Making Memories in South Carolina

I've had a well-deserved "time off".  Some people call this "time off" period a VACATION, but... to be honest, I see it as a way to spend some extended time with my son and husband.  Joel, Joshua, and I were graciously invited by some dear friends to spend a week in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  I had never been to SC before, so I was very excited! 

The drive was absolutely beautiful!  Especially during this time of year... I LOVE LOVE LOVE Autunm!  The changing leaves in these parts of the country are absolutely gorgeous!  Dumb me... failed to get some shots of the beauty along the way (I think I was too busy entertaining a toddler and enjoying the sights...).  We stopped a few times to let the boys stretch... Joshua, Nehemiah (our friend's 14 month-old), and the grown men... Can you see how much fun they were having?

It was a blessing to have some "time off" to unwind, enjoy each other's company, take in the sights, and create some memories. 



this is one of my favorite pictures :)



It was also Joshua's first time seeing, smelling, feeling, and experiencing the ocean.  He didn't quite become a big fan of the beach... it took him 3 days to get used to the water.  He didn't mind the sand as much, and by the time he 'forgot' the water was so evil, it was time for us to leave.  Isn't that how it always happens??

I praise God for allowing us to get away for a week...  It's been hard to get back into the groove of things.

While I was gone, I was reminded that the things that often overwhelm and consume us are the temporary things of this world.  And the things that last... family, friendship, relationships, breathing the fresh air, enjoying God's creation, enjoying each other, and resting in the Lord... these sometimes we put off on our back burners.  And we wonder why we often times find ourselves tired, anxious, and stressed out?  Hmmmm... something to think about...

 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:25-27, 33-34