surfing safari!

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pics from the weekend...  and what i wrote on saturday night!

nora told me tonight, "this was the best day of my life".  it ranks up there with mine, too.

we got up this morning, loaded everyone in the car (the car had been loaded with things last night... exersaucer, etc.).  we dropped off james.  then christopher.  then headed downtown.  with plenty of time, which was good, since there was a parade and a race.

we got there, (i did some pumping) and met the group in the coffee shop.  bryan jennings headed up the day.  i introduced myself and went to shake his hand.  i was greeted with a hug instead.  that so set the theme of the day.  feeling like i was with family.  people i had known forever.

we met the actress and surfer, sonya balmores chung.  she was amazing!  she hung with nora all day long.    she was so sweet.  there were several others, three families and other instructors.  we walked down to the beach and had a devotional.  one of the things bryan shared was ephesians 3:16-21.  he talked about love, but what i heard was "to HIM who is able to do immeasurably more that we ask or imagine".  i felt like i was living that "immeasurably more" today.  he then prayed, and prayed for nora and her first day of surfing.  and for nora's daddy, his protection and safety.  tears were in my eyes at the end.

then it was time to get in the water.  now, nora is a good swimmer, but she's never been out that far in the water.  and she was going out on her own board.  with people i had just met.  and i really wasn't that worried.  she was excited.  and it was fun to watch her!

she paddled out between two of the girls... sonya and faith.  it was so fun to watch.  she ate it a few times in the water, but got right back up on the board.  bryan started working with nora and sonya, and they moved in a bit.  nora started getting up.  one of them would push her off, she would stand up, ride the wave, and then squat down waiting for someone to come.  eventually it was just sonya and nora doing that.  then they would paddle back out and do it again.  sonya said she caught over 25 waves.

we came home and napped, and headed back out to meet bethany hamilton and have dinner.  then, there was a movie screening.  nora was most concerned with seeing sonya again!  we got there early and were able to help out a bit.  then, bethany came in.  it was like when nora saw the disney princesses.  just in awe!  we all introduced ourselves and bryan asked both us and bethany some leading questions.  nora went over and gave her a big hug and we chatted for a few.

bryan asked bethany his advice to nora for surfing.  she told nora to keep at it, no matter how many times she falls in.  to keep getting back up.  by the way, they were all so impressed with nora.  it was so fun to watch her.  she was totally bit by the surfing bug!!!

nora and i chatted with bethany about the influence she has.  especially on nora.  it was not long after watching the movie, and numerous discussions that included the movie, that nora asked Jesus to be her Savior.  bethany told nora that she made that same decision at 5 years old, and that it was the best decision  she had ever made!!  it was so touching.

as we were leaving (when the movie started due to an EXHAUSTED four year old...), i poked my head in to say goodbye to bryan and his wife (we had bonded over babies on the beach).  bethany, sonya and her husband were still in the room.  sonya and her husband prayed for david, the family and me, while i stood there with my arms around her and bethany.  with tears again!

i cannot even begin to use words to describe what the day meant to me.  what it meant to nora.  the fellowship and fun that we had.  the immeasurably more that we were given today.  i know it doesn't always work that way.  but i am so thankful for it today!

i have a feeling we will see several of these people again.  but it's so awesome to know that if we don't see them here on earth, we WILL see them again in Heaven!  and now... i am EXHAUSTED!  to bed for me...