A Hammock Like Me

On my first adventure abroad, I visited Honduras for a short term mission trip.  I worked at a feeding clinic in a small village and spent my free day shopping in Valle de Los Angeles (Valley of the Angels).  One of the acquisitions of the day was a hand woven hammock.

I have kept that thing indoors for about four and a half years.  I hung it for two years in my dorm at school, and the rest of the time it was just waiting for the day when I had a home instead of an apartment.  This year I was able to hang it outside "permanently" for the first time.  And it was good!

Happy Hammock

One day when I returned from work, I found my happy little hammock in pieces.  It looked as if a pack of wild dogs or a piece of industrial farm equipment had attacked it.  Not sure which one is more likely in this part of the wood.  Anyway, I knew that hanging a handcrafted hammock in the elements was a risk, but I thought that it was worth it to have a hammock that does its job instead of a hidden art piece.

I took it down, placed it in a bag, and said that I would get to fixing it when 1). I had more time and 2). when I wasn't so emotionally frustrated by the potential loss of my very first souvenir.  That day came about three weeks later.

Hammock Scars (AKA...Caroline Tied Knots!)

Yesterday after work, I sat in the sun for 3 hours to repair it.  In that time, I did a lot of thinking and I was visited by the sweetest sounding little hummingbirds who enjoyed my feeder.  I am thankful for the time that I spent fixing it even though it wore me out.

And here is the revelation I got:

That little hammock is like me!  It was beautifully made with love, and it spent a good while protected from the hard things in life.  But while it was "safe", it was not doing its job.  When it was placed in a position to serve, it served well.  One day it got hurt, but someone spent a lot of time to lovingly piece it back together.  And though it has scars, it has stories to tell.  It will continue to do its job, and it will continue to be a happy little hammock.

SAME GOES FOR ME!  I thank all those who lovingly spent time with me after moments of trial and hurt.  It is because of you that I can serve well!  And my scars will be a testimony to the world that we can't stay in a place of safety and still expect to live out our lives to the fullest.  In all honesty, its in the moments when I find myself broken that I can truly see the love that goes into me.  *smiles*

Blessed to See the Hummingbirds Come to Drink

A Video from Training Camp

This is just a short video from World Race Training Camp for those who like the video blogs.  (hrumph hmm...ELIZA!)  *cough cough*

To read more about training camp: http://carolineritchey.theworldrace.org/

Biltmore on a Budget

Because we are part of the Southern Highland Attractions, employees of the mountain can get into other attractions for free or discount, and of course we return the favor to other SHA members.  This afforded me the opportunity to go to Biltmore House and Gardens with my mother who came to visit me for a week.  I never thought I would go because of the price, but believe it or not, I was able thanks to my current circumstances.

Mommy and I eating our lunch on the lawn.

Once we arrived we enjoyed a picnic lunch on the lawn (a good budget saver since the food there is expensive), and it makes you feel like you own the place for a moment.  :-)  That evening we used a gift card to go to dinner nearby.  Other than food, our complementary tickets were all inclusive.  So for the whole day we didn't spend over $20 for the two of us.  YAY!  Here are a couple photos for you all:

The view from the Italian Gardens

Note the little bee that Photo-bombed this one!