Little Green Valley and the Jesus Puzzle

                                             A spot on the way to Little Green Valley


   We took a day hike with our friends Art and Dawn up to Little Green Valley, just a couple of miles out of Green Valley Lake.

                  Wildflowers coat the hillside on our way up to Little Green Valley

                                       It feels so good to be in the mountain backcountry again!

                                       Good thing we like the color green... :-)

                                                             Sun rays

                                                          Orange, yellow and green                                      

Interesting cloud formation

Pine cones coat the forest floor. They are, of course, the seeds of future pine groves

One of the great things about Green Valley Lake is we get views in all directions. This is looking north down into Apple Valley.

Primary colors

Clouds, trees and sky

Evidence of the 2007 fire is everywhere. Yet new life abounds...

And finally we arrive at the lovely Little Green Valley

A fawn bounded across the clearing, just evading my camera viewfinder... :-/

There was a YMCA camp here which has long since closed. Over the years,  the forest has been slowly reclaiming the land,

             "No writing on the solitary, meditative dimensions of life can say 

                anything that has not already been said better by the wind in the pine trees."

                        -- Thomas Merton

People have wanted to build a homestead here, but the people have spoken. 

This is sacred ground for all to share.

After a relaxing lunch by the meadow, it was time to head back.

And speaking of sacred ground, you're probably wondering about the Jesus Puzzle.

Green Valley Lake has a little community church at which Chris and I have attended community events, meetings, etc.

The last time I was there, I noticed a painting of Jesus' "The Last Supper" hanging on the wall.

Upon closer examination, I saw that it was actually a jigsaw puzzle. 

Fascinated, I moved closer...

                  I wonder what Leonardo Da Vinci would say about this?  

I suppose his first question would be:

"Wait. What's a jigsaw puzzle?"

Anyway, for some reason I found the sight of it on the wall rather touching.  At the Last Supper there was alot of talk about betrayal. There was anger. It was no happy meal. But that's what happens when you get a bunch of men together. It always comes down to us ladies to be the diplomats, doesn't it?

I never really had the patience for jigsaw puzzles. But I don't mind looking up at The Jesus Puzzle on the wall at the church. 

I may not ever fully comprehend the meaning of The Last Supper. 

But the puzzle on the wall? It just fits.