Vacation Tribulation

The Bahamas were really beautiful, although it was too windy and cold to swim. Seth even ventured to play some sand volley ball. What a trooper!

This is the only picture I will post of myself on our vacation. I was so seasick, I did not look well, and would rather not keep those memories forever, and this one was pretty dark and far away. I lost my make-up case and all its contents on our cruise. SAD! Now I am doomed to use my very very old back up stuff I don't like, but at least I didn't get sunburned, so I can be very glad of that.

I'm sure some of you are probably wondering how our vacation turned out. Well, as you can see from the title, it wasn't exactly what we expected it to be. Over a year ago, we 'won a free cruise' to the Bahamas from Ramada Plaza Resorts, and Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines. Well, to say the least more than a year later, when we went to use our vacation, it certainly wasn't free, and it ended up being quite a scam. I won't go into to many details, but as a recap we had to spend a third of our time listening to sales pitches, and it felt like another third was spent waiting in line for 'comped' buffet meals that were less than quality, our cruise line was over 50 years old, and light as a feather, our room that we had to upgrade and upgrade which cost a lot of money and grief was more like a low rate motel on terrible seas, than the Veranda Suite we were promised. We got lost a few times, we both were absolutely sea sick the entire cruise, throwing up, feeling like our heads were going to explode, barely being able to stand up and walk, etc. (I won't go on about that too much more, but I will say that the crew couldn't find enough housekeeping staff and cat litter to clean up the mess on board, with the terrible ocean we faced. Needless to say the Dining Room was practically empty the first night, and we sure didn't make it to dinner.) When we stopped in the Bahamas we paid for an excursion to a beach resort, but it was close to 65 degrees, very windy, and mostly cloudy most of the day. We couldn't swim, and were really too sea sick to do much else.

Ok, now that is over with, I will tell you about the good things about our trip. When I was on the ship the first night, After the losing of our lunches, Seth and I were laying in our bed trying to ignore the feeling of rising 15 ft. in the air and then descending over and over, I remembered looking out into that dark abiss of an ocean. It looked like a terrible monster waiting to swallow us up. I was amazed at it's power. I had never been on a boat on the ocean, or a sea. I got to experience first hand, a taste of what it could do if angered. As I laid there, I was reminded that the Lord created the ocean, and has complete control over it. I think the ocean can be compared to the Lord in a way. It is so vast, man cannot even comprehend it completely. It contains such deep mysteries, and beauties. It can be so helpful, taking you across miles and miles to your destination. When it is angered, it is indeed terrrible.

I also remembered the scripture about Christ from Mark 4 in the New Testament:

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, aPeace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great bcalm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so afearful? how is it that ye have no bfaith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Jesus Christ is the master of earth and sea. All the elements obey His command. How is it that His children, most often do not obey? I want to do better to obey, and feel the peace, and calm He can bring to me as I follow.

I was touched by this feeling of how aware the Lord is of me, only one passenger, on one small ship in the deep vast ocean. I prayed many times, that if it were the Lord's will, that He would calm the sea. He did, and around midnight that night, I fell asleep.

Other great experiences we had on our trip. Throughout the many sales pitches we had to listen to, we got to know some of the people, and were able to share part of our faith with them.

Seth and I got to spend every minute of a whole week together. We had many deep conversations all about the US government, the welfare program, immigration, Pres. Obama, our life together so far, our future plans. It was nice to really talk.

We got to go to Universal Studios, and despite some lingering seasickness, we really enjoyed the Simpsons Ride, Shrek 4D, The Mummy (we rode that twice. it was the only roller coaster, and it was a very good one.)

My desire to eat did come back eventually, I renounced my vow never to set foot on a cruise ship again (as long as it is BIG and NEW!) My dizzy, lightheadedness did go away after about 5 days of being on land.

I learned a lot about myself on the trip. It just so happened that the only book I brought was called "Emily of Deep Valley," by Maud Hart Lovelace (one of my very favorite authors). Because of the sea sickness, and the bad weather we had, I had a lot of time to read. I ended up reading it 2 and a half times. I loved every page. I could really relate to my namesake character, and this book helped me figure out what I want to do now. I have some work to do, and preparations to make, but I will unfold my plan for the near future very soon.

The very last day of our trip had nice 75 degree weather with not too much wind. We went to a cool hotel resort called Gaylord Palms (for free! probably the only part of our trip that actually was.) We saw fish, and alligators in the atrium and beautiful plants and flowers. It was a really cool place.

I got a new jacket, bright red, and beautiful!, and some jeans that were very needed! Thanks Seth!

We got to drive our first rental car, a shiny new blue Ford Focus. That was the first new car I had ever driven. It was so powerful! Wow! I liked it a lot, almost as much as my red Miata (R.I.P). And we even got to enjoy XM radio with no commercials.

Seth and I didn't get to swim in FL because it was too cold and windy, but we did get to walk barefoot on the beach, hand in hand under the stars. That was wonderful. I learned more about Seth, and we grew closer on our trip, through the trials and all. I definately don't regret going. I learned and I grew, and I am better for it, and I think Seth is too.

It was so wonderful to come home. This trip made me realize how much I really love our house, Cleveland, our ward at church, our wonderful friends, living close to family, and just being able to come home with Seth is a blessing.

And now we will have a hilarious story to tell our children someday.