January 12
It came together just two weeks prior, starting as an outside-chance idea. Close friends of Amy had a couple openings at their condo in Florida and offered them for her use. From Amy's first mention to airline tickets booked was just a couple hours, that included getting our cousin to jump on board. We immediately thought of Melody because of the tough year she's had, most especially with everything surrounding her dad's heart attack in July and the recovery since. She was due for a change of scenery!
From two different cities, we were able to arrive within a couple hours of each other. With so much excitement and gratitude that we were together (and among palm trees!) we dropped our things at the condo, ooohhed and ahhhhed there, and went down the street for lunch on the water.
Our afternoon and evening were quiet and restful at the condo.
January 13
Imagine...stepping out onto the lanai each morning to witness the sunrise over the bridge!
This day, Melody did a spa day and she took advantage of being able to use the hotel grounds for the entire day. Amy and I headed to the beach. :) The temperature was perfect for sitting out, walking, sleeping, reading...all the things we did.
Then we met up with Melody to watch the sunset.
Dinner was on the patio at a marina.
January 14
Another day!
Since we were leaving the next morning, the girls chose this day to take me out to a most amazing breakfast place to celebrate my birthday. It was absolutely perfect!
There was laughter, there were tears. Really at each meal, as we dipped our toes into hard conversations and this was my turn. I have known love so deep and wide and never-giving-up. Eleven years ago, these two signed up for the "all in" level of my cancer journey. I'm sure, like me, they thought it would be many months of hard. But we quickly surpassed months and instead we're counting up many years. And they are still here. I can't get over it.
We returned to the beach. "Beaching it" looks different for different people. :)
We left to get ready for dinner, then returned for the sunset. It was...an experience. It was just so awe-inspiring, with millions of crystals glittering and layers of colors. What a God!
But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. ~Romans 1
January 15
My birthday! Throw the confetti! What a treat to have Amanda call first thing.
Back at home, my crew gathered. The kids cooked a "me" dinner and we just hung out together. The day in its entirety was just perfect.
January 16
We had a Night of Worship, with special guests from Adult & Teen Challenge, which is connected with Times Square Church, just like Summit, where Amanda is. A beautiful reminder that God starts at impossible.
January 17
TBQ Meet #3. What an honor to be a small part of this.
After, Avery and Jack went and gathered Dakota and his siblings to have for a couple days. They volunteered to have the 2-month old twins overnight!
We had the fam over to watch the Broncos' first playoff game. These two teen girls were all about the babies. So sweet!
Sarah thought to get a cake for me and Shaun's dad, the two January birthdays.
The crowd went wild when they won!
January 18
Just amazed by these two, who effortlessly care for two babies and do their jobs at church, too. They couldn't be more natural.
I took some pictures for a church project and, as a happy surprise, I got to hold Baby Bo.
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