nmyflipflops: What I love about Colorado, so far

1.) The air smells like pine

2.) The weather-ahhh...we can play all day. It seems to rain every afternoon, which cools off the air and keeps the grass green. We don't have AC in our house, so we depend on the chilly nights for a comfortable sleep. some nights are not as chilly as we would like it to be, but I love sleeping with the windows open and hearing the noises of nature. It makes me feel like I'm at camp.

3.) I can coast all the way home from the grocery store to my house. Love the hills.

4.) Since I have been here, I rarely blow-dry my hair. I wish I could say I've been inspired to go natural, but really I just couldn't find my hair dryer. I've been amazed that my hair is actually not frizzy in the morning, and I'm kind of liking my wavy hair. I could never pull it off at home.

5.) If you live in the right part of town, you can paint your house yellow or pink and start your own business like giving tatoos or making wooden picnic tables. I'm already debating what I might sell.

6.) Our house is only biking distance from a cute little yellow custard shop. I can see this being a family favorite.

7.) Almost every road has a bike lane.

8.) The people here are patient. I drove up to an intersection one afternoon, and watched as an older man hobbled across the road pushing a grocery cart. The light turned green, but nobody moved. We all watched, hoping that he would reach the other side safely. It seemed significant to me, that in that moment, all of our different agendas were suspended in concern for this disabled stranger. No honking, no impatient gestures. Just respect for someone who has a pretty tough life.

9.) The mountains of course. I can sit in my living room and stare at the mountain range, nestled around our little neighborhood. I love the way they change colors. Some times they are green, sometimes purple, and sometimes they are several shades of blue. It makes me wonder about the stories hidden in those distant crevices. One of my closest friends lost her father on the mountain peak that I can see from my window. I know there are stories of courage, victory, and spiritual inspiration as well as stories of great heartache. It's enough to make you stop and stare.

10.) The first week we were here, I drove up to a Luthern church to find out about their preschool program. That's when I learned they were starting VBS the following week and I signed Finley up. She was so excited to return there because she had spied the pink slide in the playground. I felt a little worried when I dropped her off. We didn't know anyone or even much about the church. I watched her stand in the playground area with perfect strangers, a smile painted across her face. I thought to myself, "I hope they realize how special she is." When I came back to get her, I saw her bouncing around and making gestures to "My Father's House" along with the other kids and several people dressed like Bible characters. I then discovered that they had transformed the playground area into a Nazereth market place where they taught the kids what Jesus experienced as a child. The kids built little wooden boats, made pottery, pet sheeps and donkeys, and listened to Mary tell stories about Jesus as a boy. It really touched me that they had gone to such extremes to give my little girl a better understanding of Jesus' life.

11.) A few months ago, while Ted and I were deliberating over our decision to move here or not, we were able to visit the area and get a feel for it. We drove around the city for a few days, looking at houses and talking to people. One afternoon, we drove past a grassy hill with a giant sized white cross on top. I told Ted that it would be my landmark, something to anchor my heart at times when I might question our decision. It's a reminder to me that we sought God's will and He clearly led us to this place. What we didn't know at the time was that God was going to provide a rental home for us in the very neighborhood where that cross stands. So now, I see it everyday, reminding me that God's plans are perfect and His ways are worth trusting.