Enjoying the Outdoors in May

The weather has been nice these past few weeks. So, aside from our usual studies in CTG, we have been spending some time exploring and enjoying things outdoors...

One early day in May, we noticed a bird's nest sitting nicely on top of our coiled water hose.

We took a peek inside the nest and found four eggs. We will enjoy watching baby birds emerge from them soon, and see how the mother takes care of them.

On a nice evening, my husband took us all out to a local grassy airport to fly his remote-controlled airplane (his newest hobby). While we were out there, the sun began to set and we saw one of God's beautiful paintings.

And, as the sun set, the moon began to rise on the opposite side. This was the night of the BIG moon! It was another beautiful site.

The kids and I went for a walk one evening and noticed a flattened snake on the road. Coyote was especially interested in it, and was excited that he was able to see the snake's spine and bones.

On the same walk, we noticed purple clover growing. I showed the kids that the root of a clover petal tastes sweet, and that's why the bees like it so much.

And (last but not least), on a day that was sunny but a little bit cooler, we had a lesson in our Science book (Genesis for Kids) that talked about the ultimate cure for worry. After we read Matthew 6:25-34, the kids were instructed to find a comfortable, quiet place where they could be alone. Here, they were to write (or draw) about anything that worries them. Then, pray and ask God to take care of these things. (I would say, it was sort of like an introduction to a "prayer journal.")

Road Runner chose to stay inside the house, as that is her comfort zone. However, Coyote put on his jacket and went outside to the swingset. There, he proceeded to draw all the things that bother him - things like thunderstorms, heights, and losing a loved one.

This exercise was a great way to introduce the kids to how we should pray about our worries and give them over to the Lord. After all, if he cares for the birds and provides what they need, he will certainly provide what we need as well. Our prayers may not always be answered the way we want them to be answered, but they are always answered in a way that is best for us. Even if we have to endure a thunderstorm or experience the loss of a loved one, God is there to help calm our fears and to give us the strength we need.