3Gary Fick is a retired agricultural professor who worked as a scientist and teacher at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY for almost 50 years. During one year in New Zealand as a graduate student, Gary became a Christian. When he returned to California, he was introduced to a Christian retreat with an offering in creative writing. His first Christian poem came out of that experience. Since that time, he has written journal-like pieces that range from the very serious to the whimsical, and from a focus on God, on nature, on agriculture, and on family. All are interconnected in his understanding. Gary has drawn together a selection of these personal writings for this book. He has written over 300 scientific articles and a book entitled Food, Farming, and Faith. But publishing poetry is a new adventure for him. Gary has a particular appreciation for creation care and agricultural sustainability, and those themes are interlaced through his personal writings and in his talks for churches and Christian conferences. As a part of his preparation, he has often referred back to his journals and poetic notes for meditation, inspiration, and worship. When Gary was prompted to put together this book of poetic writings, he imagined that others would share in the worship and thoughtful reflections about God's all-encompassing interests found here. It is the author's hope that the reader will be blessed with the love and prayer found in these pages. May the foundations of faith and family that undergird godly stewardship of all God's creation enrich the life of every reader.