~Martha's Vineyard~
Friday, June 26th, 2015
I will return her vineyards to her and transform her Valley of Trouble into a
gateway of HOPE. Hosea 2:15
I will return her vineyards to her and transform her Valley of Trouble into a
gateway of HOPE. Hosea 2:15
If I could spend a day anywhere---it would most definitely be here.
On this little island, a vineyard bursting with beauty and a resounding calm.
"May every sunrise hold more PROMISE and every sunset grant more PEACE."
~Blessing~
The older I get, the more I live...I realize that sometimes the most beautiful experiences of the heart can simply be soaked in. There's no way of spitting them back out that could ever do them any sort of justice.
It's here where I have felt most alive, set free----yet, God gently reminds me I'm actually on a small island trapped at the expense of a ferry boat to take me back to reality. The Holy Spirit inside me nudges to know why I find such peace in a closed off location. Closer to Jesus and farther from the mundane, maybe? But, still, I'm one to have a tendency to panic in small, tight spaces. Only God can offer this type of calm in the midst of a reality that is not normally tolerated. I will forever cherish the sweet conversations with my Savior (as well as, my guy) on this trip. They are more stones I will cement to the foundation on which I build my soul.
Last time I took all this beauty in, I was experiencing it for the first time with the blessed woman I get to call my momma. All the while, I was at the brink of a brand new phase of my life---motherhood was on the shore crashing waves of sickness, anxiety, excitement and a yearning for the new love into my every minute. That was 12 years ago. I am surprised at how I instantly fall right back head over heels in love with this island all over again.
Today, I'm standing locked hand in hand with my forever friend and true love. Together, yet very differently, we are soaking it all in. I marvel at the beauty of the homes and views while he searches their worth online and gaps in awe of the price. We joke constantly with one another, laugh continuously "with" and sometimes "at" one another (thankfully, after 15 years, you can do that and still know it's all out of love) and most likely make people near us uncomfortable with how much simple fun we are having.
It's rare to have 4 straight days together like this...no agenda except exploring the territory around us, which happens to be beyond beautiful and full of tons of history which warms your heart too. Wait, actually, we do have a reason to the adventure. We are attending a wedding tomorrow! Isn't that always good for the heart? Especially when it's in such a gorgeous setting and a sentimental story of forgiveness and redemption.
(*i'm finishing up this journal entry now that we are back home so I apologize for the change of present tense to past)
The moment we arrived in the city, we were treated like royalty. The wedding week was so very well planned for the family and friends. I enjoyed taking pictures to try to savor the sweetness of the week to share with our precious girls. Hopefully, these snapshots will do this cherished trip a tad of justice...
our hotel harbor
boston from the charles river
fenway park, the oldest ballpark in the country
still uses a manual scoreboard which was super cool to me
baseball is different round these parts, serious business
my monogrammed truckers hat and shorts with a bow and doilies surely showed i was a southern gal
the freedom trail the second time around was just as wonderful for me
jon endured it but was not overjoyed
i am keeping the remainder of the pics unshared so my girls can experience in reality and not on a screen
date night, again~never gets old
boston was good~the vineyard was beyond great
this "little" house sitting on the corner of the island with water stretching out all around it
be still my heart
lighthouse at Vineyard Haven
gingerbread cottages on Oak Bluff and Oak Bluff Lighthouse
then over to my favorite little town of Edgartown
my most favorite street on the island
(still amazed at how the dogwoods stayed standing from the weight of the beautiful blooms)
the harbor view inn where mom and I stayed on our first visit (front porch view of the lighthouse)
meet me "among the flowers"
still one of my favorite island spots
the beach near the Aquinnah Cliffs
the oldest lighthouse on the island~most breathtaking views on the island
recently moved back to save it from falling off the eroding cliffs where it is settled
recently moved back to save it from falling off the eroding cliffs where it is settled
adorable little inn where we had dinner and relaxed for a while before the sunset
just a simple organic meal full of the most flavor we have possibly ever tasted
the theme of the inn was clearly "the beauty of simple"
isn't this wholesome place setting amongst a farm table not the cutest ever?
the theme of the inn was clearly "the beauty of simple"
isn't this wholesome place setting amongst a farm table not the cutest ever?
this little fishing village has a front row, sandy seat for what is known as the best location to watch a sunset in the whole northeastern coast
it didn't disappoint
it didn't disappoint
black dog tavern~a island trademark
then, back on the ferry for a late night ride back to boston
coolest and largest farmer's market i have ever seen
one fun adventure we had was going on lighthouse and staple chases
i love all the steeples all over the island that point the way HOME
(as far as lighthouse, i posted last summer on my love and admiration for their beauty and purpose
so, of course, that was a given for this trip to the coast)
i love all the steeples all over the island that point the way HOME
(as far as lighthouse, i posted last summer on my love and admiration for their beauty and purpose
so, of course, that was a given for this trip to the coast)
the swan boat ride at the boston public gardens
known as the "perfect" new england chapel and hollywood adores it too
the bride's parents got married here many years ago too
im such a sucker for sentimental traditions
reception overlooking the harbor back at our hotel
and, here's what the little princesses did while we were away
the last night, mimi and granddaddy had to leave so it was going to be their very first night with an overnight sitter
to them it has been the much aniticipated event of the summer
months of excitement built up to this "slumber party"
and looks like this amazing young lady outdid herself with making it live up to even more than they could have imagined
"Home again, home again
jiggety jig" Moritz
the last night, mimi and granddaddy had to leave so it was going to be their very first night with an overnight sitter
to them it has been the much aniticipated event of the summer
months of excitement built up to this "slumber party"
and looks like this amazing young lady outdid herself with making it live up to even more than they could have imagined
"Home again, home again
jiggety jig" Moritz
1 comment:
So glad you got to go back to one of our favorite places!! The pictures were a beautiful reminder of our special time together. And looks like Mimi might get replaced as the babysitter! The girls had a blast and I'm going to have to get new tricks!
Post a Comment