Delighting in Changes

"We delight in the beauty of a butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."  ~ Author Unknown

 

 

During Conference, Naomi discovered a gaudy caterpillar on a bush just outside our front door.  The next day, we found a bright yellow chrysalis and another caterpillar.

 

We got to watch the second caterpillar as it spun its new home with false eyes, and we stared fascinated every morning as the yellow chrysalis slowly turned into a shiny gold.

 



Between my camera and Naomi's, we were able to photograph almost every stage of development of this amazing insect.

 



A few days ago, the shiny chrysalis begin to develop black lines.

 



And this morning when we returned from our exercise, Katherine found a beautiful butterfly had emerged from the first chrysalis!  Does anyone know what kind it is?

 



 

Praying that this insect will be a reminder to me that the changes God encourages in my life are slowly making me into his beautiful creation.

This dude (or dudette?) is one of our favorites to find on the bush outside our current SITAG house.  Every time we stay here, we keep our eyes open for these beautiful creatures.  We've been watching a couple of them eat and eat and eat, reminding me of Carle's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

And now, while we wait for a boat, we're watching this glowing chrysalis and wondering if we will get to see the butterfly emerge.  When Aaron went to the wharf, he discovered that Lavucy will no longer go to the West Russells, only the East Russells.  The Rusa is still waiting for an inspection from maritime to remedy their infractions and be allowed to sail again.  And there is one other ship that we've just discovered, the former Kosco, now J Harms.  It might be going our way soon!  So we stand by with everything packed up and ready, just like the little caterpillar in the chrysalis, waiting to fly.