Snakes and Nutrias...Just Another Day in Oregon!

"If a person has nothing but nature, then nature is enough to reveal something about God." -Max Lucado

Seventeen slithering snakes. Two fuzzy nutrias.  Hundreds of squeaking frogs as they jump off of their logs and splash into the water before them.  Perfectly mirrored reflection of the towering coniferous trees on the pristine, shiny lake.  Brilliant pink azaleas.  Red and white rhododendrons.  Yellow daffodils.  Just another day on our nature hike.  We ride our bikes down to this spot that allows time to stand still.  Our science lesson for today is in front of us.  Our art lesson for today is all around.  The simple reminder that there is a Creator behind all of this makes us stand in awe.  God's hand is reflected everywhere. 

My adventurous son finds a green and yellow garter snake, grabs its squirming tail and holds it up with all the glee in the world written on his face.  "Mom, get a picture!  Hurry!" he says, giggling.  

"Mom, Shhh.  There's a nutria," my becoming-adventurous daughter remarks in her purple-flowered rain boots as she spots the head of a brown nutria swiftly swimming to the vegetative bank, and we observe as it eats its lunch.  We take a snap shot of the scene, and we will take it back to the house to draw it.  This is a sacred moment.  It is a privilege I have these times with my children, and I never want to forget it.  Time.  That gift we can't take for granted.

Nutria eating lunch

Blinding azaleas

Cam playing baseball

A home run just beyond the fence would put the ball in here!