Our little Australian Brushtail possum now has a name. We have called her Petal Possum. Her mother is Blossom. She is a few months old now and this is her very first Christmas. So, I thought she should grace our Christmas Card from the Quiet Side of the Great Lake.
I also decided I would add the words to the card from a simple Christmas song, “Feliz Navidad”, released in 1970, written and performed by José Feliciano. Feliz Navidad means “Merry Christmas!” I thought these words a simple greeting, easy to understand and heartfelt, suitable from the heart of a baby possum even if the chorus is written in Spanish!
You might like to sing along!
Chorus:
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero año why felicidad (“Merry Christmas, a prosperous year and happiness”)
Verse:
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart
I thought these words a simple greeting, from a baby possum even if the chorus is written in Spanish!
Merry Christmas!
To you and yours, have a blessed Christmas and New Year. Stay safe and God Bless,
Down here in the Southern Hemisphere it’s Summertime. A time of sunshine, sea breezes, heat waves, thunderstorms, surf, beaches, swimming pools and Christmas!
Everybody’s going surfing down Australia way!
On the Quiet Side of the Great Lake it is a time of abundance, which brings the return of the bird life. Our bird baths become the feathered version of the office water cooler. Busy, and providing the opportunity to share the latest gossip.
Who’s for a swim?All in together!So what’s new?
There are growing babies! Our little possum doesn’t need to travel everywhere with mum now, and has gone from riding on mum’s back to going solo.
Isn’t she sweet?
The Quiet Side is filled with the cries of Corellas, Cockatoos, Lorikeets, Rosellas, Egrets, White faced Herons, Black Swans just to mention several examples.
We get to enjoy all of these beautiful creatures because God provides for all His Creation. Psalm 104:13-15 The Passion Translation tells us:
From your kindness you send the rain to water the mountains from the upper rooms of your palace. Your goodness brings forth fruit for all to enjoy.
Your compassion brings the earth’s harvest, feeding the hungry. You cause the grass to grow for livestock, along with the fruit, grains, and vegetables to feed mankind.
You provide sweet wine to gladden hearts. You give us daily bread to sustain life, giving us glowing health for our bodies.
How can we not give thanks and praise to the God of Wonders!
Blessings,
Marilyn
Thanks to my friend Pam for her photos of the the lorikeets and the baby possum.
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. Matthew 6:26 NLT
Imagine the sheer joy of a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets when they surveyed this bountiful – yet still to ripen – bunch of palm fruit. They saw God’s promise that he would provide for them with abundant nectar when the fruit ripened.
These two colourful little birds kept and eye on the fruit until it ripened and brought forth their harvest.
I knew the fruit was ripe when I began to be awakened each morning at 5.30 am by the chirping of the lorikeets feasting on the nectar.
The Rainbow Lorikeets became very protective of their treasure, it required guarding.
The male watches over his partner, as she eats.
As there are always those who seek to steal and devour.
Noisy Miners also love their nectar and they are particularly territorial. If the palm tree fruit is in their territory, they will defend it. They use force in numbers to dive bomb the lorikeets and drive them off. These skirmishes are punctuated with lots of squawking and screeching. However, I think after a while it becomes a bit of a game, as the next morning – the lorikeets are back and the skirmishes begin again. No one is pecked or hurt. It’s all just a bit of fun.
There is a lesson to be learned from this little story. If we revisit Matthew 6:26 (above) there is an addendum.
“Look at thebirds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”Matthew 6:26 NLT
God feeds the birds. They are dependent on Him. God’s creatures are accepting and trusting and it is with much joy that they imbibe in the gifts they have been given.
It’s a different matter for us humans, as God has given us ‘free will.’ We like to make our own plans. Dream our own dreams, pursue our own objectives. We tend to overlook the fact that God has a plan for each and every one of us.
Ephesians 3:20 (The Passion Translation) tells us:
“Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.”
Perhaps now is the time to trust in God to follow His will and walk in His ways, according to His Word. You may be surprised with God in the equation how your dreams succeed beyond your wildest imagination.
There are times when we are really blessed. When God allows us to share in the mysteries of His Creation. This is one of them and is a great opportunity for young children to see the development of a baby possum.
The Quiet Side of the Great Lake is the setting of all of my children’s books, and it is here we have recently welcomed a new baby. The proud mother is Blossom Possum who resides next door to us. Blossom is an Australian Brushtail Possum and is strictly a border so she has freedom to come and go as she pleases. And it pleases her to come and stay.
She now has two possum boxes, one indoor and one outside, plus some space underneath the first floor of the pole house. She receives fresh fruit each afternoon from my neighbour who is Blossom’s landlady. One of my previous books was entitled “The Tale of Pamela Possum” see publications page. “The Tale of Pamela Possum” is loosely based on Blossom’s story.
The baby’s sex is yet to be identified, so it doesn’t yet have a name.
This is his/her story.
HI! THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY MY BLOG, COMING TO YOU FROM THE QUIET SIDE OF THE GREAT LAKE DOWN HERE IN AUS
In the dead of night I found myself, just a tiny hairless mite, crawling through my mother’s fur looking for a safe place. I found that place in her pouch. It was warm, soft and snug and had a nice supply of pre-heated mother’s milk. I wanted for nothing. So I stayed there for some months. But I started to grow, and after a few months – I didn’t fit so well anymore..
My tail and one leg just didn’t fit no matter how much I wiggled….
… so I discovered it was time to make my way out into the big wide world. It was time to learn to ride on my Mama’s back.
I didn’t have much fur then. In fact I was a bit on the scrawny side. This is what I looked like.
Thank goodness Mama has enough fur for both of us!
I quickly learned that at times my Mama moves quite fast, especially when there’s food in the offing so I have learned to cling on tight.
Whoops! This is how it’s done! Hanging on tightly.
Now I’ve got lots more fur, and I can jump aboard really fast. I’ve found if I jump on Mama’s fluffy brush tail, I can climb on to her back.
That fluffy black thing is Mum’s tail! Sometimes as I’m clinging on the long fur gets up my nose!
Now we go everywhere together.
Sometimes Mama forgets I’m up here, so I’ve had to learn to duck when we go into tight spaces.
I love my Mama. We go out at in the dark at night to find food. I’m not ready for the chewy stuff yet, I’m still drinking my Mama’s milk. Soon I’ll be ready to go solo.
Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on your instruments to God, Who fills the sky with clouds, preparing rain for the earth, Ps 147:7-8 TM
We witnessed one of the funniest scenes this morning when we received a sudden downpour of rain. About forty Corellas (members of the galah family) flew into the trees at the back of our home and began to hang upside down. All of them! It was like a scene from Topsy Turvy Land.
SHOWERING CORELLA
HI, AND THANKS FOR STOPPING BY MY BLOG COMING FROM DOWNUNDER AUSTRALIA, WHICH REVEALS GOD THROUGH HIS CREATION!
For a time the trees were filled with forty totally hysterical corellas, squawking their heads off, rolling about in the wet palm fronds and having a blast! It appeared to be all about opening up your wings and allowing the rain to wash your tummy and under your wings.
Of course I immediately grabbed my camera and began snapping off some of the funny business happening right outside my window.
THERE WERE CORELLA COUPLES AND GROUPSALL HANGING BY THEIR TOESFULL LAYOUT
It was quite a circus for a while, until the rain stopped and, then they quieted down, straightened up and went back to the business of the day.
It was so lovely to share the joy of these little white balls of feathers – nature’s most natural comedians. Some hung together, others joined a group, while some just hung out solo.
Their screeching and squawking seemed to be their way of giving thanks to the Great Creator who made them. I think there are some lessons here for all of us. How often do we receive answered prayer and forget to give God the thanks and praise He SOdeserves. My opening verse describes what God loves to hear from us.
Sing to God a thanksgiving hymn, play music on your instruments to God, Who fills the sky with clouds, preparing rain for the earth, Ps 147:7-8 TM
These cheeky little characters also reminded me that God has a sense of humour. We know that’s true as we are made in His image!
As natural entertainers these little birds love to share their contagious joy. The Bible is big on reminding us to “Go forth with joy!” So I’m sure God certainly didn’t intend for those who love Him to go around with long faces.
Nehemiah 8:10 tells us: “The joy of the Lord is my strength”. He gave us living pleasures in the form of pets who share our homes and bring us unconditional love and pleasure. And then there are those from the wild which He brings across our paths to lift our hearts and encourage us when we are down. Just as He did with the praising corellas!
If you’re feeling down, I trust this lifts your spirits. Perhaps it’s time to hang out in a bush setting or beside a lake or the ocean where you can really feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Our God does great things too marvellous to understand!
The Bible is not only a miracle in itself, it is full of recorded miracles. The miracles God performed to free the Children of Israel, their journey through the Red Sea and through the wilderness to the Promised Land. God performed miracles in battle to protect His beloved people, Israel. There were the miracles performed by His prophets, and then of course there were the many miracles performed by His Son, Jesus here on earth and later His disciples.
Despite all that God has done there were times since the beginning when His people doubted, and lost their faith and their hope.
Welcome to my blog coming to you from downunder in Australia.
Revelations from a Lake is about seeing God through the majesty of His Creation.
Sometimes we doubt God still performs miracles today. But of course that is not true. Miracles are still occurring throughout the world, many are recorded, but many are not and are easily forgotten. Job in the book of Job 5:9 says: “He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.” He states many examples which to us might appear everyday mundane things e.g. “He gives rain for the earth and water for the fields. He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer” (See Job 5), there are many more.
The simplest miracles God creates are totally beyond our ability and are often overlooked or ignored.
The intricate design of plants and flowers:
EXQUISITE!
The colours of the rainbow…
[And God said] “I’m putting my rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between me and the Earth. From now on, when I form a cloud over the Earth and the rainbow appears in the cloud, I’ll remember my covenant between me and you and everything living, that never again will floodwaters destroy all life.” (Genesis 9:14-15 THE MESSAGE)
FINDING THE END OF THE RAINBOW
The love and faithfulness of a pet….
OUR LITTLE RESCUE DOG, “MILLIE”
And so much more….
Answer to prayer is a miracle! I encourage you to write your answered prayers down and give God the praise and glory He deserves. List them! Read them over and remember what the Lord has done for you and will continue to do.
I recently experienced a miracle in my own life. The report on a routine medical procedure recently brought me frightening news. My whole life stopped with the prospect I may not be long for this world. I spent a month in turmoil during which time many wonderful people in my church prayed for me. I underwent a second more definitive procedure to further clarify the extent of my condition, only to find that there was no sign of any abnormality! A second opinion was sought by the reporting radiologist. My specialist was gob-smacked. It was beyond understanding. I see it as one of God’s miracles! An answer to prayer.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, coming from down under un Aus. I hope through this blog God will bless you as you see Him, through the works of His hands.
Wherever you look God’s work is on display.
Psalm 74:16 -17 says:
“You own the day and the night.
Sunlight and starlight call you Creator.
The four corners of the earth were formed by your hands,
and every changing season owes its beauty to you.” (The Passion Translation)
Romans 1:20 reminds us that every man can see God:
“But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being.” (The Message)
When I see birds with beautiful wings, I think of resting in God’s protection beneath the shelter of his wings amidst the softness and protection of his feathers.
A swan protects her babies allowing them to settle underneath her wings when they grow tired of paddling. There they are kept safe and float along on her feathers.
AUSTRALIAN BLACK SWAN AND CYGNETS
Picture yourself as a downy little cygnet, floating along under the protection of those huge wings, resting comfortably in the softness of those feathers. All your troubles are taken care of. You are free to snuggle and feel safe, wrapped in love.
The wings of birds are fascinating. This little Cormorant (below) has a perch of twigs on the lake in clear view of my window. As I sit there in my quiet time with God I often see him sitting on his perch drying his wings. Cormorants like Darters have the capacity to swim under water to find their food. However, they do need to dry their wings in between dips.
PIED CORMORANTAUSTRALIAN PINK AND GREY GALAH
Just like angel wings! So white and ethereal.
Wings are delicate. Even the common butterfly. This is a Meadow Argus butterfly – not one of the most beautiful of butterflies but delicate. Check out the edging in the wings, the intricate design.
Meadow Argus butterfly
So, if you’re travelling through troubled times remember this:
“O God how extravagant is Your cherishing love! All mankind can find a hiding place, Under the shelter of Your wings.” Ps 36:7 (The Passion Translation)
“Protect me from harm, keep an eye on me. Like You would a child. Reflected in the twinkling of your eye. Yes, hide me within the shelter of Your embrace, Under Your outstretched wings. Protect me from all my foes. Ps 17:8 (The Passion Translation)
“Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7b NIV).
The Passion Translation which I just love says it this way: “Wash me in your love until I am pure in heart”
Thanks for stopping by my blog, coming from Down-under in Aus on the Quiet Side of the Great Lake, and focuses on seeing God through His Creation.
We have a resident Great Egret on the Quiet Side of the Great Lake. He is indeed a stately fellow. Pristine and snow-white!
His colouring reminds me of purity. Pure hearts, pure thoughts etc. He is graceful for a large bird, which reminds me that we are “saved by grace”.
Like a silent sentinel, he is always there. When I look out of my window he is somewhere on the lake going quietly going about his business – fishing for dinner. Ever faithful. Our God is ever faithful.
EVER FAITHFUL
Even when we were flooded – he was there wading past our fence.
NOTE THE PARTLY SUBMERGED TREES
So precious! I decided to search my Concordance on the word pure, and it brought up a verse that brought me a lot of comfort, and if you are going through hard times – it will help you too.
LOVE THIS VERSE!
And lastly I couldn’t resist adding this one.
SO GRACEFUL!
Look for God in His Creation and you will find Him!
The flowers are springing up and the time of the singing of birds has come. Yes, spring is here. Solomon 2:12 TLB
We have new babies! Two little Noisy Miner chicks are presently enjoying the seclusion of our paper bark tree.
Thanks for stopping by my blog from the Quiet Side of the Great Lake, coming from Downunder in Aus! (Australia)
People often confuse the native little Noisy Miner bird with the brown and yellow Indian Myna bird which is considered a pest in New South Wales gardens.
BABY NOISY MINER
This little guy is a honey eater and is a native bird of Australia. See how downy he is! So cute. We have a family of them around our garden and they can be quite entertaining at times. They are also really good parents in raising their babies.
BABY NOISY MINER NUMBER TWO
Also this week the Bar-tailed Godwits arrived from Alaska. They make this trip every year arriving at a staging area in northern Australia, then departing to their selected vacation area. The don’t breed here, they seem to come for the summer holidays!
OVERSEAS VISITORS
You would hardly believe they have not long ago flown a non-stop flight from Alaska to Australia. They are indeed one of God’s amazing creations. I get quite excited when they arrive. They are a little earlier this year.
“O Lord, what a variety you have made! And in wisdom you have made them all! The earth is full of your riches.There before me lies the mighty ocean, teeming with life of every kind, both great and small.”Psalm 104:24-25 TLB
“Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him.” Ps 42:5
It is interesting that the words, hope, trust and faith are all synonyms for each other, but there is a marked difference.
I found this definition on the web: “Hope” bears with it an emotional sense of “Joyful Expectation” ; whereas, “Trust/Faith” bears with it the rational sense of Certain Expectation”.
I thought it was a good differentiation.
The book of Hebrews shows the relationship between hope and faith:
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Sometimes the world throws things at us we are never prepared for. A threat to our health is one of them, I have found of late when traveling this path. It is especially at these times we need to lean into God’s strength “for He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
We know we can trust in His promises for He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Amplified Bible in James 1:17 tells us…“He is perfect and never changes.“
In Hebrews 13:8 NKJV) we read:“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Knowing God never changes gives us confidence. It’s a little like when I look out my kitchen window across the lake early in the morning, I am reassured to see nothing has changed. All things are in their place.
I can see in the darkness the light shining from the towns across the lake. I can watch as the darkness fades and the sky floods with colour just before the dawn to reveal God’s loving hug. I feel that hug! It is one of His many blessings, telling me, “I am watching over you. My promises are true and unchanging, for I never change.”
THE SKY FLOODS WITH COLOUR BEFORE THE DAWN.
THE HEAVENS REVEAL HIS SPLENDOURAND I WILL PRAISE HIM!
