THIS IS MY FATHER'S WORLD

I'll start going back to the park--and sketching--tomorrow. Here are a few more pics before I do:

I couldn't believe it when I saw this one, so I had to take a photo. Grass was growing out of a rock in the creek, & it looked like the blade split perpendicularly, into the form of a cross. Since Okinawa has been called "The Rock", I grinned, saying, "There's a Cross on the Island!"

I've written numerous times about the dainty little hoverfly that buzzes about, masquerading as a bee. This one with its iridescent wings held me charmed more than all the others, I think.

No matter how insignificant we are, do we go about reflecting His beauty the best we can?

Altho' the park's decreasing greenery saddens me, I'm repeatedly reminded Creator God is completely aware of everything. One morning, God deliberately lifted the clouds over some thinning bushes I was mourning and shined rays from heaven.

I almost seemed to hear, "Don't forget: this is still my universe."

HARVEY FLY

It's "Golden Week" when the park is full of families enjoying holiday vacation together for a few days.

I was looking at turtles today when a father came shouting to his kids a bee had come around and shuffled them off to a safer place. But when I really saw the black-and-yellow critter flying around the flowers, I had to sketch it!

"Aren't you scared of bees?" it seemed to say.

I laughed. It was a Hoverfly! Bee-like markings make much wildlife wary of it too, but the friendly little thing actually has no stinger. Without these markings, this insect would have a hard time going about eating and taking care of daily work, but God sees to it it's given necessary protection.

"His Eye is on the Sparrow," I've heard sung. What about, "His eye is on the FLY/and He cares for such as I"?

Would you pray for my missionary sister Joyce back in the U.S, about to start furlough? It seems she may have diverticulitis. She was hospitalized for abdominal pain in Okinawa just before time to go overseas but God took the pain away then. The discomfort has returned, and Joyce sees the doctor tomorrow.

At best, this can be treated with antibiotics while she runs around churches as planned. The more serious scenario may include bedrest, hospitalization, even surgery.

So...if my Heavenly Father would care for a hoverfly, of course He'd watch over my sister, right?