As we were driving around Adrian today, we were amazed at the number of flowers that were in bloom and many of the trees, which is unreal for this time of year in Michigan. We have even heard reports of people already mowing their lawn so we quickly grabbed our mower blades and took them to be sharpened. Since today is the first day of spring, there is no doubt that spring is in the air.

This reminds us the arrival of spring is punctuated by the bursting of new life in the flowers, trees, and all other sorts of vegetation. Along with the bursting of plant life, we enjoy the fresh air and the subtle fragrances that have been absent during the winter season.

Within the past week Paul has renewed his work in the pottery studio at Adrian College. This is a new beginning for him since he had not been able to take the winter class because of his surgery and recovery. It was so exciting to be able to take a block of clay and prepare it for the potter's wheel; to once again put his hands in the wet clay on the wheel.

There's a similarity in how the Lord must feel when He touches our lives and begins a new work, shaping and molding us as we yield to Him. God is always willing to give us a new beginning.

II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new."

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul and Gail