It's been a while since I've posted a Saturday photo finish post but I realized that it's more than just a blog of pictures over the past week. It's a journal of the things I'm thankful for. It's a themed post of what God has been trying to teach me over the past week. It's a sharing with you of the beauty I see in everyday life.
Right now, more than ever, at least in my 48 years, the world looks darker and crueler than before. I believe the way to combat this is by all of us finding and sharing truth and beauty where we find it. Here are some photos from the past week beginning with last Sunday. My thoughts/descriptions are under each photo. Enjoy
The weather around here has been clear and cool, perfect for sitting around the fire and enjoying the fresh air and beauty of creation. I'll never tire of this view!
D has been working with monarch butterflies for a couple of years now. We spent a lot of time this week watching the ones in the butterfly cage hatch as well as going out around the property to tag wild ones. Tagging is a lot of fun and helpful for research. Learn about tagging, why it's important, and purchase
tagging kits here. This image is a monarch chrysalis shortly before the butterfly emerges. The black comes from the coloring of the wings inside a folded up, ready to burst forth. Up until this point it looks like a pale green emerald trimmed in gold.
I'm back in school. One of my classes is Anatomy & Physiology. Can I just say that the human body is amazing! Fearfully and wonderfully made indeed. I found this image of a synapse on Instagram and thought it was pretty cool. The more I learn, the more in awe I am. Mom was right, I should have been a doctor ;-)
Here's one of our butterflies raised in the house with a tag ready to head to Mexico!
B wanted to hold the butterfly before she headed south.
If you are wondering what in the world this is, you need to come visit us and enjoy the simpler life. This is a Jewel Weed seed pod. In the fall these seed pods begin to form. The seeds within swell to the point of bursting the pod. Luckily for us many of them don't burst on their own so it's a country kids simple pleasure to walk around gently touching them to watch the pods explode and seeds launch.
Catherine is online schooling for the time being due to the pandemic so part of her school work is to get in the walker. She doesn't like to get in but often doesn't want to get out either. This sort of work can help her coordination as well as strengthen her muscles and bones.
Just a ridiculously beautiful sunrise....glory be to God for dappled things...
Saturday afternoon we met friends to pick up some of our older boys from an airsoft event. Our meeting place was the
Children of Mary Community in Newark, OH. We were early and the boys were running late so we were invited to join their Saturday even community dinner in a little grove by this beautiful pond. The sisters were very welcoming and treated us like family. Please keep them and their little community in your prayers.
As I look back over the week a theme of beauty emerges. From roaring campfires, delicate butterflies, scenic hermitages, and wonderful sunrises to synaptic vesicles God's hand is apparent. How can so much beauty go unnoticed by so many (myself included)? The ions in the synaptic cleft between nerves and their neurotransmitters, the gold trim on the butterfly chrysalis, the bursting seed pods, all of them cry out as witnesses of a God who loves and lavishes beauty on his creation. I'm reminded of my favorite Psalm...19:3-8
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the firmament proclaims the works of his hands.
Day unto day pours forth speech;
night unto night whispers knowledge.
There is no speech, no words;
their voice is not heard;
report goes forth through all the earth,
their messages, to the ends of the world.
He has pitched in them a tent for the sun;
it comes forth like a bridegroom from his canopy,
and like a hero joyfully runs its course.
From one end of the heavens it comes forth;
its course runs through to the other;
nothing escapes its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
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