Weather can change pretty quickly in most places but observing the heavens with teachers and children means you have Plan B and Plan C ready to go. March 3rd was one of those days. The evening before was clear and we scheduled a meeting on the observing deck at IFL in Cabuyao, Laguna, PI at 6 am with plans to observe the waning moon about sunrise. That means an early start. It was cloudy at 5 but one never knows, so I sauntered up to the deck and waited. It was one of those beautiful tropical mornings with a light breeze and balmy air. I saw a glimpse of the moon, but it disappeared after a few seconds. The science teacher came up with a student with plans to see how things were before getting the other boys to come up. No moon would appear. We talked for a few minutes before he left.
I hung back. It was too nice to leave so quick. The distant volcanic mountains were dark and the rising sun was behind dark grey clouds. One sliver of blue could be seen. I read Isaiah 44 and watched the sky. Things started to change fast. The sun peeked through a hole for a few seconds then faded to an orange glow behind deep dark clouds. I grabbed the sketch paper and started. I had to memorize the scene because it was changing so fast. I worked the scene but the sun faded then reappeared higher with crepuscular rays. The oranges turned golden. In 15 minutes it was all grey again.
I remembered the verse about the clouds from Job, so that anchored the thought around the scene. It was a great time.
We will try the moon again tomorrow and the next day in the school courtyard.
POSTLUDE: We viewed the next morning in the school courtyard from 6:30 to 7 am. The moon poked through holes but the children hung close to be able to see it. These were mostly little ones, so they inscribed the phase for me on a piece of paper or read Psalm 148:3. It was a great time.
Maraming salamat. Maraming a deo!