From the South to the West.....

During the transition, I have found myself contemplating the variety of customs, cultures and environments our country offers. Here is how our lives have changed.......

From the South to the West......

• from smocking and beautiful, long christening gowns to cowboy boots, large belt buckles and Stetsons.
• from humidity that makes it hard to breathe to air completely void of moisture.
• from a one-story modern home to a four-level historic home.
• from "y'all" to "howdy".
• from being called "sweetheart" or "dahlin'" and no offense was meant or taken to.....well, nothing has replaced that yet!
• from fire ants and spiders in our yard to antelope and ground squirrels (honestly, both are in our yard daily!).
• from being cooped up in the summer to playing at the playground for hours a day.
• from the land of 115 degree heat index to the land where 90 just feels like 90 and doesn't produce excessive amounts of sweating.
• from outdoor swimming pools to indoor.
• from 10 churches every mile to only one in sight during a 10-minute drive.
• from the beauty of a variety of colors of skin to the same pale color as me.
• from being the odd-one-out in how I talk to sounding just like everyone else.
• from the land of Civil War history to the land of how the West was won.
• from football to rodeos.
• from green grass and rolling hills to dry land and mountains in the distance.

But you know what is the same? The common courtesy of decent people. The same respect for our flag and our military. And people who love the same Lord.

Thank You, Lord, for the variety you've placed in our country and the privilege to experience it up-close-and-personal. Thank You for those across our nation who love and serve You and for the freedom to do just that.