Can you spot it?  Right there in the upper left… and, no, that is not my hand over the lens.  I can only assume that it is the grace of God surrounding the giant cross built by the sun.

This is Puerto Rico, y’all.  I searched for a week, in and around the topography, the resort, the buildings, the food… everywhere.  “Please, Lord, give me a cross to blog about.  This place is so beautiful and I need to write about it.  But, Lord, you see my blog is about you and I need an image.  So, what do ya say?”

The entire week went by…nada.  I took one last walk on the beach before leaving to catch our flight.  And, let’s be clear~cross or not~ your presence, Lord, was everywhere.  SO, here I am soaking it all in one last time; taking photos with my camera phone, unable to see the screen with the glare of the sun.  I wasn’t really even trying to capture anything but the sight of the sea.  It wasn’t until later when I was going through my photos with indoor light that I spotted it.  You delivered.  Thanks, man.

Ahhh, Puerto Rico.  You have captured my spirit.  I cannot wait to visit you again.  You have taken my family on new adventures and created so many memories.  I see your beaches, your rainforest, your lagoons…  I have danced to the sounds of your music…  I have feasted on your cuisine (mofongo is my jam).  But, most importantly, I have heard you.

I had been curious, in advance of our trip, about the state of things in Puerto Rico~ even nearly two years after back to back hurricanes.  (Not cool, Irma and Maria.  Not cool at all)

I was intrigued by the visuals.  Still quite apparent, yet still thriving.  Street signs lay flattened on the side of the roads;  metal roofs folded like accordions atop of buildings;  businesses who struggled survived along side others who struggled and succumbed…

Then it sparked.  I had to know.  I had to pray.  I had to reach out.  I had to ask…

I have very few shy bones in my body (if any).   Everywhere we went, this self-proclaimed journalist came to life.  Every restaurant, every person, every place, every living thing.   I was so moved by their experiences, their will to rebuild, and their success in doing just that.

Take THAT, Mother Nature.  Who’s your daddy?

Nice try with your wind, your rain, your destruction.  My new Puerto Rican friends are filled with faith.  They love their home.  They have struggled, but they are winning.  Grace to God for that.  They will forever mourn those whom you’ve taken.  But their mourning fuels them to carry on.  

People, GO VISIT PUERTO RICO.  They need our tourism dollars for their economy.  God is ever-present there.  He is lifting them up higher than any hurricane could.  But, they need us.  They are American citizens who speak Spanish.  How cool is that?

If you enjoy spreading your wings, then Puerto Rico is your place.  The ocean front forts in Old San Juan are simply amazing and boldly withstood those hurricanes.  Guess they were nothing compared to the Spanish American war.  The history of the city itself with its pastel buildings, shops, restaurants (did I mention Mofongo?) will charm you.

Travel outside the city and you’re wrapped in a sea to mountain sandwich.  Climb waterfalls in the rainforest, and settle underneath of one to remind yourself where you are.  Befriend an Iguana and feed him your salad.

Take in the local fare.  The restaurants were a fantastic source of information for this “journalist.”  Everyone has a story.  They have lost, they have lived and they are succeeding with God’s grace.

Kayak in a bioluminescent bay at night… Watch plankton light up underneath the water as you paddle and fish fly through it like shooting stars.

Take a ferry to Vieques.  Dream of living there.  Dine beachside, wade in the warm water, and marvel at the wild horses.  Visit a ten-pew church with a steeple as tall as the sky… contribute by purchasing some local art…

There are signs of hurricanes past, but there are the faces of those who believe…who trust… who know that God is the Father …and Mother Nature can’t touch that.

#spotthecross#blogginforchrist#puertorico#vieques#sanjuan#elyunque