As a child, I loved camping and traveling with my family in beautiful national and state parks. At my suburban childhood home, there were flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees in a large yard, with a view of the California Coastal Range in the nearby distance. As soon as I had my driver’s license, I was off to local day hikes and camp trips with friends.
In my twenties, I thrived as a park ranger for the National Park Service. First, as an interpretive ranger, leading walks and talks as well environmental education in schools. Then I became one of the first female law enforcement rangers which required multiple police and law enforcement academies, Emergency Medical Technician certification, firefighting certifications, and some search and rescue training. What an adventurous time of life!
My absolute favorite adventures, though, have always involved sharing my love of the natural world with my husband and children. Memories of seeing the joy of their discoveries of tidepool treasures to delighting in swimming in mountain lakes, and much more, still make me smile.
These days, I most often hike with friends and family, though I do savor the occasional solitary hike with just my pup and I. For me, the loveliest days will always be those spent with my loved ones, particularly in the wild beauty of nature.
Of course, documenting that beauty of nature and life through photography, is a big part of my joyful explorations. Along the journey of my life, my passion for photography has become more and more developed (ha, pun intended). From developing my own photos in a college darkroom to the incredible flexibility of digital photography, it delights me to capture images that reflect God’s artistry in the natural world. For more on how my faith has led me to establishing “Paths of Joy Nature Photography”, you can read the story captioned “Scripture and Picture”.
May your visit to the website be a serene moment in your day as you walk with me on my paths of joy.
Joyce Prisco
SCRIPTURE & PICTURE IS BORN…
In December 2014, while on social media, I saw a suggested post of references for Bible readings for the Advent Season. It occurred to me that most people would not take the time to look up each verse daily. God put it on my heart to look up each Scripture, then daily post a photo with the accompanying scripture. The photo, often coordinating with the Scripture, would draw in people’s attention, so that they could then be blessed by the Scripture reading as well as the image.
Friends, family, and a handful of “followers” very much enjoyed the posts, so I listened to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to continue posting daily scripture & picture beyond the Christmas season. At the time, I was thinking that it would just be a few more months, but it’s now been over a decade! If I had known that it was to be such a long term commitment, would I have continued?
In many ways, it has been an unexpected pilgrimage…and it’s not over yet. Along the way, my faith has grown deeper, my appreciation for beauty in nature has grown stronger, and my photography skills have dramatically improved. Most importantly, though, lives have been touched and transformed by God’s loving words and amazing world!
As the pilgrimage continues, there’s a bend in the road as the ministry is continuing and expanding. It’s a new season that has its roots in 2019 when the Spirit began to prompt me with multiple ideas for devotionals. I would see something on a hike or in the garden or almost anywhere outdoors, and I would think of a life lesson, based in Scripture, from that experience or view. My hope is to share thoughts on God’s loving ways, as reflected in His Word and nature so that others may feel blessed. So, here I am today, feeling a little uncertain as I step into the unknown of a new ministry, but moving forward in obedience.
So, whether or not you ever purchase artwork here on the website, my prayer is that you will savor the daily inspiration as you walk your own Paths of Joy.
Sharing blessings is the heart of Paths of Joy, so 10% of all profits are split between these two non profits for 2025- 2026.
National Parks Conservation Association
Pioneer Bible Translators