Chewymom

On the only day we ended up being able to dock on our cruise, we were in Progresso, Mexico. We were excited to learn that there were Mayan Indian ruins in the area. We had the option to pay around $150 per person to go on the cruise ship’s excursion, but we decided to be risk-takers and do it on our own. For $60 for the taxi ride and $40 for entry fees, we did the trip ourselves, saving oh about $800+. Less the cost for cheesy souvenirs, of course.

One of the delights of the cruise was having a creative steward. Well, actually for me, his creativity wasn’t what I loved, it was the way he made my bed and straightened my room every day, and then left an after-dinner mint on my pillow. But Sally and Sam could not wait to return to our room each day to see what he had done with the towels. Here are some examples of Errol’s towel art:

I took a journal along on the cruise with grand intentions of doing a lot of writing in all of my free time. Free time was actually not a luxury I enjoyed, and fruity drinks were something I enjoyed immensely, resulting in only one journal entry on my first night aboard the ship. Here is that one entry, for your enjoyment. Or amusement.

It is 10:16 pm. Ben and Drew are, to my knowledge, upstairs playing video games. We are in three separate rooms, and they are roommates, and I instructed them to stay together. Otherwise they have a lot of freedom, and there is stuff going on 24/7, and free pizza, too. I imagine that Scott, Brig and Sam are sleeping. Sally is soundly sleeping beside me in the King bed in our room.

We are tired and went to bed early I was only 1/2 asleep as my body tries to adjust to the rocking of the cruise ship. What I wasn’t prepared for was the sound of silence when it seemed our power shut off. That was slightly terrifying, but it quickly came back on, and I am now wide awake.

I got out of bed and looked out the window. The stars are so bright out in the middle of the ocean! The rocking of the huge ship is more obvious when I can see the waves we make as we pound side to side, sliding across the water. There is nothing else to be seen but ocean, stars, and the side of our ship.

I am surprisingly not fearful. I do marvel, however, at my insignificance. I am struck by how small I truly am as I see absolutely nothing in the dark ocean that lies beyond our boat. As I think about it, the space race of the 80’s seems rather silly when I am gliding along on top of a sea so deep I cannot fathom it. What kind of creatures lie below me? Why do we so desperately want to explore up and away from the earth when there is so very much we have yet to discover about our own planet?

I cast a glance at the box under the tv and am reassured by the life vests inside. As I consider how deep is the ocean, I am reminded of the song that goes, “How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure….” The ocean seems vast right now, but technically it could be measured with the right equipment and mathematical formulas and all. But the Father’s love is vast beyond ALL MEASURE! And as I look at an ocean so deep I cannot fathom it and so vast I can see nothing on any side, I am struck at how deep and vast the Father’s love really is!

As I float along, rocking side to side, I am thankful that as insignificant and tiny as I feel, I am in the Father’s line of vision. More than that, I am thankful that I am loved by him. And not just in a small way. I am loved in a vast and deep way! Deeper even than this immense, dark body of water which surrounds me. And I am so very thankful for that love.

I am also thankful for the anti-nausea patch stuck to my head behind my ear And for fruity drinks with rum that relax me.

We’re off today for a cruise for Spring Break! Our first ever! Feel free to leave comments wherever, but if you are new to the blog, the comment may sit in moderation until I return, because I REFUSE to pay the $2 per minute charge for internet access. We’re totally unplugging for the week.

See you in a week!