Last week I returned to Albuquerque after being on the road in the west, driving 2800 miles in two weeks. Of course the people I saw were most important, girls I think of as daughters, a member of my former Share and Care group from before I went to Central America, MY SON, long time friends and missionaries with me in Belize. God even had me go somewhere for the night so I could meet with a good brother to counsel and pray with him.
GOD CARES SO MUCH FOR US!
Old and young, rich and poor, believer and non-believer, all really and truly are precious in His eyes.
A great benefit of this trip was seeing places for the first time and revisiting a few locations I saw when nine years old!!
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8.
First I would say, just knowing this planet we live on that God created is so lovely and really nothing compares to being able to hear the ocean turning, slapping up against the shore, gently or with forces pounding that sand and shells even finer. One day there was a wind storm when I was in Redondo Beach, my son lives in a condo right on the ocean. The wind was magnificent, blowing and churning the ocean, smashing unto the pilings of the pier, blowing everything not tied down away. I went out and walked in it, saw it, delighted in the power of the wind. Five nights I was went to sleep with open windows and was lullabied by the sound of the great Pacific!
From California, I headed north and east. WOW, I had no idea how beautiful the state of Utah IS!! As a child my family went to see The Great Salt Lake. It was hot, uncomfortable and I sure didn’t remember majestic mountains with snow caps. But in May, very impressive with towns snuggled into the valley and high desert below them.
But the tour de force was to come, the TETONS! WOW!! Covered with snow, but sunning and 30 degrees, my friends who live in Idaho and I spent one day driving up through Wyoming and into beauty honestly that could never be called hyperbole!! At the mountain pass we stopped and guys were skiing, enjoying the creation at some of its finest.
We entered Yellowstone National Park’s south entrance that had just opened for the season. Snow was piled 10 to 12 feet on the sides of the road, it was still a winter wonderland to my eyes and I wanted to bust out in Christmas songs, but once again IT WAS and still is MAY! As we traveled closer to the geysers and hot pools area, the snow was melted and we were able to see bison, wolves, elk, just grazing or on the move. Old Faithful did NOT disappointed. Then we had the extreme pleasure to see Beehive Geyser go off, which is rare. It has no regularity and is even more impressive that Old Faithful, spraying higher sustaining for about 5 minutes.
As I headed back to Albuquerque, snow storms prevented me from driving the way I’d planned, so I went back down into Utah and across to visit Arches National Park. I have a Senior Pass for the National Parks and all entrances are free! YEAH! Arches, of my gosh, ARCHES! I explored, hiked, almost had an accident, but above you see more majestic just in another form. THAT GOD, WHAT a Master Artist!!
So much in this world and in our country we see people turned against God, Biblical principals that we hold dear and are True, Noble, Pure, Lovely. This journey for me was a good break for the most part from the ugliness of sin, although it reared its head. How refreshing just to be reminded of Grandeur and Blessings, wide open spaces made to be enjoyed and deemed Beautiful, PRAISEWORTHY!! God is and always has been in control ! Do not despair when you see greater persecution, evil being called “good” and “inalienable “ rights trampled on. The God of the Universe reigns and His Kingdom is forever!
