My Bucket Runeth Over

 I set out to Chincoteague Island finally this week to cross an item off my bucket list. Every since reading Misty of Chincoteague as a little girl, I wanted to see the wild ponies that live on the island. I added to the dream by the determination to kayak along the shore of the island, and see them by kayak. In preparation,  I called the Chamber of Commerce, workers at the Refuge there, and kayak rental shops in the area asking them all if I would be likely to find the ponies by kayak. Honestly, no one was very helpful. They told me they are wild animals, and you never know exactly where they will be. Maybe I would find them, maybe not. Nonetheless, my sister Amy flew from AZ to join me, then we drove 8 hours, kayaks in car, on a wing and a prayer.

We headed out in our kayaks yesterday, crossed the channel between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands with a stiff wind and choppy waves. We knew the very strong wind would be in our face on the return trip. Not good...but we would batten that hatch when we came to it. For now, Amy asked if it was truly ok if the kayak tipped "that much" when motorboats zoomed by, and we kayaked in the stunning waterway along dangerous shoals of razor sharp oysterbeds, and tall islands of reeds.

It was Amy's second time ever kayaking. We headed towards the lighthouse, where we were told we might find ponies. We were blocked from seeing the distant shore by a small island of tall reeds, but we could see the top of the lighthouse and steered towards it. Another kayak came out from behind the reeds and warned us of the oyster beds as we rounded the edge of the reeds.
"Are the ponies that way?" I asked.
"Yes," they said, "Right in front of the lighthouse."
So we paddled furiously around the reeds. I am (sort of) ashamed to say that I called out to the new kayaker, Amy, "You're on your own! I'm paddling as fast as I can!"
She understood instantly, "Go!"
I am a strong kayaker when I want to be...and I wanted to be. I paddled furiously, rounded the bend and there they were! A whole herd of wild ponies, right on shore!!! We got hung up on the oyster beds briefly, but then paddled to shore and sat in wonderment in front of  the herd of wild ponies.

 We ate lunch in our kayaks watching the herd.  We  got out, waded through deep disgusting muck and walked up to within a few feet of the ponies. They didn't run away, but didn't come closer than abut 5 feet from us. It was incredible. They appear tame, but they are not. They are wild animals, and wary. When we walked too near, they moved away. So we stayed in our kayaks in 2 inch water, and watched them for an hour. It was as close to heaven as I may get on earth.

Later that afternoon, we sat on our hotel balcony overlooking the sound. I had just opened my computer to check email, and Amy was about to shower, when I saw a whole pod of dolphin start surfacing right under my balcony overlooking the sound! I shrieked to Amy, and we joyfully filmed the dolphin. Not only did they cavort for several minutes right in front of us before heading East, but a little while later, they came back heading West! They surfaced repeatedly as we watched and cheered. It was one of the most lovely days of my life. God seemed to be making a special effort to bless me.

As Amy and I returned from dinner overlooking the sound, having watched the lighthouse flicker on as the sun set, I said, "This has been a glorious day....I am feeling so blessed!"
"Your bucket runneth over," said Amy.
"That's good," I said, "That's exactly how I feel."
When God blesses, He does so lavishly.
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Psalm 23: 5-6
 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.