Monday, July 25, 2011

Monsoons

At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place. Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
Job 37: 1-5


I have always loved rain. I love being enveloped in falling drops of water and smelling the fresh scent of earth. Since I grew up in southern California, I've never experienced severe weather patterns. Rain has always been soothing and peaceful.

I was totally in awe the first summer in Phoenix when I experienced my first monsoon. There is something so majestic about the power and speed of monsoon storms. I used to consider it a rarity to see lightning during a big storm, but monsoons can illuminate the sky like how an old light bulb flickers at the end of its life.

Last night we had our biggest storm since moving into our new house. Some friends from Sacramento were staying with us for the weekend. We joked about praying for a monsoon during their stay with us. During the day, fluffy white clouds would build up, seeming to promise rain, but then eventually dissipate.

Finally, the storm we had hoped for rolled into Phoenix Sunday night. We stood in our front yard and watched thundering clouds move in toward us. Within minutes, rain fell and pretty soon strong winds forced us inside.

So we all sat silent and watched from our living room window.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Sparkler Love

No matter how old you get, fire and sparkly things never get old.

I appreciate America. I appreciate freedom. What I appreciate the most on the Fourth of July -- SPARKLERS.

Photobucket


I mean, can you blame us? They're shiny, sparkly, and make us feel like we're holding magic wands.

Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket