Wow. How blessed I am!

Most of this was written on Sat, Oct 5:

I just continue to stand, sit, lay, whatever, in awe of my God. He is just so amazing and so awesome. I wish there were better words to describe Him, but He is indescribable. Right now, it is 8:19 in the evening and I am sitting on my porch just watching the sky light up with lightning. This is one of the coolest sights I have seen. It isn't raining and I don't hear thunder, but it is behind the clouds, displaying them when it lightning's. I love this place. I really seriously do. Although I am missing my dear family and treasured friends, the fall weather of PA at this time-well, maybe not that much, but I am missing the changing of the leaves and the fall foliage- I don't believe there is a better place that I'd want to be. I love being able to SEE God. When I look at things like this sky I am looking at now, and the wonderful display it is putting on, I can't help but not see God. How can anyone who is a believer not see Him in things like this?? It is just such a wonderful thing. I love just sitting and marveling at His creation, and at Him. I've seen some pretty amazing things in my life, and each of them have just caused me to marvel at my Awesome God-even if it is the same thing, like watching lightning fill the sky, or the clouds up above, or just watching the ocean. It may be the 'same ole same ole' for some people, but for me, I see something different each. and. every. time!

This week, I feel as though I did that a lot. Last Saturday night (9/28), Kathryn, Amanda and I went kayaking on the bio-luminescent bay (if you're not sure what that is, go look it up-it's pretty cool).  I have been there before (last year when I was here) and Amanda went when Nate was here, but Kathryn had not, so she wanted to go and asked if we'd go with her. There was no argument from us! We got there a little later than we would've liked, thus having to kayak out to the bay in the dark rather than light or dusk, but it all worked out ok. When we finally reached the bay, it was just as beautiful if not more than what I remember the first time. I didn't have the same reaction to the bay as I did the first time, which was close to tears with amazement, but I still stood, or shall I say sat, in awe of Him.

The sky was cloudless, full of stars, and the water glittered with bright green sparks when agitated. It was more noticeable and bright this time than last year, and also more beautiful. We paddled out to the middle of the bay and then just stopped. We pushed/pulled our kayaks together, put our oars down, and just sat there for the longest time just staring at God's creation. We talked about serious things then not so serious things. We talked about wanting to stay out there all night, and wished we could just lay in a hammock, or float on an air mattress, and stare at the beautiful sky. ;) We talked about life, and our day. We reflected. It was great.

I just sat there in the silence and thanked God. I thanked Him for His creation. I thanked Him for the stars that were so beautiful and noticeable on that clear, moonless night, for the special water we were floating on, for the fish that were gliding through and jumping out of the water causing bright green streaks to be seen across the bay (and prayed that none would land in our kayaks), and for allowing me to have that experience and so many more while being here. I thanked Him for being so Good to me.  

After a while, we had to leave since it was getting late. I was a bit sad, because I love to just sit in God's creation and take it all in. But we had to leave at some point!

Then in the middle of the week, while the kids were in school, I decided to go to the beach to spend time with God. It's so much better than doing it in my bedroom! ;-) It was so lovely. I had the beach practically to myself. There was a family, whom I am assuming was on vacation because they didn't look Puerto Rican, that was on the opposite end of the beach, and that was it! There were a few people who walked by, but it was mainly just me. I loved every minute of it. Just sitting there, staring at the things around me, reading from the Bible and other devotional book I have, writing in my journal, and just praying. While lying on my blanket, writing, I stopped and took a look around me. As I did, I saw a few crabs come out of their holes and head toward that water. It was so cool! Hopefully, I am able to do that more often!

And then, of course, tonight, just watching the sky light up every few seconds. And to think that God created all these things for His children to see-for ME to see. He is just so Awesome. To think that He loves us, loves ME, that much, that He created all these things just for US to enjoy. Thank You, Father!

Last week was busy, as every other one seems to be. It started way too early on Monday morning with a water pipe leak that caused a flood to occur in our dorm, but thankfully, it didn't reach the bedrooms.

Wednesday I was up late again with a crying teenager. Normal teenage drama, but I have to remember, how I react and respond to her will affect her for the rest of her life. These are the years that start to shape you into the person you will become, most times. How people treat you and react to you stays with you for a long, long time. But I also have to remember my role in her life. I am here to counsel her, and if she is in the wrong, I have to correct her.

This week (10/7-11) was a short week. We had a 4 day weekend since today is Columbus Day. Nothing too exciting happened this week, except the fact that we have a 4 day weekend!!!! :) Friday, I just relaxed, did a few things I've been wanting and needing to do, went to the beach, then to the movies with the girls and Betsy.

Saturday, Kathryn, Amanda, and I got up early and drove 2.5-3 hours to the other side of the island to a beautiful beach called Crash Boat. We were looking forward to snorkeling and hoping to find things that we've never seen before, like sea turtles! But, the water was too sandy and despite having a tour guide (a man named Manny who had a knife strapped to his calf that randomly came up to us to tell us where the best places to go were, then decided to show us them), we still saw nothing; only a few sergeant major (zebra) fish. Even though we didn't have a good snorkeling day, and we got chased out by a thunderstorm, it was still a good day and enjoyed by all.

Yesterday was a rainy day, so nothing too exciting happened. I went to church, took the new girls (who arrived Saturday and are here for two weeks. Yay!!!!) to the store, came home and did a few necessary things, then went out with Betsy and the new girls for a drink and appetizers. Although I would've liked to had gone to beach just to read a book, I was perfectly ok with the fact that it rained. Sometimes, I really enjoy rainy days, and today was one of them. I sat out on the porch, with my intent to read a little, write some thank you notes, and work on my blog, but I found myself, as I often do, just looking around me at this beautiful place I call home. Even when it's raining, it's beautiful. I saw some lightning spark through the trees and again, just thought about how great God is. I had some instrumental music playing, and in between writing, just took a look around me every so often. "Wow, how blessed I am," is a common thought of mine. Needless to say, I didn't get half of what I had planned to get done finished, but I am ok with that.

Today we had a prayer meeting this morning, and Kathryn then took Autumn and Mandy (the new girls) to Old San Juan. I'm just hanging out re-energizing for the week ahead and enjoying my last day of freedom before the students come back! I may go to the beach in a little to just relax and enjoy some more of God's creation. It has been a lovely 4 day weekend so far, and I'm glad that I was able to have some adventure as well as some time to get some things done.

I forgot to mention, Betsy got a new puppy!!! Bazooka was her other puppy's name, and he was a great dog, but got too over protective and aggressive when new people came around. And with as many visitors and people he is not used to coming fairly often to the school, there were times where he went after/actually bit a few of them, and after the last one he attempted to get, Betsy decided the best thing was for him to be in a place that didn't have as many visitors and where he wouldn't be tied up so much. So she gave him to some friends that live in the country. Bazooka seems to like it!

Betsy looked for another Great Dane puppy, and came home with a beautiful girl Dane that she named Delilah. She's so cute! She's black and white, really laid back and chill, and quickly learning the things that Betsy is teaching her! I love playing with her and watching her run all around like a puppy does. And especially getting puppy kisses. :)

I also forgot to mention I was responsible for making staff dinner on Monday, September 30. I made a cheeseburger casserole, potato salad (my dad would be proud ;), and vegetables. It seemed to be a hit! I was proud of myself. I'm kind of looking forward to doing it next time. But that feeling could change by tomorrow! ;-p Haha.

Thank you Father, for being so Amazing. Even though I am in the same place, You still continue to show Yourself to me in different things, and sometimes in the same things only in a different way. I thank You that I am able to see You in many things and that I give You the glory that is due to You. Let me always remember to do that. Continue to show Yourself to me however You please. Thank You for the times that I am able to just sit and experience You. You are so worthy.