happy birthday to my country!

So I've been back in the U.S. of A. for a little over a month now. I've finally adjusted to the sun setting so late. Many things were easy to fall back in to, like driving in the Houston traffic and jumping back in to times with family and friends. I have been trying to seek gratitude in this transition time of life, when there are SO many unknowns. Each day I must choose to TRUST God or I'll go into freak-out control-mode because my future is so up in the air!

My 4th of July reminded me a lot of God's faithfulness despite our lack of gratitude and trust. Also, it was such a blast that I just have to share it with you!

Andres and his good buddy, Blake, planned a "double date" for Meagan (my dear friend!) and I for this special holiday to celebrate America. We started at the Houston Museum of Natural Science where we gazed at geodes, ancient bones (and models) of dinos and many other fascinating things.

We ventured the Butterfly Center where my favorite kind of butterfly (Andres named it "Vintage" because it's black and white) landed on Meagan's sweet curly head of hair! My friend is just so darn sweet, what butterfly wouldn't want to show her some love!

We continued on our adventure and headed downtown on the Metro Rail- my first time! A lot different than public transportation in Costa Rica!

We actually missed the train we wanted to catch to get to the restaurant, Phonecia, in time before it closed. We found Ben's Beans, one of the only open places past 7 p.m. downtown on July 4th, to eat some din din. Nothing like a turkey panini and live cover music at a cute coffee shop! I was pretty tired from a long morning of working an event for my old job, so all the extra walking around tuckered me out. I wasn't in the best mood and was struggling to enjoy all the adventure.

But doesn't that happen in life a lot? Things don't work our how we think they will-our plans "fail"-yet God still provides, even when we are cranky and not living in gratitude, yes He provides abundantly.

He proved this even more as the night continued...

We had a mile plus to walk to get to the park where fireworks were happening. My feet were aching and I was not excited about that. We were about half way and a motor shuttle service drives past and Andres waves it down. The driver says he will give us a FREE ride! Wow! It was such a blast riding thru downtown in that thing.

We venture on to walk along the Buffalo Bayou (Andres' favorite spot in Houston) and we stumble upon the Aquarium and decide to ya know, take a ferris wheel ride in the middle of the city at dusk, NBD!

After that it was time to stake out a place to watch the fireworks. We got rejected at the top of the parking garage because we didn't have "wristbands" and rejected by the bridge because cops were trying to protect us from the "fall zone" of the fireworks and we ended up in the lot of the Fonde Recreation Center. We also dodged getting attacked by sprinklers on the lawn by the bayou! This again was quite the adventure to get to where we were going.

God led us to the most incredible place to watch the spectacular fireworks! They appeared to pop right above us! It was INCREDIBLE!

I was just left in awe- after I had not been so grateful for the many steps we took, we adventured Houston and finally ended up with the best seat in the city! He was so faithful to guide us to safety and to enjoy the evening the best way we could. All I had to do along the way is TRUST and enjoy!

After the fireworks, we noticed the stunning full moon just peering thru the buildings downtown. We made it safely back to the car and jammed old rap music like it was 2004 all the way home. :)

Trust in His goodness-He is leading us to the biggest party and glory-filled, awe-striking place. One day we will get there. BUT, for now, we walk thru lots of unknowns in life. We will have to trust and not take control when things don't work out as planned. We will experience joys and adventure along the way if we seize the gifts of life, enjoying others and creation (or city concrete jungles!) When we walk thru the hard, tiring parts AND the fun, exciting parts with gratitude, won't we consider all things joy? 

We can live rest assured, only because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for us, that He will bring us in to glory with Him (which I imagine will be like those fireworks but 10x better!) We must trek the journey of life until then.

Thank you, Father, for giving us glimpses of Your glory while we still walk this Earth. Continue to impart eternal perspectives, as we too often look to the world first.

Happy Birthday, United States of America! I'm very proud to be an American and THANKFUL for the freedom to worship and celebrate in this land!