Flowers, Insects, and Cats

It's always nice to stop and sniff the flowers... or in my case, stop and take a million pictures of the flowers.

Lotsa lovely pink flowers.

I see you hiding in the leaves.

About to bloom.

Love the design on the petals.

Black and white.

Of course, with flowers come bees. 

I'll have you know, these bee pictures were very hard to capture.

I believe this is a Tuliptree Silkmoth.

My sister's cat, Olivia, loves to smell the flowers.

My cat, Zoe, prefers to sleep.

Memorial Day

I found this poem that I really liked. I especially resonated with the last two verses.

We walked among the crosses

where our fallen soldiers lay.

And listened to the bugle 

as TAPS began to play.

The chaplain led a prayer 

we stood with heads bowed low.

And I though of fallen comrades

I had known so long ago.

They cam from every city

across this fertile land.

That we might live in freedom.

They lie here 'neath the sand.

I felt a little guilty

my sacrifice was small.

I only lost a little time

but these men lost their all.

Now the services are over

for this Memorial Day.

To the names upon these crosses

I just want to say,

Thanks for what you've given

no one could ask for more.

May you rest with God in heaven

from now through evermore.

-C. W. Johnson

Fear Not

A dear friend shared a verse with us that I found to be tremendously encouraging. Exodus 14:13-14 says, "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall se them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." In the passage, Moses is leading the Israelites out of Egypt and they've come to the Red Sea. The people look behind them and see the Egyptians chasing after them. They cry out to Moses asking him why he brought them out all this way just to let them die. Moses commands them to fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. He reminds them the Lord will do the fighting and they will keep their mouths shut. Oftentimes when we're under a lot of stress or are greatly perplexed, we can easily forget that God is in control of the situation and start complaining. My family is going through some terribly heart-wrenching things and I can quickly become depressed and feel like all is hopeless. I begin to lament over the problem and start going down the dangerous path of asking God, "Why?" Yet out ever-patient God calls me to fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. What a comfort to know that God will fight our battles for us. What a relief to know that we don't have to worry about the future. What pure bliss to understand that all we have to do is fear not, stand still, hold our peace, and watch Jehovah perform miracles.

Of Books and Things

I had a sudden inspiration to take some pictures of my books so here it goes.

Me in front of my personal library of 240+ books which I guard with the utmost care. 

One of the first series I ever received: Christian Heroes: Then and Now by Janet and Geoff Benge.

Out of all the books I own, these three (besides the Bible) are my favorites. The God's Plan for America series by Peter Marshall and David Manuel shows how God's hand was working through the history of America. I wish there were more books in the series.

While I was outside basking in the sun, I noticed this very photogenic leaf which was begging for a picture. 

I found this verse and edited it on top of the picture. 

Some Poetry

When in trouble or in woe,

when winds of strife around me blow,

quickly to the Lord I will go.

He will lead me safe and sound,

o'er highest mount or smallest mound,

till peace at last I have found.

The Lord's my strong tower,

from adversity I'll not cower,

the Lord's my strength and my power.