Happy Easter and a missions trip!

We celebrated Easter early this year.  Really, its not so important the date as it is the fact that He is Risen!  Christ is risen indeed.  What a beautiful truth.  One that has set us free!  I'm so thankful for all that Christ has done for me!

Normally, we celebrate this holiday with friends and we have missed being with them this year!  Our plans were altered though and so this year we remained at home.  We celebrated on Saturday by attending church (I'm glad we had that option!) and having our Easter dinner a day early too.  

The reason ... Rebecca is leaving to go on a missions trip in just a few hours!  She will be going with a team from our church to the Dominican Republic!  They will be there for a week.  

She will be going with a team of 6 other high school students and two adults.  All female as it turns out.  This is Rebecca's first trip out of the country.  What a huge step.  One huge step that she will be making without her family there with her.  As her Mom, I can't help but reflect on the fact that she is growing up.  This this is the beginning of a path that will at times not include her family.  Its a little bittersweet as I would love to be there to experience it all with her.  I know this is all good though and is a part of letting go.  Trusting God to guide her, lead her and watch over her.

I know that God will use this team to change hearts.  Both the hearts of the people in the Dominican Republic as well as those on the team.  He is so eager to pour out His love to all of us!  Praying for open hearts to hear Him and to receive all that He is ready to give.

Praying for health and safety as they travel.  Praying for opportunities to share His love with all that they meet.  Praying that He would draw people to Him on this trip.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us"  Eph 3:20  It is so easy to stop short of asking God to do big things.  To trust that He can do more than we can even imagine!  Praying that HE would do so much more than we have asked or even considered!

So very thankful for my amazing daughter and her willingness and desire to go and serve in this way.   Praying that she would come to know and love God in a whole new way.  Praying for you often my  beautiful daughter and will look forward to when you return so that I can hear all about your trip.  I love you so very much!  Mom

 Happy Easter from all of the  Nelsens!

 Blessings
Leslie

Bird Island Florida

"Bird Island".  

What comes to mind when you hear that name?  Does it cause your mind to wonder?  Do you picture something like this?

Deserted.  Beautiful.  Amazing.

This was where we spent one of our days in Florida.  It took a bit of work to get there though.  The boat needed to be taken to the water a day in advance.  The boys took on this job.

Part of the fun was being able to drive the boat.  They very graciously allowed all of our boys to have a try at driving it. 

Daniel.

Isaiah.

Joshua.

The beautiful day gave way to an amazing sunset.

The next morning we headed out, in shifts, to make our way to the island.  

Still wondering about where we went?  An uninhabited island in Nassau Sound that is a sanctuary for a variety of birds.  

It was beautiful.  

There was very little vegetation.  Some sea grasses on the few sand dunes.  Lots of low water in the center of the island that was like one giant tide pool (the Eastern Coast variety).  

It was a great place to play games.  Frisbee.

And spikeball.  Did I mention how easy this is to set up and it all goes into a small bag?

It was a great place to walk and look for shells.  Just look at the shells!

Isaiah showing his collection.  

Plus this shell from a horseshoe crab. 

Of course, Eliana found the water.  It was very cold, so most of us weren't interested in being in it too much.  I don't think she notices the temperature at all!

I like this shot with the bird nearby.

The island was small and you could easily walk the entire thing.  I love this photo.  Don't you just want to go?

While I was walking the island I watched my sons.  (This photo reminded me a lot of one that I posted yesterday of Rebecca and Eliana.)  Isaiah following in Christopher's footsteps.  I'm thankful for the example that Christopher is to his brothers!

Magnificent bird.  Almost seemed to be posing for my picture!  (Is this a Heron?  Anyone know?)

And shells.  Laying in the sand undisturbed.  I love that we were able to find whole ones.  That just doesn't happen on the beaches that we frequent.  I remember visiting a private island as a child and finding lots of sand dollars.  I'm glad my children have this memory now too.

We took a ride around the sound and toward the ocean.

 Everyone enjoyed riding in the boat.  

The mast of a sunken boat on a nearby island.

The only downside was hitting a spot where the sand was high or maybe the water was low.  The guys did a great job getting us out!

After a lovely day, it was finally time to leave.  Thankful for pictures and memories of this special day with family and friends.

Blessings

Leslie

Another day at the beach

This day was a bit warmer.  I should have combined the posts on the beach, but I had so many photos to go through and so this will just be another beach post.  :-)

Just loved this picture.  Eliana amuses herself and has fun all by herself.  This is especially true at the beach.  She loves everything about it.  I think I could say this though about all of my children.  So many things to delight the senses and the spirit.  Truly the hand of God is evident in the majesty of the waves and the details of shells.

 They guys having a great time playing spike ball.  This is a fun game played in pairs that is related to volleyball in some ways, but really its own game.  The net is the circle that you see on the beach in between them.  They use a small yellow ball (in the air in this photo) to hit onto the net.  (You can find more info on this game here.)

 Daniel and Keaton are kings of the hill.

 For now.  The tide is definitely approaching!

 Cute girls walking in step.  (I have one for the next post that is very similar only of two of my boys.)

 Yes, we bring a large shovel to the beach with us often.  Its very useful for the large holes that my boys like to dig!  Isaiah is ready to work!

 Whether the water is warm or not, it is looking inviting to Daniel!

 The boys heading in for a swim.  It was much too cold for me!

 More spike ball with Christopher, Joshua, Jesse and Joe.

Rebecca and Keaton take a turn at it too.

 A fun way to write a message in the sand.  Time consuming too.  Rebecca didn't get it finished before we had to leave.

 Eliana getting a ride from her Daddy.

 Delight.  The water.  The sand.  Life is good.

 The construction project is underway ... and Eliana is finding her way in the midst of it.

 Playing frisbee on the beach.  I think this was the day that the ocean eventually claimed the frisbee for its own.  I wonder if someone else will find it and enjoy it.  I hope so.

 Finally feeling a little cool from being wet and getting cozy in a beach towel.

Another fun outing with our friends.  We are thankful for all of the beautiful weather we had on our vacation!

Blessings
Leslie