refreshed and renewed (hopefully)

one of the consultants just returned from a 4-month sabbatical in which she sailed around the Caribbean, island hopping the entire time (doesn't that sound awesome????!?!) with her significant other.

now, this woman isn't the nicest in the world - kinda rough around the edges, not very tactful. you know, one of those people who doesn't really know how to...finesse anything. she's gruff, and sometimes kinda mean, barks orders at you, always yelling...you know what i mean..one of those.

anyway, to be honest, i was kind of dreading her return. things have been peaceful with her out in the middle of the sea somewhere.

but i guess the island air (or Jesus Himself!) did her some good. she came back calm, more soft-spoken and even brought back gifts!! i guess if i spent 4-months going from tropical island to tropical island, i'd be smiling and happy as a clam too. so i don't blame her one bit! my prayer is that her newfound niceness will last, even as the euphoria of a 4-month vacation wears off. Jesus does change hearts! i pray that He changes mine too, so that even if her less-nice self returns, that i'll feel differently about her.

anyway, she brought me this beautiful pareo from St. Lucia. well, she brought several, one for all the women here, and let me choose one - there was one that was obviously created especially for me because it is something i would have bought/picked out myself!! it's gorgeous.

it's officially official - i must definitely go on vacation so i can sport my new pareo on the beach.

*i'm doing the hula right now*