a plan larger than our own...

In pain,

we learned the value of joy

-- in falling down,

we learned the value of standing

-- and in trust,

we will learn the value of a plan larger than our own.

~Laura Teresa Marquez

beautifully flighty creatures of Georgia...

When I was in Georgia, I was treated to seeing some of the little creatures that live in that country. Some of them even were kind enough to sit still long enough for me to photograph them! Like, this fuzzy little baby butterfly: (well, it IS, you know!)

I have no idea what he will look like in his adulthood, but I thought he was quite lovely in his "worm" state! Look at the patterns...and that wonderfully red head!!

And, here are several butterflies I was able to capture...

This little guy below sporting the black and white and yellow was especially calm and cooperative!

He was hanging out on a stick, and he let us hold him up close for examination...I think he may creatively pose as a bee to ward off predators. God gave some of his creatures the best camoflage tricks!

I especially love the shot below...

it looks like this one is ready for take-off!

...and here is one that has just come in for a landing...

My absolute favorite little butterflies, however, were very small and very fast-flying blue ones we saw in one of the villages in the south part of Georgia. It was a small village out in the country, and we saw the blue butterflies flitting all over the place. I tried and tried to get a close-up shot of them, but they would NOT hold still! (I think they were a bit overly-caffeinated or hyped up on some sort of super-nectar!) They weren't very remarkable-looking on the outside of their wings--sort of a pale brown with just a hint of powder blue.

And then,

finally,

one landed

and sat still

for just a few seconds....

just long enough

to capture these...

Isn't it beautiful??

(and especially against the dusty brown backdrop)

...lovely, lovely blue...

...the fuzzy white body...

and look at that adorable face!!

Ah, isn't traveling delightful?

acceptance of life...

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

The wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting the hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things

right if I surrender to His will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

~Reinhold Neibuhr

Hmmm. I don't believe I've ever seen this poem in its entirety before. We usually only hear the first part quoted--as an acceptance of life as it is, the good and the bad. I really love the last half ...so powerful...so very true...with the focus being not on ourselves so much as it is on Him.

lost in translation?

I love it when I find signs that are either unusual or a little "off"...

they tend to make me smile!

While I was in Georgia, as my nephews and I were traipsing up a long, steep hill on the way to an old castle high above the city of Tbilisi, we passed a work crew of men tearing up the road. There was a wonderful sign I saw doing its best to warn us of the potential danger in our path...

Love that Georgian writing... it's so beautiful and unusual...

and speaking of unusual...so was, I must admit, the translation into English!

Hmmm.... be sure to watch out for that WHOLE in the road! It's a deep one! :)

things that make you go "hmmmm????"

When I was in the Munich airport, I saw something I hadn't seen before-- smoking lounges. They are completely enclosed areas in the middle of the airport with places to sit --couches and chairs, desks and stools -- and to just leisurely "hang out" or work while you do your smoking in an otherwise-non-smoking place. Though I cannot imagine what the air-quality must be like INSIDE the smoking lounge, it is wonderful to us non-smokers that they have a completely sealed container in which to do it!

They are very well-appointed and look like a delightful place to pass the time while waiting for one's flight...

But, wait a minute...

What is that in the "fine print" on the sign?

Those words right under the cigarette brand name...

Uh.... that's not so subtle!

and I must admit that I LOVE it!

That's something "more" to "discover"-- Smoking Can Kill.

Hmmmmmm....

i'm lovin' it!

My cousin posted this wonderful heart on my Facebook wall today!! It's a chicken mcnugget!! and I love it! What a great reminder to be on the lookout for delightful surprises...you never know where or how God's going to give you some lovin'!

celebrate the Sabbath...at the Cross...

At The Cross

~Randy & Terry Butler

I know a place, a wonderful place

Where accused and condemned

Find mercy and grace

Where the wrongs we have done

And the wrongs done to us

Were nailed there with Him

There at the cross

At the cross, at the cross

He died for our sin

At the cross,at the cross

He gave us life again

*photo taken at Georgian Orthodox Church near Tbilisi, Georgia