Days like today make it SO difficult to think about leaving this place. Some people consider the desert to be Heaven-on-Earth; some the mountains, some the cities. For me, THIS is it. It rained and was foggy early this morning; we really thought it was going to be like that all day, which is wonderful here, too. However, Kenn left to get some more wave photos, and it really turned beautiful. I'm sitting about five feet from the door onto the deck, which has a plexiglass insert so all I see is the floor, the top and side railings, and the ocean.

The tide must be on its way in; the waves are hurrying to get to the rocks and cover them. It's got to be in the mid-50s; the door is wide open, so I can hear each crashing wave, the rollin surf, and feel the little bursts of breeze. There's a possible cloud line out on the horizon, but the sky is blue with whisps of clouds. The water is a dark gray-blue underneath the whitecaps and foam.

What IS it that I love so much about the ocean? I didn't exactly grow up on the ocean - the last I looked, Indiana was landlocked. True, Indiana holds a close second in my heart, but here, where the Pacific Ocean meets the coast of the U.S., is where I feel closest to God, to who I *am*, and to where I feel His presence and peace the most.

It's not that I DO much when I'm in that place of His presence and peace. For the most part, I watch as each wave breaks; they're all so different, so unique. It's not that I see anyone special while I'm here; even Kenn is gone. And it's not like the ocean is peaceful; in my lifetime, I've seen it destroy countries, claim land back to itself, and claim countess lives.

So what is it? I keep trying to figure it out. I do think some of it is that the roar of the waves blocks out all other sounds. I have stupid cat hearing, for those of you who aren't around me much. Sounds bother me. I can hear something two blocks away if I don't have the TV on at home. :) So blocking out the everyday noises certainly allows me to hear God's voice better. So I'm sure some of it's that.

But not all.

We only have one week left in this place. It makes me incredibly sad to know that, but I am SO grateful for the time I've had here. For the absolute beauty God has surrounded me with here. For the photos I've been able to use to capture and share a tiny bit of His wonderful heart.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think there's a wave to video.

What a weekend!

Work and play, and getting to be on a beach that Kenn and I could share as our first time visiting. Fort Walton Beach was a lot of fun - and I've got future posts brewing from what He showed me. For now, I'll just share this photo I took yesterday morning just before a rainstorm came and chased me off the beach for the last time. :)

It's almost NOT Tuesday!!!

Sorry, everyone. Dad had the LAST ROOM in the house done today; the carpet was ripped up, and Pergo put down. It was HIS OFFICE, so that meant NO INTERNET CONNECTION. AUGH!!!!!!!! Kenn said I was suffering from withdrawal; I knew y'all would maybe miss me, and I had bizness. :D

SO. How are you doing on your goals???? I'm all caught up with my reading, which is AWESOME. I'm having trouble this week getting to water aerobics because Kenn's working and I have to do rehearsals and meetings by myself. I'm STILL hoping next Tuesday I can go.

You're all being VERY quiet, ladies. HOW ARE YOU???

Rhonda, I'm praying for you. You've got a lot to deal with, but I know God will give you the strength. :)

Karen, how are you? How're things going?

Nancy, your church service sounds AWESOME. I miss more passionate services, although our church is rather progressive for Southern Baptist. :)

Do I need to pull out my folder, ladies? :D YOUR TURN TO REPORT!!!

Tuesday is GOAL-REACHING SHARING DAY!

Good morning, everyone! I thought I'd share a picture of Kenn today. :D Isn't he cute? He doesn't know I took this, nor does he realize I'm sharing with you - so be nice. :D

Today is the day we share how we're doing reaching our goals. I'm faltering a bit - but how was I to know that not one, but TWO days last week, water aerobics would be called because of TORNADO WATCHES in JANUARY?!?!??! Sheesh.

I AM going to go this afternoon, however. I've already told Kenn, my bag is still packed, it's beautiful, sunny and COLD outside - so there SHOULDN'T be any weather issues. Please, God???

Bible reading: I'm doing well there. I'm reading from the Message Bible, so it's really easy to read. That's certainly helping!

Office hours: have gone out the window. With this directing thing, and wanting to spend time with my family, it's getting a bit silly. I DO need to get creative for this weekend, however, and for next week - workshops and classes - so will plan to do that later this week.

OK. YOUR turn. :) Tell me how you're doing!!!!!!! Let's TALK!!! ;)

Monday - Share What You Learned At Church!!!

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. ~John 7:37-39

Hello, dear reader!!! I know it's been a couple of days since you've "heard" from me. I do apologize, but life has a way of doing that to me sometimes. :)

Monday is SHARE WHAT YOU LEARNED AT CHURCH day. I can't WAIT to hear what God spoke to your heart!!!!!! If you want to share the sermon's points and Scripture, that's awesome - but please make sure that you share what God placed in your heart from the sermon, too! :)

Yesterday's sermon was on marriage and mates. On waiting on God's best, on His wanting to give you the desires of your heart. Pastor Lane talked about the differences in the ways men and women think, and their emotions and needs being different. He summed up his sermon with these four questions we should ask ourselves:

1. What do you like about your marriage?
2. What do you DISLIKE about your marriage?
3. What would you change about your mate?
4. What would you be willing to change about yourself?

Aha! GOOD, thought-provoking questions, don't you think? And am I the ONLY woman whose answers would depend on what day you asked me them????? Seriously. There are some days when I KNOW I'm the most blessed woman on the planet, and other days when, well...!

I'm PLANNING on being able to really share with you tomorrow, barring unforseen circumstances. We were gone for twelve solid hours yesterday, and I've been gone most of the day today - and have to leave for auditions again in just over an hour - so I need to get a couple more things accomplished before I go. PHEW. :)

Please share with me! What did YOU get touched by yesterday? How are YOU doing??????

Don't forget! Tomorrow is HOW I AM DOING WITH MY GOALS day! :)

God BLESS you, dear reader. May His living water bathe your heart, and come bubbling forth from you!