The Bahamas!

February was an extremely busy month with lots of travel for work and pleasure so blogging fell to the way side but no more!  Here is a look at my recent vacation on Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas. 

It has been awhile since I have been on a vacation.  I couldn’t ask for better travel companions.  We were all ready to take off for five days leaving technology and responsibilities behind and relax. We embarked out of Charleston after a wonderful lunch at Vichery’s. Don’t we look ready?

I admit cruising took some getting used to.  There are people everywhere!  The very first night, Cameron got called onto stage to participate in an icebreaker Cam had to put a spoon down his pants that was a attached to a string and woven in other people’s clothing as well (I don’t think I explained that well.)  For his participation we won a bottle of champagne (Mimosas anyone? You bet!). 

My qualms about traveling with so many people were soon squelched by the beautiful weather.  The first day at sea we relaxed, napped and read.  You have to love travel companions that feel like the best of friends even when you don’t say anything for hours.  I have to give props to Seth and Cam who took very good care of Jen and I keeping the drinks coming and bringing us lunch.  When we weren’t enjoying the food, we were reading.  Cam’s book of choice?  A gigantic sailing text book.  Seth preferred the Atlantic. Jen and I opted for less intellectually stimulating reading.

The next day we stopped in Freeport, Bahamas.  After a fancy breakfast (can you tell that our trip was filled with eating), we disembarked and visited the Freeport Harbor and the resort area known as Port Lucaya.  We found a beach and enjoyed the blue waters.  Jen was busy snapping pictures (that is the only reason you see them here!) especially the birds.  

Cam and Seth were quick to find a local establishment to enjoy Bahamian beer and conch fritters.  We sat at the picnic tables enjoying local music and the beautiful view. 

 

On the way back to the boat, we were taken back in a limo instead of a taxi. Don’t worry it was the same price—and not too classy since we could only play music via a cassette tape. 

As we pulled away from port, Jen snapped this beautiful sunset.  

Our next day was spent in Nassau.  And what would two ministers do in the Bahamas? Visit churches of course.  We visited an Episcopalian church and happened upon this beautiful Methodist church.  The sexton took us on a private tour.  The church was filled with beautiful stained class and headstones.  My favorite part was the church sign.  Nothing like reading “Members Expected” when you have played hookie from church that week J  

Our afternoon adventure in Nassau consisted of a glass bottom boat ride and snorkeling.  You may find it amusing but as we were about ready to snorkel (after being on the boat for an hour), I looked at Cam and said, “Oh no. I just realized that snorkeling involves animals. I don’t like animals.”  Alas, I still had to go.  

Here is the view from the glass bottom boat. 

Jen and I also “supported the local economy” aka we shopped.  Loved this sign outside the market.  

Our final day was spent on the boat enjoying the beautiful waters, the free drinks and the Beatles tribute show.  The week ended on a high note in the discothèque as Seth busted a move during the Michael Jackson tribute hour.    

Our dinner companions were a blast.  First, here is a snippet of what we at the last night—and that was just half the table!  I think we all ordered two or three entrees that night.  Don’t worry, we skipped dessert. 

Our dinner table consisted of two other groups and us.  The “Woo Girls”  (Think How I Met Your Mother—“Woo!”) as we endearingly called them were from Wilmington and celebrating a 27^th birthday.  On Sarah’s birthday they rocked wigs and we celebrated by playing spoons.  

Our other companions were from Georgia and loved the casino.  Crystal was quite until the last night.  She was finally comfortable with us and even pulled out the term of endearment of sugar biscuit. 

I have the best friends! 

Jen, Seth and Cam—I love y’all.  Thank you for being such mellow travel companions! I couldn’t ask for a better community to share my life.  I think that the “Year of Non-Lame Danielle” started off with a bang!  Cheers! (Go ahead, have a whiskey sour, Manhattan or lime margarita). 

God’s Love and Mine,

danielle kathryn 

A Teaser for Sunday's Sermon

Fasting, Tomatoes and the Justice of God 
Based on Isaiah 58 


"In this passage of Isaiah, the people are feeling pretty good about themselves.   They are beginning to rebuild their homes and lives.  The plans for the temple rebuild are underway and the people are trying to live right before God.  They are trying to avoid the same fate as their ancestors.  They are trying to shape up before they are shipped out, or exiled again.  In worship, they are fasting and making offerings to God—this is exactly what he wanted right? 

Wrong.

Isaiah breaks into their self-affirming thoughts and trumpets, “This is not the kind of fast that God wants.”  God does not desire empty religious ritual while lifestyles remains unchanged.  God does not desire abundant offerings that were earned at the expense—and often exploitation—of the poor.   I love in the text that Israel says, “Hey God. We are doing what you told us. Why aren’t you looking us with favor or doing what we want?”  How many times have I done that?  God, I am praying…why are you doing nothing?  God, I am reading my bible, being nice…why aren’t you doing what I want?" 

Join me at Christ the King for ABC Worship this Sunday! 

danielle kathryn    

I Love to Tell the Story

When I was little, I knew an older woman named Mrs. Graham.  She was beautiful.  She was small in stature but taught me so much about faith.   Her favorite hymn was “I Love to Tell the Story.”  It has since become mine.  

This morning I was reading Jeremiah 23 and in it the Lord says, “’So then, the days are surely coming,’ declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’  Then they will live in their own land.”  This passage serves as a message of hope to Israel that their story has not ended.  They aren’t only going to be telling stories about how God moved and provided for their ancestors but for them as well.  

It made me wonder…what story am I telling?  Do I believe that God is on the move in my life and in my community now in such a way that I won’t merely recall past stories of faith but daily tell the stories how God is moving in our midst?  

I love to tell the story.

danielle kathryn