California- Part Three

Warning: I'm about to show my lack of directional and geographical intelligence in this post.

When I left Charlotte for California it was very hard. I did not want to go. It seemed so far away and like such a long time- 5 days- to be away from my family. Okay, I cried when I kissed my husband goodbye. When I was sitting on the plane waiting for take-off feelings of loneliness and fear seemed to shroud me like a suffocating cloak and I felt the tears welling up again. It was just plain hard.

Those feelings stayed with me all the way to Colorado, but then something wonderful happened. I woke up from a brief nap and peered out the window beside my seat. What I saw was breath-taking. We were just starting over the Rocky Mountains. They were so regal and majestic, the peaks covered in soft blankets of snow. Suddenly, I realized how big my God really is and how capable He is of handling not only me and my small problems, but this whole big wide world. My fickle feelings changed. I realized what a privileged girl I am to "get" to go to California and meet new people and see some amazing places.

As we came near Salt Lake City for my connecting flight to Orange County, I was amazed. I don't know what I thought that area was like, but it looked nothing like I imagined. It was so beautiful! The oranges and browns and golds and so many colors. I could look into the Salt Lake and other little lakes and literally see the salt and what appeared to be underwater mountains and canyons. We passed the largest copper mine in the world and it was stunning. What a portrait God painted for me!

I was shocked by southern California when I arrived there. I expected lush greenery. I had no idea that it's actually a desert. They don't have grass, just an abundance of tropical plants and cacti. I was mesmerized by the plants and the scenery the whole time I was there. The mountains were rugged, unlike the green carpeted mountains of North Carolina. We were driving down the highway at one point and I saw the Pacific Ocean through one set of car windows and mountains through the other side. On Sunday afternoon Gary and Anne took Lori and me riding through the area and showed us the devastation left by the fires of last year. The fire had literally come within blocks of their house!

I couldn't believe the citrus trees and avocado trees, but the flowers were the best of all. So many beautiful blossoms everywhere and such vivid colors. Gary and Anne have a little oasis in their backyard that includes a lemon tree, lime tree, apricot tree, orange tree, cacti, and lots of other flourishing plants. That coupled with wind chimes and lots of garden eye candy made it so peaceful, like a minature Eden. See the fruit on their trees:

I had to laugh. Lori and I flew from Salt Lake City into Orange County together. When she called Dan to have him pick us up from the airport she said, "We're standing by the palm tree." Do you know how many palm trees line the John Wayne airport? Too funny!

The conference took place at the Long Beach Convention Center which is located in a harbor and a bustling area. A huge aquarium was next door and it had a beautiful mural of whales painted on it. I could look out of my hotel window and see it as well as a beautiful little man made lake with bridges over it. I got to watch a hula dancer show from my window the first night I was there. I would have preferred to be sleeping, but when the show is so loud that the dancers might as well be in your room you might as well watch it.

I also took a short trip to the 15th floor of the hotel to take this picture of the Queen Victoria or Mary or one of those fancy queen people, a big ship that now has hotel rooms on it. I'm sure it also has history attached to it, but since I can't even remember the queen you can probably guess that I don't know the history either. And, yes, I really do homeschool my children and they are doing quite well academically, thank you!

Even though California was beautiful, nothing compares to the humble little abode I call home. It was an especially welcome site after running breathlessly through the Atlanta airport way past my bedtime with sweat pouring off of me in an attempt to make my connecting flight to Charlotte. I almost needed resuscitation when I arrived at my gate just in time to head down the gangway to the plane. But we won't talk about all the little airline and airport issues that happened on my trip for they were many. I do have to say that the night before I flew out we had a bomb scare on an airplane at our airport and when I arrived there the next morning all the big news crews still had their lights and cameras set up everywhere. Not knowing what had happened at that point, my husband said, "Whatever you do, don't listen to the news today."