I have not written in a few weeks. I guess I've been feeling uninspired. But even in my uninspiration, I yearn to write. I think one of the roots of my uninspiration is that I haven't been photographing much lately. And, since the things I write about are usually things I've taken pictures of, that leaves .Alexandwrite. in a bit of a predicament, doesn't it?
Fortunately, or, perhaps you could say, providentially, I've been able to dig up some photos and stories to share. Perhaps I'm not feeling so uninspired after all. :)
Sarah pretending to be a turtle.
Let's start with my favorite little girl, Sarah. I've blogged about her before, so you can read about her in my previous entries. But just as an update, it's been almost three years since I began mentoring my favorite seven-year-old and, looking back, I am just so thankful to God for allowing me to be used by Him in her life. I've been privileged to help her reach milestones from simple (tying shoes on her own) to complicated (riding a bike without training wheels,wiping after going to the bathroom and so much more.) Working with her is not always easy, especially on the days when she's cranky or I'm impatient, but at the end of the day, I see God moving past our sinfulness and doing His mighty work in both of our lives as He uses me to teach Sarah to be a girl who loves Jesus and as He uses her to mold me into a more patient, loving, and God-fearing woman (and future wife and mother, Lord willing.)
Mason being adorable.
Oh, my goodness! I also have not yet blogged about my second nephew, Mason! I'd like you all to meet Mason Elijah Tariga, my cousin's second son. Just a few days after I had written the entry about Micah, his baby brother was born! Thank God for a safe delivery and the health of both mommy and baby. Also, if you're reading this, please say a quick prayer for my cousin Patricia Tariga and her husband Paul as they adjust to having another baby boy around. I can only imagine what taking care of a newborn and a 22-month-old at the same time is like! Pray for guidance, patience, strength, and reliance on God as they adapt to this new stage of their lives.
Spotted Towhee.
I've been getting into my old hobby of birdfeeding/watching lately. The past few weeks, I was really excited to "spot," haha, this Spotted Towhee on the feeder. I've never seen one here before, so I'm keeping the feeder stocked to encourage it to stick around. In addition to my usual White-Crowned Sparrows, California Towhees, Mourning Doves, Western Scrub Jays, and Northern Mockingbirds, I saw a cool House Finch variant. If you know House Finches, you know they have the distinctive red markings on their heads (at least the males do), well, I saw one with yellow instead of red markings! I googled it and apparently it's a rare occurrence caused by something in their diet. But I thought it was interesting and pretty neat to see one. I also noted that it didn't affect it's social life. It traveled with the "normal" House Finches with no problem.
Thanks for reading,
Alex
