[I shared some “beach trip necessities” with you yesterday from a trip we took late 2013 to the Cayman’s.  I found this drafted post, and even though we are months behind…thought I’d post.  hey, it’s summertime! plus, my encouragement at the end is fitting for me now.  preaching to the choir here! ]

I can’t think of a better way to start the year of BEING ALIVE off, than to start it at the beach with my family.  Just in case we have not established this yet, I am a summer girl.  I love to be barefoot, my naturally wavy hair doing it’s thing, windows down, sun on my face, and preferably in the water.  A little break from the cold in the middle of winter, was much appreciated from me.  We were blessed immeasurably by Stephen’s family with the trip of a lifetime to the Cayman Islands for my mother in law’s 60th birthday!  5 adults + 4 kids traveled across the international border and entered into the place of magic, aka the Caymans.  My husband and his family have been coming to the Caymans for years + it’s a very special place to them.  This was actually my 3rd visit to the island, all with Stephen and/or his family!

Since this space serves as an online journal of sorts, I will leave you with images from our epic week ringing in 2014, Cayman style!

This trip gave me a reason to unplug.  To disconnect.  to enjoy Gods creation, and to quiet my soul.  Each morning started off with a cup of coffee on the screened in porch of our 3rd story condo overlooking the palm trees and the ocean that seemed to never end.  Bible + journal in hand with no time frame, I soaked in every minute.  There’s something about lazy mornings that I absolutely love.  I wrote with my actual pen + journal [as opposed to my computer].  I wrote my best memories from 2013.  I wrote my goals for 2014.  I dreamed.

I encourage everyone to make space and time to BE STILL before God.  to stop sleeping with your smartphone, and take time to breathe in gods beautiful creation and be in His presence.

here’s to living alive in 2014.