San Diego Zoo!

This past weekend we took you to the San Diego Zoo for your first view of large animals. We were sooo excited to be doing a normal young family thing, pushing you past the panda bear in your stroller. And I have to say-- it was perfect. You took a 2 hour nap right in the middle of the day and missed lots of things but you are not at the age where you even really know what you are looking at.

The highlights were easily the hippos where they swam right past us and you banged on the glass. The Pandas were really active and the brown bear-- you were really excited to see him. The oranguetans were really interesting too. It was so fun. We also got to take you on the little train ride outside the zoo. We each took you once. For me- you just smiled when the wind hit your hair. Your trip with your dad though was something special. Apparently you were really excited and he had one of those moments where it sunk in that he is your dad and all the fun you will have together.

Just a side note about the zoo. Something that struck me many times throughout the day. I am sure it is common but now that I have the job of showing you about God and his place in your life, I may notice these things more. All day at the zoo-- maybe about a dozen times or more, I saw people lean in a little- look into the face of a creature of God and whisper to themself- " oh my god." Now- this is a phrase you will hear so many times in your life and with so many contexts- but follow me on this. The instinctual response of a dozen people at the zoo ( I am sure there were alot more than that that said it) when faced with an animal said 'oh my god.' I said exactly the same thing in my head and was thinking- yes- I am in awe of what He has made.

From the peacock's wildly extravagant details, to the perfect line between black and white on the zebra, to the playfulness of the monkeys- I hope that you will see and feel in your life, that these animals are proof of a loving God who created all this beauty for us to enjoy. A God that loves this beauty and went to intricate measures to make a world that would be beyond our comprehension so that we would know His power and ability and love.

I hope that you will someday lean in to the face of an animal, or a plant or the ocean or a sunset and whisper to yourself- 'oh my God, thank you so much. I am so thankful you did all this for me. All this so I would know what you are like- big, powerful, beautiful and loving.'