Any beach, anywhere, any time has always served as a source to feed my soul. This year, however, by the end of our family vacation in Nags Head, NC, my cup was completely overflowing.
This year, our crew topped out at about 60 individuals 
(don’t worry- we didn’t all stay in one house!). I come from a large extended family that has always been very close. Although we are spread all over the east – and now West (shout out to Cathy & John in Oregon!) – coasts, the importance we place on being present in each other’s lives keeps us much closer than the physical miles between us. I wish I could better articulate the strong bond that connects me to the special people I call family. Through them I feel support, generosity, kindness, courage, stubbornness, leadership, faith, strong values, and absolute unconditional love. We have seen celebrations, arguments, tragedies, weddings, deaths, births, and every possible thing in between; from which, my character has been built. These are the people I lean on in failures, and I call first with successes. I guess the best way to sum it up is that I feel God through the connection with my family, and that feeling only intensifies when we are all gathered together in one place.
Standard group of about 20-30 at any given time! Me crashing the parent’s date night 🙂
My experience over the last week was really just an extension of feeling the Presence pour over my heart. The second night we were down there, we gathered to celebrate several events (birthdays, graduations, and my departure). My creative and giving mother, aunt, and a few other family members, helped to put together gift baskets that we auctioned off as a fundraiser. As with most events in this preparation process, I found the conversations and the connections I had that night to be the greatest gifts. Don’t get me wrong—I am bursting with gratitude at the generous bids of family members. Their contributions allowed me to reach the next financial deadline, solidifying my spot to board with my iSquad family in September! …yeah I’d say bursting is pretty accurate!! I have to say though, there is nothing quite like talking about the Lord with people you actually feel Him through. I discovered at TC back in July, that one of my main pathways to connect with the Holy Spirit is through interaction with others. (i.e. talking to others about God, corporate worship & praise, etc.) That was without a doubt proven to be true not only on the night of the auction, but throughout the entire week. You’ve heard me say it before… there is nothing that brings my inner being more joy than to talk about His love and fulfilling His will.
As if that wasn’t enough, after many had cleared out, my cousin presented me with an incredible token of my family’s sentiments. This bracelet will remind me every day, of the hopes, dreams, love, and support that my family sends with me on this journey. Written words from each family were commemorated on a bookmark, and the key word from each family now hangs as a charm from my new bracelet. This was such a meaningful end to a most precious evening.
The bracelet made for me with charms to represent words given up for me
Over these blessed 6 days, I got to spend leisurely time alone with my Creator every morning; no rush to get ready for work or be anywhere but there. I got to marvel at His beautiful handiwork every day. The very first night there He gave us the most stunning double rainbow alongside a gorgeous sunset.
His promises remain! We’ve only glimpsed his vast affection..
I got to see the younger generation of my family take on traditions so near and dear to my heart. I absolutely adore the spunk and spirit He gives to little ones! I got to pray on the beach with one of my cousins. The night before we left, I was blessed to go to mass with a few of my extended family. I can just feel the Power just welling up in me as I type this. I knew I would feel Him this week at the beach… coupling family time while experiencing the beauty of His earth is a definite way for me to feel pretty full pretty fast. What I didn’t know was just how heavily He would press on my heart. He is a wonderful provider, and I stand in awe of His gracious mercy on this human’s need to be satisfied. Yet, He never fails, He always shows up, and He never runs out. I am finding the Beauty of wholeness appears in the pursuit. So, although I am a simple, humbled human with needs for an ever-giving, ever-loving super-natural Father God, I would rather pursue intimacy and refills than sit idle thinking “Ok, I’m full enough.” Because the truth is there is always more- and I thirst for another refill… and another… and another…this week was an unparalleled filling that I will cherish with me throughout the duration of my journey.
