Sunrise Sunset

Today I got up very early to watch a sunrise from Marine Beach. While most of my part of the world was still asleep and the stars still shining, I met friend at Jin Mart in San Antonio and from there we began our journey to see the sun come up.

Vanessa Pritchard and I on Marine Beach

With a beach blanket and flashlight in hand, we found a good spot on the beach and then waited for the dawn of a new day. Of course we had our cameras ready too.

Dancing shadows!

The waves were huge and loud as they crashed to shore. The air was cool. So cool in fact that I needed a jacket. Seldom do I need to wear a jacket on Saipan, but this morning I was glad I had a blanket to wrap in.

Crab crossing!

As the black sky began to turn a lighter shade of gray, I closed my eyes and said a prayer. I asked for God's blessing upon this day. I had a lot to do and I wanted to get some things accomplished. I thought it couldn't hurt to ask God to help me with that.

Crab home

The pictures captures the sunrise pretty well, but nothing compares to sitting on the beach and watching the sun inch its way up over the cliff as though it were winking at you. It was peaceful and powerful at the same time. Simple, yet magnificent too.

I'm glad I set the alarm for 4:45 a.m. and made the effort to see the sun rise. I should do this more often....in fact, I think I will.

God did indeed grant me his favor.....I accomplished the things I wanted to do....and then I ended the day as I had begun it.....watching the sun do its thing. The sunset was just as beautiful as the sunrise. No camera this time....just me and my journal watching the big orange orb slowing disappear on the horizon. And if that wasn't wonderful enough.....I saw my first "green flash" just as the sun went down. Awesome!

This is not the sunset I saw today, but this is a typical sunset I see from the beach near my apartment.