A RARE DAY MOON COMING OUT OF THE WATER'S EDGE!

Anthony saw a rare day moon coming out of the waters edge today while GoPro'ing. The waves were big and rough when I decided to join him in the water w/my boogie board while he was filming. I stood at the edge a little nervous because it looked pretty brutal out there (original plan to snorkel got instantly cancelled w/the conditions.) The waves that were crashing into shore were knocking everyone off their feet & dragging them in, clothes and all.

Not one to be a sissy, I headed out. Anthony started to film me as we talked, when all of a sudden we realized a set had rolled on top of us & we were in the impact zone. I ditched the board to go under. It was so strong I heard my neck crack & thought, "Hope I'm not paralyzed!" I popped up only w/seconds to breathe before I was hit again and sent rolling on the bottom. The waves rolled in...one right after the other, "4" MORE TIMES! I was smashed over & over again. I thought..."This is it?" I have no more air." As I prayed under water, "Jesus, please save me," the last wave finally rolled me up, instead of sucking me back out, close enough to where I could touch. I never even had a moment in between the waves to try to grab my board. I was lucky to gasp even a little bit of air while trying to spit out the salt water I'd swallowed.

As I struggled to pull my bathing suit up, I guess I only managed to get the front up because Anthony finally realized that I was in trouble (he'd made it out of the impact zone after the 1st wave...every man for himself) when he turned around to see my big ol' bare butt hanging out as I scrambled for the safety of the beach! LOL!!! Yep, I was a flasher today. I seriously was so out of it I had to sit at the edge of the beach to regroup. WOW! I need to listen to my instincts (rough, brutal, large surf) DO NOT ENTER! 

**Disclaimer: I walked past a group of about 7, 18-20 year old boogie boarders/body surfers who had been caught in like me & they were saying to each other, "That was crazy, the only way I got out of there was getting lucky enough to catch one of the waves in. They didn't go back in again after that either! I'm not such a big sissy SEE! Just a flasher!!! Anthony even came in after a while and said, "WOW that was rough!"

Hahahhaha my life! 

Here's my hubby's reaction after getting held under for a while too:

 

***Check out the war wound on my arm...not sure if the leash got wrapped around me or what?

 

Here's a Little Escape Today

It's almost the weekend and I wanted to give you a little something to look forward to...beach anyone?

Summer, Waves & Surfing

Huntington Beach, CA Pier
(double click pictures for larger view)

this little guy was walking with his grandma
& wasn't too sure about the crab he found!


always so much to see at the beach

have to stretch...before surfing

Catalina Island in the background

Newport Beach, CA

While Jullien was here visiting/recuperating, he was finally healed up enough to go surfing. Unfortunately, the waves weren't cooperating, but when you're a surfer, you learn to make due...which is exactly what he did on this day. It took us a few stops (Newport Beach first & then finally ending up back where we started in Huntington Beach.)

Normally he likes to avoid the pier crowd & head down to the cliffs, but when the waves are small, the pier usually has the largest waves...so he battled the line-up (tons of surfers paddling for prime position) and caught a few.

Welcome to summer surfing in Southern California!

Flip Flop Vs. The Wave-Prayer Request Tuesday

After you read my true FLIP FLOP vs. THE WAVE adventure on Sunday...leave your Prayer Request~It's Prayer Request Tuesday. There is no better way to start your week than releasing all your worries and cares. Turn them over to the Lord today and allow others to pray on your behalf.

THE FLIP FLOP Vs. THE WAVE
By: Lisa Petrarca

“Oh no! Not my brand new flip flops!” Carefully setting the sandals on the highest part of the mini sand cliff, away from the pounding surf. I stood with my feet in the water, waves crashing up, soaking my board shorts, as I struggled to keep my camera away from the massive spray that proceeded.

I left the house in the morning planning on having a great day at the beach watching the Hurley US Open of Surfing Competition. The crowd was packed close to the water, trying to catch a glimpse of the final top two surfers, our local HB boy, Brett Simpson and Mick Fanning from Australia.

The tide began to rise along with the size of the waves. I struggled to get a good shot, fighting the surf and crowd. Before I new it a gigantic wave hammered towards us. I held my camera straight up over my head, looking back to check on my shoes, watching them spin inside the churning water, unable to grab them, they were washed out to sea.



Five minutes later, one shiny silver sandal appeared in the sand. I rushed to grab it…I no longer cared about who won the competition or my pictures, I wanted my other flip flop. We searched and searched…the other one never turned up.

The sand was blazing hot, I ran to the trash can to throw away my one flip flop. Next I attempted to make it from one shaded area to another as my feet started to blister. I wanted to cry it hurt so bad! Finally I couldn’t take it anymore so my husband took off his large flip flops as we reached the scorching asphalt. I didn’t care how they looked…3 sizes to big! I was in pain and needed relief.

How many of us try to make it through life by ourselves? Handling all of our problems, finances, worries and cares alone. Saying, “I can do it, I’m a strong person, I don’t need anyone!” But the troubles mount, the pain begins to build, we can no longer cope with things alone. We need help, running for one shaded area after another…temporary relief.

Sadly, what we don’t realize is, just like my single flip flop, we are not meant to work alone. I could not make it across the mile long stretch of sand with one shoe, just as we cannot make it through this life without our Lord’s help. He sent His son, Jesus to be an example, to die for our sins and to teach us to turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer and supplication for EVERYTHING!

Don’t hop through life alone, He is waiting for you to ask for His help!

The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit O Lord my God.
Jonah 2:5,6

Ride The Big Waves

"I'm too scared...I can't touch the ground out there," Josh shouted as he continued to stay close to shore. The crystal clear blue waves, perfectly formed, came crashing to the shore in a foam of white wash. Josh happily jumped on his board as the foamy white water approached, standing up on his board and riding it for a few seconds to the shoreline.

My husband tried to coax Josh out to where the real waves were. He would head out deeper, but keep jumping off his board to make sure he could touch the sand without having his head go under water. If he ventured out too far and could no longer reach, he quickly paddled closer to the shore.

Finally one bright sunny, summer day, Josh laid on his board trying to summon more courage...heading out a little deeper, when a small, well shaped wave approached. My husband shouted out, "This one's yours...go for it!" Feeling more confident due to the encouragement he was receiving, Josh quickly turned his board around, hands moving in a wind mill motion through the water, prepared to ride a real wave. At precisely the right moment he stood up on his wobbly board, whisking through the wave, water spraying, his eyes squinting, white teeth sparkling as a huge smile spread across his face. "Yeah...this is AWESOME!" he screamed out over the booming of the waves. He had experienced the thrill of surfing. He also overcame his fear. Josh would never surf the foamy waves of the shore break again.

Our relationship with God is similar. We are safely near the shore, our feet securely touching the ground. We all seek and crave stability in our lives. When God starts prompting you to go out farther, beyond where you can touch, you immediately shrink back in fear.

This is human nature, fear of the unknown can often stop you in your tracks. But God is out in the "BIG WAVES." He knows what he has planned and wants us to trust him. It may be scary at first, but you'll never experience the joy, exhilaration, happiness and the complete freedom he has planned for you unless you stretch yourself.

It all begins with your prayer life. You need to spend quiet time alone everyday with God. Asking for his wisdom, peace and protection over your life. Ask him to help you let go of everything you know and take you into the deeper water of his love. Out in the incredible, blue, clear, beautiful waves of life that he has planned for you!

The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 145:14-19