Well, today was my "lucky" day! I don't really believe in luck, so I will change that to say today was my "blessed" day! I hadn't really planned on going outside as it was bright, hot, and I was feeling lazy. But I noticed something in the yard that needed to be fixed and I thought I'd better take care of it before the rains started back up again. I started to step out the back door, and then I stopped and said to myself..."Oh wait...you'd better get your camera! Don't ever go outside without your camera!" (Yes, Pam! You know better than that!) Actually, I think it must have been God reminding me, because He had a little surprise waiting for me that I was totally unaware of until I got all the way outside.
This:
Yes, this beautiful Monarch Butterfly, enjoying her dinner on the milkweed flowers in the butterfly garden! They are such a rare sighting that it is always such a surprise and a joy when it happens!
And if I had gone out into the yard without my camera, I would have missed it! Well, I would have seen the butterfly, but then I couldn't have shared it with you!!
2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs,
in persecutions, in distresses,
for Christ’s sake.
For when I am weak, then I am strong."
So, aren't you glad God reminded me to go back and get my camera?
Some people may scoff and say that wasn't really God talking to you...it was just you talking to you...
Well, think whatever you want, but I know better. God knows how forgetful I am and that I need reminders to do even the most mundane things sometimes.
He wanted to bless me and also bless you today with these pictures...and so I am so happy I listened to His voice reminding me to go back and get my camera. Remember, "Listen" is my "One Word" for 2023. I'm learning, Lord!
Aren't you glad? Look at that beautiful butterfly!!! I just noticed that she has hair going down her spine! Isn't that amazing? I never knew that before!
Ezekiel 36:26 NKJV
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;
I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
I am so thankful she stayed around a while and put on a good show for us!
Isaiah 43:18-19
18 “Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?"
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new."
How often do we see a butterfly and really get to watch it and enjoy it for those few fleeting moments? And better yet, to capture those moments so they can be enjoyed again and again?
This was the last photo (below), before she flew away. But did you notice the little bonus in this picture? Yes, there is a little skipper butterfly on another flower just beyond her! Not sure what kind it is...it was much smaller and I didn't even notice it until I saw this picture! But it made me smile when I saw it! An added little blessing! * later identified as a Phaon Crescent. See added picture below the next photo.
Now, here's a couple of other added blessings...I took these pictures yesterday of Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird sitting in the tree above their house. Daddy Bluebird had just brought Mama a juicy grasshopper to eat. She's been spending a lot of time inside the nest, and I have a feeling the eggs may have hatched already or are getting close to hatching, because she is staying close to home now.
So she was thankful that Mr. Bluebird had brought her something to eat, and she came outside for a minute to get some fresh air. It's been awfully hot in that house, I can well imagine!
Now, here's something new. Remember I told you a week or so ago that I bought an outdoor wildlife camera? Well, I've been trying to figure it out. It's been a little frustrating and hasn't really taken many pictures of any value. But I finally got one that was interesting enough to show you. It is a video, so you will have to click on the arrow to see it. In this video you will see a big black crow on top of the birdhouse, and as he peeks his head in the door to look inside, Mr. Bluebird flies out of the tree to bop him and drive him away! You can see the bluebird chasing him away. Hopefully the crow got the message and won't come messing around the birdhouse anymore.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
"But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one."
Amen.
Well, I guess that's all I've got for today. I hope you enjoyed this little nature show.
Have a blessed and beautiful weekend!
And Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there.
Me and My Daddy...Sunday Afternoon Nap.
