Another reason Houston sucks

So it's officially summer here, and I'm dreading the next six months or so. Last week, I got sweaty from putting the kids in the car IN OUR GARAGE AT 11 IN THE MORNING. People say Houston's a great place because you can golf year-round, but really, summer is so hot it's nearly intolerable to be outside. We've already gone swimming three times, and Ellie has already gotten dark. It's going to be a long next few months (especially with school out after Tuesday).

I've actually been keeping up with my One Year Bible reading this time around. Like, I'm on May 14. I'm pretty proud. Anyway, I was reading a couple of weeks ago and came across this passage that I really liked. I think growing up in California, I was a lot more exposed to nature. I forget where I heard about this, but I remember hearing at some retreat or something different ways you experience God. Some through other people, some through the Bible, through prayer, etc. One way was through nature. I think I heard it at a retreat in Texas, so I think I was the only one who felt that I experienced God through nature. I feel so sad for my kids who will think mountains look like small hills with faces like in Dora. Boo.

But Psalms 104:5-22 reads:
He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.
You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;
they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them.
You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.
He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.
They give wayer to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.
He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate- bringing forth food from the earth;
wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.
The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees.
The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the coneys.
The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.
The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens.
Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.

I think I commune with God well when I'm in the midst of His creation. There's such an overwhelming sense of his omnipotence and sovreignty, you know? I don't mean to sound hokey, but nature really is amazing. I wish there were better ways of experiencing nature here, but alas - it's Houston. We go to the indoor playground at the mall and swimming pools with sand around the edges. Like Peter always says, it makes us appreciate our vacations more. Sad. Houston stinks. Sometimes literally.