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     Reading the Bible to attain a clear picture of who God is is not enough.  We are instructed to "taste and see".  Likewise, attempting to paint the picture of my new habitat, or any location for that matter, with words, is a task that's quite an undertaking if not impossible.  It's as though we need all four senses engaged before we can get a true revelation of an item's entire consistency.  Considering that I can't afford to buy you all tickets, I will wrestle with the impossible.
     Redding is a town of nearly 90,000 and located at the northern tip of the Sacramento Valley.  It has a Wal-mart, Lowes, many different restaurants, coffee shops, outdoor stores, pawn shops, and churches.
     Bethel Church is by far one of the largest attractions in Redding.  One man saw my Ohio plates and asked whether I moved to the area to attend there.  It has not been uncommon for me to overhear a conversation concerning the church.  While trimming my hair, a beautician told me of her healings associated with Bethel.  Last week, I attended one of their Friday revival services and was lead into a worship that was unbelievably free and in union with the Spirit that lives in me.  Surrounded by all cultures and creeds, God was exalted to the place that only He deserves.  People expressing themselves in interpretive dance, loud shouting, repentant and joyful prayer, and exuberant singing that had to have included one hundred different parts that all made the most harmonious song I have ever heard.  Am I exaggerating?  No.  I feel like I have not done justice to what God is doing in this town.  In just a month, I have had numerous conversations with complete strangers in Redding that are on fire for God, and have entirely devoted themselves to Him, and, by my judgement, are sincere in their testimonies (and I am a sceptic if there ever was one).  I will not be attending there regularly, but it is exciting to see God working through His people in fascinating ways.
     Redding (5oo ft.) is surrounded by mountains on three sides.  If you were to drive for about an hour, you would arrive at either the Trinity Alps (9,ooo ft.) to the West, Mount Shasta (14,ooo ft.) to the North, and Lassen Peak (1o,ooo ft.) to the East.
     Whitmore, near where I am located, is Northeast of Redding at about 3,ooo ft. in the foothills between Lassen Peak and Mount Shasta.  Its 166 people make for a bustling and cutthroat environment, and the general store and gas station's meager prices would only bankrupt a millionaire looking for a loaf of bread.  If you continue East seven miles and up one thousand feet on a road that could easily put Lombard St. to embarrassment, you would arrive at the remote Riverview Christian Academy (the small grassy spot at the top of the following picture).

Lookout Peak (4,500 ft.)