Another Year Older

...and hopefully a little wiser.  This week I celebrated my 31st year on Earth.  I find it difficult to believe that I am in my 30s...30 used to seem so old but I guess the saying is true, you ARE only as old as you feel.

On my birthday Scott had an easy day at the clinic and was home by lunchtime.  We embraced the unexpected time together and headed to the beach.  After an afternoon basking in the sun we headed to South Beach and enjoyed a delicious dinner at 920 Grill.  It was a perfect low-key celebration.

This week I have spent some time reflecting on my 30th year and would like to share a few of the highlights...

• I trained for and completed my first half marathon.  Prior to turning 30 I had never run more than 3.2 miles.
• I visited the west coast for the first time.
• I took a shot at water skiing.
• I lived at 3 different addresses in 2 states (interesting note - the apartments got progressively smaller as the year went on).
• I lived on the beach (well at least walking distance from it).
• I experienced miraculous emotional and spiritual healing.

In high school I would have told you 31 was ancient but as I get older I realize life just keeps getting better (to be clear better does not equal easier).  I guess I have begun to realize what is truly important in life and am learning to cling to those things rather than getting caught up in the drama of the world.  I am not perfect, I have limits and I make mistakes.  I am grateful for my imperfection because it allows me to see and appreciate God's grace and mercy.  Life is a journey; it is about trying new things, exploring new places, and enjoying the process.  I have lived so much of my life in fear...afraid of failing, afraid of not fitting in, and afraid of being me.  I refuse to live in fear any longer.  I am embracing my 31st year with an adventurous spirit determined to enjoy the journey.

The Everglades

An hour west of Miami Beach lies an area of the state known as the Everglades.  It is basically a large area of swampy wetlands.  This weekend Scott and I decided to invite some friends to explore this area with us.  The 5 of us took a private 1 hour airboat tour of the wetlands in search of alligators.  The sun was blazing when we began our adventure; however by the end we had to race the rain back to our car.  

For once we remembered our camera and Scott took some amazing pictures.  I will let the pictures tell the story.

The crew

Scott (sporting the wind blown look) and me after the ride.

Justin - Scott's classmate and friend

Rathan and Camille - fellow Rossies

The scenery

I love how the clouds are reflected in the water.

Big white, fluffy, clouds - they looked fake

The rain clouds began to roll in

The wildlife

Our first alligator sighting

And here he is swimming away

Alligator nest

Great Blue Heron - largest bird found in the area

The trip was fun and informative.  I learned that alligators live 65 years and continue growing their entire lives.  Adult male alligators usually measure 8-12 feet long.  The largest alligator in the Everglades lives in the National park and is close to 20 feet long.  Unlike crocodiles, alligators have a wider, shorter, u-shaped head.

I enjoyed getting out of the city for a few hours and seeing a different side of God's creation.

Finding Rest

"What is all our running around is only our trying to run away from God - the great I AM, present in the present moment?  What if I woke to now and refused to hurry because I didn't want to refuse God?


- Ann Voskamp

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook recently and I have not been able to stop thinking about it.  This is something I struggle with and I know I am not alone.  I feel like I am constantly busy; or if I'm not busy I feel guilty because there is always stuff to do and I should be busy.  I don't know if it is just human nature or the state of humanity today.  It appears the technology intended to make our lives simpler has served to make us busier.  Now that each task is made easier we are able to do more tasks in a day.  It is a vicious cycle.

When I first arrived in Dominica I had a difficult time slowing down.  I wasn't sure what to do with all of my free time...it had been a long time since I had free time.  I was frustrated that simple tasks like washing dishes or grocery shopping took so much longer, yet I still had time to rest and relax because there were fewer tasks to do in a day.  In Dominica life is less demanding.  When it rains people stop under a cluster of trees and wait until the rain dissipates.  When was the last time you saw someone in the US do that?  Did you think they were crazy?  Or maybe even just lazy?  I say they were blessed because in Dominica this is what comes after the rain.

That beautiful, crazy, untamed Caribbean island taught me a lot about the nature of God.  He delights in beauty.  He reveals himself at unexpected moments.  He speaks to us and we can hear Him in the quiet places.  He values rest.  These were traits I could appreciate there...where it was quiet, and beautiful, and unhurried.

Since returning to the US more than a year ago I have struggled with an inner desire to slow down in an outer world that is constantly moving.  I long to break out of the norm and live a simple life.  Is that even possible here?  I know that is what God is calling us to.  He never intended us to be like the Energizer Bunny.  After He created the World...he rested.  After Jesus fed the masses...he rested.  And when we choose to rest He is there, waiting to be with us.


Today I choose not to run from God.  I will leave the dishes in the sink a little longer and answer God's call to linger in his presence.  And tomorrow I will do my best not to get caught up in all of the busyness of life only to end up running from God.  Will you join me?