Life is Beautiful

I have to say that I love where I live. I never thought I would say that about Orange County. In fact, when I was growing up I was sure that I would NEVER come back to live here. I was going to live out in the countryside somewhere. No big cities, no concrete, no smog....I wanted trees and green, blue skies and big clouds, majestic mountains rising in the distance.

Of course...what happened to my plans? Like all good plans, mine changed drastically. I ended up right back in Orange County after my four year hiatus in northern Cali going to school. I don't completely know why, but that's where I ended up. It probably had something to do with the fact that I had two nieces here and the potential of more coming (and now the count is at 7).

I discovered there was a another part to Orange County - one at the foot of the hills dividing the OC and Riverside. I found trees, big looming hills, trails that make you feel like you are not in the city, you can even find wildflowers at the right time of the year growing alongside the road. So, maybe not my dream, but certainly better than what I had grown up knowing as Orange County (aka the concrete wasteland).

Since I have had Hannah, I love that I have to go for walks - and lots of them! I hate getting up in the morning, but now I have to get up and walk her around the lake before school. I actually get up in the dark! We walk down to the lake and I love the quiet peacefulness. I love as the sky begins to light behind the peaks of the mountains. I love looking at the glistening ripples on the lake and the reflection of the colors all around. I like the feel of community with all the other dog walkers or exercisers out there. I even get to see some beautiful sunrises.

In the evening when I get home from work, Hannah and I sometimes go along the trail that skirts Oneil Park. This time of the year is great because I can see green grass growing all around me and look out over the foothills of Saddleback and see shades of green, purple, and blue in the folds of the land. If it is getting dark, we walk the lake where I can trace the the black outline of the trees against the dark orange, pinks, and blues of the sky. Today, I watched as ducks glided across the water with their little bills open searching for food in the water. It is so nice and so beautiful.

My favorite drive to make is through the canyon between here and Orange. I love the winding roads and especially the part where the trees cross the two lane road and meet, making a perfect canopy. You would never know you live right in the midst of suburbia at it's best (or worst). There is something about that drive that makes all the busyness of the day melt away.

I was just thinking the other day that I do not understand how the beauty that surrounds us does not convince some that there is a Creator. An amazing, creative, masterful artist. I love it. I love that my dog forces me to get out and enjoy all that He has made for my to enjoy. I think she enjoys it too - at least the big grin on her face and the way she tucks back her ears and forges ahead in joyful anticipation makes me think she does (and also the way she gets absolutely entranced by rabbits...I know she would enjoy the rabbit...but I'm not so sure the rabbit would enjoy her as much if she were able to play with it).

One final note...I can't wait for the wildflowers to come out...

Wildflowers are God's promise to me there is still beauty in this world.