A few things I learned during my 17 Days of Summer journey:
1 ~ Taking a last minute trip to Indianapolis to see my favorite band is ALWAYS a good idea. (Even if I have to drive through a thunderstorm to get there!).
2 ~ The drive from Western Kentucky to Charlotte, North Carolina is GORGEOUS! (I should drive instead of fly more often).
3 ~ Sleeping in a REAL bed is something I have taken for granted all of my life. I don’t anymore.
4 ~ Lysa Terkeurst and the entire Proverbs 31 team are AMAZINGLY gracious women. All of them.
5 ~ She Speaks 2015 was a 2.5 day conference not just for 800 Christian women (speakers and writers) but it was also 2.5 day church service. The Holy Spirit was ALL OVER THAT PLACE!
6 ~ Liz Curtis Higgs is AWESOME! That is all I have to say about that.
7 ~ When meeting with an acquisitions agent from a publishing house for the first time in my life to tell my story out loud for the first time…take Kleenexes.
8 ~ “To be in ministry requires humility.” ~ Whitney Capps
9 ~ Conferences are a GREAT way to connect with people who “get you” and do not think you are “crazy” 😉
10 ~ I have A LOT of work to do.
11 ~ Red velvet cake is good for breakfast! 🙂
12 ~ I can tent camp alone for four days by myself and have the time of my life.
13 ~ Corolla, NC is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever visited.
14 ~ Seafood tacos and fried oysters taste better when eaten while sitting on a blanket on the beach.
15 ~ The NC coast is now on my list of possible retirement destination locations.
16 ~ A 3 day old brownie from the cooler that I forgot about was the BEST FOOD EVER!
17 ~ When departing from the Outer Banks on my way to Delaware, it is okay to drive 20 miles and turn back around and go sit on the beach for one more hour because I’m crying my eyes out that I had to leave such a peaceful, beautiful place. NC…you now have a piece of my heart. <3
18 ~ The Chesapeake Bay Tunnel is NOT a 17.6 mile tunnel under water like I imagined. It is a series of tunnels and bridges. Praise the Lord! 🙂
19 ~ Hippies must use the back door (no exceptions) when visiting Delaware.
20 ~ Golden Monkey makes me smile. And sleep.
21 ~ Delaware is the home of some beautiful beaches! Who would have thought?
22 ~ Maryland is a great place to celebrate 43rd birthdays.
23 ~ Visiting a dear friend from college (the birthday girl) was worth the 5.5 hour detour from my route.
24 ~ Pennsylvania is hillier than I realized it was when my dad used to drive us there.
25 ~ My sister’s daughter can plan BEAUTIFUL weddings!!! It was a magical day!!!
26 ~ When staying at the Kane Manor ask for the “Fountain Room” and do not forget to sign the guest book.
27 ~ It is ALWAYS good to see family.
28 ~ 80 year old women can get down on the dance floor! Use it or lose it!
29 ~ Crab dip and smoked salmon travel 12 hours just fine in a cooler.
30 ~ Taking a vacation alone is better therapy than any therapy session I ever had and being in nature is better than any anti depressant.
31 ~ My cats still love me even if I leave them for 12 days.
32 ~ I have the BEST friends who check on my cats while I am away (and even take naps with them).
33 ~ Returning to work and the reality of life is DIFFICULT. But the memories and experiences of vacations are PRICELESS gifts.
34 ~ People are nice everywhere you go, in general. Some can be boobs though. (Karen and Daisy…thank you for the “I got your crabs” tip!). (D41…All Christians aren’t horrible judgmental people…sorry to disappoint you).
35 ~ I can drive 2,300 + miles alone. And want to do it again. Facing fear = LIVING.
36 ~ I cry randomly when I realize how blessed I am. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. No joke. I AM ALIVE!
37 ~ The most important things in life are FREE. (17 days of summer = faith, fun, friendship, family, freedom).
38 ~ LIFE IS SHORT! LIVE IT NOW!
39 ~ GOD IS EVERYWHERE!
40 ~ I knew I was blessed before my trip but now I feel it tenfold. I will patiently and excitedly wait for what God has in store next for me.
41 ~ Some people will get this and some aren’t quite there yet…and that is okay. We are all on our own journey and God has a different plan for each one of us. Keep your door open for Him, okay?
I have a sweet friend who is only 22 years old. I had dinner with her this week after I returned and she was talking about how she “wants experiences over stuff.” She gets it. Our pastor mentioned that very thing today in his sermon at church.
I spent time with three other friends this week since I returned and they each blessed me in different ways as I hope I have blessed them somehow. I also spent one evening with my dad who would have LOVED to be able to attend his granddaughters wedding in PA last weekend. He is in poor health though so I told him I was there in his place. He enjoyed seeing the pictures I took and hearing the stories I had to tell.
I was on such a high during my entire 12-day trip and even after I returned home. Visiting friends and family…talking about my experiences…I felt like I was still on vacation. I was at peace. I felt God with me the entire time I was away and when I returned, it was as if I saw things through a brand new set of eyes. And I imagined when I finally got around to writing this message that it would be the most positive, well organized and thoughtful message I had ever written.
But I was tired. I had tons of laundry. I had a stack of bills. I had to start thinking about work. Etc. And by Thursday of last week I was standing in the lab at work crying and saying OUT LOUD “I can’t do this job anymore!” (I was also laughing and crying at some points ~ DD 😉 ) But then it just turned to crying. And not happy tears like when I was driving. These were tears of despair and hopelessness FOUR days after such and amazing trip!!!
“God, how can this be???” I just returned from one of the best vacations of my 43 years on this planet and I was feeling defeated only four days after returning?!?! “God, please take me back to my happy place! Take me back to the beach with my oysters and the crashing waves!”
I sat down at my desk feeling defeated and turned on my little radio to K-Love. I had put together a flipagram video the day before (see previous post) with my favorite pictures from my trip and used the song “Touch the Sky” by Hillsong as my background song. (That song is extremely meaningful to me at this point in my life). So, guess what song came on my little radio when I turned it on in my despair? Touch the Sky, of course.
Happy tears were flowing again. A little reminder that God is ALWAYS there. He is EVERYWHERE we go. Not just to the beach. He is there at work while we are feeling defeated by a lab instrument that isn’t cooperating.
Whatever your battle is you are dealing with…He is there!
When He walks into the room, everything changes. Keep that door open! Choose to walk in His truth. Choose to be happy. Choose to hear His voice. Choose to seek Him with your heart and He will work inside you…on the beach or on a regular Thursday afternoon at your workplace.
John 7:37 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”
Have a blessed week everyone! Thank you for your part in my journey and I am happy to be a part of yours as well!
Stacey ~ iamalive