A warm adventure

 

I've been away visiting friends the past few weeks. In Florida no less. I'm back home again, with a suntan, a pile of shells, and plenty of photo evidence of some warm adventures; but also with some other things that are harder to define. God has a way of teaching me all sorts of new things when I travel. Adventure, by its very nature, is new stuff, and generally includes hard stuff too. And I love that. Much like playing a sport, you could get hurt. And if you're playing with heart, you'll almost certainly be worn out, probably bruised. But you learn stuff.

I love travel. I love flying. I love new places, people, adventures. And God has provided me with several opportunities for such over the past year or two. And He continues to help me through all the little hurdles I run into. There haven't been any major road-blocks or injuries yet; although I have no doubt whatever that He would faithfully carry me over those as well. For now my biggest obstacles look more like fear and pride and forgetfulness. But God is a patient teacher.

And I love learning. Of course learning the right things is a challenge sometimes. But I'm more inspired than ever to study more things and learn more about this world so beautifully shaped by God, author of salvation, of jet-airplanes, and chocolate milk. And literature too; poetry, books, stories.. The Word made flesh--the Story that shapes every story.

And we're storytellers too... so here's another little story of my own:

My visit to Florida

I prepare to leave...

In case you were wondering what I brought with me...
Oh, minus the laptop, which quit and had to be fixed in my absence.

18 day trip -- backpack and purse

...and I see the ocean again

a crafty afternoon...

scrumptious chai

Monet's sailing for inspiration

the sketch

and mine...

a fun evening..

Out to see 'Catching Fire'
with Natalie, Carley, and Lyndsay (behind the camera)

and rainy days..

with seedcake

and tea

in proper-sized mugs

Mermaid!

thanks for burying me, friends!

and a glorious day of canoeing~

a gator seen from the airboat ride :) (picture by Lyndsay)

we got to hold an adorable 3-year-old alligator
(photo by Lyndsay again)

tricolored heron

wood stork

boardwalks in the everglades

And the Olympics begin!

We made olympic rings, and flags for the countries with the most contestants,
 plus Great Britain.... 'cause we like them!

and some of the best tacos I've ever put in my mouth~

 above the treetops--a tower about 40 feet in the air--the ocean in the distance

~staying crazy~

mangrove trees

Turtles!

layers of chocolate and nutella-marshmallowy goodness
oh yeah! go Lyndsay!

Our final evening together... walking Atlantic Avenue, and stopping at The Blue Anchor for a bite. A pub that was actually brought from England! And Churchill ate there!

Thanks for the picture Lyndsay!

We walked down to the beach in the dark so I could say goodbye to the Atlantic,
we ran along the sand, let the waves splash our feet... 

and with relative ease, I flew home to 0 degree weather and good old Minnesota snow.