Genesis 1:31

The blue cloudless sky hung above. The cool breeze flew through my hair. Water droplets splashed on my sunburned skin. The bright yellow sun-rays shone on my face. Sweat beaded around my neck and forehead as I dipped my oar into the water; slowly rowing alongside the canoe. 7 a.m. and we were already on our way. 

"Faster, Kelle!" Diana called from in front of me. She turned around and smiled at me; resting her oar in her lap. Little strands of hair twirled and curled around her long messy braid and flew across her face. 

"I don't want to ruin it," I replied. 

"Ruin what?"

"This feeling; being perfectly content. I'm afraid if I move, it will all just disappear."  I looked around; the waters were so still. The silver tips of the wave ripples shone brightly as if from a dream. I pushed my sunglasses over my head, holding my "summer hair" back, and focused on the islands about us.  Diana looked too. She stopped and sighed, knowing exactly what I meant. We sat still for a moment in the middle of the lake; breathing it all in. Then without a word, we quietly began to row again; this time faster. The island in the distance drew closer as our arm muscles tightened.  Every inch of our bodies wanted to stop and rest; but the excitement rushed through us and we persisted on. Reaching the shore and desperate to cool off, I jumped out of the canoe into the ankle deep water and climbed up on the island. For fear of being marooned, we pulled our canoe on the land; running up the hill to the top of the island. We could see for miles. The tall trees rustled and blew back and forth above us. We sat across from each other on the ground and opened our Bibles for our morning quiet time; perfect bliss. "All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being." {John 1:3}

A motor boat hummed in the distance as it made dock next to our canoe. Two voices murmured softly and then drew closer. Diana looked at me with a puzzled face and suddenly Dad's smiling face appeared followed by our brother-in-law. Both of their noses were sunburned but they were smiling. We laughed as they began to tell us their fishing adventures. They had been fishing since five that morning; just when the mist forms over the waters and the sun is still below the horizon. Just before they left, Dad informed us that breakfast was ready back at the cottage. We packed our Bibles and journals and ran down the hill.  Rowing back as fast as our sore arms could move; we could almost smell the pancakes. We tided up our canoe and raced across the dock, up the hill and into the cozy little cottage.  The family was already sitting around the table as we kicked off our shoes and dropped our bags. The smells emitted from the kitchen as Mom and my older sister flipped more pancakes. We sat around together eating, laughing and passing our nephew around trying to decide what grand adventure to take on next. 

It was a beautiful weekend at the lake house; such a relaxing time away with our family.  It seemed there were so many things to do and so little time. We got up early each morning and went to bed late at night; who needs sleep when you are on vacation anyway? We jumped from one activity to the next. 

"Let's go biking!" Adam suggested. So we all would go biking. A few hours later we were found in the garage digging out the rackets and heading to the tennis courts. The next day we kayaked to the island and swam in the crystal clear lake. I can't describe every little feeling of happiness I felt that weekend. Sometimes I would just stand and watch my family figuring out the kayaks, or digging in the bushes for lost tennis balls. Sometimes I would just stand and watch the waves brush against the rocks. I would close my eyes and listen to the birds and the trees sing; all in awe of a wonderful Creator. "O Lord, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions. Here is the sea, great and broad, In which are swarms without number, Animals both small and great." {Psalm 104: 24-25}

At night after our exhausting day out on the lake, we all would climb back up the long rocky driveway to our cottage. Sometimes I would walk slower, falling behind the group to admire the warm yellow lights coming from the cabin and listen to the sweet sounds of happiness and delight coming from my family as they shared funny memories of the day.  We enjoyed dinners together; talking and sharing each others company. Dishes were passed and hungry stomachs waited for Dad to pray a blessing over the meal. After dinner dishes were done, we would bring out the games and play until our eyes couldn't stay open any longer.  

Sunday morning we met on the island and had our church service.  We looked around us at the beauty that God created and marveled at His hand. We felt so blessed and so unworthy. The beauty of each little fish, each wild flower, each tree and blade of grass, each rock beneath the waters, each moment of silence; they all praised the name of the Lord. 

Sadly, all the good things had to come to an end. Diana, Jon and I spent our last day playing hide and seek in the cottage and kayaking on the open waters. We were all silent; trying to soak up our last few hours. We sighed to ourselves and waded in the rocky water.  I watched as the kids swam out toward the sun; laughs echoing. We rowed ourselves back to the dock as Dad, Mom and Adam came up behind us in the motor boat. Dad looked at us and soaked up our smiles. Then he whispered those dreaded words, 

"Time to go home." 

We packed up the van and began our long drive home. We silently reminisced at the happy vacation we had. The golden sun sunk down behind the trees as if saying goodbye. Wishing it wouldn't end, I looked back longingly at the town and dreamed of rewinding time. Such happy memories we had. 

"God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." {Genesis 1:31}