riviera maya part 1

Side note: So, it's been a while since my last post... like, seven months. Long story short, Lane and I started this nutrition program at the beginning of August, and it morphed into a home business by the end of August. When we started doing it as a business, sacrifices had to be made. I refused to sacrifice the quality of my day job as a full time mom, so instead I quit blogging. I also quit housework... Just kidding! (sort of)...
These past few days, for the first time in seven months, I have had time to come up for air. I finally have a few free minutes, so I decided to blog. Because honestly, I really enjoy it. Also, I want this blog to be a place for my kids to come back to one day and read about what went on while they were kids because, according to my mother-in-law, if you have a good childhood, you don't remember it, and I like to think my kids are enjoying a pretty sweet time of their lives.

I finally have this time to blog because we are away from daily life. From work and home and kids. We have been given an incredible gift of an all-expenses paid trip to the Hard Rock hotel in beautiful Riviera Maya, Mexico.

 

This is all so unreal to me. I am shocked that we won this trip, that we are here in this world of aqua blue water, private rooftop terraces, and unlimited tacos... I am shocked that this blessing has been given to us.

 

I have not told many people this, but here is the truth about this trip: I prayed for it long before it was ever a reasonable possibility. I prayed for it long before God had given us this little home business, long before we had met most of the amazing people on our team, long before the opportunity was presented to us.

Last year, my mother-in-law won the Downton Abbey sweepstakes. The SWEEPSTAKES. She was flown to England with a guest (her sister) and they were whined and dined and whooped it up with the cast of Downton Abbey and had a fabulous time. She had prayed for that trip.
Another dear friend of mine went to Hawaii last year. She surfed, soaked up the sun, and developed a deep love for coconut rum. The travel of the trip was completely paid for. Years earlier, she had prayed for that trip.

Inspired by these stories, I mentioned (more like mumbled) to the Lord in passing how a free trip to a tropical location for Lane and I would be nice. "I understand if it doesn't happen, Lord. I don't deserve it. But... it would be nice."
And truthfully, I didn't really believe it would happen. I believed it for other people, but I didn't believe it was possible for me.

But my God is in the business of lavishing undeserved gifts on undeserving people.
My God is in the Grace business.

 

So here we are, by the grace of God, in an incredible resort in an unbelievable place, being outrageously spoiled.
I have learned so much from this experience, but here is the key take-away: never underestimate the goodness of a God who wants to bless your socks off.

PS: one year ago, a kitchen tour, and Judah looking SO little!