I am currently in Northern California. Started out on Monday in Kingsburg, CA around all the fruit trees and grapes. Went on to Fresno and then to Chico, CA. Chico has a lot more open country and farm land. To the east is the Sierra Nevada mountains. It has been a little hazy so have not been able to see them as well as I would like. They still look beautiful. It has been a little cooler than I expected in in California, too. But it is still nice to see this part of the USA. It gets me thinking about how much beauty we have here in the states. Here in California where it takes about 16 hours to drive from one end to the other, there is so much diversity. Here on the west coast there is the ocean, the mountains, lakes, rivers, and open country. It is wonderful.

But I still love the beauty of my home state of Kansas. Lots of people don't think it is very pretty, but I love it. I love the openness, the rolling hills, the pastures and grasses. I love that I can see the sunrise from the moment (or before) it reaches the horizon and I can watch it set until I can not see any more than the many colors it leaves behind. I even love the wind most of the time. Standing outside and just feeling the wind on my face and against my body is a wonderful feeling.

We need to appreciate where we are at every moment. I love where I live and would not want to be anywhere else. Because it is home. But I love to be able to travel around and see all the other wonderful sites across this land. As I was driving yesterday from Willows, CA back to Chico, I was able to look over to my left (towards the east) and was overwhelmed with the beautify of the mountains and the foothills. But it is no different than when I drive home each night between Wichita and Lehigh and look across a wheat field and see how the wind is blowing the stalks around like water/waves in the ocean.

I thank God today for all this beauty and that I am able to enjoy it. And the freedom to drive around and experience it as I want.

Bainbridge Island, WA

Spent a wonderful weekend on Bainbridge Island, WA with 4 other amazing women! It is a time to talk, grow, learn, discuss and have fun. This is our third year getting together and have known each other for 4 years. It is amazing how we have each grown. 2010 has been an amazing year for all of us.

It is so important to have people around you that will let you be yourself. those that will listen to you and will let you listen to them. thats what these women are to me. Our ages run from 45 to 64 and I know for me I have learned so much from those older than me. they are women that I aspire to. they are role models have how I want to be in 10 years.

Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I wrote on this blog. Don't know why I wait so long before I write. I am going to try again to write here more often. Starting today.

I am working on trying to come up with something to lead a small study group during Lent. I don't really know how to lead a group such as this but I will try. We will be meeting on Wednesdays during Lent starting with a evening prayer worship. We are working on healing things at St. Matthew's. I hope whatever we do during Lent will help others to get back to where we need to be. To be working to get closer to God, to love Jesus, and to be a community of loving people that want to help others more than anything. I pray that whatever I can do to help will be received.