Into the Woods with Curio: Nature Journaling

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

FOS means First of Season. FOTY means First of the Year. Both of these terms are used by naturalists to report seeing the first of a species for the year, especially in springtime. Examples are FOS robin, red-winged blackbird and bluebird. It can also be applied to other animals, such as a FOS salamander, raccoon, chipmunk, garter snake, butterfly or even a FOTY mosquito!

Recording when we first see an animal is part of the joy of spring, as we look for signs to the end of the winter’s cold, and look forward to warmer days. When such records are done year-over-year they become a journal for comparing information over time, such as whether the FOS robin is earlier or later than last spring, (my FOS robin is March 14th this year compared to March 8th last year). Nature journaling is a great way to create these records, and makes us more aware of these natural events in the process.

Nature journaling can take many forms, and be as personal as you. It can be just a list of dates as mentioned previously, such as an annual bird list, or a record of the sequence of spring wildflowers. When more information is added, such as the weather conditions for that day, and where the animal or plant was seen, (or heard) – in your backyard, in the local park, or maybe a location at Beacon -- the record holds even more value. Add some sketches of what was seen, or a photo, and the journal takes on an added dimension. Together with some personal thoughts jotted down in the moment, and its value is still greater, creating something tangible that can be revisited years later, and even handed down to the next generation.

An example could be a record of a nature walk done in early spring which lists the various sightings, shows a sketch of a butterfly, records the date, and time of day and weather, and comments on what kinds of behaviour were observed.

Committing to nature journaling encourages regular exploration outdoors, whether it’s around your neighbourhood, or a favourite place you like to visit, such as a local park or beach, or while you are at

Beacon. Journaling also forces you to take a second look at what is all around at any given point in time, to record it, and then try to make sense of it. If you see an early butterfly landing on a maple you may notice it as it angles itself to the warm spring sun, then watch it sip some sap from under a broken branch. Note what colours it has to help with identification, but also note its behaviour – why is an adult butterfly around so early? how will it survive without flower nectar? where did it spend the winter?

As we get outside regularly and build our journal we not only grow in our appreciation of God’s incredible Creation but also see His love in providing us with an amazing place to live now, and a home in heaven with Him through His gift of salvation.

Monk's Musings: Fly, Run & Walk

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Dogs run, eagles fly and people walk. Which do you prefer? As a boy, my ambition was to become a pilot and fly aircraft. I got as far as two years of training as a cadet pilot with the RAF. But then I realized that while I enjoyed flying as a hobby I couldn’t do it as a full time job. And so God led me into engineering and then high school teaching and then missionary work. I quit flying and then ran, and finally walked. Life slowed me down.

Some months ago, I heard a speaker commenting on the verse above, puzzled as to the order of the three verbs: Surely the progression should be to walk, then run and finally fly? But upon reflection, he realized that the prophet was encouraging us all to persevere in following the Lord, even when our strength runs out, and we are weary and stumble and fall. As winter drags along, with its heavy burden of snow and cold and grey skies, how are you feeling? In the midst of the inevitable colds and flu, or worse, is your strength giving way? May we all “hope in the Lord” so He can “renew our strength”. May we persevere with Him, whether we’re flying, running or just walking!

Perhaps God is calling you this year to fly for Him, or maybe to run with Him. But possibly what He really wants is for you to walk with Him. In your weakness and weariness, He calls you to not give up. To put one foot in front of the other, and do the next good thing He has prepared for you to do. Perhaps part of that may be serving God at Beacon, as a cabin leader, summer staff, teacher or cook. Setting apart time to commit to coming to Beacon to love and serve our campers in any capacity. So we would also encourage you to invest your life for eternity in this strategic way. Whether as a camper or as a volunteer, we look forward to seeing you at Beacon soon!

On behalf of all the Beacon Staff,
Andrew ‘Monk’ Nunn