There is something magical about butterflies and their transformation. It’s their story -a little egg on a leaf, changing to caterpillar, then to chrysalis, and finally into beautiful butterfly with outstretched wings. It inspires. It wows little kids and brings hope to those of us a bit older. I imagine it that way for myself at least, hope. I know I’ve been changed and transformed, yet maybe I’m still a caterpillar waiting for God’s perfect time, for that transformation into something beautiful!

When my Sunshine was just a toddler we bought an annual pass to Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, Florida. And we bought passes again when my little Butterfly Girl was tiny too. We spent many days exploring and having fun with the butterflies and birds.

Each step and every turn provides little vignettes of the wonder of God’s creation. This place is part of the reason why (with special permission and great thanks!) I included butterflies in my book I See the Creatures God Made. 

The beauty here inspires the youngest to the oldest and photographers and artists alike. In 2007 I had the privilege to see artist Mark C. Merrill paint and give a talk on God’s divine design while at Butterfly World. Mark and his wife Robin Haines Merrill are both artists and missionaries. If you’re ever in Fort Lauderdale make sure to stop by their store and gallery Mission Gifts. It’s the only Fair Trade store in all of South Florida.

This May Butterfly World gave free entry for moms in honor of Mother’s Day, a 25 year tradition. And what a sweet tradition it is! I took that sweet gift I went back again, just me and my camera and tried to capture a little bit more of the wonder. My favorite butterfly this time was definitely the Cairns Birdwing Butterfly from Australia. Those butterflies seemed the most playful. It was fun trying to capture one in flight.

 

Chasing butterflies

If I had a garden…

Passion Flowers

Early Spanish and Portuguese missionaries believed each part of the Passiflora represent a different aspect of the passion of Jesus Christ, hence the name “Passion Vine”.  -from Butterfly World