Home Again, Home Again...

To state the obvious, I'm back. It was a great visit this year to the land of palm trees and sunshine.

We tried to sight some manatees this year:
But alas, had just missed two manatees swimming right below the observation deck. I did get a stingray sighting, so my hour there was not a total loss.

We also camped out on the beach for an afternoon. I expected another sunburn, instead I got a slight tan. Something is better than nothing, I guess. :) Anyway, I was exhausted from my airport adventures of the day previous (which is a blog post in itself) and enjoyed relaxing in the surf and sun on a private beach. I even found a huge shark tooth in the water. I was excited until I realized - there would have to be sharks swimming nearby if their teeth were to be found on the beach. I wasn't so sure about going into the water after that...

The next day we found this:
What an exciting find! They didn't have much, but I did find a funny book for Kathryn and two funny books for me. I then read from my new Wodehouse every available chance I got for the remaining week.

The bookstore was downtown and within walking distance of a park,
where we saw these:





I got to see and visit with friends, old and new. I attended this conference and learned about the Holiness of God (free webcast videos are available for a limited time - go quick and watch the sessions, and esp. take time to watch Dr. Sinclair Ferguson's sessions!).

I had many adventures - funny, scary, and thrilling.

I loved being there, but, as always, I loved coming back home again. :)

It's Spring Break...

and I am off to Florida! Pictures and stories when I return. :)

Warped Beauty

While I am not a feminist and despise the lies that our feminist culture has taught to generations of men and women, I do think that feminists often see a problem that a lot of women can't see - but unfortunately feminists then overreact to these problems, spewing out lies mixed with truth. (And isn't that how our enemy always deceives us?)

That said, I appreciated this Q&A in the NYT magazine yesterday with Susie Orbach. It will take you maybe two minutes to read, but it is so refreshing to see someone take a stand against weight and beauty obsessions! Our culture is so consumed with a media-induced, fabricated ideal of "beauty", one that resembles nothing actually good or obtainable. We women are made to believe that skeletal bodies are ideal and that perfect, flawless faces, hair styles, and fashion are more to be desired than, say, character, gentleness, or intelligence. I am determined to stand against the lies of this world and instead want to encourage women, young and old, to accept the way that God made you and not to buy into a false idea of beauty. Seek instead to reflect and radiate the love of Christ. The most beautiful people I have ever known were not so because they looked like (insert celebrity) but because they radiated the love of Christ.

Yet Another Brag

While I'm at it, I also have to share that my brothers are hard at work producing a movie of their own. You can follow their progress here.

And yes, I'm a very proud sister who has to brag on her talented siblings every now and then. :)

Had to Share...

Anyone who has followed this blog for any length of time will know that I am not the photographer of the fantastic photos you often find on here. That distinction goes to my brother, Landon. He recently won a prize for his capture of a flamingo at our local zoo. I am also pleased to announce that he now has a photography blog! Check it out here.