today i went to longwood gardens with my dad! for those not from new jersey, its a huge piece of land that has a bunch of different things. a greenhouse, fountain shows, a lookout waterfall and bell tower, walking trails, and so much more. its the most beautiful place and you just feel emerged in nature when you're there. when we were finishing up our time walking on the trail, we stopped and i just looked out at the multicolor hill that was ahead of me. i thanked God for nature and the ability to see Him in everything all around us. it really stayed on my heart the rest of the day. i felt God placing that awe of nature into my heart over and over. 

so as i got home today and was getting ready to go to bed, i suddenly realized so much about His Creation. this moment from today really made me feel like God was telling me to love His Creation, but in a different way. when i was looking at the hill as i thanked God, it was easy for me to love the things around me. the sun above me, the flowers at my feet, the trees in the distance. its easy for me to look at nature and be so thankful for His creation. i don't think God was telling me to love that part of His Creation, but instead, love His people the same way i love nature. to love the stranger on the street the same way i love the stars and moon at night. to love the slow driver in front of me the same way i love the ocean. to love the person that tests my patience as much as i love the most beautiful sunrise or sunset. He calls us to love His Creation, in every form, like He loves.  without guidelines. without restrictions. without certain circumstances. because if i truly love Him and believe He is The Creator, i need to love His Creation. not just some of His Creation, like the things that are easy to love, but the things that are sometimes hard to love. to choose to love like Him when its hard because that is what He calls us to do. so let us just strive to love Him and His Creation. all of it.

He's been teaching me a lot about truly slowing down to hear what He has to say and see what He has to show. because He truly is all around us and truly with us in every moment. we just have to choose to see and seek Him. its a really beautiful but tough learning process. to let Him take the weeds out in order to come back to the root of His word, who He is, and who He calls us to be. its a lot of learning and a lot of growth. day by day. and i'm really thankful. life is really sweet with Him.

love always,

ava :)