Beauty in the Desert

I first began to appreciate the desert about 10 years ago, when Mark and I were able to take a trip to Big Bend National Park, on the border of TX and Mexico. Although our springtime trip missed the desert blooms by a couple of weeks, we still were able to marvel at all the life in the desert, and the beauty in the barrenness, finding once we were out in it that it really wasn't as barren as it appeared.  Life flourished in the desert...it was just a different kind of life than we were accustomed to.

Fast forward about a decade, and I'm beginning to choose to see the beauty in the desert once again.  As the weather begins to get  (infintesimally) cooler, as homeownership finally draws closer, as we begin slowly by slowly (a favorite Kenyan phrase) to establish a life in Arizona, I am able to see the beauty here.

Over the last few weeks I've enjoyed morning walks in the neighborhood across the street with Lyric. One morning when it was particularly cool I  began to see the refreshing beauty in the local landscaping.  I shot some pictures on my phone: (if I actually knew what I was doing in inserting pics into a blog, I'd be dangerous...as it is, I apologize that they are not in a beautiful, scrapbook-like display...you get what you get and you don't throw a fit)

 

 

 
Not only did I notice the beauty of the landscaping, but also the added beauty of the doors.  These are not front doors, as in this neighborhood you can't even see the fronts of the houses. What you see are driveways and garages, and walls...big concrete/stucco walls that surround the properties.  But through many of the walls, at least in this neighborhood, are beautifully colorful doors...entrances that say "you are welcome, despite the wall that has been built."  Entrances that say "even though I am desert, I don't have to settle for drab." 

And so, I am seeing the beauty around me.  And I'm choosing to see the desert metaphors in my life, as I think God is speaking volumes here as well.  I'm reminded of lyrics from a song we frequently sing at church,


Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

 

And I'm reminded of these verses from Isaiah 35 "The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.Like the crocus it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God"

 

As we continue to adapt to life in the desert, I'm praying that we continue to seek out the beauty, and to listen to God's voice and see His handiwork in our lives.

 

Arizona Weather Observations

Okay, we've been here more than a month now, and the kids have been in school for 4 weeks.  Here are some of the things I've noticed in Arizona:

1. Weather Alert Radio: it's not just a test.  I've heard at least half a dozen "emergency alert" buzzes for storms.  I don't remember ever hearing any in Houston, even when Ike was blowing into town.  However, they don't interrupt the entire morning's broadcasting schedule to show you that it is raining.  Houston, take a memo!

2. Today there is a flash flood alert for much of the South East Valley...one community registered 2.8" rain.  Huh? A couple weeks after Brianna was born there was a storm with 22" of rain.  Of course, in AZ, 2.8" is a whole monsoon season's worth of rain.

3. I love the doggie door...except on days like today when it's raining...and the dog comes in with wet paws...

4.  Haboobs:  those are those big dust storms that blow into the valley.  Yesterday I was in one that was 2500 feet tall and I think they said 30 miles across.  Watched it approach when I went to pick Matt up from football.  It's just wild to watch.  Kind of like fog...but made of dust/dirt.  Visibility reduced to less than 1/2 mile.  In some cases, Much less.

5. I don't care what anyone says, there's no such thing as a dry heat...hot is hot.  The sweat runs down the small of your back when you walk a dog if it's a hundred outside regardless of how much humidity there is.  And you need a shower after the walk either way.  Also the reason why the dog hasn't gotten as many walks.

6. It's hard to understand the term "cooling trend" when the weather is going down to 103 degrees.  A couple days ago the weather man said "notice the cooling trend" while the weather chart showed one day at 106 degrees and the next to 103 degrees.  How is that cool, and how is it a trend?

7. I'm becoming addicted to the Food Network and HGTV.   What does this have to do with the weather, you say?  Think about it...