A Real Vacation

So we just recently returned from what I call "A Real Vacation." Let me explain...our last vacation was a whirlwind of driving from here to there and by the time we returned home, I needed "A Real Vacation." So, we went to Marco Island, FL for a week of NOTHING!

For the first time, we decided to vacation with another family. Our daughter was delighted to have a friend with her for the week, and I too soaked up the sweet fellowship with a dear friend.

Our week began with breakfast at Skyway Jacks and then a short three hour drive south to Marco Island. We couldn't wait to get to the private home we had rented with a pool and a dock on the water. The dock made it easier for my husband to keep his boat in the water for the week. The home was beautiful and large enough that our families were not crowded.

The guys fished I think every day! We had high hopes for lots of fish for dinner, and after the third or fourth day of fishing we finally had enough fish for a meal!!! Poor guys fished their hearts out! I have to say that a few days of waiting for enough fish was worth it! The fish tacos we made from the red snapper were delicious. I had never had them before, so my friend Ericka and her husband prepared them for us. Anyway...off the food subject that I love so much.

We spent lots of time swimming in the pool and at the beach. I went fishing a couple of times and my husband and I went to see a movie for our "date night." The Movies at Marco are not just a movie...you eat dinner as you watch the movie! It was a great night out for us.

The gist of the vacation was NO SCHEDULE...NO AGENDA!!! With a loved one in prison, my life was nothing but a schedule. There was always a phone call to make it home for, and sleep to get before a trip across the state for a visit. The weeks were spent preparing for the six hour visit we would have on Saturday. Even since my husband has been home, our lives have been nothing but run, run, run! I'm not complaining because the Lord has filled our lives with so many opportunities to minister to people. The facts are just that we are busy! We needed some time off.

The kids got a little bored with the lack of an agenda but by the end of the week I think they learned to appreciate the company of family and friends. My husband and I got to spend some long overdue time together. Funny how now that he is home, it feels like I don't get as much one-on-one time with him as I used to during those hot and humid visitations. We really got to know each other during those years of just talking. Even though I would never want to go back there, I thank the Lord for the time I had to grow personally and in my marriage.

I know that for some of you that still have a loved one in prison, this may not be easy to read. My desire is that as I share my life before, during and after my husband was released from prison, that you see there is hope. Our hope was found in Jesus, and he delivered us from our enemies!!

4th of July - Happy Birthday America!

These days the 4th of July is a day of just relaxing for my family. Not that long ago this holiday meant an additional day of visiting with my husband in the prison visitation park. I especially liked it when the holiday fell near the weekend as this gave us consecutive visiting days.

Now my family is getting ready for a week long vacation (beginning Sunday) and today has been a day of last minute details. We took our boat out to test the new engine (not brand new, but new to us). Well, it wouldn't even go into "forward" gear. All we had was neutral and reverse! Smiles faded very quick like.

We reversed it back to the dock, loaded the boat up and came home.

Fortunately it was a simple fix that my husband was able to accomplish on his own. We plan to take it out for another test drive in the morning.

It is days like today that I have to remind myself what is was like when my husband was still incarcerated. I so quickly get frustrated and upset with him. I am amazed at how fast I have fallen into taking just his very presence near me for granted. I told myself (and him) when he was still in prison that I would never do that. Life is so crazy.

So as I celebrate our nation's Independence Day, I think of those families wishing their loved one could be with them to go to that BBQ, to see fire works and enjoy a day side-by-side.

GOD BLESS THE USA!!