Waking up yesterday morning to temperatures of 14 degrees below zero was a real shock. Never getting up to the zero mark for the whole day was enough to call the moving truck to go someplace else.
Then looking at the picture of our cruise ship on my desk brought back memories of warmer times in more pleasant places. While there is no question that God is present in this Iowa deep freeze, it certainly is much easier to acknowledge his presence in the tropical beauties of the Caribbean.
Cruising for 2 1/2 days brought us to the beautiful isle of Jamaica. We took the opportunity to catch a taxi to a local beach where we spent a couple of hours swimming and basking in the glorious sunshine. We thought of everyone back home in Iowa.
On board again for a lovely evening meal, we proceeded to Grand Cayman island. After catching a small tender (boat from the ship to shore), we joined a group traveling to another beach. Here the water was a bright green, with white sands. How refreshing to just soak in the sun and the surf.
Another overnight sail brought us to the highlight of the trip for us: Cozumel. Here we joined a beach party which included all the food (wonderful international buffet) and drinks (how about a Kahlua colada!) on the blue water beach with a chaise lounge and beach umbrella. It was truly a slice of heaven!
After the seven night excursion, we returned refreshed and relaxed. The wonderful company of good friends, accompanied by the scrumptious food and relaxed fun, made this a break worth repeating. God's presence was so evident in the vastness of the ocean, the beauty of the tropical paradises, and the warmth of the sun. In fact, we purchased a certificate indicating our choice of another cruise sometime in the next 24 months in order to appreciate those beauties even more.
The warmth of the memories from our trip have truly softened the harshness of this wintry blast we are now enduring. I believe that we will make it till spring.
Ten inches of snow last Sunday and Monday; thirty miles per hour winds Tuesday; eight degrees below zero on Wednesday; and the promise of more to come! I think it is time to escape and get out of this winter pattern, if only for a while.
Therefore My Love and I are leaving today to embark on a 7-day cruise. We will be sailing on Sunday from Galveston with 2 other couples to float across the Caribbean. With stops in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, we anticipate many opportunities to forget snow and freezing temperatures.
Upon our return, I am certain that our outlook will be completely different. Even though there may not be many changes in our frozen tundra here in Iowa, our view of it will have been refreshed. Until then!
Stay tuned for updates -- after the fact!
Yesterday I went to the doctor for a fasting blood test. After the nurse checked my pulse and blood pressure, she withdrew the requisite two viles of blood. Then there was a period of time, maybe four minutes, before the doctor came into the room.Because it has always been my creed that you should "never stand when you can sit; never sit when you can lie down", I pulled out the footrest shelf on the exam table and laid down. I was in the midst of a relaxing rest when the doctor came in. It was a perfect "pause that was refreshing".How many times in our day do we have two, three, four minutes between appointments, stuck in traffic, waiting for someone to show up, watching the meal bake in the oven or the laundry spin dry? In those moments we can rest and relax, breath deeply and pause in an awareness of the goodness of life, the nearness of the presence of God. Leaning back into the arms of God can bring immeasurable peace and refreshment in the midst of the hectic scramble of everyday life.Such a simple practice with such profound results. What a habit to cultivate for better health, physical, emotional, and spiritual.
