Abby's Aquatic Adventures

It has been a dream of mine to for quite sometime to write my very own children's book. I knew that it would be called "Abby's Aquatic Adventures" and I knew it would be stories of her adventures with Marine Animals, but I never had a clear vision for how I wanted the stories to play out. Now I do! It hit me while I was in training for my trip to Rwanda. I wrote the story as soon as I got home. It's the story of two Manatees who learn to forgive the person who injured them severely. It's an important message disguised with the majestic wonder of Manatees.
Forgiveness has taken on more significance as I am preparing for my trip to Rwanda. These people have endured the most horrific of circumstances and have every reason to be angry and bitter. I learned the hard way, hanging on to that kind of anger and bitterness only hurts you and your loved ones. I experienced a "trauma" in my life and had a hard time recovering. This is going to be my message to Rwanda, that from that trauma, I chose to forgive. It wasn't my first choice. I carried the pain of it for 6 years before letting go. Even more amazing is one of the people responsible for that pain ran into me while I was working at Forest Home and told me while I was life-guarding, "I don't know if you remember me, but I am sorry if I was ever a bitch to you. I have been praying for you ever since." Not many people get that kind of random act of redemption. By the time that she offered that to me, I didn't need it anymore. The forgiveness was for myself and a way of letting go. I think we all still are tested constantly in some small way of this. I think when we have a hard time forgiving, because we do not feel validated by our pain or by the person who caused the pain. We want them to understand the pain they caused in order for us to forgive. I was tested of this in a recent relationship, and it took a little time to forgive and let go. This is a continued process that I am learning from and I am actively pursuing learning when I am trying reach out to a country that is in dyer need of forgiveness.
As Christians, we have the rare opportunity to always know forgiveness when we ask of it from God. We can also always get the ultimate validation of our pain from God. My favorite verse has always been a faithful promise and comforting validation of my pain when no one seems to understand. I am not in pain anymore, but my heart goes out to those that are.
2 Corinthians 12:9-12 (New International Version)
9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I realize this process can seem a dramatic view of sorts, but even in the smallest of situations, you can find this applicable.
I hope that this children's book will become a peace and comfort to a struggling child. As a child, they have unique view of this world that I aspire to live with. Their downfall is that often times, negative experiences can be viewed as a "trauma" and can wound them deeply, not to mention kids can be cruel and without a kind filter. This book should hopefully bring simply a concept that will last them a lifetime. I hope to make it into a series dedicated to educating children about different marine animals with a life message. Chris suggested I do fruits of the spirit. My next animal will be the Beluga, but God has yet to reveal to me the message he wants me give to the children. I am excited:)

*As a side not, please pray for the work I will do in Rwanda and for traveling mercy.