Happy New Year's to You!

Hello all, we were extremely blessed to get to spend New Year's Day with some dear friends at our new favorite place in Antigua...Prickley Pear Island (http://pricklypearisland.com/). This is the sign that "Welcomes" you to the island...





This is the location of Miguel's Island Tour...they will cook you lunch, and I believe that drinks are included in the price of the package...




Me having a go with some of the natives...you will recognize Zach and Seth by their life jackets...the arms in black belong to Steve and Helen's daughter Bethan (7 next week), and the blue shirt is her older sister Branwyn (8). This is definitely a hard way to earn a living...I swallowed more salt water than is probably in the Recommended Daily Allowance.





Eli being his usual chipper self. He won't remember any of his time here in Antigua...but it won't take away from the roll he played in it. If he wasn't such a happy baby, it would have made our beach time much less enjoyable.




Zachary Columbus...the descendant of the better known Christopher Columbus. While Chris discovered an entire continent, Zach is really just pointing out the direction to the "Blow Hole" we were headed up to the "top" of the island to see. By looking at those ribs on him, and how his pants are almost falling off, you would think that Vonnie and I never feed him...the truth is he just hardly eats. Seth is only 4 pounds less than this guy...you better eat up Zach or you will have two bigger "little brothers!"




Bethan helping the boys get a small coconut off the palm tree here...as we were getting in the boat, Paul had to run back and pick off a coconut for Zach as his had been lost someplace. Vonnie said, it wasn't that big of deal, but Paul, Steve, and I all knew how "big" of a deal it wasn't. Zach was right on the verge as it was, we were afraid that if we told him his coconut hat been lost he might "lose it!" So it was a good call for Paul to go and pick up a coconut for the little man.

On our second trip to the "Blow Hole" I wanted to get a picture of the boys in front of the Air Base (In the distant background), but Seth was hiding behind Zach with his nose on Zach's spine. This was the moment he slipped out of hiding with his impish little grin.

Seth beside himself with exhaustion...he was hanging out on the sand not really moving. He was sitting there and his head actually began to bob as he was trying not to fall asleep. Being the Father of the Year, I was waiting for him to fall asleep and face plant into the beach...it didn't happen, but it was close.

All of the cuise ship folks had left by this point, and we had the island to ourselves...what a phenomenal setting, everyone just hanging out and looking at the boat anchored off the beach. The water looks like it could be in a swimming pool, and the sand is right out of a sand box. It is amazing that anyone would be able to visit this beautiful setting and question whether there was a God or not.

May you all have a blessed new year, and those who know the Lord continue to grow in Him, and those who do not; there is no better time to come to Him and accept Jesus as your savior. Love to you all.