Nature AsArt -- The Creator's Hand At Work

Last Saturday offered us the first real glimpse of the promise of spring.  The sun was out and it was warm enough to haul out the patio chair and to sit in the beam of yellow that spread across the deck.  My intention was to read a bit, but I happened to glance down at the small planter full of succulents that are beginning to awaken from plant hibernation.  Crawling across the top of the succulents was the most brilliantly colored beetle I've ever seen.  Its back was iridescent green and featured several stripes of actual gold...surely it was actual gold because it glowed in the sun as spectacularly as 22 carat.  I have only seen such colors in a National Geograpic spread on some exotic locale.  What a great "first day of spring" gift!  These photos do not do it justice!

Passages

This past week has inundated us with life-changing events.  No less then five of our relatives, or relatives of close friends, have passed away.  While we rejoice in the knowledge that they are enjoying eternity in the presence of the Lord they have faithfully followed and served throughout their lives, we also reel a bit with the changes that come with their passing.  But the circle of life is exactly that--a circle!  So we have also rejoiced in the births of three new babies within this same sphere.  The 60's band Blood, Sweat and Tears succinctly phrased this in one of their songs: "..and when I die, and when I'm gone, there'll be one child born in this world to carry on....to carry on."  And so we must.

And then of course there is the joy and anticipation of the upcoming wedding.  Jessi and Josh were here this weekend and we spent some time helping them make their invitations!

May the circle be unbroken!