Spring Lovelies

Hello all!

I'm sorry I've been delinquent about posting for the past week or so. Tony and I have been very busy, both during the week and on the weekends, which doesn't leave me much time to take photos or blog.

I did manage to take a few photos of flowers around our complex today--hooray! One of these days I'm going to go to the flower fields in Carlsbad. But, forn

I love the way flowers are automatically associated with Spring in my mind. It sure doesn't hurt that it's about 80 degrees now in sunny San Diego!

Enjoy the photos!

Bees are so pleasant in the early spring. At the end of summer, you wouldn't catch me taking any photos this close. They get really cranky right before they die...

Straight out of Dr. Seuss:

And how could I not end a photo post without a picture of my cat judging you?

Happy Spring Everyone!

There's Something About the Ocean

...that makes me rise up in praise.

Even though I don't visit the ocean that often (and yes, for those of you who live inland, I live about 3 minutes away from it, allow the snarky thoughts in your head commence), I do drive by it every day. Windows open. Sea breeze filling my lungs, and my soul.

When I look at the ocean, the mountains or any other of God's most magnificent creations I cannot help think how blind we are to His love during our ordinary lives. The twinge of love manifests in our hearts and the recognition of a greater power only when something so amazing as the ocean enters into our view.

What will it take for me to feel God's presence when analyzing my data, or looking through a microscope at cells I have a vendetta against due to their mere existence irritating me? The answer, I am learning, is very simple.

Practice.

Practicing seeking God in the everyday moments of my life does not mean I will discount the swell of love I feel in my heart when look out at the Pacific. I will practice seeking God in order to recognize the times He is attempting to communicate with me in a different way. I am in the habit of compartmentalizing God's ability (I know, very intelligent of me). I think that because I sense God's presence in the ocean or a sunset, that must be the feeling I should look for in my everyday life. Just because I enjoy the comfort of repetition does not mean the same event is in store for me each time I recognize God is reaching out to me. I am realizing now that I miss so many of His gentle attempts to meet me.

I must practice recognizing His voice, and I must practice seeking Him out in my everyday life.

I suppose that I am lucky, though, that I have a vast, powerful and beautiful daily reminder to drive by each day.

Psalms 104: 24-34

24 How many are your works, O LORD!

In wisdom you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

25 There is the sea, vast and spacious,

teeming with creatures beyond number—

living things both large and small.

26 There the ships go to and fro,

and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

27 These all look to you

to give them their food at the proper time.

28 When you give it to them,

they gather it up;

when you open your hand,

they are satisfied with good things.

29 When you hide your face,

they are terrified;

when you take away their breath,

they die and return to the dust.

30 When you send your Spirit,

they are created,

and you renew the face of the earth.

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;

may the LORD rejoice in his works-

32 he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,

who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the LORD all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,

as I rejoice in the LORD.

Dad's Visit

My Dad spent some time here in San Diego with us for the past week. He was on his spring break. SPRING BREAK. Has it already been 2 years? Am I so far removed from undergrad that I don't remember the joy of spring break?

Ugh. Grad school can be...well...depressing.

Anyhoo, he took us to eat good food, and got to relax a bit by the beach. Despite his many efforts to try to coax Saffron to love him, she remained alpha cat, aloof and entitled as always.

Dad also helped Tony work on the car:

There was a whole lot of "You see, John, you put the doohicky in the fleebflobber and KABLAM! It works!"

What is it with guys and their disdain for my photographing skills?

Maybe I'd LIKE a picture of your face. No, not scrunched up or confused. I'd like a real photo of you! Oh. Okay, well this is what I get.

Spectacular.

It was great having him here!