One aspect of this vacation that I truly enjoy is that I have a lot of freedom to do - or not do - whatever I want to (remembering, of course, that I represent Jesus in all I do). Today, in my original plan a couple of weeks ago, was going to be the day I went to Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse monument and other things in between. However, last night as I was winding down after the Badlands, I decided I would just sleep in, and maybe just hang around the hotel doing much of nothing. Sleep in I did. I woke up about 7:30, listened to some worship music for a bit (I highly recommend this...praising God is one of our purposes and it is extremely fulfilling) and then went back to bed...until noon! Man did that feel good! I decided to hit the streets in search of lunch (the weather was actually warm, maybe in the low 70s) and found a mexican restaurant. During lunch a constant debate was going on in my head - do I want to go somewhere or just hang out. I headed back towards the hotel and decided that I may as well go see Mt. Rushmore and "get it out of the way". Check my attitude. For some reason, I was not all that thrilled about Mt. Rushmore but I knew I had to go there since I was so close (23 miles). Am I glad I did go. First of all, this is the off-season for tourists so there were not many folks there. Secondly, the area is just beautiful. Pine trees, big rocks, mountain goats (just a few feet away) and 4 big heads cut out of stone.
Part of the Mt. Rushmore experience is walking the .6 mile Presidential Trail. It takes you close to the monument and has lots of stairs going up and down (I got a good workout). After spending probably a good 2 hours there (souvenoir shopping included), I headed back out of the monument area and got this great pic as the sun was setting.
Another day of being blessed by God and knowing that I do not deserve it. At times my attitude has been nothing less than evil, and yet His mercies are new every morning and His love never ceases. I am thankful and overwhelmed that the Creator of the entire universe cares so much for me - and for you. Let all of us grow in our relationship with Him. I'm not talking about religion. I hate religion. It is nothing but rules. I am talking about relationship with the one who created us. "I walk by faith, and not by sight."
