The Unexpected

When we decided to go full timing in an RV, I expected to be closer as a family, I expected to get to know Jesus better, I expected less housework and more time: time for knitting, reading, and taking a family herbalist course.  I expected to be immersed in the beauty of nature and have my breath taken away by the artistry of God.  I expected to have more time to cook and play with Kylee.  My expectations have seen their fulfillment.

What I DID NOT expect was to learn so much about myself…not all good I might add.  I didn’t foresee having the time to contemplate deeper things, like what happens to all of the trash my family contributes to landfills, what is “healthy living”, and what is “church” really supposed to look like? 

Many positive changes have come about from these contemplations, from recycling, to natural/organic household products and remedies to more local, fresh and whole foods.  I’m practically a hippie in the making!  I would not have considered that a compliment several years ago, but this is a new day.  A day in which I no longer view people with a broad, stereotypical blanket, but as individuals.  Choosing to focus on what we have in common instead of what we don’t.  This alone has renewed my faith in people; freeing me to see the beauty and richness in each life instead of judging them by our differences and my opinions.  Freeing me to see the good heart God created in each of them.

My own good heart is what I’m now embracing; to see my heart healed.  I’ve been free from religion’s rules and traditions for a few years now and physically free for 7 months as we roam this beautiful land.  Months which have provided time for Jesus to reveal my inner brokenness and need for healing and emotional freedom.  This will be the most challenging, frightening, and rewarding experience of this journey thus far.  Facing ones childhood traumas is daunting.  It’s challenging to tear down the walls I’ve so diligently built around my heart and allow it to be vulnerable, frightening to be willing to endure the pain that will surely come as I purposely expose each layer of brokenness and to trust Jesus Christ to step in and heal each wound revealed as well as the ones that will surely come.  Luckily for me, I witness the emotional freedom I seek in my beautiful girl: unbridled, full of life, and completely unafraid, secure in the knowledge that she is loved unconditionally, secure in her ability to make us smile and adore her, secure in who she is. 

And so, with a trust that Jesus will meet me in every dark corner of my heart, propelled by the curiosity of what an unbridled me will look like, and with the love, strength and support of my husband, I set out on the path to emotional freedom.

Gray day, Go away

Yesterday was a gray, dreary day; it matched my mood.  The weather always effects my attitude; I NEED sunshine.  Since there wasn’t any, maybe some wildlife would lift my spirit.  Get out the boats!   We were fighting against time as night would be approaching in a couple of hours, and Kyle's hooking up unnecessary motors.  It was adding to my grumpiness as my hope of tranquility slipped away.  Just as he was finishing, Kylee fell in the water and needed to get into dry clothes.  More time lost, and with it, my excitement to get out on the water.  GRRR! 

Our trip started off uneventful, with me grumbling at not seeing anything but cormorants - a common sight in Florida.  Kyle was making faces at me trying to get me to smile (love that man), when he spotted something that would surely do the trick.  A dolphin up on the horizon…or shark?  Two more fins appeared.  Definitely dolphins, sharks don’t travel in groups.  Can I just admit, I have cursed those hillbilly, redneck motors from day one, but I was more then thankful for them as we sped toward the dolphins.  

A few minutes later we were surrounded.  As I sat in awe watching dolphins surface and blow air, throw their fish (yes, playing with their food), and flicking their tails, sunshine entered my heart.  There was still none in the sky, but I was light and joyous.  Thrilled, giddy even, we followed those dolphins all over the water.  Being silly, laughing at each other and thoroughly enjoying our unexpected blessing; we were more then thankful to God.  I mean, how many people get to kayak with a pod of dolphins!?  And to think, I was lamenting only having a couple of hours to soak in the beauty that would brighten my day. It’s as if Jesus said, I only need a little time.  He always knows just how to brighten my day; yesterday He used dolphins.

World of Wonder

Christmas brought kayaks to the Henson family and my telephoto lens!  Like any kid on Christmas, the dark did not stop Kyle from opening and "playing" with his new toy.

These kayaks have given Florida some appeal.  When we came a few weeks ago, there was little here that excited me.  The plan was to meet up with my folks for a visit and head to Disney.  Plus, there were a few hot spots we wanted to see like the Everglades & Sea Shell Island, but for the most part, it's not our kind of place.  We're mountain folk; not beach people.  It wasn't until that first canoe trip that all of that changed. 

Putting into the water here was like entering a new and exciting world unto itself: pristine waters teaming with life, magnificent birds of all shapes and sizes, turtles and alligators lazily sunning themselves on logs and rocks.  It's an adventure with rewards that can only be experienced by paddling.  It's that slow pace that allows the eyes to wander, to soak it all in and catch that bald eagle resting high in the tree or the mama coot and her babies camouflaged so well that even at this slow pace they're almost missed.

I think this is a Chicken Turtle...I think.

American Coot family

Almost missed this guy hiding behind the lily pads.

 

Kyle caught this great shot.

On our most recent trip (only our second in the Sea Eagles), I was once again in awe.  The turquoise springs that have carved their own caves were spectacular, but the wildlife is always my favorite.  There is nothing more breathtaking then an eagle flying right over my head or 3 pelicans flying in a single file line about 6 inches off the water 3 feet from the side of my boat.  Then of course, there were the manatees, which were by far Kylee's favorites.  They don't have the exceptional beauty of the birds, yet they were equally intriguing and surprisingly graceful.  We sat in our kayaks and watched them swim around eating, coming up for air and every once in a while swim right under us. Awesome!

Pic of the Spring taken by Kyle

 

Mama and her calf catching a breath.

Manatee's tail out of water

Manatee pic by Kyle

With Kyle and Kylee in their own boat, my mind wanders; I frequently think about God's handiwork and chat with Him.  It is remarkable the detail He put into each creation; the exquisite and unique color combinations, their idiosyncrasies, their brilliance.  The sun has disguised the brilliance of quite a few in our pictures, but nature is the greatest art gallery on earth!   I find myself reflecting on what kind of god He is to have created such magnificence for no other reason than my pleasure.  His creativity and love of color is obvious, but what kind of person does He have to be to appreciate such beauty, to have poured Himself and His imagination into this world just for me to delight in it?  At the same time that I see His generosity and gentleness, I see the greatest of romantics but also a fierceness reflected in the alligator.  When out on the water and left to my thoughts, I can certainly see why the Bible says that His nature is clearly perceived in His creation (Romans 1:20 ESV). Therein lies Florida's new appeal: natural diversity that introduces me to the heart and soul of Jesus... or at least gives Him the opportunity to show off and spoil me ;o).

Anhinga

Little Blue Heron

White Ibis

Double-Crested Cormorant

Yellow Lotus bud

Brown Pelican

Spider Lily

Great Blue Heron in flight

 

Wood Stork

Swamp Lily

Little Blue Heron

 

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Camp site right on the river...someday ;o)

Saw this beautiful Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron after my camera battery died- thankfully Kyle's hadn't!