* OF PLYMOUTH PLANTATION*

But to omit other things (that I may be brief) after long being at sea they fell with that land which is called Cape Cod; the which being made and certainly known to be it, they were not a little joyful. After some deliberation had amongst themselves and with the master of the ship, they tacked about and resolved to stand for the southward (the wind and weather being fair) to find some place about Hudson’s River for their habitation. But after they had sailed that course about half the day, they fell amongst dangerous shoals and roaring breakers, and they were so far entangled therewith as they conceived themselves in great danger; and the wind shrinking) upon them withal, they resolved to bear up again for the Cape and thought themselves happy to get out of those dangers before night overtook them, as by God’s good providence they did. And the next day they got into the Cape Harbor where they rid in safety.
Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element. And no marvel if they were thus joyful, seeing wise Seneca was so affected with sailing a few miles on the coast of his own Italy, as he affirmed, that he had rather remain twenty years on his way by land than pass by sea to any place in a short time, so tedious and dreadful was the same unto him.

Reflection: From this story I learned of all of the struggles that the people coming to America were forced to undergo as they were traveling. At many times, the people were endangering their lives in order to reach their destinations, but they relied on God to get out of the dangers that they came across and to resolve their problems. The struggles that they came across affected them in many ways, however, they remained faithful to the "God of Heaven" and continued to persevere.

Dear Diary,
The journey to America was a long, hard and dangerous one! Everyone knew that when we reached America we would have God to thank for his support and for guiding us to saftey. The storms brought much danger and the people amongst me were anxious to reach land and finally be out of harms way. By the time we were out of harm's way everyone was happy and delighted to reach the long awaited land, including me. So it was only right that we thank the one up above.