Relaxing in My Solitude

So I just got back from a snowboarding vacation in Utah…technically I have been back for two days but since I refuse to take a day off from work to “recover” from vacation, it feels like I just got back last night.  I took Saturday morning off to relax (again, something I rarely do!) and take it easy.  Feeling a little light hearted and not quite so serious--a good place to be post-vacation.

So I discovered a few things on my Utah vacation…some more comical than others:

• I was obviously born in the wrong state.  I love the mountains and I find such peace in them.  Don’t really mind the snow either!
• Bobsledding – oh my!  This sport is no joke.  This quite possibly was the longest 56 seconds of my life.  I have a totally different perspective on this activity…a perspective I very well might have survived my whole life without knowing. If you ever decide to try this out…get ready to pray.  God and you will be really close by the end of the 1-minute ride.
• Friends – I have awesome friends; both new and old ones.  This is the second year in a row that I convinced a handful of my friends to fly to another city and take a vacation together.  Both times half the group didn't know each other and both times it has worked well…two years in a row and counting!  Who's want to take a trip next year?
  
• There are still gentlemen in this world.  I was starting to have my doubts but a few good friends proved me wrong.  (Usually I hate being wrong but I made an exception this time!)
• The Half Pipe – I did it…sorta.  Not exactly Shaun White style but I got down it with no injury.
• Catwalks and powder – these two things make a snowboarder’s day A LOT more difficult, reduce how much fun you have and might lead to yelling from the rider.  I will continue to avoid these and seek out other snowboarders to vacation with.  (However, my skiers were pretty awesome).
• Solitude – and I’m not talking about the mountain!  (although there was great powder on this mountain!).  I still value solitude or my alone time.  And there were moments riding down the mountain that I felt a peaceful solitude.  There were moments I got lost in the wonder and beauty of this world.  There were moments I had to stop, sit down and take in every blessing God has given me.  When you stop on the mountain and look out to this…

there are just no words to describe the overwhelming feeling that God is amazing.  And His boundaries are limitless.  And I am just so thankful, I am in a position to take all of this in.  I have seen so many of His wondrous creations from the deep blue sea to the mountaintops to rushing rivers.  I had to stop and just enjoy a moment of solitude…and let God overwhelm me.  And in the midst of the mountains, I’m so thankful I took a moment to enjoy His beautiful creations.  

1 Kings 19: 11
The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by".

Sometimes when we stop and take it all in...we feel the presence of the LORD just a tad more.  And I can't help but be excited for the day I get to stand in His presence and thank Him for all the beauty in the world.

Solitude, snow and beauty,

Ashley Lucille