Saturday at Sea and Easter Events

Four weeks ago today we were enjoying a sunny Saturday at Sea as our ship journeyed back from Barbados towards San Juan at the halfway mark of our glorious two-week cruise.

We really didn't do much on this day as we mostly enjoyed reading on lounge chairs and swimming in the ship pool to cool off from the hot sun beating down on us.  At one point we got off our chairs to watch a couple of crew members do spectacular ice sculptures:

We love "at sea" days as we usually take in a dance class or two and enjoy the amenities on board like watching a movie on the big "MUTS" screen by the pool.  We couldn't believe we were half-done our adventure but ever so grateful for all we'd seen and done.   On Sunday our ship would drop off some passengers and then welcome many of our fellow Canadians who were joining us for our second week during Ontario "Spring Break".  More on "part deux" of the trip to come!

Back to reality though as we celebrate Easter and the true meaning of life here on earth - embracing the love and sacrifice of God and His Son Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord!  Yesterday we celebrated Good Friday by attending church in the morning.  It's a holiday here so everything is closed and we hold our festivities in the a.m. and then Hubby's family gets together for an early Easter dinner.

Our pastors planned a beautiful Good Friday service and for communion we were reminded of our sins when we were instructed to grab a nail out of a passing bucket - these nails symbolic of our sins and Jesus' purpose for being nailed to the cross and dying to pay the price of these sins.  Later in the service, as we got up from our seats and journeyed to the Lord's Table for communion, we threw our nails back into the bucket, symbolic of giving our sins to Jesus and then partaking in communion, celebrating the gift of His life and resurrection.

Later, in the afternoon/evening, Hubby and I joined his family for a feast of turkey, pork tenderloin and corned beef and the trimmings as we caught up with each other around the table.  I had baked on Thursday and along with Hubby's trifle for dessert, the family enjoyed some Easter cookies.

This morning Hubby and I got up early and helped clean at the local food bank/drop in centre our church supports.  If truth be told, I was a little apprehensive to go but because it was out of my comfort zone I knew I needed to go and I'm so glad I did.  It felt good to give back in the community and as God leads I will need to be obedient and go again.  

I was pooped when we got home and had a quick nap before putting together the crust for a soon-to-be lemon meringue pie for tomorrow and hosting friends for dinner.  Thankfully I didn't need to cook and Hubby picked up Chinese takeout.  So far it's been a busy Easter weekend... but a good one!

Looking forward to church tomorrow... and continuing to share with you our Caribbean tales!

God bless you and your family this Easter and may you embrace the sacrifice Jesus made so we could be found righteous in God's sight!!