Hammocks, early morning walks on the beach, swimming, relaxing, reading my Bible while listening to the waves crash in on the beach, that's how I spent my holiday week off.

Some good friends of ours, invited me to go along with them to El Salvador to spend the week at a vacation rental that they rented. I was very excited when I got the invitation! and was anxiously waiting for Monday morning to roll around, and finally it did. Early Monday morning, June 27th, me and 6 other friends, piled into a van on our way to El Salvador, ready to enjoy a week off  from school and our busy schedules, and just be able to rest.

Anyway, so, when we finally got through the border in El Salvador, after a very long day of driving, we finally arived at the house where we were going to stay. I had seen a few pictures of it on the website, but they seriously didn't do the place justice! As I stepped out of the van and through the gate, I could hear waves crashing over and over again onto the beach, and as I continued walking, I saw the most beautiful sight ever! A huge and vast ocean that stretched for miles and miles under a sunseting sky. As I ran over to the gate to stand and contemplate the beauty that I saw before me, I knew that the week was going to be a good one, and I just stood there awed by the beauty before me.

The next morning, I woke up and went and sat on the patio outside with my Bible and just sat and stared at the ocean, it was honestly the most peaceful setting that I have been in for my morning devotional. During the rest of the week, this continued to be my morning routine, sitting on the patio, listening to the waves crash in the ocean and read my Bible. Other times, I would simply go for a walk with Rebecca on the beach and we would both just stare and be amazed at the beautiful creation that God has created.  But more than just a good week with great friends and memories that will last forever, I found rest and peace for my heart.

I have lately been struggling with some different things in my life, things inside of me, things that only time with the Lord would fix. My week in El Salvador helped me to find that. Everytime I would look out at the ocean and hear the waves crashing in, I was reminded of God's sovereignty. I was reminded that, everything in my life is under control. He reminded me that, no matter what happens, and no matter where my journey leads me, He will always be right there beside me, and that all I need to do is hold on to His hand and trust Him, and He will guide me and make sure that I am okay. Even when things seem like they aren't very clear, and I begin to doubt him, He is still in control, and that, as long as I let Him, He always will be. That my identity is in Him and only in Him, and that, having him in my life, is more than enough.  Ah, what a great reminder!

So as I am back into the swing of things back at home, back to my crazy and busy schedule, I now have new strength to carry on and to fulfill the plans that God has for me for this year and to do what He has called me to do.
I am so very thankful for my week in El Salvador, it was great to spend time with some great friends and to experience a new place. But most of all, I am thankful for God's faithfulness, for always being constant in my life. I am thankful for having been remined of His greatness and reminded of the fact that He has me in His hands, and He will keep me safe. I am thankful, so very thankful,  that I was able to find true rest and peace,  in the beauty of creation.