We're On Our Way Home and An Unforgettable Reward

Our bags are packed, "stuffed" is actually a better word for it. There's no way I could possibly put one more item in either of my two bags...stuffed I tell ya! As much as I hate the idea of leaving, I do need to get home. I've got to get busy...the.holidays.are.coming! Plus, I miss Jake! I cannot even begin to describe how much I miss that dog!

I've always wanted to come to Hawaii during Christmas but I've heard it gets crazy busy here. Well, this vacation I've been able to see Hawaii decked out for Christmas. Last night I noticed Christmas lights up at a nearby mall, plus the stores have all of their Christmas goodies out just like home, but trust me, it's not the same. The lights didn't elicit the same joy and excitement for me that it does at home. It all seems rather odd. I'm usually here during spring or summer, and the weather is like summer now, so Christmas displays seem out of place. It just doesn't feel or seem like November, almost December. It feels like June. I think it must feel like June everyday here in Hawaii.

Yesterday morning I headed out for my last long walk of the vacation. I have been religious about walking and as I reached the main street, I got teary eyed. I have treasured my outings each day and realized this would be the last one of its kind for awhile. I've developed a routine and I've soaked up the sights like never before. Again, I attribute this partly to blogging. I'm looking at things differently, or from a different angle at least. When you have the opportunity to share things with others, the world, and life, becomes so much more interesting! Have you felt this way at all since you started blogging?

My daily walks have been long, but with views that go on for miles. It's at least 2 miles up the road to my turn around point, so I started rewarding myself on the way back.


Sitting here has been my reward for walking each day. It's offered me comfort when I've been hot and sweaty, it's offered me peace and quiet, and it's been my prayer bench. How can you not sit here and talk to God when this view is directly in front of you...




My greatest reward for getting out and exercising has been time alone with God. It's no wonder that I love it here so much! I've had many talks with God from that bench, and offered up dozens and dozens of prayers, but most importantly, I've thanked Him. We serve a loving, compassionate God, a God who only wants the best for us.

I will never forget the special time that I have had alone with Him.

I will never forget the unbelievable beauty I was able to see everyday, the beauty which God created.

I will never forget that special bench.