Seems worth mentioning something C.S. Lewis said - "The Church is the only organization that exists for the benefit of non-members." That's not to say that this is all the church is - but, salvation and reaching the faithless are the primary roles of the Christian church, not maintenance of the saints. 

Your time on the beach sounds like a divine appointment, a time in which you worshipped, which we can do every day, all day, in one way or another. 

Kristin, I have posted a link on my blog to a testimony of a dying woman - have you heard of her??? Rachel Barkey, 37. The 54 minute testimony covers why we suffer and our purpose on earth. You might want to check it out. &lt;<a href="http://www.deathisnotdying.com" rel="nofollow">Death Is Not Dying</a>. 

Blessings, jen