Happy Fourth of July

I'm about to jump out of my skin on Santa Rosa Island...I have been simply overwhelmed with my beautiful God this week. I have read my favorite authors sitting on the sand---that sand, a thousand thought-filled reminders of how much He thinks about us. I have walked 6-10 miles each day and listened and lingered and longed and loved every minute with my God. I've knelt in humility and brokenness on the beach and stood in grace and gladness on that shore.

I've been with my sister and her 3 children and their 9 kids. I have watched the nine precious ones (ages 5 through 11) several times so the adults could go out for dinner and fun. We made collages, a seascape, seashell hunts, and I even drew their body profile and they colored and decorated it---should have posted the pictures of them. It has been good.

I came here hoping for extended time with my beautiful God but HE has exceeded my expectations. Every morning at 5:30AM I leaped out of bed, drawn like a magnet to the overwhelming ocean tide coming IN. Every evening about 7:30PM, it happened again---drop everything to see the sunset. It's like I was seeing this like never before. Kept twirling around. I experienced 360 degrees of beauty that pierced and penetrated. A pastoral panoramic picture created by my Author and Finisher.

Today I thought of my family as I walked the shore and wept. Seventeen years ago, my youngest son Britt came home from the hospital on July 4th and we went straight to see fireworks cause I remember how they were going off in my heart over having him for a son. He was born 17 years ago July 2nd and this child means more to me than I could ever express. He's been away at Conference on National Affairs this week and it will be my first 4th of July without my family. I'll miss them all! There was a newborn on the beach this morning, yes at 5:30AM. I told them how beautiful he was! I remember touching my own beautiful boy's toe. Couldn't believe God did that for me!

On this Fourth of July, my thoughts go to those in my family serving our country. All my sister's children and their spouses are here except for Teri's husband who is serving in Iraq this very day---we just heard from him. He was asking about Lauren and how he could watch her in her Olympic Trials today. More on that sweet girl later. Then my thoughts turn to Bob's 22-year-old nephew in Iraq. God, please hold our loved ones in your hands this day. Protect them from the enemy of the soldiers and the enemy of their souls, as only you can do.

I hope your Fourth is filled with His Presence and Power! Love to you all, Bev