I took this photo while standing in the middle of the frozen stream that runs away from the base of Toccoa Falls. Black ice was on the rocks. But I found a few that were not covered and they provided safe passage to a place with a great view. Now, I just need a great big red bow so I could wrap this up and send it out as a special Christmas gift to friends.

The fall colors are still beautiful in northeast Georgia, and the morning light streaming down through the trees only add to glory. This is the way it is: we all rush around thinking we have to go north of here to see the “fall leave show.” When actually the opposite is true. We just need to sit tight and the show will eventually come to us.

I love these doors. I finally stopped yesterday afternoon and took a photo of them. They have been restored, and I think that they are so simple that they are elegant. The church is beautiful. I also had a chance to go inside and see where the founder of Toccoa Falls College preached for so many years. Dr. R. A. Forrest (pictured below) was the pastor from 1925 until 1950.

“In 1925, the First Presbyterian Church issued him a call to become their pastor. After much consideration and with the understanding that he would be able to continue his evangelistic work throughout the United States and Canada, he accepted the call and served as pastor of this church for twenty-five years. During his pastorate a beautiful brick edifice was built, and the church membership increased. It is of interest to note that, though he felt several times that he should resign because of the pressure of his other duties. The church refused to allow this until he reached the age of retirement.” —Taken from the book: Achieving The Impossible with God.

Here’s another view of the doors. I love the lamp post, too!

Sometimes a photo really is worth a thousand words! The one above fits in that category. It is of a student during Commencement at Toccoa Falls College yesterday morning. Below is a photo of Prof. Julio Vena, one of my favorite profs. He was my New Testament teacher while I was at TFC, and this is his last full-time teaching year. Next year, he will teach part-time. Since the college’s Centennial in 2007, he has carried the mace into the auditorium as a part of the academic regalia.

I love this photo. It truly captures the heart and spirit of Toccoa Falls College.

Commencement is in the morning, and I think I have finally mastered my flash. (It has only taken me six months!) The campus is almost empty except for graduating seniors and their families. I can’t explain what comes over me whenever I attend commencement services. I cry. I want to cheer, hug everyone, and I feel a sense of relief, which makes no sense because I’m not the one who has done anything other than show up and take a couple of crazy photos like this one of one of our deans, Dr. Brian Shelton, who has a ton of titles and degrees (none of which I’m going to list on my personal Web site). In this photo he is “standing in” for the college president Dr. Gardner, who will hand out diplomas in the morning.

Serious stuff . . . I had to mind my “P’s and Q’s” and not do anything radical. I was able to do that . . . so I’m rather proud of myself. Notice the gloves these guys are wearing. Sort of a British thing, don’t you think?