Beach Bullets

7/25/10 This bulleted list is synergistic. Just combine the parts to get my whole idea of a week at the beach with family, including 1 expectant mom, 4 grandparents, 5 adult kids, 8 kids, ages 8 and under. The scriptures are also just snippets from memory---they literally came to mind while typing and so contextually only have meaning to me and my list, not to their complete scripture references, which are not included anyway. I hope that is not irreverent or even illegal in the writing realm.

• Tennessee & Texas convene for 8th consecutive year at “Big Water” a Liles moniker for Seagrove Beach ---New Yorkers honeymooned in Bali instead. (The sea is His for He made it.)
• BIG crashing waves = fearless kids & fearful “on-watch” grandmothers, Shug & YaYa. (God has not given us a spirit of fear but power and love and a sound mind)
• Visits from other in Liles clan (12) beach year-rounders & visitors. (Be hospitable to one another)
• 1,000+ digital pictures among us---I just want 1 perfect (everyone looking) glossy of all the grands to hold in my hand. (May you see your children's children)
• "9 hole" and Bananagrams®---too late and too tired for Scrabble® & Boggle® this year (they they wait upon the Lord.....they shall walk and not faint or become tired/weary.)
• Beach read, latest “Tea Shop mystery” book, The Teaberry Strangler, goes virtually unread (excessive devotion to books is wearying)---and I thought it would be relaxing
• Disappointment = opportunity---non-working spray/splash fountain for kids at Seacrest/Rosemary led us to sledding in Costco boxes in grass bowl at Alys Beach--we shared out boxes with many on-lookers. (He called the dry land earth.)
• Corey, resident fix-it man---cars, AC, bikes and dishwashers and locator of “grass bowl” (by the sweat of your brow)
• Intracoastal Waterway boat ride for the “boys” with Captain Doug (cousin) allowing them at the helm (A generous man will himself be blessed,)
• Sandcastle building with cousins Grace and Anna---yes, there are some females in the Liles family, just not ours (He created them male and female and blessed them.)
• Eating out at a seafood restaurant---adults orders included grouper and flounder---kids orders included hot dogs and chicken nuggets (let them rule over the fish of the sea)
• Washer runs, dishwasher runs, kids run----constantly--(His bones are filled with youthful energy)
• Sleep is deep after hours of sun and water (He gives to His beloved even in their sleep)
• Red Bar for young adults with grouper (the best yet) and crab cakes plus Jay Liles on stage (the main draw) (Children are a gift from the Lord.)
• It takes a village---cooking, cleaning, feeding, diapering, sunscreening, monitoring swimming pool feats and ocean wave riding, de-sanding, biking, crafting in the morning, painting by the sea at twilight and crabbing at night, bubble bathing, storytelling, praying and singing to sleep, etc. etc. etc. (Serve one another.)

“It’s worth the drive.” 500 miles in 10 hrs. for Tennesseans and 800 miles in 15+ hrs. for Texans We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalm 78:1---I looked this one up.

Best Part of the trip comments---
Adults---time with family, seeing kids grow, building memories (Give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness)
Kids---“I got a Coke Zero on the boat.” “We have a TV in our room.” “We do too!” “Ice Age DVD.”

Hmm-m-m---looks like a bullet list of our memories are generationally different.