Orchids

We decided on orchids for our 2026 calendar - made up of photos Col has taken down the years.  The are all wild orchids, not the orchids from our orchid table.

We are now getting back to our routine.  Two loads of washing are done - shopping done - I have collected my new glasses - but a load of other medical appointments (mine) are coming up - and Col is back on the metal detecting merry go round - he was off very early Thursday morning.  And he chauffered me to the Kingdom Hall on Thursday night.

We slept through the New Year, not even being woken by the fireworks - assuming there were some.  Correction: apparently there were fireworks and they did wake Col.  I slept through it all. 

We are now another year nearer the end of the current wicked system of things on the earth and the beginning of the restoration of paradise.  Hurray!

We came back to more cards and letters from old friends, one of whom is just setting off on a holiday in the Antarctic with her husband. WOW!!!  The night skies alone... We are looking forward to hearing about it when they get back.  

Brigitte Bardot died during this holiday season.  So the orchid picture feels appropriate, because of how beautiful she was.  And how great it was that she dedicated so much of her money and time to helping the beleagured animal creation.  I hope that she is now held safe in "the everlasting arms", safe in God's memory, every hair of her head numbered, and that she has a wonderful awakening from the dreamless sleep of death when the time comes.

If so, when she next opens her eyes, it will be on the earth when we will be taking the loving, unselfish care of the animal creation that we were designed for, and an earth on which nature is no longer "red in tooth and claw with ravine".  All will be at peace, as it was in the beginning, in Eden.

The wolf will reside for a while with the lamb,

And with the young goat the leopard will lie down,

And the calf and the lion and the fattened animal will all be together;

And a little boy will lead them.

 The cow and the bear will feed together,

And their young will lie down together.

The lion will eat straw like the bull.

 The nursing child will play over the lair of a cobra,

And a weaned child will put his hand over the den of a poisonous snake.

 They will not cause any harm

Or any ruin in all my holy mountain,

Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah

As the waters cover the sea.

- Isaiah 11:6-9