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Monday, September 27, 2010

this week . . .

...is a praying week.

Last year, my dear husband was able to attend the Wild At Heart Boot Camp, a retreat offered by Ransomed Heart ministries.  I've written before about how we have learned a ton from this ministry and how thankful we are for them.
He loved his time at Boot Camp - it was a time to spend in nature, worshipping God with like-minded men. He loved the conversations that he had with the friends he made at boot camp, but mostly, he loved having a weekend - without distractions - to spend time with his Heavenly Father.
It was good for his soul.
This year, he has the opportunity to attend the Advanced Boot Camp.  He has been looking forward to it and was so excited when he received the e-mail that he had a slot available.
One little problem - money is really tight.  with really being the operative word.
But, we know that God is greater than the balance of our checkbook. or lack thereof...
Thankfully, because of all of the traveling that I do for work, we have a ticket for him to use to get to Colorado.  Now, we just need the money to buy the ticket to the retreat.
We are praying for the next 7 days, along with prayer partners at Ransomed Heart, that God will miraculously provide the funds.
Will you pray with us this week?  We'd really appreciate it!

Oh - and just for fun - a pic that has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but makes me smile:

Sunday, September 26, 2010

pics from the pacific

The little one wasn't sure what he thought about the surfers who were coming down to the beach
But, he was positive that Mummy's lap was perfect for chillin' on
The little one and his Daddy - both seeing the Pacific for the first time!  Definitely a once in a lifetime moment!



Thursday, September 9, 2010

Barbados, Part One

I've been in Barbados for almost 3 days now, and I just can't stop thinking about how cool the Garden of Eden must have been.  I'm staying at a resort on the west coast of the island...and it pretty much resembles the Garden of Eden that I remember from picture books.  Greenery like I've never seen before.  Noises at night like I've never heard.  Evidently, the noises are millions of tiny frogs trying their hardest to sing everyone to sleep.  No one ever said that frogs were smart...
This morning, as I sat on the porch eating breakfast, the oddest little thing happened.  A cheeky little sparrow hopped right over to me, cocked her head to look at me, then hopped on my glass and started drinking my Spark!  I'm not sure that they have much Spark here in Barbados, so I'm thinking that she might have ended up with a little energy jolt.  I was surprised to see her do that, but what was even stranger was that she then hopped onto my toast and started to have a nibble.  She's cheeky, I tell you!


So, after sharing breakfast with a {bird} I was off to work.
After work, we walked to the grocery store where I purchased the largest Avocado that I have EVER seen.  I also bought some rum cakes, Mauby drink and Bajan Hot pepper sauce.
Food.  That's my version of a great souvenir!
After the walk to the grocery store, I returned to my hotel.  As I was going to dinner, I stopped to sit on the beach for a minute.  I noticed something moving next to me and as I looked down I realized that there were A LOT of things moving.  About 100 baby turtles.

It was unbelievable.  Quite a while ago, a mummy turtle laid her eggs in the sand, and they decided to come out to our world as I was sitting there!  CRAZY!!
One of the dining servers and I rushed to capture them and put them in a box.  Evidently, there is an institute on the island that will take care of the babies until they are a little bigger.  Right now, their shells are still soft and it seems that fish like to eat them up.  Sorry fish - no baby turtle dinners on my watch!
Afterwards, I realized that all of the little babies running around would have made for a great picture, but by the time I thought "picture" they were all safe inside the box.
So, I started the morning thinking about how cool the Garden of Eden must have been and now I'm ending my day with the same thoughts. Seeing this place makes you wonder why they ever tried that apple...
Then, as I'm sitting in bed, reading the hotel book, I come across the following advisory:
 "Beware of the Manchineel Tree which grows around the shores of Barbados and bears fruit similar to a small green apple.  Just a touch can produce blisters and the apple is poisonous if eaten.  During rain, never shelter under the Manchineel Tree as the drips can affect sensitive skin"
My first thought?  "Hmmm, I wonder what it looks like." 
SERIOUSLY!  Did I not learn anything from Sunday School?
I sit here thankful for self control.  For a NEW heart.  A heart that will resist finding the Manchineel Tree.  a heart that will choose to not care to even see what it looks like.  I know what an apple looks like and I'll stick to seeing and eating the apples that they sell at Whole Foods.
I don't want to get kicked out of Barbados.  I'm still waiting to see a monkey.

Thankful for:
warm, coastal breezes, singing frogs, a hotel room without a TV, internet to stay in touch while thousands of miles away...