Pure Michigan

Isn't it crazy how after growing up about 25 minutes away from the nearest beach and seeing Lake Michigan your whole life, you forget how truly awesome and beautiful it is? It takes someone else being completely amazed by it to make me remember how great the Great Lakes actually are. I think this is pretty much true of everyone wherever they live. I mean, I probably find the mountains of Tennessee to be way more awesome than someone who has seen them every day when they wake up in the morning. The other day I was talking to my boss at work and she was saying how Chattanooga was such a boring place to live... people aren't friendly and there is nothing to do. What? To me Chattanooga is great, there is so much to do and people in the south are super nice and friendly. But I guess it's just all where you're from and what you've grown up with. Sometimes it takes being away from a place to truly see how amazing it actually is. Thursday, riding in the plane to Detroit from Charlotte, NC, I sat next to a Persian man. We began talking and he told me a little bit about himself and I told him a little bit about me. He was really friendly and nice and was flying to Canada to pick up his cousin and drive him to Utah, where he lives. Anyway, when we were flying into Detroit, you could see the lake really well and it was gorgeous. But when my friend (I think his name was Ricky) looked out the window, he gasped and asked, "Is that the ocean?!" I grinned a little and said, "Nope, that's a lake... there's five lakes in Michigan and they're all fresh water." and even pulled out my hand and described where they all were. He said, "Is that a man-made lake?" I told him no and laughed. Crazy. I've grown up just seeing Lake Michigan my whole life, knowing that there were four others just like it, not really thinking a whole lot about it. But when you're away from that lake that you've grown up with your whole life for a summer, you start to miss it. Thursday night, my first night home, I went to the beach with Cassie. Wow... God surely makes beautiful things like Lake Michigan... won't ever take it for granted again. :]
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Friday morning I attended a dance lesson with Matt and had lots of fun, even though I was practically falling asleep on him. Then, I headed to Wolfies in the afternoon and visited with Tom and some of the girls... I miss them sooo much... kind of wanted to stay and work with them again. Then, I got my hair colored, saw Amanda's puppies for the first time, and went out for supper with her. On Saturday I had Matt's pool party at one and then the wedding right after that. Don't think I've ever gotten ready for a wedding that fast before. The wedding was gorgeous... so glad I was there to see it and experience it. Matt and I got to dance again which was awesome, I've been missing swing so much, so it was a great way to spend some time together. Sunday, Matt came to church with us and then over for dinner. We just had a great time spending some time together in person rather than on Skype and he got to know my crazy family a little bit. Although it was hard saying goodbye to all my family and friends once again, it feels great to be back in Chattanooga, ready to see where God will take me next.
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Thanks for all the prayers ya'll have lifted up for me for safe travels back down to the south. I had pretty good flights, despite the fact I was freezing cold the entire time and one of my flights got delayed due to weather. But all in all, I had a really great trip to Pure Michigan and enjoyed seeing all your beautiful faces once again. I will see you again soon. :] God Bless.