Her Tale of Two Cities

She meandered through the street.  She was happy to see a new sight.  The old homes were just spectacular.  Rod iron fences stood before stately and yet quaint homes that had been standing for what seemed like forever.  The food was tasty and the college friendships a joy.  She couldn't believe that she was here, in New Orleans!  The French Quarter was simply breathtaking.

And then she meandered onto Bourbon Street.  Dusk turned to dark while hidden sin turned blatant.  Curvy women danced their unclothed silhouettes in front of sheets, beckoning men to come in and lose their wallets along with their souls.

The sin disgusted her.  And so her prayer became one of destruction, because she simply didn't think that God could deal with it in any other way.

She later graduated and married and had a few children.  She sought to know God and His heart.  And then Katrina hit.  She at once was reminded of her prayer for destruction.  And she was ashamed. 

Was there no mercy or unconditional love in her heart?

She later meandered through a new street.  She was happy to see a new sight.  The old homes were just spectacular.  Rod iron fences stood before stately and yet quaint homes that had been standing for what seemed like forever.  The food was tasty and the friendship a joy.  She couldn't believe that she was here, in Key West!  The southermost point of the US was simply breathtaking.

And then she meandered onto Duval Street.  Dusk turned to dark while hidden sin turned blatant.  Bars beckoned people to come in only after all of their clothes had been thrown in a heap.

The sin tore her heart in two.  She wondered what had happened to people's hearts to drive them to such flagrant offenses agaisnt the Holy One.  She had experienced grief and pain.  She wondered what these people's stories were as well.

She knew destruction wasn't the answer because there is no hope in destruction.  And so she prayed for light.  And mercy.  And for the healing of hearts and redemption of stories.

Perhaps her prayer over her own life was slowly coming true...Lord, make me like Christ.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her!

  How often I wanted to gather your children together,

 just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,

 and you would not have it!"

  {Christ's own words in Luke 13:34}

Scott and Amelia's Rehearsal Dinner

The food was goo-ood!  Funny, as soon as we started telling stories on Amelia, she silenced us by passing out presents.  Good times.

Happy Anniversary to us!

If I had it to do all over again...

I'd do it all over again.

It is a joy to be your wife, babe.

Thanks for 13 years...

for sticking with me when I wasn't like myself

and telling me that you'd marry me all over again.

The Glorious Hammock

I've always thought God speaks the loudest at the beach.  Sunsets, waves that soothe the soul, the quietude of being still and just knowing that He is God...these all add to one being able to hear.  

But, when you throw in a hammock right beside the ocean, all the sudden, rest has a whole new meaning.

It just brings the word shalom (peace/all is well) to a whole new level.

I am trying to talk Eric into putting an ocean in our backyard.  Along with a couple of dolphins.  And of course, a hammock. 

The rest of our trip to Key West is below!

Key West

What a whirlwind of a week.  In the span of 8 days, I managed a quick trip to the Florida Keys, flew home to see part of Eli's baseball tournament, rushed around to do laundry, left the next morning to go decorate for Amelia's reception, and get her married off.  WHEW.  It was fun, but I am ready to sit and breathe a second. 

So, grab a chair and I'll tell you all about Key West, which is the most southern island of the Florida Keys.  Eric had to meet with a client down there and he let me tag along since I am a sucker for anything that might resemble a beach.  Truth be told, Key West was a big let down.  The food was overpriced and not that spectacular.  It is a very anti-family vacation spot.  It isn't a place that we would ever want our kids to visit.

One restaurant didn't even serve sweet tea.  {I know, gasp, right?!}  The "spiritual air" felt very oppressive and there was a lot of blatant sin around to prove the creepy feelings I had inside.

All that said, the actual island of Key West is historic and quaint and fun to photograph.  It is only 2 miles by 4 miles big, and the old homes are just fantastic.  The sad part is that with such a small island, there isn't a lot of good beach space.  So, we felt cramped onto the shore along with tons of others...and the seaweed stunk to high heaven.

So....I am not trying to be negative.  I ALWAYS enjoy getting away for a few days!  I am just saying that Gulf Shores wins hands down.

Here are some of the fun photo memories...

This is Mango.  He was inside of the taxi cab to welcome us.  His cage and everything was in there. 



 The hammock will get a post all to itself.  {sigh}

 This was the largest "beach" we could find.

 The island is so small that everyone has bikes and mopads.

 At times, I felt like we had been thrown back into a different decade.  Everything seemed to march to a different beat than in the mainland...and it was as if time had stood still for a few decades.

 This picture makes me laugh.  Out loud.  Love this man of mine.

 Key Lime Pie Ice Cream?  Well, I think I will, thank you!

 A little weird to think that we were closer to Cuba than Miami.

 Shrimp and grits was our best meal...but boy, howdy was it rich!!!

Next post:  Hammocks!

Simple Things

I hope you get a chance to enjoy the simple things this weekend.

{hugs}