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After I retired in 2001 from 31 years of teaching, I bought my first digital camera in order to capture on a daily basis God’s glory in the amazing beauty I was witnessing in my flower gardens. About that same time I started journaling snippets about my renewed faith journey, my garden, and the things I was observing in the natural world. Eventually I bought a bigger, better digital camera and began putting my photos and written musings together so I could share them with friends and family via email. Then last October with their encouragement under my belt, I took another step and launched this blog.  However, only a few weeks after I started my blog, I had a stroke, and to save my life a surgeon had to remove two clots from by brain. As a result I am now not only still alive, but the Lord guided his hands so that the artery walls were not damaged during the procedure. The Lord then blessed me even further because I have no residual physical or mental deficiencies from the stroke or the surgery.   So it was that after a brief period, I was able to begin writing on my blog again. Now even though there are days when I ponder whether anyone really wants to see my photos and/or read what I have to say, I keep posting entries because I want to bless Jesus in every way I can for His miraculous mercy and the new life He has granted me. It is my prayer that my photos and words serve and glorify Him and bless in some way all who see and read them.  Natalie

184 thoughts on “About”

  1. Pingback: About | Sacred Touches

  6. I was led to your blog by your beautiful comment on the heart-wrenching post about dearest Peanut … what a precious testimony you give to the Lord’s wonderful grace and mercy. All glory to God.

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    • Thank you, Carolyn. My daughter calls me her walking, talking miracle and I feel so very blessed that He would have saved me. Now all I need to do is figure out how best I can serve our sweet Jesus. Love, Natalie 🙂

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  12. I have carefully read your About post and I have to admit that ” His Power ” guided me to come upon your sublime blog,dear Natalie !!! I do like your divine attitude and I join you to glorify Him for His Power all over the Universe !!!
    All the very best, Doda ♥

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    • Doda, I’m just now seeing this comment on my about page. I’m so sorry that I missed it before. I thank the Lord that His power guided you here so that we can glorify Him “all over the universe together.” Hugs, Natalie 🙂

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  14. Natalie,
    You are a new friend but I just wanted to come over and let you know how much you have blessed me. I somehow missed your story and it is amazing. I am always very intriqued by the “Abouts” of people who touch me and I think that perhaps God leads me to their doors at the exact times when I need to go there! I just went and saw the movie God’s Not Dead…. Being a retired teacher, I think you might find it a great movie, if you like to go to movies. Anyway… That is not why I stopped over here… just did’t know you were a teacher! I think that makes you even more special because I have felt you teaching me since we met! Thank you for slipping into my life! You have made a difference. Your words and pictures are epic!
    Love,
    Diane
    aka
    di

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    • Thank you. The Lord has indeed been very good to me, and there was a time long ago that I walked away and turned my back on Him. But He never left me and I’m so glad to be back in His keeping that I try to make everything that I post a tribute to Him and His amazing grace and goodness. Thanks again for coming to visit me. I’ve gotten behind on my emails and comments today, but I will visit your blog tomorrow. Hugs, Natalie 🙂

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  17. Thank you so much! I appreciate you’re thinking of me and for the honor. But at this time my blog is an award free site. What I post is in praise of the glory of the Lord, not mine. Blessings and hugs for the kind thought.
    Natalie 🙂

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      • I certainly understand , Natalie . I have struggled with whether to accept them or not . but as a teacher I do like to encourage other bloggers. Thanks for letting me know. Blessings to you , Anne

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  20. Wow! Yes Yes Yes….please continue to post and make us all happy with the beauty you bestow and with your faith. I am a believer and I am so happy I landed here!! Blessitude 🙂 Lorrie

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  24. Renewal of Faith is a beautiful miracle, whatever the circumstances which led to it–I’ve just come through a dark time, and am full of His JOY again (and have a new blog, if you’re interested–no obligation!). God bless you abundantly with His Grace and continued well-being.

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  25. Hi Natalie–I need to tell you that I’ve followed you, but have vision issues that make reading blogs with white/colored text on black background nearly impossible. I didn’t want you to think I wasn’t interested in what you share. God bless you.

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  26. This is so inspiring. I got a bad case of pneumonia and it turned into ARDS. I actually flat lined on the table, crossed to the other side, spent 11 days in a coma and came back pretty much unharmed. I had to rework my atrophied muscles and get my brain caught up, but, hey… it could’ve been worse! I’m giving you a follow and I’m so glad you are sharing and that I crossed your path!

    P.S. My fourth and youngest daughter is named Natalie. 😉

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    • First of all, thank you, Lisa for choosing to follow my blog. I’m looking forward to getting to know you through your posts. Wow, you really did put through the ringer, much more so that I did with my stroke.
      Bless your heart, I’m so glad you recovered from such an ordeal. I hope your daughter enjoys her name and much as I do having Natalie as my name. I’m glad our paths have crossed too, Lisa. Blessings, Natalie 🙂

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  29. Wow Natalie, you are an inspiration. I am so grateful that you’ve been blessed to be able to continue your photography and blog. Your message is loving and the world needs to hear more from you! ♥ Keep blogging and we will all continue to send you blessings and healing hugs.

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  30. Wow Natalie. What a wonderful testimony. You are blessing Jesus, my dear friend. Thank you so much for sharing your art, words and wisdom with us.
    From one Mary to another (hehehe)
    ❤
    🙂

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    • Bless your heart. I believe this is the third time you have nominated me for an award. And I thank you so much! I appreciate you’re thinking of me and for another honor. But at this time my blog is still an award free site. What I post is in praise of the glory of the Lord, not mine. Blessings and hugs for your kindness. Natalie ❤ 🙂

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  34. Thank you so much for visiting my blog, that really helped me find your beautiful work here 🙂

    It was really interesting to read your posts and so glad to hear your story.

    Thank you so much for sharing and have a great time 🙂

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  35. Hello Natalie, I was around again. I wish to say your blog is simply irresistible. You amaze me. God is doing marvels through you. I am overjoyed and inspired. When you get to this site you cannot fail to see the hand of God at work. Your light is shining. I am happy to know you. The silent message I get from you is ‘you can do it’. Thanks for the inspiration. May God continue to inspire you!

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  37. Your story is really amazing and very touching. How wonderful to have survived a stroke and surgery as you have. It really is miraculous. Thanks for visiting my blog today and ‘liking’ one of my poems. I appreciate the visit. I look forward to exploring your blog further.

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  39. dear Natalie,
    Your blog is beautiful! and YOU are an inspiration to me! I am so glad that you have begun this blog and I do HOPE you continue with it! I also am a retired teacher (36 years). It was a huge switch for me, and I can imagine the same for you. At first I spent my spare time with Farmville, then one of my former students told me that I should use my time better! LOL So, I found WordPress! It is a beautiful site and everyone is so kind and encouraging! I am so glad you are NOW part of the WordPress family! May you have continued good health and I am happy for you that you had a good doctor to help you! Keep writing and posting! You have a beautiful blog!
    Blessings throughout 2015 and beyond!

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    • Thank you for you kind words about my blog. I’m glad you find it inspiring. Wow you hung in the teaching field 5 more years than I did. That’s quite an accomplishment. I’m glad you and I have connected here on Word Press. As you said, I too have found many kind and encouraging bloggers. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. Hugs, N ❤

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    • Why, thank you, Lynda, for taking the time to read my about page. The Lord is just so amazing that I have to do my best to bring glory to Him through the blessings He lays upon my table day by day. I enjoy reading your comments on Julie’s blog as well. Blessings to you as well. 🙂 ❤

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  43. You are so blessed to be here and now the Lord is blessing you again with the gift of appreciating nature so you may share His handy work with others. What a wonderful story. I feel blessed to have met you here. Be well ((hugs))

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    • Why thank you so much for such a lovely comment! I’m so glad you enjoy my posts and that you have chosen to follow my journey. I just went to your sight and clicked to follow you as well.
      Here’s to sharing our journeys! Blessings, Natalie 🙂

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    • Hello. It’s so nice to meet you. And wow, what a long teaching career! I’m so impressed. I’m glad you found my site and now I’ve found yours. We were in Heidelberg last summer, but only for part of a day. It was beautiful there and I remember thinking I would have liked to have attended that university. Blessings, Natalie 🙂

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      • Nice to meet you as well. I was in Germany during July 2014 and visited friends and was able to travel to and teach at the Black Forest high school with whom we video conferenced and exchanged pen pal letters. I loved my Heidelberg days and studying there. Now I am mentoring young teachers and high school seniors planning to go to college.

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    • Ok, Nancy, I’m blushing now! Thanks for such a lovely comment. It’s interesting that you chose those words because my daughter calls me her walking, talking miracle. A part of the story that I left out is that I was at my computer when I realized something was wrong and I tried to stand up to go in to get my husband. When I did, I fell and couldn’t get up. I lay there struggling to get up but couldn’t and then finally it was like some force (an angel) pushed me up to my feet and I got into to where James was in time for him to call an ambulance before it was too late. So there were multiple miracles that day. I’m so glad you read my story and that has given you hope and encouragement. I’ll be praying for a miracle for your husband. Love and hugs, Natalie 🙂 ❤

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