Lessons from Around the FARM

I love lingering in the front yard with the boys. We spy on our planters, like a treasure hunt, and spot such diverse creatures. We started our planter hunts a couple of years ago. But now each time we discover something particular to Hawaii I hope they grasp these moments and commit them to memory. I do believe our move will happen.

A few days ago we found a green anole in a bird of paradise bush. If you look carefully you can see the turquoise around the eyes. Anoles change colors depending on their environment, humidity, or even mood. This anole remained green, cautiously aware of us. Anoles are good guys. Like geckos, they eat bugs, spiders, and other pesky animals.

Our birds of paradise blooms are so vibrant right now!

The next morning, Son1 and I sat in two different worlds on the covered open lanai. He assembled a train set on the ground while I read my Daily Bible in a chair. Falling rain was rhythmic and calm. The peacefulness was interrupted by a squawking raucous. I looked up and a few Red Vented Bulbuls intently called to one another. This is not my photo, but a good close up.

They spread themselves between the bamboo trees, the heart shaped elephant ears, and the apple banana trees. Their sound was so unique, I sat contently welcoming the distraction. I was intrigued by their croons. Without warning a Bulbul swooped down and landed squarely on my grass. Fast. It romped about, searching, searching, searching. It did not give up; it was relentless. Like a hammer, its beak spaded the grass. It hit hard, forcefully, with determination. Just as quickly as his head dove, it snapped back with a big, fat, juicy, and squirmy red earthworm clenched in its beak. It reminded me of a smaller version of a hawk preying on a field mouse. The prize came without warning. But it came. The bird flew back to its perch, and suddenly a different bird took a turn. Once again, I witnessed the same searching, the same hammering of grass, the same prize, and the same rapid flee to its perch. I was awed. I called Son1 over to come quietly. We watched another bird, all over again, search, search, search and then flee. I ran inside for my camera. I really wanted a "worm shot." But each time the bird clutched its worm, it escaped faster than I could snap a shot. I did manage a couple of shots of the bulbuls in their watch spots.

I don't think the birds ever doubted they would find worms. They found them each and every time they swooped. Maybe I give them too much credit. Maybe they were too dumb to doubt. Maybe my back yard lawn is infested with worms, and I don't know it. I doubt that, though.

I sat under the shelter of my covered lanai, watching the rain, watching the birds, holding Son1 in my lap. I whispered to him how God made worms so that the birds would have food. At that moment I remembered:

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" -Matthew 6:25-27

Minutes passed. Now the birds had moved on to another yard, and Son1 squirmed off my lap and returned to his trains. I walked back into the house and found Hubby, recounting the Birds and Worms event. I told him I felt a peace our houses are going to sell just like the birds found their worms. "It's gonna happen, just like that, BAM. Without warning. Just like those birds hopped and hopped, and then, without warning, BAM they found their worms."

When it's going to happen, neither of us know. God only knows. What we do know is that Hubby still has a job in Hawaii, and the Powers That Be are kindly allowing us to sell our house in Hawaii before we move to San Diego. We appreciate all of you that are praying, and all that have extended us words of encouragement. They mean more than you know, to both of us. It's fun to share with one another, "Hey...you know what so and so told me today?" Or, "so and so emailed me and said..."

There is only one other thing we know. When BAM it happens, we will pocket our "worms" and fly away!