Passport

 Almost two decades ago I walked into the local post office and filled out the government required paperwork to purchase my first passport.  Four weeks later, I opened my mailbox to find a brown securely wrapped envelope containing my fresh printed passport; immediately, the plans of adventurous and exciting travel began dancing around in my head.  Now I could travel around the world if I so desired.  I could cross the majestic blue oceans and fly the friendly blue skies anywhere I wanted to go. 

 With my passport in tow, I was ready for my newfound freedom and adventures. I could step into any country, or on any Island and experience different cultures as well as, bring a bit of each culture back home with me by way of pictures and souvenirs.  Aaaah yes, how exciting,! what freedom!

Using my passport, I booked my first trip with a group of friends on the Carnival Fascination cruise ship.  I was headed to the Bahama's.  First stop the beautiful Paradice Island in Nassau to visit the Atlantis Resort renowned for its open-air marine habitat, restaurants and the iconic Royal Towers.  While there we dropped by the Queens Staircase, commonly referred to as the 66 steps.  The staircase was carved out of solid limestone by slaves as an escape route during war.  After picking up a few souvenirs and reboarding our cruise ship, we were off to the Island of Freeport, a tropical paradise, this Island was developed as a playground for tourist, I made sure to wet my toes in the crystal-clear beaches, taste exquisite and exotic foods, and feast my eyes on amazing architecture and historical sites.

My passport has allowed me to travel to many countries since that first Carnival Cruise trip; I've walked the snowcapped mountains of Colorado, marveled at the skyscraping water falls of Hawaii, ziplined across the sky-blue oceans in Haiti, climbed to the top of ancient ruins in Mexico; I have eaten in some of the finest restaurants with elites and supped with some of the finest people in mud huts.   I have literally set my eyes on sites so beautiful I can only compare them to professional magazine photography.

Using my passport allows me the opportunity to have wonderful and exciting temporary experiences in other countries and I truly enjoy every minute of my travels.  I am so grateful that I have a passport.

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."

However, I hold another very special passport that I applied for and received over thirty years ago.  This passport is unique in that, when I use it, I am assured that there will not be any limitations on my stay, in fact when I arrive there, my passport will automatically deem me a permanent citizen.  This passport guarantees me majestic and mind-blowing sights that nothing on this earth can compare.  This passport guarantees me an eternal home in a kingdom that will have streets made out of gold and its light will come from the glory of God.  It promises me that there will be no more pain and no more sorrow.  

Yes, my final adventure and ultimate destination with be to dwell in a mansion prepared by my Savior.  If you haven't applied for your eternal passport called salvation, now is as good of time as any, because travel on this side of heaven is great, but it's limited.

God Bless
Melissa

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