We have definitely been getting some much needed rain! Isn't it amazing how we need the rain but sometimes we say "Lord, I know we need it but just not today... I have things to do..." I have had to remind myself that I must be thankful instead of complaining when I can't do what I had planned. God is sending us what we need and we are definitely getting it! :)
Here is Wesley's search for a frog as we walked around Jordan Pond in Maine. Mikayla spotted the first tadpole and it became Wesley's mission from then on....
This is one huge tadpole.....
The proud guy himself
Searching, searching....
There is one of the frogs I captured... Wesley had tried to capture this little guy with his hands....
OH! He got away!
VICTORY finally!... and this was after literally going AFTER the frog and capturing him underneath the foot bridge. lol
Poor frog... he just didn't realize
Wesley had to kiss the frog before he put him back in the water.
I'm sure he was thinking "Swim away as fast as you can!" once Wesley released him!
I had to show these pics.... we are out of school today because of a Convention for the teachers. Since we have been studying insects at school, one of my kids brought in a couple of chrysalis' for us to watch. One of them never opened which was quite sad. She brought in another last week and we have been anxiously watching it. The chrysalis was green with gold dots. At the time we had no idea what butterfly it was going to turn into!
Since I knew we wouldn't be at school today I took it home because you could see the green thinning and I didn't want it to hatch and us not be there to let it go.
Wouldn't you know it... this morning it appeared! AND... it was a Monarch. (You can read more about the process of Monarch metamorphosis at the link there) :)
Wesley and Mikayla were so excited. I was just bummed my students didn't get to see it, too.
Of course, I took some pictures for them. :)
Here is the Monarch not long after it hatched. Wesley had let it crawl on his fingers so it could get out of the insect cage. It is pumping its wings!
Wesley was trying to be so careful while holding it. He and Mikayla said you could feel the wings were still damp.
Just beautiful!
Just like this butterfly changed from the inside out, so do we change when we accept the Lord as our Savior. We continue to grow and "pump our wings" to be more like Him.
I hope my kiddos enjoy seeing this.... especially Julieanne since she brought it in!!!
I have no idea what this is... just a beautiful plant (could be considered a weed!) on the rocks of Maine by the ocean. Life is not made of days... it is made of moments.
I heard this quote today. I remember hearing it before, and I have no idea who came up with it, but it is so true.
In the last week I can look back on my DAYS and see MOMENTS where I remember vividly what happened. If I thought on what happened each and every day I couldn't think of all of it but those moments will stick with me for a long time.
Some of those moments include:
Helping a one of my parents at school.
Capturing in a photograph a Freshman on her first Homecoming Court.
Seeing a friend from high school and enjoying her whole family.
The birth of one of our friend's babies.... and getting to photograph him.
Watching the wonder in my son's eyes when he cares for another one of God's Creations he has caught.
Watching a movie with my children and having Mikayla laying on the couch with me.
Moments in time are so much more important in our lives. I am thankful for those moments and the memories they recall in my mind and heart.
Here is something the Lord continues to teach me: People are more important than things. Things will eventually get done, but time with people is never wasted.
What kind of moments can you recall in the last week that the Lord has given you? Feel free to share!
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Here is a song that I just love by Chris Tomlin.... "Amazing Grace ~My Chains Are Gone" If it is too big for my blog click on it and it will take you to the YouTube page
Anyone know what this is? I have tried to look it up online to no avail and I have even sent it in to an insect web site to get their thoughts, but I have not heard back. I thought it was like a hornet... just not sure. Later added: My friend, Lori, found out what this is! It is a Scoliid Wasp!! Want to learn about it, click here. :) THANK YOU, LORI!
Yesterday was our Homecoming at school. It was a pack filled week with lots of things as the week went on, but yesterday was the "ultimate" with the parade and floats, Homecoming court and such.
We haven't been in years but we decided to go this year. (This is horrible, but I have become so much "Mrs. Fowler" now that sometimes I just don't see myself as alumni.. lol) Anyway, the most enjoyable part of the night was seeing my high school friend Gretchen and her wonderful family. We didn't get a lot of opportunity to chat like we could with just us in a small setting, but it was so nice to have her come back to see the school after 20 years. (And me just typing that makes me feel really old. lol) Her husband and Steve met for the first time but they hit it off quite well. Steve is already talking about when we'll get together with them again. :)
I also had the privilege of photographing one of my former students who was the Freshman representative on the Homecoming Court. She requested me to photograph her and I was tickled to do it for her. She was a beautiful young lady last night... but she always is both inside and out.
Today I am just recouping from the week... lol
Have a beautiful Saturday!
Share something the Lord has done for you today! (hint, hint... I want to hear from you all!!!!!!)
This is a hornet... from what I can tell and what I have seen, it is a Japanese Hornet.
If you click on this you can view the face in more detail.
One of these stung me as a child. It was quite painful.
You may wonder why I have photographed it...
Well, it was dead. :)
I was brave enough to pick up the thing when I dumped it out of my mop bucket yesterday afternoon getting ready to clean the house.
As I began to look at its head I could see the three simple eyes at the top and the compound eyes on the side. It was awesome! I teach this to my students and have never seen those in person before... always in a drawing or a picture not my own.
I decided I needed to grab the camera and photograph these for my students. I will print them and enlarge them so the children can see them easily, but for now, here they are in digital form for your viewing pleasure... :)
Notice the stinger... still there!
Do you see the three simple eyes on top of its head and the compound eyes on the side?
This one is basically like the first shot but I couldn't help including it, too. :)
Check out how the antennae are in segments... I talked about that with my students and it was so neat to see it up close!!!
Notice its mandible as well....
God's Creation still amazes me.... no matter what it may be.
This is a Gulf Fritillary butterfly we just saw on Mikayla's flowers the other day. I am just loving seeing all of these new "friends!"
Here is a "Positive Impact Test" to help us see how we are filling up other people's "buckets." In thinking of ways to be positive with others, it can also fill our own buckets in the process! I see areas I know I can always learn and improve upon, and maybe you can, too.
1. I have helped someone in the last 24 hours.
2. I am a courteous person.
3. In the last 24 hours, I have told someone that I cared about him or her.
4. I have praised someone in the last 24 hours.
5. I make it a point to become acquainted with people wherever I go.
6. When I receive recognition, it makes me want to give recognition to someone else.
7. In the last week, I have listened to someone.
8. I make it a point to call people by their name.
Not sure what this little guy is called.... can't find him in our butterfly book... or at least I don't think I have. lol Today was the first day of fall.... and it was in the upper 90's. NICE. Way to break out those sweatshirts. lol
Here is my devotion I read last night. I just had to share. Hope it is a blessing today:
Walking on Water Matthew 14:22-34
I love the title of John Ortberg's book: If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat. It's one of those titles that says it all. Imagine the thrill of stepping out by faith and walking on water. What an experience that must have been for Peter! In spite of his type A personality and brashness, I always pictured him gingerly testing the surface of the water before trusting all his weight to that first step. I wouldn't argue the point for those who think otherwise, but there's one thing to keep in mind about the rest of us. In spite of our earnest desire to experience the unimaginable, for most of us, fear keeps us in the boat. We may find some consolation in the fact that none of the other disciples joined Peter. They had the opportunity. They had the assurance it could be done - Peter was on the water - but they didn't get out. I'm sure some were disappointed in themselves for not trying. Undoubtedly others were comfortable enough just to remain in the boat.
How very much like those disciples are the rest of us, each having our own reason or rationale for not stepping out of the boat. Some of us have a huge fear of trusting God with our lives. Others shudder to think of living outside of their comfort zone, and a few think it's foolish to be so zealous for the Lord. Strange how getting out of that boat reaches deep into our souls. It tries our faith, and more than that it tests our spiritual strength and tests who and what we are in the Lord.
This miracle was a bold demonstration of Peter's zeal and faith, that is until he took his eyes off the Lord and focused on the storm. Fear gripped his heart and he immediately began to sink. His prayer was simple and straightforward, "Lord, save me." The Lord took him by the hand and rescued him.
I have a suggestion - step out of the boat! Live by faith! Experience the unimaginable! Don't debate with God when He has spoken - do what He says and recklessly abandon yourself to Him.
You'll find you can face anything, including your fears, when you're focused on Christ.
I caught these butterflies in a game of "chase." What beauty to behold! In the last couple of weeks we have seen two good movies.
Just call today Monday at the Movies. :)
The first was Akeelah and the Bee. It came out some years ago but we finally just got around to seeing it thanks to Netflix from Kev. :)
It is a great story that our kids could watch with us that dealt with working hard for something no matter what your station in life. Wesley and Mikayla couldn't keep their eyes off the movie. I recommend it if you haven't already seen it!
The second movie is The Pianist.
This movie is for adults as there is much violence. You may wonder why I would recommend something with so much violence, but it is the true story of a Polish Jew who was a professional pianist that was caught up in the Nazi takeover. This movie is very moving and humbling as I continue to realize what the Jews went through in the War.... but how they are God's chosen people and He did not allow them to be obliterated.
Great thought-provoking movies. Let me know if you ever watch them or if you already have. I would be interested to know your thoughts as well.
I have so enjoyed watching the butterflies this year. A friend recently posted on her blog that they were "beautiflies" and I so agree.
We have always loved butterflies around here because of Mikayla loving them so. I have found an even deeper appreciation for them this year. To watch how graceful they are as they glide through the air to lightly land on a flower and begin enjoying the nectar is amazing to me every time. I have photographed so many and as I have looked at them they began to look the same, but it was almost addictive to catch them in their glory.
On one particular day a couple of weeks ago Wesley said he saw a Monarch. I honestly wasn't sure he actually saw that because I know a Viceroy looks so much like them. As I was outside a day or so later admiring the butterflies I noticed the same butterfly... and began to capture it with my lens. I was so excited as most of the time this summer I have photographed swallowtails. I was awestruck at the black body with white dots all over.
I truly thought this was just a Viceroy... until closer inspection when I uploaded the pics on the computer. This was truly a Monarch!! The white dots on the abdomen became the sure sign it was a Monarch. I also counted the lines on the wings after looking in our Butterflies and Moths book.
A simple gift from the Lord.
I hope you enjoy..... click on any to view the beauty larger and see more detail.
These last two are basically the same shot just taken different ways.
I learned to find something about the grub that is actually interesting... it has markings kind of like a caterpillar. (which makes sense since both are the larva of their insect....)
It is amazing how tired you can feel after wandering around a park with kids.
I do have the joy of having no papers to grade tonight.
If I have already shown these pics, I apologize.... I can't remember anymore. Just think of it as a rerun. :) Mikayla and Wesley made my day yesterday.
They told me I haven't read to them in "like months!"
Why would that make my day?
Simply because I had begun to think they didn't really want me reading to them anymore. It seemed they just didn't get into it like they once did. (Of course, it may have been the book I was reading....)
Anywhoo, they told me last night they wanted me to read to them again. They even brought out the book they wanted me to read and were all excited over it.
We are now starting over in the reading department.... we're reading The Mysterious Benedict Society.
I had a hard time putting into words what the Lord has shown me about His grace in the past year.
I have been brought through some things in the last year that have showed me God's grace in a way I never have known.... and will never look at the same again.
The definition of grace is: favor or good will; mercy, clemency, pardon
It seems we all know of God's grace when we accept the Lord as Savior. We can quote it really fast, too. However, I think sometimes in the Christian life we think we are to live perfect lives and we miss out on the grace that God gives us EVERY day.
We face times of uncertainty, brokenness, loss and heartache, yet through it all God's grace is sufficient.
In my Bible study this summer - "Breaking Free" - Beth Moore stated this: "Christ never allows the hearts of His own to be shattered without excellent reasons and eternal purposes."
In the last year, Isaiah has become a special book from God's Word for me. In times past I used to look at it and only see God's judgment on His people when they didn't follow Him. However, I have totally missed the mark all of those years because He loved them so much He watched over them and brought them back to where they began. He was with them through the trial of their faith. I love this passage of Scripture:
Isaiah 61:1-4:
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Jesus quoted this same set of verses when He was here on earth. That is what He came to do! God's grace is so sufficient.
We are surrounded every day with people who need grace - God's grace... and grace from us. Many times Christians are quick to talk about God's grace but are so quick to JUDGE. Through what the Lord brought me in the past year I have learned to look at people through the eyes of grace and not the eyes of judgment.
When we are broken... that is when God can use us the most. This picture shows my Daddy's hands holding a broken mirror. It is a picture of what Christ can do when we are broken before Him. The mirror could only reflect one way when it was whole... but when it is broken, the light can reflect in all directions.
This song is so fitting for what I have learned. I have shared it on here before, but I must share it again because I shared it with the teacher's this morning. I wish I could show you my powerpoint with it, but this will do just fine. :) (If you can't see all of the words, click on the song screen and it will take you to the YouTube page to see it all.)
I Corinthians 15:10a -But by the grace of God, I am what I am.
II Corinthians 12:9 is the song that was my "meat" behind today's devotion. I gave these pictures out to my teacher friends to keep as a reminder. I pray this was an encouragement to someone today.
When I am weak - God's grace shines through - He alone becomes my strength.
I was so off-schedule today that it wasn't even funny.
BUT....
Through this week the Lord has continued to teach me that:
~ sharing your time with a parent/person who is hurting is more important than getting that Spelling test done by 8:30.
~ people are hurting all around us and many times you never realize it.
~ you don't have the answer for those hurting people from your own wisdom... only God can help them through things that are hard for them to hear or understand.
~ giving things over to the Lord means giving it to Him every second of the day. Giving it once in a prayer and then trying to do it the rest of the day isn't going to work.
~ Friday's are a wonderful day and 3:00 is even better.
~ I can sleep in tomorrow... and should lay around for the better part of the day just because my body needs to recoup.
~ I need to do the above mentioned and not try to be "Super Woman."
~ Life is precious and the busyness makes us miss out on a lot of great things.
Today was filled with pretzels and chocolate at school.
Why, you ask?
We built beaver lodges. :) And they were yummy.
After my last couple of posts I thought it would be good to post what the Lord showed me last night in devotions. I needed it... and some of you may, too.
This is as if Jesus is talking to you:
Accept each day exactly as it comes to you. By that, I mean not only the circumstances of your day but also the condition of your body. Your assignment is to trust Me absolutely, resting in My sovereignty and faithfulness.
On some days, your circumstances and your physical condition feel out of balance: The demands on you seem greater than your strength. Days like that present a choice between two alternatives -- giving up or relying on Me. Even if you wrongly choose the first alternative, I will not reject you. You can turn to Me at any point, and I will help you crawl out of the mire of discouragement. I will infuse My strength into you moment by moment, giving you all that you need for this day. Trust Me, by relying on My empowering Presence.
Psalm 42:5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.
Jeremiah 31:25 For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes.
