It dawned on me this fall that Jonathan has not really done a birding study.  We did a huge unit study with Nathan a couple of years ago – but Jon would have only been 4 or 5.  Next to each window in the house is a paper, pencil, some have binocs, bird books – so as we look and see, we can remember and look it up.

So Jon is in class this morning:

 
Reading his Phonics Pathways Book.

I’m looking out the window and see a HUGE black bird in the tree.  We have seen many large birds in our yard the last couple of weeks, as they are gleaning from our apple tree.  I’m so excited that I grab my camera and take a photo.  I’ve already broken a couple of birding rules.  Slow down.  Find Details.  Write it down.  But no – I just grab and snap.

Then Zoom In.

Its a CatBird.  I felt silly.

But then I got thoughtful.  I usually do in the mornings.  Of how far we can go to get what we think is going to be wonderful.  How we think if we are just diligent and strong, patient and willing and able, that the things we work towards will just be there when we get there. 

In church on Sunday, Kelly spoke of the verse people like to quote  – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  He pointed out that it would be beneficial to read the entire chapter (Phillipians 4) to read that Paul had gone through hardships and learned to be content in any situation.  Contentment – when full or hungry.  At the end of his ponderings he says – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  He pointed out that it was a learned behavior to be content, and then a lived behavior to be content. 

I did notice that if a cat could smile, she would have been, she seemed to be having a wonderful day in the sun this morning, hoping and waiting for something to pounce on in the tree.