Fellowship Of The Dig

So it starts. The digging out. You can say we are all part of the Fellowship of the dig.

I watch a show called The Curse Of Oak Island. I love learning about the history. It was on this show that they coin the phase "Fellowship of the dig."

Of course the digging is for the treasure that everyone thinks is on the island.

The treasure that our fellowship is searching for is pavement, cars and freedom from our cabin fever. While this has been a record breaking snow storm, we have fared well. My husband and I started the dig early. Now my daughter and grandson carries on the quest for our treasure.

 As we all dig out today, take it slow and do not over exert yourselves. For the fellowship of the dig, the most precious treasures are our family and health.

Are You Ready?

Did you here? Winter is coming with a vengeance. Are you ready?

I have been watching the squirrels collecting leaves, nuts and other materials getting ready for winter. I wonder if they knew that we are getting hit with one epic snow storm this weekend?

All over the news the "B" word is being thrown out there. You know, "Blizzard". It is not a word that the weather man uses often. This is one word we need to be prepared for as the storm makes it way to our part of town.

My daughter works at a grocery store and tells me what a mad house these past two days have been, Tomorrow is the last chance to get your toilet papers, milk and what ever you made need to survive this weekend. I will be after lots of snack food.

There is something about being trapped inside that brings out the munchies in me. Am I ready. No! But I will survive. Like this squirrel, I will have collected all I need to make it through this blizzard.

Putting On A Show

It seems that after the fowls at the pond in Bel Air procreate, they put on a show to announce their act. This was the first time that I caught the white geese in the act.

I never know what to expect each day as I make my rounds looking for a good shot. Some times God's creations puts a smile on my face. Other times it make me laugh out loud. It always warms my heart to get to see what nature has to show.

I some time wonder what God must think of me when I put on a show. Does He smile, laugh or just shakes His head at the silliness of my actions? What I do know, I will always do my best to bring honor to Him.

Do Not Tell Anyone.

I caught them in the act, as they went to work at a fast pace to change the outfit on the APG's drain baby. For the past several years, I have enjoy the many outfits that seemed to show up on the doll. Sometimes the doll is a female, other times it is a male. Talk about a cross-dresser. LOL.

As I was heading to the Kirk clinic, I happen upon them and pulled over to finally met them. They told me how the drain baby got its start. Someone had thrown it away by a dumpster. The baby was rescued and put on the drain. From there it took a life of its own.

Once the police were called because they thought it was a real child. The family that is dressing the drain baby was not the first. They have been doing it for three years. We talked for a few minutes more.  They were kind enough to take a picture of me with the newest outfit.

"Do not tell anyone," they told me. No one is to know. They love hearing others talk about who they think is dressing it. So, I gave them my promise.

Jesus, once said, "Do not tell anyone." Of course those in the bible did not listen. I am glad, because I would not be the person I am today if they kept the news about Jesus to themselves.

Do not tell anyone. So I will not tell. But I will share the story of the drain baby and how I look forward to seeing it every time I go on base. Thank you mystery family for being faithful.

A Hint Of A Rainbow

There is a place I like to go just before noon. It is a place where there are three fountains. As the wind blows the spray from the water, you can see hint of a rainbow. I go there to help me to remember that God is always there.

The rainbow gets brighter and more define when the wind blows harder. If I more just a few inches forward or backward, I can no longer see it. Even when I stay in one place, the rainbow soon disappears due to the fact the sun continues to move along the sky.

God seems to be telling me a story. The rainbow is His promise to me that He is ever present. All I have to do is be where He wants me to stay so I can see a hint of Him. Than there are times that He calls me to move forward to continue to see Him.

I fine there are times that I have to back up a little, because I lost sight of the rainbow. God directs my path. It is nice to have those hints of a rainbow to remind of that.

Change Is Certain

Every time I see a butterfly, I think about the changes it had to go through to become one. It not an easy thing for them. It takes time and they have a hard struggle to get out of the cocoon. But it is all worth it when they get to fly.

Change happens everyday. We may have to find a new job, or a new place to live or something as simple as a new pair of shoes. I just had to buy a new pair for work.

It does not matter how big or small the changes are in life. What matters is that you accept them and learn from them.

I am getting older and do not like the changes of age. I lost sixty pounds and feel much better from that change. The lost of love ones is a hard change to accept. But the birth of a new baby in the family is great news.

Change is certain. Good or bad, these changes makes us grow. When we allow God to be the center of these changes, we can only get better and stronger.

Lunch Time

Several weeks ago, I was invited to have lunch with two friends. Just before heading to Judy's place, she asked if we would like tuna. So, in my mind I was thinking tuna fish sandwich. When we got there, I thought I had arrived at a fancy restaurant.

Judy is one of those people who like to treat you as if you were one of a kind friend. She is talented, kind-hearted and goes beyond the norm to help you. I have learn so much from her.

We all know what the acronym WWJD means, "What Would Jesus Do?" Well, I sometime ask myself "What Would Judy Do?" She has influence my life in such a way that I find myself doing what she would do.

Jesus has influence my life as well. Through my walk with Him, I learn so much.

In a couple of days from now, I will have another lunch time with Judy. But everyday, I have my lunch times with Jesus. Having both of them in my life has made me a better person and friend.

Squirrel's Protection.

The squirrel was putting on a show for my friend and me. The noise she was making caught our attention. We watched her for a while trying to figure out what she was so upset about. She kept covering the hole in this tree.

We were so busy taking pictures, that we did not notice the red-shouldered hawk sitting higher in the tree. It was not until the hawk flew down that we understood what the squirrel was so upset about. Before the hawk could get a meal, the squirrel was inside the hole in a flash.

This squirrel was putting her life on the line protecting the baby squirrels inside the hole.

I wonder how many times I would put my life on the line for another? I would like to think that it would be every time.

I am glad that there was someone who did put His life on the line for me. Jesus not only put His life on the line, but gave it for me. Like the squirrel who was protecting her babies, I am now under the protection of Jesus.

Yellow-bellied Actions

Yesterday, while a good friend and I were bird watching, we came across another birder who helps me from time to time to identify the species. After a few minutes of talking we went our different ways to see what we could catch.

Soon he came across a female yellow-bellied sapsucker working hard on this tree. He knew that I would be passing by, so he waited. It is not often I get to see a yellow-bellied and he did not want me to miss it. His action was a blessing to me and my friend. He is always willing to give good advice and places where to get some good shots of birds.

This yellow-bellied sapsucker's actions also is a blessings to others. I often notice that after the sapsucker finish pecking in one place and moves on, little birds like the ruby-crowned kinglet flies in to get their share of the sap.

Bugs are attracted as well. Soon they get stuck and other birds flies in to get their fill of the bugs. The action of the yellow-bellied benefits many.

We can learn from this little creature. Our actions should always be a blessing to others.

Bel Air Swan

Today, I was pleasantly surprise to fine a mute swan in the Bel Air pond. I have been visiting this pond for more than ten years and never once seen a swan there. My favorite place to see mute swans is at the marsh in Edgewood.

Every Sunday after church, I take my grandson around to the different ponds in hope of catching something new. But it is only in and around Edgewood that we check out my favorite spots. Just on a whim, I decided to go to Bel Air and check the pond. I have not been there for a couple of months.

When I pulled into the parking lot, I was shocked to see the swan swimming along side the geese and gulls. I was not planning on getting out of the car. The swan changed that. I was out with my camera and took about forty plus pictures.

This was only a start of a great day of taking pictures of birds. God is good. He loves to show me His creatures. When I think I have seen it all, He gives me a nice surprise, like the Bel Air swan.

His Eyes Are On The Sparrow

We know that God cares about the sparrow. His eyes are on this tiny bird and He provides for the sparrow's needs.

God's eyes are on us as well. He cares so much, that He know the number of hairs on our head. There is nothing that we need that God does not provide. Yet we question Him, when we do not get the things we think we need.

If we take the time to be still and wait on God, we can clearly see that He knows what is best for us all along. God watches over us. He guides us. He died for us.

Every time I see a sparrow, I know that God eyes are on the sparrow. I also know that His eyes are on me and I find peace in knowing that he cares for me also.

It Is A Jungle

As we start a whole new year, it feels like that we may be facing a jungle. It seems to swallow us up as we throw up our hands in surrender. We are overwhelmed by the obstacles that looms ahead.

There is hope. When we face these trials that are sure to control our lives, we need to turn to the One who is in control of everything. We need to surrender to Jesus.

While I do not know what this year will bring into my life, I know that Jesus will be the center of it all. The jungle will only serve to help me turn to Jesus for my help.

It is a jungle out there. I am glad Jesus is my refuge.