My Worthless Pebbles for His Amazing Grace: Ellerslie, Estes, and Denver: Part I

I know many of you have been patiently waiting to hear the details of my recent trip to Colorado. For you who are wanting to hear about the trip to Estes Park specifically, be patient. It will come. :) I will be writing about the trip in several parts, simply for the sake of time and space. Short, concise (we'll see how 'short' and 'concise' works for me..) blog posts are much easier to read.
It is my goal with these entries to give a glimpse into an incredible and life-changing week of my life, and to highlight the work God has done, and is still doing, in the lives of our team and in Estes. May He be glorified, and give me the words, for mine are inadequate.

The first week I was in Colorado, I spent in Denver with my cousins. I hadn't seen some of them in several years, and one of them just had a baby 5 months ago, so I got to meet her! The weather was gorgeous so I spent a lot of time going on very long walks. My cousins live right next to several walking paths, so I did lots and lots of exploring the neighbourhood. The Colorado air is so light, bright, and crisp; I love it! The very day I arrived, we went to the Denver Zoo. As far as zoos go, it is a very nice one.

"Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh, My!"

Later in the week I braved the traffic one day to drive into downtown to visit the Denver Botanic Gardens! Driving in downtown Denver traffic was quite the adventure for me! Not to mention the freeway traffic, on and off ramps, etc. But God sustained me and I now feel quite accomplished. Ish. :) The Botanic Gardens were absolutely lovely and I took so many photos. It felt like walking through a speedy tour of many different countries. It is amazing how they can grow so many types of gardens, flowers, and plants in the one climate!

The highlight of that day, however, was the unexpected meeting of a dear, sweet friend. I was ambling through the tropical rainforest greenhouse, enjoying child-like delight in the foreign plants and atmosphere (trust me, I had a silly, little-kid-grin on my face, and I'm pretty sure I felt like an explorer!), and turning the corner I stood face to face with Maddie Wong! She was one of my roommates from my semester at Ellerslie! It was a joyous few minutes after we each took double takes and looks of disbelief. :) I just love how God builds unexpected and pleasant surprises into each and every day!

~Beauty of Creation~

I wish I could say that I spent most of these quiet and fairly empty days in study of the Word and deep conversation with God, but I didn't. I got a lot of reading done, but it wasn't mostly the Bible. One thing I would change, is being intentional about spending more and more time in the Word and in prayer. But I still believe God did something special in that week to prepare me for what was ahead. He is so completely faithful to give us all that we need. Not what we want, what we need. (notice the emphasis) However, if we are abandoned to His will, I believe that we will begin to want the things of God. That is how I want to live every day of my life.