New Years Retreat

These past 4 months have been some of the busiest of my life.  I didn't watch season 3 of Downton Abbey via tunnel bear, which alone tells you just how crazy busy it has been!

In early November, at the peak of the craziness, I began dreaming of taking a week away from technology: going somewhere with no internet, no tvs, and yes...no kids. On previous get-aways Sander and I have always chosen adventures over leisure. Skiing or travelling to visit friends doing relief and development work in the Republic of Georgia for example.

But this year, I was really, really...really tired. So we chose the beach.

Why here?  Well a friend recommended the island and it was the only beach location United Airlines had available using frequent flier miles for the dates we wanted to go. It was meant to be!

We headed to Ambergris Caye (pronounced "key") in Belize, and guys, this is like a diamond in the rough! We stayed at Ak'bol, a yoga retreat center. I did yoga two mornings on their studio on the pier, but if you stay here you don't have to if that isn't your thing. The food is amazing (handmade and Mayan), our private bungalow had beach views (under $140/night!), and the weather is 80-85 the whole year long.

View from our room.

ok, this is the real view as I spent lots of time napping and just looking out the shuttered doors.

This is the pier with a yoga class going on the morning we left. 

Where we ate every single meal.

I have to say the highlight of the trip was flying back on our turbo prop plane!  They pack it to capacity so that means someone even sits in the co-pilot seat, which on our return was me!!  I saw all the controls and everything the pilot saw, as well as taking in views of the water between the caye and the mainland.

 

I am seriously grateful for the time I had to sleep, to think, to pray, and to remember what life is all about.

As the water lapped against the shore and I gazed out on the vastness and beauty of God's creation, and I remembered again how God is the one in control.

If God can put each glorious fish in the sea and cause the wind to blow and the tides to ebb and flow, He can provide all I need for 2013.

Happy new year everyone!