Rest for the Writer

 I submitted my current work in progress, Dangerous Amish Inheritance, to my editor and headed to Florida the next day for a family beach vacation. This year, we stayed at Crystal Beach, on the outskirts of Destin, Florida, where the water is sparkling clear and the white sand is silky soft. I have three adult children and four adorable grandchildren so we need a large condo with a pool. Because the beach is our happy place, my husband and I always rent waterfront accommodations for the family that provide spectacular views from sunup to sunset.

The adults rise early and enjoy coffee on the balcony. Some days we see dolphin frolicking in the waves and dark patches of fish swimming in large, undulating schools. Pelicans and seagulls fly overhead, then dive into the water for their morning meal. From our lofty perch, we watch fishing vessels with huge nets and private chartered boats head out to sea while fisherman on the shore cast their lines, hoping for a good catch.

Once the children are up and fed, we don our suits and sunscreen and head to the beach with chairs and umbrellas and inner tubes and floats to spend the day enjoying the sun, sand and water.

Destin Lifeguards trained each morning in front of our condo.
Notice them on their rescue boards.

If you were following the news last week, you heard about Tropical Storm Barry that blew into the Gulf. By Wednesday afternoon, the waves were rough and eventually strong enough to force us out of the water. We scurried to the pool but kept watch on the rising surf and encroaching storms.

Thursday morning, the beaches were closed and double red flags alerted beachgoers to stay out of the water. The pool provided lots of fun for the little ones in between intermittent rain showers. When inclement weather moved us indoors, we played cards and board permainan. Being together made the week special in spite of the storms.

At week�s end, we packed our cars for the long trip home and said goodbye to the beach with hopes of returning next year. The vacation provided wonderful family time but also offered a relaxing getaway that refreshed and renewed all of us.

Water uplifts me spiritually. I feel even more deeply connected to the Lord when I�m at the beach as I bask in the awesome glory of His creation. He is an amazing God!

How do you�find rest for yourself,� as mentioned in Matthew? Sometimes extended getaways don�t work into busy schedules, yet we still need peaceful moments of renewal. What are the ways you regroup in spite of full calendars and hectic lives?

Wishing you abundant blessings this summer along with moments of refreshment and renewal,

Here�s a sneak peek at ON THE RUN�

When Annalise Bonner reports a murder at Lakeside Lab�s guarded compound, security wants her silenced. Her only hope is Matt Mayor, the man she loved and left because of a covert military assignment. Now she must trust Matt again, not only with her life but also her heart.

Knowing she�s in danger, Matt secrets Anna away from the remote Tennessee research enclave to the Amish community of Ethridge and on to the North Georgia Mountains as a multistate manhunt mounts. Running out of options to keep Anna safe, Matt will sacrifice anything�including his life�to save the woman he loves.

Sunday Scripture

Christus Pantocrator, Cathedral of Cefal�, c. 1130.
[GNU Free Documentation License]

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing! 
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? 
No, I tell you, but rather division. 
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Luke 12:49-53

If you have any prayer needs, please mention them in the comments section so we can join you in prayer. You do not need to include specific names or situations of a private nature, just say that you have a prayer request. The Lord knows your heart and the needs you have. It is a privilege and honor to pray with you and for you.