A couple weekends ago, thanks to our good friends the Larlhams, the Love & Hope kids enjoyed an overnight outing at the beach! On Friday after school, the kids came home from school excited to pack their things and get on the way. After completing a little homework and loading up the cars, we made our way to Playa Pimental, our favorite beach in El Salvador.
We arrived in time to enjoy the ocean for a bit while there was still daylight. The tide was out, making for shallow water and calm waves – perfect for swimming. Some of the kids were in the pool splashing around before everyone was even out of the car. We stayed in the water and on the beach until the sun went down. The sunset was beautiful. 
For dinner, we made a campfire on the beach and cooked hot dogs and s’mores. As we ate, we enjoyed talking together and pointing out star constellations in the sky. It was a beautiful night.
A long week of school and an active afternoon at the beach gave everyone reason to sleep early. We brought along tents for some of the older kids; the younger ones slept in the beach house beds. Everyone rested soundly, falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves and a light breeze.
The next morning the kids were up bright and early (some by 6:00am!), ready to play. They were so excited to be at the beach. Because we didn’t have “normal” schedule to follow or chores to complete, some of the older kids enjoyed sleeping later, eating breakfast when they wanted and lying around in the hammocks.
The kids played all day, walking around the beach, collecting shells and sand dollars, burying themselves in the sand and “fighting” against the waves. It was a wonderful, relaxed day.
Thank you, Dan, Candy, Gideon and Judah Larlham, for providing the resources we needed for a great day at the beach. What a blessing!