Read the next four posts like this:

Scroll down to "Cruise Collages: Part 1 and read backwards to Part 4.

I really tried to get them in order, but it didn't happen!

Cruise Collages...Part 4

Our second "port of call" was Royal Carribean's private island. Thankfully we had some great sunshine in the morning because by noon the rains had come and the rest of the day was a "washout". Again, it didn't dampen our spirits. We stayed until close to 2pm and it did look promising, but since the island is small it is "hit or miss". But it truly was fabulous and gorgeous and Jared got to see the Carribean waters for the first time!


I like the picture to the left below, because, not only is it a good belly shot, but you can see the lifeguards getting everyone out of the water. It looked promising, but since there was lightning, no one could go in the water.

This was the last night. I look happy and relaxed, don't I? If you've never seen the inside of a Cruise Ship, it's really somthing. The picture in the middle is the main dining/lounge area and I am posing just in front of it.

My highlights of the Cruise were both special things with Jared(of course!).
The first was the same night as the formal night. There was a couples "Romantic Dance Hour" and I told him "I don't care if it's just you and I"...well, there was just one other couple that danced when we did and a couple more that straggled in...and we didn't mind at all. It reminded me that we need to dim the lights and put on some "date night" songs and dance more at home!
The second was the last night after we had taken in a little bit of the show, Jared led me out to the deck. It was amazing, because we could see the stars (I had prayed for this for 'at least one night') and then the great, vast sea below. I was a little leary with a fear of heights and deep water, but we lingered and sang and truly worshipped. I won't forget what it felt like to be out there and be lost in the wonder of Him.

I don't know if a "getaway" is possible for you and your husband/wife. But, it is so worth it, and I hope you get a gift like this soon!

Cruise Collages...Part 3

As we were told before we sailed, one of the highlights of a cruise is the food. This was certainly the case for us, especially the dinners. They were all gourmet and we didn't have to worry about finding the cheapest thing because it was "all-inclusive". We got to enjoy a couple of hours of uninterrupted conversation, order appetizers, multiple entrees (sounds like gluttony, huh?) and fabulous desserts. And, we very much enjoyed the wait staff.

Top right below is our waiter, Komang, from Indonesia. (We loved how many international cruise staff we got to meet!) He did this trick the first night. He balanced four forks entirely through toothpicks! He truly was such a great waiter, so friendly and gave excellent service. The men in white are chefs who we cheered the last night...they truly prepared some amazing things! On the bottom left is our waiter Komang and another man (don't know his name) from Belarus-singing into a pepper mill!-as they sang for us. It was so fun!
Doris, who sat with us each night, is in the teal shirt.



The same day that we went to the Bahamas there was a "formal" dinner. I had this great comfortable dress from my twin sister that I loved! They took formal portraits on the ship, but I'm so glad that we didn't get them, because I love these candids so much more!

I loved the towel bunny that was on the bed in our room...I think these touches make you feel so special!
Below on the right is Doris, again, and her friend Shirley. They had taken the red eye in from LA to come on the Cruise. They were really terrific young women. They are both Chinese-American believers who grew up together and went to UCLA where they were involved in InterVarsity. We got to hear their testimonies one night, and it was just really great to meet them!

Cruise Collages...Part 2

I think it's very funny how I look so happy in the photo to the left. I think it's because even in my pregnant state, I look pretty tiny compared to our BIG BOAT!!! Jared is on the right posing on the main shopping street, "Bay Street" in Nassau.


Below are our several attempts to take a picture of ourselves by the beautiful waterfall along the "Queen's Staircase" and the one on the bottom right is when we were coming back down and found another couple to take our picture for us.

This was a gorgeous tree in the center of town that I think is beautiful no matter how edited. It makes me think of the verse I have long loved in Isaiah 61 "They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."

I took these pictures below for my Aunt Debbie. It was a memorial to the Bahamians lost in the "Great War" (WWI). I just found out on her visit that all three of her sons will be in the military. One is currently serving and two are preparing. I thought she would really appreciate it. As soon as she read it, she said it did give her chills, calling it beautiful poetry.
In case it is too difficult for you to read: "Bahamians, let this of you be said: 'That you who live are worthy of your dead.' These gave their lives that you who live may reap a richer harvest, ere you fall asleep."

Cruise Collages Part 1...

Well, as I said in my earlier post, my Aunt Debbie came down to visit with us and to watch JJ so that Jared and I could get away for 3 nights and days...it was a belated 5th year anniversary celebration and both of our birthday gifts to each other, a getaway before Susie comes, and a "splurge" we can hopefully do again at some level (for our 10 year anniversary??). Needless to say, it was such an incredible gift and one that we purposed to not take for granted during it...as all of you who have kids know, it is so much more "special" and cherished to have that time alone together, even though you miss the little ones very much.

Here we are at the "set sail" (I think that's what you call it). The weather was alot like these pictures during the cruise, but we did see a little sun and nothing could really dampen our spirits:)
We left from Port Canaveral just 40-45 minutes from our house! This is one huge reason why a cruise is a relatively inexpensive option for us.


Our first "port of call" (all of the cruise terms that I became familiar with will be in quotes:) was Nassau, Bahamas. This collage is a tribute to the bright, happy colors all around the city. All of the city buildings were pink (lighter than in the picture) and I like that alot as pink is (one of) my favorite colors.


The pictures of me with the roses are in the very quaint courtyard of the historic church pictured in the bottom left above. The one of the white buildings where (I think) you can see our ship, is behind the scottish kirk (love that name). Unfortunately, as we were walking along the kirk property a native called out and literally asked us, "Do you want some weed?" Wow. I hadn't been to an island unless it was a part of a missions' trip, so to have so little time and see the need in things like this and the children running around, made us a little sad that we couldn't stay longer to "minister". (don't worry, we knew we were supposed to be "away and relaxing", but that really was on our hearts)
So, literally, it was a great time to stop and "smell the roses."

Here we are in an area called the "Queen's Staircase". It was really beautiful. I thought it was funny how in the top right photo you see me with my belly and it says on the plaque next to me "See for Yourself". So, for the many of you who have not seen me "fragrant" (as my mom used to say)...here you go! SEE FOR YOURSELF!!