A Time For Everything

Ecclesiastes 3 tells me there is a season for everything.

 

And in this season of my life...

...I have short hair!



It is so hard sometimes to understand why people make the choices that they do.  All I see is a small part of the reality, and so it is comforting that God sees the whole entire huge picture. Not only that, but He sees my future too.  He knows how it will all work out for me, and He promises it is peace and hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

So how do I move on from this spot? How do I put one foot in front of the other and take that next step when everything is so different now? I guess it just happens.  The clock keeps on ticking along and somehow everything just moves forward.  Everything changes but He stays the same.  This I can count on.  This is my hope and my trust.  Because when I am falling down in a tearful mess, so confused and empty, He is my rock, my strong tower, my shelter, my refuge, my defense, my salvation, and so much more.  So I do not need to ask those questions, because He will take care of it for me. And yet it is still oh so very painful.

And my part in this? I will agree with David's word in Psalm 15 and speak the truth in my heart.  I will swear to my own hurt and will not change.  Because I must do what I know is right.  And the right thing is to follow my God and not what anyone else tells me.  Even if it hurts.

After all, at the end of every day He is all that I have.  Everything else will fade away.  But He will never change.

Lord, hold me by my right hand.  Guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart fail, but You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73.

Letting Go

Yesterday was time to let my butterflies go.  It wasn't easy but it had to be done.



I expected them to fly out as soon as I opened the cage, but none of them would go.




I had to take each one out one by one.  Even then it took a few moments before they flew away.





Deb was trying so hard to capture a picture of them flying away.  She was successful, the small back smudge is my butterfly flying away.




Thank you to Deb and Lady for being there and sharing this with me.



Butterflies

Last week my butterflies were born. It was exciting to witness one come out of the chrysalid.  It was a lot of fun feeding them and watching them move around the cage.

Chrysalides

Today I took the next step in the journey with my chrysalides.  I transferred them from their tiny jar to their new home until I release them outside.  I have agonized over this moment, hoping everything goes well and nobody gets hurt.  Once the caterpillars are ready to transform into chrysalides, they attach themselves to the top of the jar and hang upside down while the change takes place.  I was concerned because one of the caterpillars ripped the paper he attached himself to and was dangling from it.  He looks like he could fall at any moment, but so far he is still hanging on.  You can see the lowest one in the center is the one I'm concerned about.

Carefully opening the lid

This is when for a moment I thought one of the chrysalides had detached and fallen off. 

False alarm, they were all okay.

Safe and sound inside their new home.  I taped them to the top of the cage.



Per Deb's request, here is a picture of the box I saw in the store. 

 I named them after the characters on The Big Bang Theory.



Watch Them Grow

I am so excited about my newest "project".  About a month ago Gabriel and I were walking around the toy store he works part time at and a brightly colored box caught my eye.  It had a picture of very happy children with butterflies flying around them.  The box contained a net cage and a coupon to send in to a magical place where they send you caterpillars in the mail.  You watch them grow inside of a small jar for 7 to 10 days.  Once they turn themselves into chrysalids, you transfer them into the cage and wait patiently for the transformation into Painted Lady butterflies takes place.  When I saw that box, I knew this was my destiny.  I know that sounds extreme, but my excitement was equally extreme.  And that colorful box has not disappointed.  I have enjoyed this process as much as those happy children on the box seem to have.


This is what they looked like when I first received them,
so cute and small.  All that "stuff" in there is food, and poop.
(not sure which is which, hopefully they know)



Here they are today.  They seem to be getting bigger before my eyes! There are five of them: Leonard, Sheldon, Penny, Howard, and Rajesh.  Aren't God's creatures amazing? The way He created the caterpillar to go through such a huge transformation into a completely different creature.  Kind of like the way He transforms us from a sinner into a completely new creation.  What a beautiful example of His love for us!

I Love My Job

 

 

Lost Sheep Story

Recently I had the privilege of attending a fantastic play put on by Marsha's (my favorite 10 year old, and all around coolest kid I know) school.  The story was about the Shepherd searching after that one lost sheep until he found him and brought him home.  The play was so entertaining and funny, but best of all, Marsha played the role of a lead sheep.  She was awesome.  I am privileged to be a part of her life and watch her learn and grow.  She has such a kind heart towards other people, she is very creative, bright and knowledgeable, she has an infectious laugh, and reads through books like they are on fire.  Did I mention how beautiful she is? After all, she does look a lot like her beautiful mama!



Marsha, the star of the show!



It was nice hanging out with my buddies





Marsha is the cutest sheep in the center