Grand Cayman- {Day 3}: Blow Holes/Starfish Point

Day 3: Monday

I started a new bible study right before we left so I took advantage of the scenery during quiet time.  Every morning I was in awe of His majesty.  Actually all week I kept thinking about how amazing of an artist He is.  The same God who told the sun to rise each morning, the waves to only come so far, and who created the seas.  After snorkeling one day, AB and I talked about how fierce (scary) the seas can be and how much respect we had for it after seeing all the abundant life underwater.  Isn't it fun to see life through the lens of our Creator, rather than our own?!  

We ventured out to the east side of the island to see the blow holes.  I had never seen blow holes, so I was impressed.  But my mom - not so much.  She's seen "real blow holes!" where the water really blew out. Haha!

But first...let's take a selfie!  And sorry for the picture overload...everyone wanted their picture in front of said blow holes! :)  Not to mention we only have 4000+ photos combined between our phone & DSLR.

Ace loved finding the sea snails.

 

These boys love their mimi & papa!

Still can't get over how beautiful the skies are there!!

Once again that evening (after naps) we made our way back to Starfish point.  With another stop by Rum Point for some ruuumm, of course!  This is also the evening, we (Kara, Justin, & myself) got stung by jellyfish larvae.  Ouch!!

Kara found a sea urchin.

We had the place to ourselves.  My mom stayed back with Chance since he was napping when we left and since the mosquitoes were so bad when the sun started to go down.  But check out the sunset.  That's my dad in the next two pictures looking for starfish.  This is also where he met a couple from Oklahoma, where he shared about my mom and they prayed with him and for my mom, right there under that beautiful sunset.

"Not all those who wander are lost."

 My parents will celebrate 40 years of marriage this November.  What an inspiration!!!!

Grand Cayman {Day 2} Rum & Starfish Point

We arrived Saturday afternoon in Grand Cayman and spent most of time, getting groceries, navigating our way around the island, and checking out the million dollar view once we arrived at the house.

It had been a long day of traveling, so Sunday we spent most of our time just relaxing and semi-planning out our week.  Being with such a large group and that Georgetown was almost an hour away, we had to plan accordingly so we could fit in what each person or family wanted to do.  We did manage to get out to see Rum Point & Starfish Point later in the evening.

The sun coming up...

I woke up and had my coffee and quiet time on the back deck.  Couldn't find a more picture-perfect place to study God's word.  The picture below is the view from our room......talk about waking up refreshed every morning!

The boys were such troopers the day before with all the traveling.  Now they were free to play & explore!

We found a fresh coconut on the beach, so my dad cut it open for us.  We ended up opening two up over the week.  Having fresh coconut is the best!  We used the "coconut milk" in mom's smoothies, was delicious!  If you look real closely in the next picture, B is on the beach and not real happy that daddy is way far out there.  He is the little black speck towards the left-middle of the picture.

Simply paradise!

Later that evening we decided to take a quick trip down to Rum Point.  We were only a few minutes from that part of the island.  We ended up getting a few rum drinks, taking a quick swim, and checking out the shops.  But first we took a few selfies! ;)

Can't go to Rum Point and not get rum!!

Later that evening, we all took a trip even further to the tip of the island -to Starfish Point. This was probably our favorite beach/place that we visited.  So neat to just walk out into crystal clear water and see starfish!  Also, not crowded and perfect for the kids.  I mean look at these two cuties!!!  Loving every minute.

Mom's feet

We learned later you aren't supposed to bring them out of the water.  Oops!  Aren't they just amazing?!  We all took turns holding them.  Such a sweet time!  And getting to watch the sun go down over the water - simply breathtaking!

We had to walk down a bit from where we parked, but the view on our way there.  I really can't get over how beautiful it was there!

Love this photo of mom.

"You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find you in the mystery 

In oceans deep

My faith will stand"

So many people have sent her that song ("Oceans" by Hillsong United) as encouragement. 

Perfect end to our first full day in Caymans!!!

Time to Fight!

  
We had an amazing week in paradise, where we forgot about our worries and what lies ahead.  Mom spent lots of time in reading and praying while on the beach.  Dad even met perfect strangers one evening at Starfish Point, where they prayed with him and for mom as the sun went down.  We saw God everywhere we went.  In the beautiful sunsets, in the clear blue water where life was abundant, and in the people we met.  

He granted us his peace all week long.  Allowing us to just enjoy each other, enjoy the precious time together.  We laughed until we cried.  We cried as we saw our Creator at his best painting the most amazing sunsets we'd ever see, during prayer with the sand between our toes, proclaiming His victory through mom.  And for the week, it was as if time stood still and things were the way they were before August 15th. 
 

We know we can't go back in time and really we don't want to go back.  For it is what lies ahead of us, that makes us grab our faith by the horns so to speak and watch to see what God will do.  We've heard lots of people tell mom she has lots of work ahead of her.  But to be honest, who doesn't?  We all have lots of work ahead of us.  Whether it be health related or not, we are all here for a specific calling.  It's up to us to follow, listen, and do the work in which He's called us. 

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:10

So while mom may have lots of work ahead of her, so do us kids.  We know we aren't going at this alone.  Mom has an army on her side and the greatest commander to ever walk this earth, Jesus.  So we will stand firm in our faith, take this by the horns, and fight with you mom. 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggles is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world..."

Ephesians 6:10-12

You've always fought for us!  You've always placed us and many other above yourself - now it's time to focus on you.  On what God is going to do through you.  He is calling you to something greater than we can could ever imagine and I am so thankful, we get to ride along side you.  Let Him work through you, in you, and through us.  May He purify you so that you become more like Him.  For it is in our suffering, we become like Him.  May your light shine brighter than ever before!  

If God is for us, than who can be against us?  Let Satan be sorry he ever messed you!  He has called us to be warriors!  And anyone that knows you, knows you aren't going down without a fight and I know He will equip you every step of the way.  He is rising up and doing a new thing in you, mom.  The old will pass away, the ancient ruins will be restored to what God intended them to be and this is where the light meets the dark.  Where healing begins.

 

 "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, 

and your healing will quickly appear;  

then righteousness will go before you, 

and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, 

and he will say:  Here I am."

Then your light will rise in the darkness, 

and your night will become like the noonday.  

The Lord will guide you always;

 he will satifsy your needs in a sun-scorched land 

and will strengthen your frame.  

You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.  

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins 

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

 you will be called 

Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." 

Isaiah 58:8-9; 10-12

Mom will soon be leaving for treatment at Hope4Cancer.  Through LOTS of prayer and conversations with doctors, personal testimonies mom decided this is her best option for treatment.  Since it's an alternative treatment center, she will have to pay for treatment upfront, prior to starting.  She will go for 3 weeks of initial treatment, then will return ever so often for check-ups.  Please continue to pray for discernment, peace, and healing.  We have started a GoFundMe to help cover some of the expense.  My family can't thank you enough for all the prayers this far.  Stick around to see what God is going to do through this amazing woman I have the privilege of calling "mom!" 

Standing and believing with you!  We love you madly mom! 

If you feel lead to give you can give here http://www.gofundme.com/eaikac