The Edit

Hey PWEN people! I’d like to share with you an important lesson I learned the first time I worked as an editor on a project. The project was an anthology book and I was responsible for editing half of the contributing writers’ stories. I was excited to be a part of the project because it was going to give me an opportunity to practice my editing skills. In my excitement, I became a bit overzealous and hypercritical in my critiquing and for many of the writers, did them more harm than good.

Editing is not the same as stripping away. To edit is to prune. When you prune a plant, you take away what obstructs it from growing, and what’s left over is able to flourish and thrive. When you strip something, you take away its essence and it’s no longer recognizable.

What Jesus taught me during this time period was that my job as an editor was simply to prune each writer’s story, so that it can be read seamlessly. This was in direct opposition to what I was doing; stripping away at each writer’s story. In my ignorance as a novice editor, I was reformatting the entirety of each writers’ work into a style that most reflected my own style, and taking away their voices.

In my mind I thought I knew better than they did. I thought that my way and my “sound” made their work better. What I didn’t realize was that I was robbing them of their authentic sound by asserting my own. Some of the writers refused to move forward with my edits which had hurt my pride at the time, but Jesus showed me where I erred in a very deliberate way.

Though I was the editor for this project, I wasn’t the final editor. It was during this final editing process that I learned the true difference between pruning and stripping away. All the time I’d spent editing was completely undone with this final edit. I couldn’t hear my voice or see the time I had spent working on each writer’s story. I had been silenced and I hated it.

Though this was a hard lesson, it was a good one because I was finally able to empathize with the writers I was responsible to edit for. Understanding how I negatively impacted their work by experiencing it myself, completely changed my approach to editing. I didn’t get to apply those changes to this specific project but going forward, I worked with other writers with a new level of thoughtfulness and consideration that I hadn’t previously.

I want to encourage anyone who is in a season where they are being humbled by Jesus. Please know that pride is something that strips away from your growth and doesn’t allow you to learn valuable lessons. Through humility, you can be properly pruned and what’s left over will flourish and thrive. Hard lessons may not feel good but the results are undeniable.

Til’ next time, adieu.

Visit The Breathtaking Natural Wonder Jamaica And Find Out Interesting and Fun Things To Do

If you want to experience the true essence of the Caribbean then Jamaica is the perfect place for you. Surrounded by unique marvels of nature, rich cultural heritage, delicious food and vibrant people. It is a paradise for nature lovers you can enjoy hiking in the majestic mountains, visit dense lush green jungles and enjoy bird watching, snorkel and scuba to see some of the spectacular coral reefs or just simply relax and enjoy classic reggae at any golden beach. A visit to Jamaica is surely one of the most fascinating, enriching and beautiful experiences. We have curated a list of some of the fun things to do and exciting places to visit in Jamaica. Let’s start exploring.

Things To Do

1) Explore The Stunning Negril Beach: This breathtaking beach is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jamaica. It is a magnificent white stretched beach with pristine aqua

blue water and is also known as the “Seven Mile Beach”. Beside the beach you can find the famous Negril Cliffs, jumping from the cliffs is a popular adventure among tourists as well as locals. This beach is a great spot to enjoy a mesmerizing sunset while enjoying the tranquility. There are also many great, delectable and delicious seafood options that you can easily find in the aesthetically decorated beach restaurants.

2) Visit The Marvelous Dunn’s River Falls: These picturesque waterfalls are perfect for a relaxing picnic amidst nature and the melodious sound of the splashing water. The Dunn’s waterfalls are very near to Ocho Rios and are one of the most treasured destinations. The falls are approximately 180m in height and you can easily hike up to enjoy the enchanting view or you can splash in the swimming hole at the base of the falls. It is always crowded with tourists so the best way to enjoy these falls would be to visit in the early hours with an experienced guide.

3) Enjoy Amidst Nature At The Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park: This national park is packed with natural marvels, exotic wildlife and rich flora and fauna. In the earlier days, it was a refuge site for slaves. If you are on the lookout for some adventure, then you

can enjoy a guided tour and can come up and close with the wild species. The highest mountain of Jamaica, Blue Mountain Peak is situated in the heart of the national park. If you are travelling in the monsoon season it is advisable to be careful and opt for an experienced guided tour. The park is a great spot for bird watching and is also home to a humungous collection of butterflies.

4) Raft On The Rio Grande: Rafting on pristine blue water can be extremely distressing and relaxing. The Rio Grande offers you a scenic view of Jamaica, rafting was the mode of transportation for the banana farmers. The best way to explore and learn about the interesting history of Jamaica is by taking a guided tour. The entire tour takes about two and a half hours but you will be so awestruck by your surroundings that time will just pass by in a jiffy.

5)Visit The Breathtaking Port Antonio: This wonderful town is located amidst the lush green mountains. This part of Jamaica is rich in history and has an ancient Fort George decorated with stunning British architecture. You can enjoy hiking in the nearby jungle trails after calming rafting at the Rio Grande and you can enjoy snorkeling at the stunning blue lagoon. Port Antonio has a rich collection of white sand beaches with turquoise blue water. Somerset Falls are another spectacular waterfalls that are filled with freshwater from Daniel’s River.

6) Explore Your Adventurous Side At Mystic Mountain: This fun place is all about doing adventurous things. You can sled down the mountain, enjoy a thrilling roller coaster ride or can enjoy zip-lining from trees to trees. Sky Explorer is a spot that gives you a breathtaking view of the nearby areas and you experience just pure magic and bliss. There are other amazing activities that you can enjoy in this place like strolling amidst nature, bird watching, water slides and some great rope climbing lessons.

7) Visit The Bustling City Kingston: The capital city of Jamaica introduces you to the more chic and cosmopolitan side of Jamaica. There are many interesting places that you can visit and explore in the city. You can explore the fascinating Bob Marley Museum and can learn about his life and the inspiration behind its music. If you want to learn about the history of Jamaica you can explore the spectacular National Gallery and the Natural History Museum. These museums are filled with historic artifacts, ancient documents showcasing the history behind Jamaica’s independence.

8) Indulge Yourself In The Divine Jamaican Cuisine: The food in Jamaica is flavorful,

delicious and tempting. Jamaicans believe in making the most of your life by not eating boring food and giving your taste buds a blissful experience. The most common food in Jamaica is patty and comes with a dozen options for fillings like beef, chicken, vegetable and cheese. Another favorite local cuisine is the Jamaican Jerk. It is filled with spices, authentic jerk sauce which makes it even more flavorful and irresistible.

Travelling Post COVID 19

Jamaica has been opened for tourism for most of the foreign nations. The authority has taken strict measures to make the travel experience for every tourist seamless and hassle-free. However, there are few things that you should keep in mind while planning for your trip to Jamaica.

1) Do not forget to carry your negative RT PCR reports along with you.

2) You can also be subjected to an RT-PCR test on your arrival at the Jamaican airport. If your test results are negative then only you will be allowed to proceed towards your accommodation. If the test comes positive you will be retained in isolation at government health centers.

3) There are general instructions laid down in front of every monument like entry is banned without masks or you need to maintain social distancing at all levels.

4) There are curfew instructions laid down by the authority that should be followed by every tourist.

Jamaica is a land filled with many exciting surprises and is surrounded by bountiful nature in every nook and corner. We hope that these options help you in creating a perfect itinerary for your trip to Jamaica.

Remember PWEN has our own booking site with discounted prices on hotels/resorts, rental cars, cruises, homes, activities, and more. Visit www.pwentravel.com and book today!

Dear God, it’s me, Vicky

Do you ever question the things God has said to you? Have you ever wondered if you heard Him correctly or if you misinterpreted something? Have you ever felt incapable of being all that God said you are because it seemed too BIG? I know I have!

Sometimes when I think about the things that God has spoken over me and I consider how I’ve lived my life so far, I think “surely He meant someone else.” How could I ever be this great, worthy, and wise individual that He keeps declaring me to be? All I see are my mistakes, my messiness, my brokenness, and my faults. How can God see past all the dust, debris, smoke, and smog of my sin and iniquity to say such wonderful things about me? How can He continue to call me time and time again to be greater than my situations and circumstances? How can He be certain that I am who He says I am, and NOT who I have experienced myself to be? I know y’all know what I mean.

It’s during these periods of deep inquisition and contemplation that I’m most grateful for God’s word. It serves as a constant reminder that God first meets us wherever we are at, then He calls us to something very different than our present state, and then He transforms us.

A person that most inspires me from the Bible is Moses. He was a man who like many of us, was skeptical about his calling when he first encountered God. Moses had a stutter, had murdered a man, and was hiding in the wilderness because of his past transgressions when he first encountered God as a burning bush. It was during this time that God called Moses to be His prophet, go back to the place he’d run away from (Egypt), and deliver the Israelites out of Egypt.

Like many of us who have looked at our past and determined ourselves to be less than because of it, Moses couldn’t believe that God was calling him for such an honorable task and begged Him to choose someone else. But God’s word is final and Moses was His chosen. Though Moses didn’t see himself in his present life the way God did, he eventually obeyed God and in essence, allowed God to prove him wrong. The result of which is a story of miracles, signs, wonders, courage, heroism, and an exodus that we still talk about thousands of years later.

When I think about Moses’ story it encourages me because it shows me that even when I have all these doubts about myself, my abilities, and where my life can go, God’s word is final and I am His chosen.

What that means is that if we allow ourselves to surrender our will and obey God’s will instead, we give God the opportunity to prove us wrong. If we let Him, God can blow our minds just like Moses! Til’ next time, adieu.