Time flies, but it still manages to surprise me sometimes. I was just looking back at an old journal entry for something that I thought happened about two years ago. It was actually six years ago!

O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! (Psalm 39:4)

A young boy wearing blue boots stands in a forested area and points a small turtle on the ground near his feet. A box turtle is partially hidden among dry leaves and forest ground cover. A turtle is camouflaged among brown leaves and rocky soil. A turtle is is closed up in his shell with some leaves with grass nearby.

We found lots of turtles on yesterday’s hike. 🐢 📷

A woman with a yellow backpack is walking along a narrow, grassy trail through a sunlit, green forest. In the distance, two children and a dog are visible further along the path.

Spent a few hours with the kids walking in the woods near our house this morning. After last night’s rain, the weather was cool, and everything was fresh and green. 📷

A patch of vibrant purple irises with lush green leaves. The sky above is overcast with gray clouds, and there are trees in the distant background, creating a natural, tranquil setting.

The irises have exploded into bloom over the last few days here. I wanted to snap a shot of this bed before the rain moves in. 🌱

Finished reading: The Art of Disagreeing by Gavin Ortlund 📚

This brief book is full of wisdom for our contentious times, explaining how meaningful disagreements must be both well-founded and graciously handled.

Recently Finished reading: Rose Guide to End-Times Prophecy by Timothy Paul Jones 📚I’m grateful for the author’s attempts to be even-handed, and highlight things to appreciation about each perspective. Still, it covers too much for most lay readers, and not enough for an in-depth assessment.

A narrow dirt path meanders through a lush forest carpeted with small, light purple wildflowers. The trees, mostly leafless with some budding green leaves, create a canopy above the flowers. The scene feels serene and natural, with a mix of earthy tones and the vibrant purple of the flowers contrasting with the fresh green of the undergrowth.

This is an old photo from back when digital cameras weren’t great. Still, looking at it always makes me think of spring. I’m ready for the weekend rains to pass so we can go hiking again. 📷

Finished reading: The Essential Means of Grace by Paul Washer 📚 This short little book is a very readable and practical overview. I’ll be recommending this and buying copies to give away.

A snake with a mottled gray and brown pattern blends into its rocky surroundings. It is coiled among various sized stones, providing effective camouflage. The textured scales of the snake are visibly detailed.

The kids found this guy in the dry creek bed where we stopped for lunch on our hike. He was cold and barely moving. Back at home we consulted a book of local snake species and think it was a pigmy rattlesnake. 📷 🐍

A close-up of a branch with clusters of small, vibrant pink flowers. The background shows a blurred view of a forest. The overall scene is tranquil, indicating early spring. Close-up of a white dogwood flower with four petals and a cluster of small green buds at the center. The petals have a slightly pinkish tinge near the edges. The background shows blurred branches and brownish foliage. A close-up of a tree branch adorned with clusters of small, bright pink flowers. The branch is prominent in the foreground, while the background features a blurred view of greenery and forest floor. Some new yellow-green leaves can be seen emerging on the branch. The overall scene gives a sense of springtime in a wooded area.

A few of the abundant spring blossoms from yesterday’s hike. 📷