The Importance of Being Grateful

"Sit here" my new Venezuelan friend told me, regarding the speed boat that we were taking on our weekend trip to the beach,  "Here is more fun".

That should've been my clue that his definition of fun might be a little different than mine.  Before I could realize what "fun" meant, I found myself sitting in the front of a very fast speed boat going over some very large waves and holding on very tightly.  Hmm.  Not quite the relaxing ride I was hoping for.

My first thought/prayer was that I would not lose my breakfast, fall out of the boat, or both simultaneously, but then I remembered a quiet time I had done recently on how our lives should be marked by being grateful and decided that maybe if I concentrated on what I was grateful for in that moment I would A) arrive at the beach alive, and B) pass the time quicker.  Here is what I came up with:
1. My team of supporters back home who are praying for the health and safety of this trip.  Surely with so many people praying for me I will survive this.
2. If I don't survive this, I will at least be in heaven tonight
3. I had enough sense not to eat the empanada (fried dough with meat inside it) at the roadside stand this morning
4. I took American Dramanine which means I don't feel like I'm in and out of a high (I learned from experience that all motion sickness medicine is not created equal during my time in Costa Rica)
5. I know how to swim
6. Thousands of people ride in these boats every year and are fine
7. I have survived other crazy adventures such as zip lining and swimming in a water fall
8. wristbands
9. the opportunity to make new friends who take me on these sorts of adventures
10.  arriving safely at the beach and having a wonderful time the rest of the day.
Bonus:
11. The fresh fish (and I do mean a complete fish, complete with head, eyes, and tail) I had for lunch was actually one of the more delicious things I have eaten here.  I've come to the conclusion that fish and I can have a civil relationship if I can see the ocean where the fish was caught while I am eating it.
12.  I didn't get sunburned one little bit!

That's my list.  What about you?  And by all means- keep those prayers coming!
Sarah