Lessons I'm Learning
I need to take a quick break from the travelogue and jot down some thoughts we've had lately. Experience is always the best teacher and over the past week we've had a few experiences that have helped teach us a few lessons. Some mildly thought-provoking, some trivial. I don't think any are truly profound but I still want to remember all of them.
A Day of Rest
So I said on Sunday that I didn't really know how to handle Sundays on vacation. We've been on our trip for 7 days now and tonight the kids asked if tomorrow could just be a rest day. They are tired and a little weary from us running them all over the state of Florida trying to pack in as much as we can. I think it's pretty ironic that on the 7th day they are totally ready for a day of rest. So it looks like I know how I should have handled (and will try to handle) Sundays on vacation! A day of rest, just like at home!
Travel vs Vacation
I think there is a difference between traveling and vacationing. I think of vacation as relaxing, sitting on the beach, the "spa" days, etc. Traveling is more of digging in and getting to know an area, people and culture. Now I'm not saying we are completely "traveling" on this trip but I hope it is more of a "travel" experience for our family than a vacation. Although vacation is worthwhile and awesome, I think travel can be such a rewarding way to learn about the world and the people in it.
Living Out of a Suitcase
I kind of like living out of a suitcase. It forces you to prioritize your belongings. It reminds you how little you really need to live and even to be comfortable. And it's interesting that even on a month long trip I really don't even need to fill an entire suitcase. I think the only additional items I needed to pack was fingernail clippers and regular size toiletries instead of the little travel size ones. Oh, and the boys might need haircuts while we're gone too.
1000 square feet
That really is all we need. It doesn't feel spacious but it is functional and workable and livable. It almost feels more cozy and connected. And I love that the kids don't even notice! Plus I love that I can lock up the house in like 15 seconds!!
Spiritual Crocodiles
Today we saw American Crocodiles. They are a lot bigger and creepier than the alligators. I had the devotional tonight and I found this video on Spiritual Crocodiles. We talked about what things in life are spiritual crocodiles for us and how we need to heed the warning to beware of them. It was a powerful analogy given where we are and what we've seen this week.
A Healthy Dose of Fear
Along those lines of spiritual crocodiles, it is interesting to watch our family and their attitudes towards alligators/crocodiles over this past week. Before we came, the kids were terrified but curious about them. On the first day when we learned there was a possibility of seeing an alligator on our canoe ride Kate almost refused to get in the boat. Now that we've seen them all over, the kids are forgetting how scary they can be. Today there was a large alligator on the side of the road. Jeff pulled the car over and got out to look at it. The kids tried to get out too but I locked them all in the car and said No Way! After our boat ride we saw some in the marina. The kids were so close to the edge of the dock and sea wall that I had to pull them back repeatedly. It's like the poem Jeff shared tonight:
Patterns and Perspective
It is interesting that we know the patterns and principles that work. We are taught them regularly in the gospel. Yet we don't always apply them to our circumstances even though we are confident that they work. When we do apply those patterns and principles more broadly in our lives, we find more success! I have loved having our daily devotionals and letting the kids be the leaders. I think they are learning a ton and we are having way more success than if Jeff and I tried to do it all ourselves.
A Sense of Belonging
I love how I feel when I see other Latter-day Saints and our buildings throughout the world. I loved driving out to Key Largo from Fort Lauderdale and seeing a building off in the distance and recognizing immediately that it was an LDS temple! The kids were surprised and excited to see a temple so far from home. I loved driving up to the church building on Sunday and walking inside and feeling that warm, familiar feeling of the Spirit and a sense of belonging even though we didn't know a single person inside that building.
Home is Where the Heart Is
Tonight Isaac said that when we stay at a house for a week you start to think it's your home and you are going to live there. What I love about that statement is that he feels like this is home even though we are on the other side of the country and have only been here for a week. He knows what "home" feels like and recognizes it no matter where we are. I feel the same way! I feel like our family could live anywhere and call it "home" and be happy. Makes me wonder sometimes about where we live right now.
The Little Things
The little things are often the things that make the biggest difference. For example, bug spray is a little thing. But it can make a HUGE difference in how much you enjoy an activity. It's also the little things that make my day wonderful. The times when my kids are getting along, seeing a glimpse of wildlife I've never seen before, observing my kids doing nice things for each other, etc.
A Day of Rest
So I said on Sunday that I didn't really know how to handle Sundays on vacation. We've been on our trip for 7 days now and tonight the kids asked if tomorrow could just be a rest day. They are tired and a little weary from us running them all over the state of Florida trying to pack in as much as we can. I think it's pretty ironic that on the 7th day they are totally ready for a day of rest. So it looks like I know how I should have handled (and will try to handle) Sundays on vacation! A day of rest, just like at home!
Travel vs Vacation
I think there is a difference between traveling and vacationing. I think of vacation as relaxing, sitting on the beach, the "spa" days, etc. Traveling is more of digging in and getting to know an area, people and culture. Now I'm not saying we are completely "traveling" on this trip but I hope it is more of a "travel" experience for our family than a vacation. Although vacation is worthwhile and awesome, I think travel can be such a rewarding way to learn about the world and the people in it.
Living Out of a Suitcase
I kind of like living out of a suitcase. It forces you to prioritize your belongings. It reminds you how little you really need to live and even to be comfortable. And it's interesting that even on a month long trip I really don't even need to fill an entire suitcase. I think the only additional items I needed to pack was fingernail clippers and regular size toiletries instead of the little travel size ones. Oh, and the boys might need haircuts while we're gone too.
1000 square feet
That really is all we need. It doesn't feel spacious but it is functional and workable and livable. It almost feels more cozy and connected. And I love that the kids don't even notice! Plus I love that I can lock up the house in like 15 seconds!!
Spiritual Crocodiles
Today we saw American Crocodiles. They are a lot bigger and creepier than the alligators. I had the devotional tonight and I found this video on Spiritual Crocodiles. We talked about what things in life are spiritual crocodiles for us and how we need to heed the warning to beware of them. It was a powerful analogy given where we are and what we've seen this week.
A Healthy Dose of Fear
Along those lines of spiritual crocodiles, it is interesting to watch our family and their attitudes towards alligators/crocodiles over this past week. Before we came, the kids were terrified but curious about them. On the first day when we learned there was a possibility of seeing an alligator on our canoe ride Kate almost refused to get in the boat. Now that we've seen them all over, the kids are forgetting how scary they can be. Today there was a large alligator on the side of the road. Jeff pulled the car over and got out to look at it. The kids tried to get out too but I locked them all in the car and said No Way! After our boat ride we saw some in the marina. The kids were so close to the edge of the dock and sea wall that I had to pull them back repeatedly. It's like the poem Jeff shared tonight:
Sin is a monster of so frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace.
Patterns and Perspective
It is interesting that we know the patterns and principles that work. We are taught them regularly in the gospel. Yet we don't always apply them to our circumstances even though we are confident that they work. When we do apply those patterns and principles more broadly in our lives, we find more success! I have loved having our daily devotionals and letting the kids be the leaders. I think they are learning a ton and we are having way more success than if Jeff and I tried to do it all ourselves.
A Sense of Belonging
I love how I feel when I see other Latter-day Saints and our buildings throughout the world. I loved driving out to Key Largo from Fort Lauderdale and seeing a building off in the distance and recognizing immediately that it was an LDS temple! The kids were surprised and excited to see a temple so far from home. I loved driving up to the church building on Sunday and walking inside and feeling that warm, familiar feeling of the Spirit and a sense of belonging even though we didn't know a single person inside that building.
Home is Where the Heart Is
Tonight Isaac said that when we stay at a house for a week you start to think it's your home and you are going to live there. What I love about that statement is that he feels like this is home even though we are on the other side of the country and have only been here for a week. He knows what "home" feels like and recognizes it no matter where we are. I feel the same way! I feel like our family could live anywhere and call it "home" and be happy. Makes me wonder sometimes about where we live right now.
The Little Things
The little things are often the things that make the biggest difference. For example, bug spray is a little thing. But it can make a HUGE difference in how much you enjoy an activity. It's also the little things that make my day wonderful. The times when my kids are getting along, seeing a glimpse of wildlife I've never seen before, observing my kids doing nice things for each other, etc.
This is my favorite post so far!! I love reading all of your insights. I agree 110%!! And I love what you wrote about Sunday. So true! Thanks for sharing!! Love you guys :)
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