Another One Checked Off

Many of you saw this picture of the bear and two cubs that I posted on Facebook last week. It was a magical morning driving around first light and come across a bear. It was one of my wishes before I die.

Now I know most people call the list of  things they want to do before they die a bucket list. Because of the 2007 movie The Bucket List, starting Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, people started using that expression themselves. Merriam-Webster says "a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying." Bucket List is now tossed around because people somehow relate to it.

I don't. The expression doesn't do anything for me. We never heard it in the 20th century, then one day in the 21st century everyone is using it. It will always be "Wish List" to me.

I have more things crossed off my Wish List than I have remaining to do.

I did see a bear about 6 years ago in VA. Too far away and no picture. So I'm super excited to have seen this mama and her cubs. At least I have a recognizable picture to look at. Not great, but I know what they are.

It may seem like a dumb or crazy thing to wish for, but if you know me you know that I love animals, especially baby animals. And, of course, who hasn't had their own little teddy bear that meant the world to them. That's my teddy bear sitting with all my friends. I can make out Fabian on the lamp shade.

I enjoyed watching the DVD Knut about an orphaned polar bear and a Berlin zookeeper who took him under his wings. And I love looking through my book Grizzly: The Bears of Greater Yellowstone. I will never have the opportunity to take pictures of bears in the wild like I enjoy looking at.

So I now find myself in the wilds of Pennsylvania, bear, deer and turkey country. Elk aren't far away, about 1 1/2 hours. Not sure which back road I'll be taking next, but who knows what I may find to take a picture of. More bears I hope.

This past Monday morning I saw my first PA fawn. They are up and moving around. This doe and fawn stepped about 10 feet into the woods as I drove by. Thankfully they turned around so I could get this snap of both of them looking at me.

Can't wait for my next drive around!

A Little Pencil

"Great works do not always lie in our way, but every moment we may do little ones excellently, that is, with great love." Saint Francis of Sales, 1567-1622

                     There are now four little eggs in the Robin's nest in the Rhododendron bush.

Malcolm Muggeridge writes about a challenge that Mother Teresa wrote to him: "Now let us do something beautiful for God."

"Very often I would feel like a little pencil in God's hand," she said. "He does the writing; he does the thinking; he does the movement--I have only to be a pencil and nothing else."

"A pencil," Muggeridge wrote. "Just a little pencil . . . When we are little pencils in God's hands, we see his work appear in our circumstances."

Mom was keeping a watchful eye on me.

What is your little pencil? It may be your mouth as it teaches Sunday School. It may be your hands as you drive the school bus. It may be your feet as you deliver the mail.

We all have the capability to do something beautiful for God. "I love the idea of being simply a little "pencil" in your hand. Write with me what you desire."

Muggeridge found the phrase enchanting, with a sparkle and gaiety. "Do something beautiful for God." That is why we're here. Why we've given our life to Christ. Why we have decided to serve Him.

We put up two hummingbird feeders this week. We have four coming around to drink. This is a favorite perch one of them flies too .

I actually use a little pencil. Well, a little pen. But your little pencil can be anything. It's your life. Do something beautiful for God.

This butterfly was enjoying the lovely flowers of the Rhododendron bush.

"All service ranks the same with God." Robert Browning, 1812-1889

Half Price

Shutterfly did it again. They lured me into creating a new book during their half price sale. I put all of my hope bookmarks in with scripture that I love to read. Hope you enjoy it! Copy the link below and paste in your browser.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaMm7Fq4Ys3D5A&eid=112

Trees Talk. Can You Hear Them?

I saw this beautiful magnolia tree on the way to Lancaster a few years ago. It was alive with life and it's lovely blooms were a delight to behold.  

Today's post is from a devotion I read recently by Phillip Keller from his book, Songs From My Soul. In this beautiful month of May, I thought it would be a fine thing to think on.

"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young--a place near your altar, O Lord almighty, my King and my God."  Psalm 84:3

                 Nothing quite stirs the soul as springtime when all nature comes alive with beauty.

"There are certain values in life that money and material wealth can never purchase. Gold and silver, stocks and bonds, bank accounts and investment securities are not sufficient to assure peace of mind or serenity of spirit.

"What price can be placed upon a life of simplicity, free from the fret and strain of trying to keep pace in a man-killing society? What will a person give in exchange for the quiet ecstasy of living gently in harmony with the seasons? What consolation can surpass that of the secure inner assurance that this indeed is my Father's world, in which He cares for me with intense personal interest?

 I saw many seasons with this tree as I drove back and forth to work morning and night. It was a sight I drank in as it stood in all it's glory, whether spring, summer, fall or winter.

"I am constantly reminded that this caring is not confined or directed only toward us human beings. It embraces and enfolds the whole world around us: the trees and shrubs, with their foliage shining in the sun; the soft, sweet, fragrant grasses and flowers that flourish on our hills; the birds that build their nests and rear their young all around us; the insects that hum in the sun and flit across the lake; the wild deer and mountain sheep and mink and beavers and bears whose realm we share. All these remind us that we are friends and neighbors. As the ancient Indians would say, we are all 'brothers beneath the sun.'

I can still hear the rustling of the leaves as they fell to the ground.

The vibrant yellows, red and rust were beautiful.

"We delude ourselves if we believe our Father cares only for human beings. His assurance to us is otherwise. It is He who clothes the flowers of the field in great glory; He knows when a fledgling falls. He's the Creator of all!"

If you've never read Phillip Keller's Lessons From a Sheepdog I highly recommend it.

                    A lone tree in the dead of winter. Enchanting. Mystical. The season of winter.

"If you have never heard the mountains singing, or seen the trees of the field clapping their hands, do not think because of that they don't. Ask God to open your ears so you may hear it and your eyes so you may see it, because, though few men ever know it, they do my friend, they do." McCandlish Phillips

It's Your Choice

"The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are." C. S. Lewis

What a wonderful time I had as I met my friend, Brenda, at The Country Cupboard in Lewisburg, PA. It is a favorite establishment of mine for enjoying a good meal and shopping delightful little shops all under one roof.

Do you choose your friends on how wise they are? People who appear to have integrity, be honest and show wisdom in their choices.

Even though I've "felt unequal" in knowledge and intellect than many people I'm drawn too, each person I've made friends with have inspired my life.

You can be sure that I'm not putting myself down or think less of myself than I should in writing the words "unequal". I know I'm a child of the King and He made me to be exactly who I am, and I'm fine with that. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14  But I do know and accept that I'm limited in a number of areas. Then again, I guess we all are.

One of my weaknesses is in pronouncing words. I have a difficult time remembering and pronouncing words, and it has kept me from making comments and participating in conversations through my life.

I also can't express myself when in a group of people. The words just don't come to my mind, so again I remain quiet. It's always makes me feel uncomfortable. If I had the ability to remain a homebody all my life I probably would have done that. Anything than be in a group of people.

There's a commercial on television for a medicine named Rexulti. It is to help people with depression, etc. In the commercial people hold up a sign in front of their face with a smiley face on it. But their own face is sad. Well, that was me during a lot of my working years. I just couldn't open my mouth to say anything in groups of people. And I felt unqualified.

As I wrote last week, I worked for a State Convention for 16 years. Through most of those years I never felt as capable as most of my co-workers. I was a sponge that soaked up good behavior, intelligent decisions and honest living.

When I spoke about the ministry of note writing to groups of people, my talk was typed up, word for word, and I read the script in it's entirety. That's the only way I could stand in front of a group of people and tell about the ministry I love so much. And I got good at it. You really couldn't tell I was reading a script.

Let me not forget to say that even people of wisdom are human and make mistakes. I'm not looking for perfect people to associate with. But I am looking for people who I've seen display qualities of goodness, respect and care for their fellow beings.

"We reform others unconsciously when we walk uprightly." Madame Annie Sophie Soymanov Swechine (1782-1857)

My friend, Brenda, and me.

I can sure remember a few choices I've made in my life that didn't put me in the company of good people. And I've suffered because of it.

I believe the words C. S. Lewis wrote are true, and worthy to be applied to your life. I know I've been helped by associating with people I believe are "quality" people. Like I said, I'm a sponge soaking up the good in others in hopes of helping myself along the way.

As a child of God knows, true wisdom comes from God. And His instruction book is the right choice! There are many fine folk in the world who have walked with Him, and their behavior and presence shows it. That's my choice. No matter my weaknesses, I want my presence to show I'm a child of the King!

"When I think of those who have influenced my life the most, I think not of the great, but of the good." John Knox (c. 1514-1640)