The Real Reason why we were MIA...

Missionaries aren’t supposed to go on cruises. Well, that’s what I’ve heard anyway. People will stop giving because they don’t think you need money anymore. Since I don’t believe that is true, the rebel in me is going to tell you about it anyway.

If you would have asked me years ago if I would have ever been able to cruise the Caribbean, I would have doubted your understanding of my finances, but thanks to my generous parents, Daran and I were able to indulge in a cruise with them and my sister.

The first couple days of the cruise, I would have informed you that cruising was a horrible invention. Seasickness gripped me and all the delectable food looked atrocious to me. I remember trying desperately not to look at the carefully designed plates on the table as I would instantly experience extra queasiness. It was very reminiscent of early pregnancy.

I did get over the seasickness, as did my sister. It was much easier to understand the joy of cruising with a settled stomach. As I relaxed on the deck of the boat, I realized how desperately Daran and I needed this time away. This season of ministry had left us exhausted. Unfortunately, buildings don’t remodel themselves. As I gazed at the ocean that went on an on forever and realized that there was no work to be done, I had a deep understanding of Sabbath rest. I paused in the midst of this reverie to be handed an ice cold towel off a silver tray by a wonderful man in a white uniform. Is this what heaven would be like?

I will admit that the piece de resistance for me was having my room cleaned three times a day! Yes, I said three times a day! What!? I never knew there was such a thing. This miracle would happen, I would leave for breakfast and I would come back to a crisply-made bed, and then I would leave for lunch, and the same sight would greet me when I returned. And then again for dinner, the same miracle would occur.

Also, did you guys know that there is a ridiculous amount of food on these boats? And it’s real fancy stuff. Like filet mignon, lobster tail and creme brûlée. I sampled a lot of dishes I never tried before and savored a lot of dishes that I can not spell or pronounce.

I haven’t even told you about the destinations we stopped at. Here is how I will sum it up as not to bore you with the details. Before, I went, I did not like the beach. All you beach lovers out there, pick up your jaw, calm down, and stop typing your list of ten reasons why I should love the beach. The reason why is because, I hate crowds passionately, and I have really only been to crowded beaches. But, now I am truly in love with these white sand beaches with the bluest water and less than 30 people to enjoy it with. I do like people but in small doses. (Now you beach lovers can breathe knowing I have left the dark side.)

While my sister tried desperately to climb a coconut tree on a beach in Antigua, I floated in the crystal clear calm Caribbean Sea and thought that this was surely the life. We visited three islands, but I fell in love with the people and landscape of Antigua the most. It’s An-tee-guh not An-tee-gwuh. Maybe it was because I got to visit their “rainforest” and I have a deep deep love for trees. Maybe its because our driver stopped and picked lemongrass for us to smell, or that we paused at a little roadside stand to try black pineapple. Maybe it was because there was a store named, “Noreen.” However, I think a lot had to do with the pace of life there: slow, not rushed, just enjoyed and savored like an exemplary cup of coffee - sipped not gulped.

I got home and immediately thought of the million things I needed to do. Unfortunately or fortunately, I came home with a cold that has left me by my standards, “useless.” Maybe I am still being taught what Sabbath really means.

Sabbath is not just a pace of life, it must be the state of my heart. Although, packing just one suitcase for each of my family members and living in a tiny cottage by the sea seems really appealing right now. People in Antigua need Jesus too, right?