Dash

Sigh. Our last day of vacation. Where did it go??

It was a pretty good day, although I spent a few hours on work for my on-line class again. Not exactly what I wanted to do for my last full vacation day, but it needed to be done. My responses have to be posted by tomorrow noon, and we will be traveling, so there was really no other time.

I woke up quite early, so was able to catch the sunrise on the beach. I tell you, there is something intoxicating about photographing sunrises and sunsets. They are changing all the time—ever so slightly—but every second brings something new. I just kept snapping and snapping. So, I have a lot of frames that look almost identical. Mr. had to help me choose which one to post tonight.

I am disappointed that I didn't really connect with Jesus during this time away. I tried to slip away and find some quality time with Him. I made an honest effort. But my mind was scattered. There was always something lingering, nagging, pulling me away. Where did those times go, where He felt so close?

I think we're returning home from this trip still tired, in spite of a nap almost every day. The weariness goes much deeper than a nap can fix. The refreshment I'm needing seems very elusive. It has something to do with that quiet time connecting with Jesus. A LOT to do with that, I feel sure.

Did some reading on the beach. Another chapter in the One Thousand Gifts book, which I'm re-reading, trying to savor it this time. The first time I just gulped it down in big, greedy gulps. She really hits home to my heart. This chapter was about hurry and rush and regrets. Said something like, in life "hurry and impatience are marks of an amateur". True. Let me slow down, dig in deeper, savor and truly embrace each moment.

My friend and I sat side by side on beach chairs reading, as the sun rose higher and higher. We both got too hot at about the same time, and decided to go for a dip in the ocean. The sun-scorched beach baked our feet until we reached the moist sand. We had to wade through a tide pool left by the receding tide. As soon as our feet rippled the water all the shells, which I had assumed were abandoned, sprang to life. It was the most amazing sight! Shells small and large, round, pointy, spiny—all sprouted legs and claws and dashed to get out of our way. We walked slowly, slowly, trying not to crush them, but it was challenging because it seemed the whole beach was scampering around our ankles. I could have stayed there for a very long time watching them, but I felt the mid-day sun beginning to scorch into my back and shoulders. We went and soaked in the ocean for a while, made our way back in past the tide-pool aquarium, and on in to shower before lunch.

There is not much that compares to that salty, sandy, sun-drenched feeling. It is a warm kiss from nature.

After lunch, I intended to finish my class work while everyone napped. However, I ended up falling asleep too. I was so tired. So I missed out on some group interaction as I finished up my work in the afternoon, right up until supper.

After supper we watched a few episodes of F Troop that Mr. had downloaded. The boys really cracked me up. Here's this black and white silly wild west/civil war army show that was made long before they were born, and they're just laughing away, really enjoying it. For goodness sakes, it was made before I was born! But there's just something good about wholesome humor; an innocence and fun that's missing in a lot of today's shows. OK, so they were not "politically correct" at all (most of the indians are played by caucasians with dark paint on their faces) but it actually has some truly funny moments.

And now to bed. Long day of traveling tomorrow. The bright spot is, that at the end of the day I will be with my kitty again. I hope she has been OK and not too lonely. I'll do my best to make it up to her.