Paradise!

We made it safe and sound! Thank You Lord! I have been looking forward to this vacation for some time now, and we are finally here in Paradise! Woohoo! Mere and I had a late night before we left yesterday. We were up until 2:45 a.m. packing and talking. Nevertheless, when the alarm went off at 6:00 a.m., I popped out of my bed and thanked God for the opportunity to get away! At this moment, we are still waiting for Meg, Ron, and Rhonda to arrive. They will be in later tonight, but for now... it's just the five of us. This morning I woke up to Carter knocking at our door. What a pleasant surprise! I love Carter Rife. Have I mentioned that? He brought my sister a precious card this morning, lingered in our room for a bit, and we just talked. Sweet times. Then we headed upstairs to breakfast. Delicious and healthy! Mom and I worked out this morning, then Dad joined us. Mere and Carter are in a hammock reading their books. The day is off to a great start! Before I go, I want to leave you with something I was reading yesterday and thinking about this morning...."It is exactly that "moment by moment" every waking moment, surrender, responsiveness, obedience, sensitivity, pliability, "lost in His love," that I now have the mind-bent to explore with all my might, to respond to Jesus Christ as a violin responds to the bow of the master. In defense of opening my soul and laying it bare to the public gaze in this fashion, I may say that it seems to me that we really seldom do anybody much good excepting as we share the deepest experiences of our souls in this way. It is not the fashion to tell your inmost thoughts, but there are many wrong fashions and concealment of the best in me is wrong. I disapprove of the usual practice of talking "small talk" whenever we meet, and holding a veil over our souls. If we are so impoverished that we have nothing to reveal but small talk, then we need to struggle for more richness of soul. As for me, I am convinced that this spiritual pilgrimage which I am making is infinitely worthwhile, the most important thing I know of to talk about. And talk I shall while there is anybody to listen..." (Frank Laubach). To me, paradise is surrounding myself with the best, so that the best comes out...being with my family and friends, enjoying the beauty of His creation, laughing so hard it hurts, a great conversation, time to be still and quiet, time to play, all the while actively engaging His presence (because He is here)...Jesus, You are the best thing in me and worth it all! Because Your love is better than life, I will praise You. I will praise You as long as I live. I will lift up my hands in prayer to Your name.