family and the beautiful outdoors as well.
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Thanks Wayne. We are blessed with Children and grandchildren (as you are) who live life to the full and so far, follow the Lord. It was a beautiful time together. I should never take that for granted.
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I could feel the festivity through the lens. Something you could always right about.
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Sounds right to me Alan. I do sense more through the lens than just sitting there and taking it in. A Disney type movie could be made about this magic lens bought at a pawn shop, but it still makes me focus.
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Lovely photos! Happy New Year!
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May you have a great 2025 Gail.
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Beautiful pictures and reflections. â¤ď¸
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Thanks. I have watched the expressive progression in our grandchildren over the years as they become their own independent person. That independence allows them another layer of friendship with the rest of us…so cool they choose that intimacy and to see that in their expressions.
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This is awesome Gary!! When I take pics, I go for an “action” shot. Most of these are great natural and true expressive “action” shots. I see real joy, inquisitiveness, contentment, surprise and awe, intelligence, fun, delightedness, and comfortability. I love it!!! đ Thanks for sharing your family with us, and the nature pics!
Yup, God said, “it’s [all] good!” LOL
Happy New Year, buddy!
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Ahh, you warm my heart, Ellie. You caught so much in those pictures. There was so much right and good in our family gathering for a week. Unlike so many families we were sad when it was over.
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Nice! Have a blessed new year.
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Thanks Debi…You have a wonderful new year as well.
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Awesome photos! Happy New Year!
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Thanks and happy new year to you as well Linda. Stay warm in this cold weather
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Love the image gallery, Gary. And Happy New Year, my friend!
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Thanks Mitch. Have a great new year as well. I guess we are sending some cool winter weather your way…enjoy.
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Gary, Your posts are always full of love and wonder. God has prepared you with a good eye and a good heart. All His best in the new year!
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Thanks Jon, and you are an encourager…May 2025 be a great year for your household.
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I have echo what Jon said in his comment. Your pictures always bring a smile with them.
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Thanks Donna. I try to see good things through the lens. The tiny pieces of life in focus says so much of a God who cares about the smallest of details.
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Wonderful photos of your loved ones! You are clearly blessed. đ
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Thanks Anna. It truly was a great family Christmas season for us
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One of your most uplifting posts yet, Gary! I smiled my way through every picture. And those t-shirts made me laugh out loud. Yes, all He made is so beautifully good! Happy New Year to you my brother. Many, many blessings and grace upon grace to you and your precious family. Thank you for sharing His goodness with us.
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You have a great new year as well. We are blessed with grandkids who have a wide range of humor…they love the Lord…deeply blessed
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Praise God for the special love and laughter we enjoy with family. I can see it in each of your photos, Gary. Our younger son and his wife were with us the week after Christmas. We all came down with colds, one after the other, and brought in the New Year with much sneezing, coughing, and blowing! Nonetheless, we found ourselves laughing through it all, and creating another unforgettable memory! Happy belated New Year to you and yours, Gary!
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I’m glad you picked up on that Nancy. We were a week together in a small space. So many families struggle to last beyond a meal. I’m watching God’s expressions to us in Nature here in the woods.
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