Scenes From St. Maarten, and Lessons Learned

Every once in a while, if you're lucky, you get to experience the beauty of another country and culture.  I was 22 years old, just married and on my honeymoon when I first traveled outside of the US. We went to Jamaica and for the most part, stuck close to the resort we were staying in.  It was beautiful.

Then life took us way out of our comfort zone as we traveled to Ethiopia for the first time in 2010.  Little did we know that this place would one day be our most frequently visited destination and feel more like a second home than a foreign land.  It was on our first trip that I really began to appreciation just how big the world is and how amazing it is to be immersed in another country, with its different languages, music, foods and traditions.

A few years ago, Nick and I had the opportunity to go sailing in the Caribbean for our 15th wedding anniversary.  We were so far removed from our typical daily routines and saw how our British captain and French crew lived so freely, traveling the world and embracing adventure.  

We had some serious vacation withdraws after that trip.  Nick was ready to sell it all and live out of a backpack!

A few weeks ago, three friends and I flew away for a couple of days, leaving our husbands and 20 kids behind for a little adventure in the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Maarten. 

 Two of us were celebrating the milestone of turning 40 and all of us were celebrating the milestone of life.  

Life has sent us quite a few curve balls and the Lord, in His kindness, has allowed us to walk through much of it together.

Sunset on our first night.

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (or sister :-). Proverbs 18:24

A friend loves at all times, and a brother (sister) is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

                                                                        

They have stuck close and loved well.

We had the amazing privilege of sharing dinner at the home of my friend's sister who lives in St. Maarten.  It was a wonderful evening, enjoying a delicious meal and hearing the tale of how God sustained them through Hurricane Irma.

The next day, we took a breathtaking boat trip.

Yes, it was actually THAT beautiful.

And on our final morning, God gave us an amazing word from Isaiah 54

Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

My precious friend reminded us often on our trip to "LIVE LIFE WHILE YOU'RE ALIVE."

We certainly did on this trip and I've used this phrase probably 100 times since. 

Live life while you're alive!

Embrace what God has given you and where you are in this moment.  

Because tomorrow is not promised and right now is all you have!