Every Thursday, I leave the house before sunrise. The quiet of the early morning is my favorite time to set off. Some days, I know exactly where I’m headed, but today, it was a last-minute decision. And it turned out to be the best one yet.

I spent over half an hour with a moose, hidden among the aspens. Its silhouette just barely visible as it moved through the trees. Moments like this, when the world slows down and nature quietly unfolds before you, are the ones that make all the early mornings worth it.

A cup of coffee from my travel mug kept my hands warm as I reflected on the beauty around me. It’s more than just a mug—it’s a reminder of those cozy moments in nature. The warmth of the mug felt like the warmth of a sunrise over a frozen lake, like the comfort of a hot drink after a morning spent photographing wildlife.

Today, I felt like I had been given a gift—an early Christmas gift from God. Thank you, Lord. And thank you, travel mug, for helping me savor this moment a little longer.