By Peggy Walker, R.D.

A few millennia ago the Lord called upon Noah to build a boat, a very big boat. The Lord Almighty was fed up with the wickedness of men and decided to “wash” the world clean of all the evil and sin. But, Noah, as Genesis 6:8 says, “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

Eight people (his family) and pairs of every animal would be saved. Noah believed, but first he had to build an ark of safety for them because God was going to open up the skies and the fountains of the deep and flood the world… in actual Biblical proportions, you could say.

God gave Noah the blueprints and specifications and Noah got to work. In fact, he worked on it for about 100 years  I would imagine he often wondered about what he was doing, for it had never rained before. Evidently God had everything watered from the ground up, and the world was one big beautiful greenhouse.

Noah believed, but the world around him did not.  Not only did he and his three boys have to physically work long and hard, his family had to endure all the naysayers and the ridicule from the people around them. It was not an easy job to be a believer in God nor to put his belief in action for all the world to see. But Noah and family endured as they prepared for the flood.

The account of this event begins in Genesis chapter 6.  Verses 14 – 16 give God’s specifications. The ark was to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high, with 3 floors, built of Gopher wood and covered with pitch and with only one door. That’s all we’re told about the Ark’s design, but knowing that God, the creator of the universe and all of life, was also the architect of the Ark, every detail was sure to be precise, specific, and essential.

That tremendous boat would not have floated and nothing would have been saved if Noah had decided to use oak instead or add another door. Verse 6:22 says Noah did all that God commanded him. It’s a powerful lesson.

If you need a good visual of Noah’s gigantic undertaking you should go and experience the Ark Encounter!  My what a thrilling moment it is when you first see the re-created Ark, sitting on that Kentucky hillside.  It will literally take your breath away; and make you wonder, how did Noah and his sons do it without machinery?

The builders of this re-created Ark, which is the biggest timber-frame structure in the world, sure did it well, but with computers, trucks, and all kinds of machinery. It’s a sight to behold.

The landscaping is beautiful, there are live birds and life-sized animal statues along the approach to the Ark. The inside is filled with exhibits which give you pause to consider how Noah and his family lived with the animals inside the ark.

The first deck is about the animals and how they could have been brought on board; Deck 2 describes with great detail how life may have been in the ark, like how their provisions were stored or how waste was removed. The family’s comfortable living quarters are imagined on Deck 3, plus there’s a museum of the Bible, and an exhibition on how planet earth was impacted by such a disaster. And much more.

DW, Laura, Mack and I went last summer. DW and I want to go back, there’s no way to take it all in on one visit especially with a 5-year old along, for Disney World it’s not.  Mack was pretty much done before we reached the third deck.

But, on the grounds are several places to eat and picnic…from a bountiful buffet to burgers; a great gift shop, with Fair Trade items from all over the world, a zoo, and a zipline if you’re so inclined.  Mack’s favorite part was the camel ride. It requires an adult, so be prepared. Camel riding is now off my bucket list.

Study up on the Bible account of Noah’s Ark and go see this spectacular exhibit. You are sure to be impressed, enlightened, uplifted… and epically exhausted.

Recipe of the Week

Peppered Shrimp

It’s June, shrimp season! Gulf shrimp is the best any day!

8 – 10 pounds raw shrimp, heads removed, shells on

2 pounds butter

6 ounces Worcestershire sauce

4 – 6 tablespoons black pepper

1 teaspoon rosemary

4 lemons, sliced

1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

4 teaspoons kosher salt

2 – 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced

Combine all ingredients except shrimp.  Heat mixture until just bubbly. Place shrimp in casserole dish; pour heated sauce over shrimp; stir well.  Bake in 400-degree oven for 15 – 20 minutes, stirring once.  Serve with a green salad, boiled new potatoes, and French bread for sopping up the sauce. And you’ll need plenty of napkins and iced tea.  Serves 10 -1 2. Can half or double recipe.