bel (beauty)

One of the pieces of life that continues to comfort and amazing me here is the vast beauty in everything I see. The ocean, the plant life, the flowers, and the colors of everything are undescribable. Life here is so vibrant I can't seem to find words to appropriate capture the images. At least every other day, someone here exclaims that we have to see this or that just to enjoy the beauty of the thing. As I was reading my devotional, God Calling (edited by A.J. Russell), on March 8th, the entry truly resonated with me and I felt compelled to share it with you all.

Nature is the embodied Spirit of My Thoughts of beauty for this world... To realize this will bring to you both new life-joy. Share her joys and travails, and great blessings will be yours. This is all-important, because it is not only believing certain things about Me, sensing My Presence in a flower, My message in its beauty and perfume.

Creation has also spoken to me. Life is evident all around us. The ocean here is a source of connection to my Creator, reminding me that He created me and all that I can see because He is glorious and loves me. It is pretty exciting. Each night after praying with Mike and Nicole, I walk back to my apartment trying not to trip as I stare at the sky above. Often the stars are poking through the velvety blanket, almost reminding me of the Lite-Bright toy I loved as a child. There are so many stars to see when there are no lights around to distract from the darkness. The difference between a cloudy night and an evening when the moon is able to share itself is striking.