Hollywood.

Hi again.

Tonight I am writing to you from the great city of Los Angeles, California. I love this city. I feel like this place kinda gets a bad rep.. It’s always thought of as trashy and dirty.. Which it is…like most cities are..BUT there are places in this city that are just adorable. When my family travels somewhere, we always try to go to the unique places.. Places that aren’t as popular or seen…and there are soooo many hidden gems here.

Well a few nights ago were The Grammys.. My favorite award show (of course) because it is all about music. So every year I watch my tv intently with bright and excited eyes when they’re on. This year was different because I happened to be staying 8 miles down the road from The Staples Center where the awards are held… (Yes. I was extremely happy about that.) and I watched them on the screen in my hotel room. If you watched them, you know that they were very….interesting this year. And I can’t say I was happy about some of the things that happened on the award show that I look forward to all year.. I was a little disappointed.

But I’m not writing this to tell you all my disagreements with The Grammys..

You may not know this..I didn’t know until I came here last July and I was reminded yesterday when I saw it.. You know the Hollywood sign. Everyone has seen it. It sits above the city in bold white letters on a beautiful green hill. What you might not know is that there is a white cross placed on another hill near the sign. Crazy right? I think yes. If you don’t believe me, Google it… (Even though I obviously know way more than Google…. Duh.)

It’s beautiful…and hardly anyone ever knows it’s there. I was very moved when I saw it. And (of course) it really got me thinking… Sometimes everything is so focused on the fame. On the brightest lights and the fanciest clothes. On the tallest hill. The big white bold letters. But what we miss is the cross. We don’t see the beautiful white cross above all the red carpets, award shows, sparkles and parties. There it is. Right in front of the city. But who really sees it? Hears of it? It made me sad to think of all the people who overlook it.. Who only see the taller hill and the bigger sign. If only they knew that the greatest sign was right in front of them..

People come here to follow their dreams and “make it big”.. To find fame and glory. But there’s something much more powerful in these hills.. Just waiting to be known.

I hope I can show someone that hill with the cross.. And show them all the beauty and truth that comes with it. I hope I can smile at a stranger and maybe they’ll see the cross in me.. I hope someday someone will drive beneath those hills and understand the flawless meaning behind the small hill and the simple white cross it holds.

Well I better go..I have a few parties to attend and red carpets to walk…I’m pretty much a celebrity…. Sooo goodnight peasants.

That was just a little jokey joke…

I love you all.

peace & love

MR