Late night thoughts

Andrew's blog post from December 16th got me thinking. Derek's recent visit got me thinking too, of all the things I take for granted living in CA!!!! Andrew talked about beautiful sunsets and enjoying them. It got me thinking how beautiful things here, in CA really are. That is not to say that anywhere else in the world, there are not gorgeous sunsets (If you've been to Maui, you know there is nothing like a Hawaiian sunset), or that the mountains and beaches are not as glorious!!!. I have noticed lately that the sunsets we have been blessed with are so gorgeous and awesome!!! How can anyone dispute that there is not a God when you behold a sky of pinks, oranges and purples against a blue sky with big huge clouds? I mean.....God loves us so much that he speaks to us through such beauty!!! How is it that we can so easily ignore it??? How is it that we as humans fail to recognize a sign from God that he is alive, he is here and he cares??? Are we so wrapped up in putting a voice to someone, that if we don't hear things with our ears, we don't accept it as a form of communication?

Derek's visit made me again realize how much I do not appreciate where I live. It's funny how I will visit friends and wish I could live somewhere other than CA because it's cheaper, or prettier, or whatever. Derek was amazed at the city lights...the CITY LIGHTS!!! it's not that he lives in Podunk, NC or anything but things out there are very spread out so to be in a suburb and see so many lights and homes and what not was amazing, and beautiful to him. Amazing and beautiful!!!! I could not get over that. He also mentioned that CA was flat. I had never really thought of CA as flat. I mean we have the San Bernardino mtns!!! Ohio, Michigan, Chicago, the midwest...that's flat. Then again, he was in the Valley ("like totally, gag me with a spoon")!!! Even still his amazement was God's way of saying "Hey Katie, this is all for you...this beauty that you see daily.....it's yours.....minus the big red bow, it's a gift from me!!!!" It makes you feel bad because you yell at drivers, you complain about smog, you just think your city/state is the worst. Then we traveled to the beach:

I have few talents and God given gifts, but capturing God's beauty and Power in this picture is one gift I treasure!!!! The pier, though man made reminds me of the pillar of strength in which God is to me. As the waves of life crash against me.

Not only was the beach beautiful but seeing the man I love touch the Pacific Ocean for the first time was something I will never forget. He was filled with so much joy!!!! I literally had to fight back tears!!!

How do you put into words such wonderful experiences? How do you not recognize the One who fills your heart with such love, beauty and contentment? How do you express thanks to Him? How do you thank him for the wonderful person He has led you to, for the gifts and blessings he bestows upon you? Prayer, and time with Him.....recognizing that everything is because of and for him!!!! Nothing less....that's all He asks.....