We certainly have had April showers this month, although it could be described as downpours driven by high winds rather than a simple shower. The weather, however, created some beautiful rainbows and this work of God's art never ceases to amaze me. Several days ago after a heavy rain, the sun broke out through the clouds to prism a beautiful rainbow arc stretching over highway 26. I was thankful to have my camera with me when the rainbow appeared. I drove my car to the side of the road to capture this scene of rainbow colors falling upon the hills. It was exciting to me to be able to take this photo in a setting with Canyon Mountain and grazing cattle, creating this scene of country peace. These pictures give you an idea of the scenic beauty we have, particularly in the spring when the fields and hills are so green. A rainbow only compliments the rural setting.
The photo below shows the other side of the rainbow, which splashed it's color on open fields on the opposite side of the highway. The rainbow was too close for me to take a photo of it's perfect arc over the countryside. Again, I managed to find a turnout where I could park my car and take photos of this sight that can all too quickly disappear due to atmosphere changes and cloud movements.
Continuing on to my friend's house, I was happy to see the still visible rainbow extending to the area where she lives, dropping its color on nearby ground. Instead of a storm chaser, I felt like a rainbow chaser as it remained until I reached my destination only to fade from view.
It is interesting to note that the arc or curve of a rainbow is actually a full circle - only the horizon cuts it off. I was able to find the below photo on the internet to use as an illustration of what a full circle rainbow looks like...
In astronomy, the earth, moon and planets are all in sphere or circle shape in our ever increasing knowledge of the universe. Whenever I see a circle, I think of the Almighty God who states that He is the "I AM" - the Beginning and the End; the Alpha and Omega; the First and the Last; Everlasting to Everlasting. He is COMPLETE. An interesting definition of complete is UNBROKEN. Here are a few other meanings of complete... entire, absolute - whole or perfect - without defect or blemish - faultless, unimpaired; lacking nothing.
Pretty Amazing! He loves us, faulty in our humanity, with a faultless love in His Divinity.
Join me at The Turn-Up Patch where we'll meet again on Monday, May 8... I leave you with a rainbow quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which simply says: "God's illumined promise".
This will be the last post on Kuaui, often referred to as "The Garden Island". Today we visit the Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge located on the north shore of Kuaui. Here in Eastern Oregon, we think of wildlife as deer, elk and predators such as the coyotes and cougars. The protected wildlife at Kilauea are varieties of Hawaiian seabirds, the monk seal, green sea turtle and humpback whale. The refuge was established in 1985 by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and is marked by a large lighthouse.....
Among the Hawaiian seabirds, is the Laysan Albatross. I was fortunate enough to experience a fly-by from one of these large birds and managed to get an overhead shot as the albatross circled by the lighthouse. One notable fact about the albatross are their extreme long wings that enable them to soar or glide in flight. They can travel hundreds of miles per day with barely a wing-beat.
There is a figurative meaning to albatross, which is something that hinders or handicaps and defined as guilt or a burden. The origin using this bird as such a symbol comes from 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Coleridge written in 1798. It represents a burden or source of distress that impairs effective action, thus the saying... an albatross around one's neck. This beautiful seabird doesn't deserve such a reputation of negativity due to a poem and superstition.
There is a proven course of action based on the Word of God in Matthew 11:30... "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light". The yoke of Christ placed around your neck lifts and frees burdens and guilt, giving rest to the weary, resulting in freedom and peace. Quite a contrast to the symbolic albatross that is a yoke of heaviness and bondage, resulting in fear and captivity.
And now it is time to say 'A hui hou - goodbye until we meet again' in yet another place of God's scenic beauty in Kuaui....
Meet me again at the Turn-Up Patch on Monday, April 24th. Until then, 'Ke Akua pu a hui hou - God bless you and see you later'.
