Getting to know Seattle

Yesterday, Jonathan and I got to go explore just about every major attraction in Downtown Seattle.
We started at Pike Place Market, went by the original Starbucks, bought what Esther calls "squeaky cheese" from Beecher's. We traveled through the Alley ways to snap pictures (I absolutely love having other photography lovers in my family!), we visited Seattle's Art Museum (my favorite piece of art was definitely "Love & Loss" by Roy McMakin - you should try to Google it), we had lunch at "Serious Pie" which is an amazing pizza shop. We stopped at quite a few really cool paper and bookstores, we had coffee at Stumptown Coffee (their Holler Mountain blend is amazing, simple amazing...), we got to check out the Glazer's camera shops, which had photography stuff galore (Glazer has a total of three shops; one for camera bodies and lenses, one for film and lighting equipment, and one for rentals), if I could have... I would have bought just about everything in those stores. I felt like a child in a candy store and I was particular fascinated with the Nikon FA (an old 35mm) and just about all the Leica cameras. I was good though, I refrained from spending all my money and instead bought some film for my polaroid camera that I had been having a tough time finding. Okay, enough about cameras... I should probably tell you that I most definitely went and checked out the Space Needle and I can honestly say that being 520 feet above the ground was exhilarating. It made me wish that I had gone on "The Eye" while I was in London because you could see soooo much and it was beautiful. I love architecture, so it was a treat to be in one central location and be able to look around at all the gorgeous homes, offices, parks, and landmarks.

For dinner, Jonathan, Esther, myself and the two dogs (Fran and Rae) walked to West Seattle's 'beach' (which is about a ten minute walk from J + E's house) and sat on a bench to eat and look at the illuminating lights of the city from across to water - it was picture perfect. After having enough of the cold, we headed home.

I finished the day with a much welcomed quite time. God has continually been pressing on my heart how important it is to be open to who God might bring into my life to speak with about his love and salvation. He's also been speaking the importance of being led by Him. I often times call out for his will and guidance, but as a human, I almost always let Him know just how far I'm willing to go. This shouldn't be the case, I should utterly surrender my life to bring glory to His name. I know God has stored in me the desire to travel, but even more importantly, I think he has intentions for me to be more actively pursuing mission trips, especially when I am still young and do not have a family of my own to manage. I don't know if these mission trips mean overseas or not, but I do know I need to have an open heart and a heart to want to share everything I have with God's children.

"Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. With the counsel Thou wilt guide me, and afterward receive me to glory." Psalms 73:23-24

"For Thou art my lamp, O Lord; and the Lord illumines my darkness. For by Thee I can run upon a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the Lord is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God, besides the Lord? And who is a rock, besides our God? God is my strong fortress; and He sets the blameless in His way. He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sets me on my high places. He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation And thou help makes me great. Thou dost enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped." 2 Samuel 22:29-37

Well, that's enough for now. Later Alligators :)