Umbrellas

by Michelle Chai Song

It was another day in Uijeongbu, Korea. The forecast had predicted heavy thundershowers—but I hoped the meteorologists were wrong. My cousin and I needed to take a trip on the subway.

I looked out the window and then turned to my cousin. “No rain yet. Maybe we can get to Chamshil village without getting wet.”

A few minutes later, we opened the door to leave. “Oh, no,” I groaned. “It’s pouring—and it looks like it’s getting worse! We’re going to be soaked from head to foot.”

“Well, you could always take these.” My mother held out a couple of umbrellas.

Puff's Choice

as told by C. Roscoe Swan

Art: Heidi Reinecke

I paused for a moment on the narrow trail and gazed at the rugged California landscape. What a beautiful place to hike!

Suddenly the silence was shattered by the distant roar of motorcycle engines. I listened for a moment. They were getting closer. Someone else had decided to take advantage of this beautiful day in the mountains.

I glanced around. “Puff! Where are you, girl?”

Immediately I heard doggy feet pattering toward me. My Australian shepherd raced up, bouncing and wagging from head to tail. We surely had named her right when we registered her as “Blue Puff Tempest”! I reached down and petted her fluffy blue merle coat. She had so much energy—like a tempest in a teapot!

Crazy About Clouds

Matter of perspective. Over most of the lower 48 states, it’s cloudy 50–70% of the time. Over these same states, it’s also sunny 50–70% of the time. How can this be? It’s simply a matter of perspective. You can call mixed skies partly cloudy, if you please—but they will also be partly sunny! Of course, some places are cloudier than others. The cloudiest places in the U.S. are the Great Lakes region and the Oregon and Washington coast; the sunniest area is the Southwest.1

Sowing in the clouds. It takes more than water vapor to make a rain cloud. The vapor needs something to cluster around and make a droplet—something called a nucleus, such as salt or dust. Sometimes clouds that have enough water to rain never do simply because there are no particles to form raindrops. Because of this phenomenon, scientists have developed a technique called cloud seeding to encourage rain in dry areas. Airplanes fly through clouds, dropping tiny pieces of compounds such as calcium chloride or silver iodide to make “seeds” for the raindrops. Sometimes these particles are shot up from the ground, using rockets, balloons, or anti-aircraft guns.

Don’t steal my cloud! Because of arid climate conditions in certain areas, China is one of the top users of cloud-seeding technology. In fact, it’s so common that the government uses it to “guarantee” good weather for national celebrations. Cloud seeding does cause disputes between neighboring communities. Cities race each other to harvest rain—and the losers accuse the winners of stealing precipitation!2

Cloudy protection. Did you know that clouds have altered world events? A number of battles have been confused or called off due to fog or rain—and God’s providence. One battle in the Revolutionary War was even named “Battle of the Clouds” because a torrential downpour stopped the fighting.

Holy cloud. God used a cloud to protect and guide Israel on their journey from Egypt to Canaan—and to veil His glory in the most holy place. But this cloud was more than a mix of water vapor and dust particles. This cloud was holy—because it was God’s presence! It showed God’s heart longing: to dwell with His people.

1. National Climatic Data Center.
2. The Guardian, July 14, 2004.

In Touch

Casey and I near the end of the "Glacier Trail."

Dear Young Disciples,

Last summer, my husband and I took a wonderful hiking trip to Wyoming. Glorious—that’s the only word for those mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, and hot springs. Even though I’d seen much of it before, the scenery stunned and enraptured me.

Yet even while surrounded by natural wonders, I kept feeling drawn to the signs of life: green meadows decorated with flowers, chattering chipmunks, singing birds.

One evening at sunset, three elk trotted into the valley below. The two younger ones frolicked while the mother kept watch—and when she signaled, all three splashed across the river and bounded into the woods.

Yawning Yet?

Try to read this without yawning!

Learn it young! Babies yawn even before they are born! Researchers say they yawn as early as 20 weeks old in the womb.

That’s fishy! We humans aren’t the only ones who yawn. You’ve probably seen cats and dogs yawn—but did you know that fish and birds also yawn?

Frequent activity. Yawns may be short, but over the course of years, they really add up. Some estimate that we yawn 240,000 times in a lifetime!

In Touch

Dear Young Disciples,

My friends and I had been canoeing for several days. The weather had been great—sunny and warm, hardly any rain, and not too much wind. But still, after hours and days of paddling out in the elements, we were getting tired.

That night as we ate supper, “Ian” vowed he was going to bed as soon as he’d washed his dishes. We laughed. He couldn’t be serious. The rest of us planned to take a walk to a massive waterfall close to camp. Who would miss that? Besides, it was only six o’clock, and hours from sundown!

Dissatisfied Robin

by Danielle Gerber

Thump . . . thump . . . thump.

Like an alarm clock, the rhythmic thud roused me in the early morning. What could it be? As I rubbed my eyes, I remembered: that stubborn robin was at it again!

Springtime had brought the flowers and songbirds back—and among them a certain strong-willed robin. He had been perching outside my window on the edge of the grapevines growing up the fence, watching for rival robins. Catching a reflection of himself in my window, the robin flew toward it and rammed into the glass over and over again. Of course, no matter how hard he tried, he never could get that other bird to go away.

Of All the Week the Best: Little Things

Preparation: For this activity, each person will need a pencil, paper, and magnifying glass.

Action: After prayer, instruct each person to go out into nature—and think small. Many of the most beautiful patterns and designs in nature are very, very small. What does the inside of a flower look like under a magnifying glass? How about an ant? Moss? The bark on a tree?

If you have a microscope, you might want to use it to observe things that are even smaller: pollen, an insect wing, or even pond water.

Application: When God created this world, He gave amazing attention to detail. As you discover some of the beauties of thinking small, draw what you find. Later, share your discoveries with the whole group. Then read and discuss this quote: “Faithfulness in little things should characterize the life. . . . Little deeds of charity, little words of kindness, little acts of self-denial, a wise improvement of little opportunities, a diligent cultivation of little talents, make great men in God’s sight. If these little things are faithfully attended to, if these graces are in you and abound, they will make you perfect in every good work” (The Youth’s Instructor, April 21, 1898).

Now have a song service focusing on little things. (Song choices could include "This Little Light of Mine," "Less of Me," "Jesus Loves the Little Children," etc.)

Of All the Week the Best: Listen!

Here’s a wonderful activity for a Sabbath afternoon hike. When you have gone far enough to be away from the noises of machines and cars, give each person in the group a pencil and a stiff piece of paper with a small ‘X’ drawn in the center. The paper will be used to make a “sound map,” and the ‘X’ represents where they will be sitting. After each person has found a place where he can be alone and quiet, he should note each sound he hears. A mark should indicate the location, direction, and description of each sound.

Of All the Week the Best: Peaceful Activity

This activity is best when done with a group of people. Each person should have a Bible with a concordance in the back. Other helpful materials would include a Strong’s Concordance, an Index to the Writings of Ellen White, and an assortment of Spirit of Prophecy books.

On Sabbath afternoon, after prayer, give each person a pencil and a paper. Tell them they each have 20 minutes to find out all they can about PEACE. During this time, everyone should work quietly and individually.

Of All the Week the Best: Colors in Nature

Ever wonder what the world would be like if everything was brown? Or green? Or purple? The many colors in nature are only another example of God’s thoughtfulness and love.

Of All the Week the Best: Dioramas!

For this Sabbath activity you need to be out in nature—a great place to be on Sabbath! This activity is most enjoyable when several are involved. Bring your Bibles and your creativity.

After asking God to bless your activity, separate into groups of two or three. Each group should choose a certain aspect of God’s character (see Exodus 34:6, 7; Psalm 145:8, 9; Lamentations 3:22, 23; etc.). They should then pick a story from the Bible that illustrates the character trait. Now it is time to create a scene (a diorama) from the story using natural materials at hand.

Of All the Week the Best: God's Power

“God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God” (Psalm 62:11).

There is probably nothing more inspiring than to look in nature for evidences of God’s power! A little study before you go out will make your time outside much more meaningful.

Canoeing Day!

Last Thursday, the YD Staff took a little excursion out on the lake during our lunch hour.

The kids came along and helped carry the paddles.
(Pictured: Genesis and Caleb Evert)

Janet Evert and Caleb Evert in kayaks, with "Grandma" Phyllis Potts and Will Evert in the canoe beyond.

Our beautiful view!

Tony Evert's family: Tony, Christian, Genesis, Sylvia, and Hannah. (Baby Bethany is on Mom's lap.)

Heidi stretches her out. feet So nice to relax!

In this world, all good things must come to an end. Kezzia Keener and Tony Evert pull the canoe up onto shore.
Soon our lake will ring with the laughter of dozens of campers. See you there!

All photos by Heidi Reinecke.

Of All the Week the Best: God's Wisdom

“Open the great book of nature and trace therein the wisdom, the power, and the love of the Creator” (Patriarchs and Prophets, page 48).

In Touch

Dear Young Disciples,

When I was a little girl, I loved to pick flowers—and I still do! As a child, I’d go out in the fields and come back with bouquets of dandelions or bachelor’s buttons, and stick them in a glass of water.

The dandelions wilted right away, of course. The bachelor’s buttons lasted a little longer, but soon they flopped over and dropped their petals.

Sometimes my grandmother let me pick the pansies and asters and zinnias in her garden; but they, too, faded after a few days.

Piece of Summer

Bring a piece of summer to someone shut indoors! This creative activity will be fun for you and a blessing to others.

Hailstorm!

as related by Ellen White

The day started out calm and clear.