Beauty everywhere

One of the thoughts that I had when I went to Tanzania was just simply taking in how beautiful the country was. Everywhere I went, the fact that I was seeing things that was in no way like anything I had seen before. Seeing a culture, people, natural landscape that was outside of my normal everyday experience refreshes the soul in some way. But as much as I was able to see the beauty of Tanzania, it had an affect on me that I didn't expect.

When we got back to the United States I felt like I was looking around literally with new eyes. I had an appreciation for the natural beauty that I saw in Virginia (yes, it actually exists). The city of Richmond, americans (simply for being americans), fast food, etc. It's all a part of the culture, it's different. But it's also beautiful for simply what it is..... Now, I'm not saying its ideal or that it's even what I would choose, but it is what it is. I need to make the decision to have an attitude that says I will see the beauty that exists and accept it. I guess we get so used to always viewing things in a certain way that our prejudiced heart will not see it in any other way and even forget what good we had seen in the past.

The last few weeks I've been living with my parents here in northern virginia has been good. I've never had the most positive perceptions of this area. The traffic makes me "road ragey", the price of homes makes me "cringe" (literally), everyone is more metro than me (i feel like a bum in church), everyones too busy, etc... But even with all of that, when you strip away all the craziness here....its not that bad..... But, i'll leave it at that

I'll be in Malawi in a little more that 2 weeks from today. May I have an attitude to see the beauty of that country, its culture, and people also.....

15 Days and counting........


Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray

Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I'd pray
I could break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jetplane
Far away
And break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky.
Make a wish, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget all the ones that I love.
I'll take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging with revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me
Gotta keep movin on movin on
Fly away
Break away

I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly.
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
Take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away.
Out of the darkness and into the sun.
But I won't forget the place I come from
I gotta take a risk, take a chance,
Make a change, and break away
Break away
Break away