Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Some vacation highlights...

Last year after this same homeschooling conference we went to this resort...maybe you remember some pictures? We had such a good time we decided to do it again. After all, when you pay for airfare to be out of the country, you might as well make the most of it and stay out a little while longer, especially when the weather's so great!

Every morning there was a large "western" breakfast which we thoroughly enjoyed. We thought the resort was even better this year because they paid attention to what we liked. After the first morning, when they saw us coming, they immediately poured the King a fresh cup of coffee and asked if we would like an omelet. They brought the Prince his juice and the Princess her milk without asking. Very thoughtful.

They treated us like royalty (How'd they know!?) and we enjoyed every minute of it. As a matter of fact one of the guys I spoke to on a few occasions last year had been promoted. He remembered us which I thought was neat because it is a tourist resort and many people come through.

We walked on the beach alot. We love finding treasures and the Princess came home with tons. We had tears over the fact that I would not let her bring the hermit crabs home. We played with them and then left them. There were tons! and ALL sizes!

One of the great things about where we stayed is that...if you want to do it...for the right price, you can. The kids wanted to ride ATV's (I know. I know!) and with some hesitation and lots of rules, we let them. They loved it.

The Princess spent her time between the pool and the ocean. I had to make her cover up and get out of the sun. It was torture to her, but she endured. Ice cream is good motivation to get out of the pool. We all got a little pink, but we stayed slathered in sunscreen! After all, we are white folks.

The weather was in the 70's in the mornings and in the 90's by late morning. The King enjoyed having his quiet time out on the balcony. He was also such a good boy. He got up early and went running. He came back with stories about the little village down the way where all the fishermen were working...and how many CATS he saw! And all the puppies that he met who ran half the way with him. When we went ATVing as a family, we looked for them. We saw tons of dogs, but no cats. No fish, no cats. They were sleeping in the shade, I'm sure. You know how cats are!

There is something really refreshing about not having to wear a watch. We got up when we wanted, ate when we wanted (except for breakfast...that was over by 10:30), swam when we wanted, did exactly what we wanted and if that was nothing, then great! I had almost forgotten how much I love the ocean.

I have always heard "wind and waves" said together. Rarely, do I hear someone talk about the waves without referring to the wind, well, and the ocean.

I loved when the tide would go out and we could walk out on the sandbars really far away from the road. There might be knee high pools to walk through, but over all you could walk forever and still be in shallow water.

Out there, the wind would whistle through my hair and the waves would splash on my feet and legs. That's all I could hear at first, splashes...whistling. Then as my spirit quieted and really listened...I heard it. What they were made to do...glorify God. They did what they were created to do...pointed my focus to the Creator of all things. Every time. Every time I walked into the waves and just listened, I heard it. The creation singing to the majesty and glory of His name. And every time, a song welled up in me. I sang at the top of my lungs and I don't think anyone heard me over the song the "wind and waves" sang. Their song was more powerful at that moment. But I wouldn't care who heard me. At times, the Princess was at my feet digging in the sand and she would sing, too.

It was truly exhilarating and worshipful. I understand why some people HAVE to be outdoors. I could not get enough of it. One neat thing was that the song was different each time. One time I was singing as the sun was setting, "Indescribable, Uncontainable. You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name. You are amazing God!"

Another time, when there were no boats on the horizon and I was contemplating some things I had learned at the homeschooling conference, (The guest speaker was a PHD. Nuclear physicist. Christian. Gave great examples of how science supports the creation theory) and I was thinking about the depth of the ocean and all there is in it we don't really know. How could I not sing, "O the deep, deep love of Jesus. Vast. Unmeasured. Boundless. Free. Rolling as a mighty ocean, in it's fullness over me. Underneath me. All around me. Is the current of God's love. Leading onward, leading upward to thy glorious throne above."

The dictionary defines vacation as "a period of time devoted to rest, travel, or recreation." But there is so much more to it, if you let it happen. Rest? Check. Travel? Check. Recreation? Check. What about what happens to your soul on vacation...refreshed? Check.

A much needed break. Well spent. Again I say, my cup runs over. The only thing to make it better is if you were there to share it, too.

3 comments:

PandaMom said...

For crying out loud!!! I have chills all over my body just reading your words about the ocean! I wanna go!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hear and feel that same connection with God that you speak of when I'm in any kind of nature. I just KNOW him better when I remember that life isn't stuff we think we create.....it's enjoying what HE has created and worshipping HIM! So very glad to know you had some much needed respite. Great post!!!!

Anonymous said...

God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
Professor Night lectures each evening.
Psalm 19:1 The Messege
I love our huge GOD! Oh how He speaks right to our hearts in many ways, including your words. Which by the way is what I love about you! So glad to see you are back and rested. Dad was so sweet to give you a much needed vacation, and to top it off He met you there! Or went with you rather. No other hand I would want to be in.
Love you -
flea

Ashley said...

This is possibly my favorite blog post EVER. Love it!