Lovely Days

My trip was a blessing. I mostly spent time with family, but got to see some others as well. Susie and I met at Nicholas's baseball practice Friday late afternoon and then we met Frederick at the Mexican resteraunt. Nicholas and I played some Mario at the house, then I went home.

I was so glad to be home, but I had such a strong sense of unrest. I was having a difficult time slowing down and passing on my burdens to the One who gives us peace. Here I was with so many things I wanted to do and people I wanted to see, not able to do it all on top of having been sick. All I wanted was some time to be quiet and rest. I had to laugh at my indecisiveness when Mom was leading a quiet day at her church. I decided to go and it was wonderful. The scripture from Isaiah- In repentance (returning) and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. Just what I needed. Then, Susie and I rode out to Kiawah together for a beautiful long walk on the beach with Grace. Oh, spoiled rotten, I am! It was so good to be out there, to be together, and to enjoy such beauty. I can't wait to go again. And Grace was wearing the Camp St. Christopher shirt I gave her. Such a cutie.

The family was a treat. Steak and cupcakes- yum! I got a large cooking pot which I needed and some other nice gifts. St. Andrews was as powerful as ever- worship, teaching, prayer, fellowship. All wonderful. Andolini's with Mikayla. Nap. Back to Wadmalaw for supper with Frederick and family with a visit to Robert and Lindsay on the way. I wish I had gone to St. Michael's for the night service, but I didn't.

And to finish up my time, a wonderful long walk on the golf course. I got to talk out loud. It was good. Mom and I walked around the block before that, which was such a treat. It was good to see everyone. Good to be home. Glad to be back.

High Ropes

We get a lesson in healthy growing. It's about knowing our comfort zones and as we step out of it, it expands. Then, there is the area in our lives that is too far out of our comfort zone to attempt. It's got to be built upon for it to be safe. So, little by little we step out of our comfort zones until we realize it has grown fairly large.

Now, to the ropes! We walk into the woods. We partner up. We meet the team, learn the equipment, put it on, practice using our equipment on a ground course. We practice walking in it, falling, detaching and attaching the ropes, and walking on the tight rope. I already feel unfamiliar even on the ground... Off to the high ropes!

Sammy is my partner and she wants to go first. Up she goes! I cheer her on. Good job, Sammy... The first step is always the hardest... half way there... you're doing amazing... and she was. Everyone else is excited. I'm nervous. It is sooo high up. The girls all go. They do great. Now for my turn. Glad for all those deer stands I've climbed up into- good practice:). Up to the top. Feeling uncomfortable. I make it up. So high with such a small space. I tell the man "i'm so nervous." He tells me I can sit. No, thanks (doubtful I'd get back up). What do I do? I don't remember his answer, but I went forward. Once I made the first step I got the hang of it. Not so bad. He talked me through the first exchange at the pole. To the tight rope, to the log, the final tight rope, and almost done. But, the last step was a far stretch. I did not want to reach up to the hooks. After a minute of standing, looking at the pole with hesitation, the man slightly extended his hand and made a face that said, "want a hand?" I did not hesitate at all, but gladly took it and pulled myself onto the final platform. He adjusted my ropes for me, told me to wait as he worked on something. Then, he told me it was ready and that some people count to three. That is what I needed to hear. One, two, three... and off down the zipline!

Did I overcome my fear? Nope. I was as afraid as I was rockclimbing, getting stuck on the mountain in Montserrat, and getting near the edge when I go hiking. It was fun and I'm glad I did it. But, still a ways to go before that is in my comfort zone.

No Longer Strangers

Not too long ago I attended a birth for a mom I had never met before. This happens occasionally. In fact, some of my favorite births (where we bond the most) I have not met them before. Funny how life goes like that. This particular birth the mother was expecting a certain woman to be at her birth who was not able to be present. She did not know this woman would not be present. We assessed her and admitted her into labor. She was well into labor when she came in. I came in and out of the room quietly without using many words. A word here and there of encouragement. I explained that we were not telling her what to do because she was doing exactly what we would tell her to do. You are doing perfect and making good progress. She nodded. She was very tired and had not slept the night before. Out of the tub. I squatted with her for a contraction. She breathes slowly letting the contraction build, relaxing into it. She leaned her head on my shoulder. I fixed her hair because she was hot and her hair was falling down. She was getting more tired. Would you like us to break your water? Yes. One hour later a baby girl born in the water. Mom cried. We took care of baby and eventually got her out of the water and onto Dad. I looked at the mother with a smile in my eyes and told her congratulations. She looked at me her eyes smiling as well and thanked me. When the time came for them to go home, she came up to me and joked with a smile, "Nice to meet you, Ashley." We gave each other a big hug and I said, "you too. It was an honor."

Sunday Afternoon

What a beautiful day out even though it is a bit cold. I wanted to take advantage of this and go on a walk. Chrissy and I were planning on going out to one of the trails in the late afternoon. So, I decided against my walk down to the library to return some cds. Instead, I filled my almost empty tank with gas and then drove to the library to drop off the cds. As I walked back to my car, I could not resist a walk around the block while I called Frederick on the phone. It was just too pretty out. So, I walked around downtown talking on the phone to him. And what do you know that I came across except for a bicycle race! Yeah, even though I am not a bike race fan or anything, it was something different. There were LOTS of bikers around. There they came over and over mostly riding in groups. The roads were blocked off for the race and there was a big "START/FINISH" sign. Pretty cool. I watched a few rounds then walked back to my car.

When Chrissy got here, we picked a trail off 8th Avenue in the woods. It was great to catch up. Afterward, we decided upon Panera instead of checking out the superbowl party. We enjoyed some soup and salad (me) or sandwich (her). It was nummy. Now she is on the road back to Ocala and I am about to enjoy some good reading. A nice sunday afternoon.

Words of Strength

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, " The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for Him.

Lamentations 3:22-24

Things I Heard This Week...

Today at La Chua Trail:
"Hey, Amber, have you ever been shocked by an electric fence?"
"No, I haven't."
Without missing a beat and ready to tell her story, "You don't want to..."

At church this morning:
a child's voice saying "I'm too old for this" and chasing a two year old around the room

On the radio:
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. We will wait upon the Lord... You are the everlasting God. You will not faint. You won't grow weary

A Dad with big muscles and tattoos all over his body at a birth:Man, I am so glad I'm not a woman! (among various other very funny comments)

As We Wait

I lift up my eyes to You, to You whose throne is in heaven.
As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God, til He shows us His mercy.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us,
for we have endured much contempt.
we have endured much ridicule from the proud,
much contempt from the arrogant.
- Psalm 123

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.
Lamentations 3:26-27

Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
- Jude 21

Ch-ch-ch-chilly!

At the beginning of the week I saw the weather report that it was going to be a cold week with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. Knowing it was my last few days before getting back to school, I wanted to enjoy the beauty of being outside even though it was cold. Except for today (slightly sleeting) it has been just gorgeous though. I did manage to make it out today just before the "rain" for a trip to the post office and library. It was liberating to get to walk down there even though it is "nasty" out. And would you know that I found an old hat to put on. Not too stylish, but warm. I enjoyed my walk very much.

But, I wanted to tell you about Kanapa. These are the gardens I took you to. I decided to make a trip out there on Monday. I bundled up except for hat. I walked through the gardens two times around. I thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the gardens on a beautiful, cold day. I needed a chance to reflect and receive from God. And since almost no one else was interested in the gardens on a cold day, I was able to talk out loud some. I kept my voice low, just in case. I wanted to tell Him about my dreams, my thoughts, some disappointment, some questions. I find it easier to do outside in the open and beauty. I thought I heard someone a few times, but think it was just animals. Oh, Anne. It was so beautiful. I kept telling Him, "this is so beautiful..." thinking of submission ..."You are worthy"... and..."You are so beautiful." I thought about how some people confuse Him as being the creation. But, even though they don't know Him or worship Him, He is still the Creator. Nothing changes that. I listened to the trees in the wind and the few birds chirping. I remembered that these are the sounds of all creation praising Him. They know what to do! And they do it. That is why I was so happy to chime in too, genuinely praising Him that it was all so beautiful. To take time to enjoy it. To let Him know that I do. To remember Him.

There is a new boardwalk over a pond. I was thrilled to find this new spot. There was a beautiful egret that flew away as I walked down. Sorry, bird. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my walk in the garden thinking of how this was how God meant for life to be. I walked, talked, sighed in very satisfied to enjoy such beauty, sat down on the gazebo, laid down on the steps, and finally walked back to the car. It was very refreshing. Very good. I know it is not going to be warm where you are either. I hope you will be able to enjoy some beauty of the snow!