Even though I'm some what scared of heights, clouds fascinate me. It seems that I'm constantly looking up in the sky. (In fact, while photographing clouds, I've run into objects more than once. Oops.) 

Cumulus, stratus, cirrus...and probably my favorite of all - cumulonimbus. There's nothing quite like the feeling of seeing dark, thick clouds swirling about the sky, indicating a coming thunderstorm. 

During our drive down to Texas a few days ago, I became bored. Having finished the book I brought along (being a fast reader isn't always a good thing ;)) and tired of listening to my iPod, I leaned back in my seat and stared at the sky. I was amazed at what I saw. From puffy, castle-like clouds to heavy layers of grey clouds, I had a wonderful time looking at them.  

Before long, I found myself searching pictures in the sky. I discovered an old lady sitting cross legged eating a bowl of soup and a llama leaning over a fence among many other things. (Yes, these were very detailed clouds. Or maybe my mind was a bit over imaginative? Hehe.)

Yes, my head is often in the clouds. What about yours?

-carlotta

Holy chipmunks, people! (Yes, I just made that up.) There were seven link ups last week! Great job :) Could we try to top that? It's all up to you! So, I'm keeping Happiness Is open, but I've decided if there are less than 5 links two weeks in a row, I'm going to close it for an undecided amount of time. Mmkay?

This week has been really rough, so this is just what I need - to find the bright side of the past few days.

Won't you play along? Just write a post with two things (or for you rebels, more than two things) that made you happy this week, then come back here and link up. Oh, and grab the button too :)

<div align="center"><a href="http://pastors-girl.blogspot.com"><img alt="Happiness Is..." src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1064/4732886685_1331802b43_m.jpg" /></a></div>

Happiness is...

...an unexpected trip to Texas. Even though it's under sad circumstances, it's great to catch up with old friends.

(Regarding the photo, I was playing with long exposures. It was taken during our long drive yesterday, as the sun was rising)

...homemade apple pie. Well, in this case it's McDonalds. Bought and eaten yesterday during a stop in our drive, if you must know. It was still good ;)

What has made you happy this week? Link up and let me know! (If you don't have a blog you can let me know in the comments)

Have fun :)

-carlotta

I'd like to thank y'all for your wonderfully sweet words on my last post. You comforted me more that you'll ever know. I'm still reeling with shock, and to know that you're all praying for his and my family means a lot to me. 

Yesterday, I needed a distraction from all of this, so I grabbed my camera and went outside. The sound of the shutter clicking was almost therapeutic. I could feel myself getting a bit better with each shot. Photography soothes me so. When I'm taking pictures, it's like I'm lost in my own little world, capturing God's beauty. I'm so very thankful that He has given me this talent (I'm sorry if that sounded that like I was bragging, I truly don't mean to!).

What soothes you?

I'm still planning on putting up a Happiness Is post tomorrow, along with a linky. I hope you play along ;)

-carlotta

PS I'm sorry if none of this really makes sense...it's 4:01 am right now (although, I'm scheduling this and you'll see it a couple hours from now.), and I'm still not quite awake...we're leaving for our trip in an hour.

I don't even know how to start this. I've been sitting here for the past hour, typing and erasing, typing and erasing. This is so incredibly hard and I don't know how to adequately put it into words.

You may remember when I asked you to pray for our family's close friend, who had lymphoma (I'm not going to release his name on account of privacy reasons).

He passed away yesterday afternoon.

When I first heard the news that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, I of course was crushed, but I didn't think death would follow so quickly. I thought for sure I would be able to see him at least once more. My dad talked with our friend's brother this past Thursday - who felt that he [our friend] would pull through. A few days after that conversation, he had a heart attack. Even though he survived it, it depleted him of what little strength he had left in his body, which quickly led to his passing yesterday.

My heart is hurting so badly. He was so close to our family. Over this past New Years, he stayed with us for a few days (he lived in our hometown in Texas). It was like old times. He and my dad laughing, joking. Teasing me and my siblings. And now? He's gone. Just like that. When I cheerfully waved goodbye to him at the airport I never in a million years would have thought that was the last time I'd ever see him.

This is only the second time someone close to me has died. Call me naive, call me young, but the pain of someone dying is not a feeling I'm accustomed to. I'm not used to this type of hurt.

After hearing the news that he had slipped away from this earthly world, the first thought that came to my mind was "Why?". Why do these things have to happen? I know God has a plan. I know that he let this happened for a reason - but it doesn't make it any easier.

I apologize that this post is so melancholy...but life isn't full of only smiles and laughter. It's full of tears, of heartache as well. I try to focus on the positive things in life, but when things like this happen...sigh.

Please keep his family in your prayers - I know it would mean so much to them. Thank you.

-carlotta

PS We've decided that we're going down to Texas for his funeral (which my dad will be preforming, as he's a pastor). I feel horrible about how I'm reacting to this trip. I'm excited to go down, but I don't want to be excited. I should be sad. After all, the reason we're going to Texas is because of someone's death. So why am I excited? I don't know. And I'm beating myself up about it. 

I will try my best, but if I don't post this week, that's why. This is all so unexpected and I don't know if I'm going to be able to find the time. I hope you understand.