Bethany Hamilton, whose story of tenacity, courage and faith was brought to the big screen through "Soul Surfer," and her newly-wed husband Adam Dirks have been away from work "to pray and think on how God wants to use them as a couple," according to Hamilton's publicist at The Joy Agency and Friends of Bethany Hamilton Organization.
Since their marriage in August, the Christian couple has Kayaked in Alaska, watched sea lions and saw the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, they will be traveling to Florida as guest speakers at a youth worship night hosted by the First United Methodist Church of Cocoa Beach on Oct. 27th.
While enjoying her new married life with Christian youth minister Dirks, Hamilton, 23, recently said that her future plans will be grounded in what she loves to do most - surfing. Even after losing her left arm in a shark attack in 2003, Hamilton never gave up her passion, but continued to pursue her dream as a pro-surfer with just one arm.
"My plan is to keep improving my surfing, to keep Living The Search, and go surf some new waves around the world," Bethany told Rip Curl. "I also still love competing and plan on surfing in a few select events!"
Moreover, Hamilton and her longtime friend/Rip Curl team-mate Alana Blanchard will be hosting their first annual "Bethany and Alana Keiki Class," a free surf contest for kids 16 and under, at Pine Trees, Hanalei Bay, Hawaii. Shortly after that, she will head out to East Coast of Australia from November 12-17 for the Rip Curl My Bikini Tour, which will feature her, Blanchard, Tyler Wright, and Nikki Van Dijk.
Hamilton's story of perseverance was published in a New York Times best-selling book that was eventually made into the movie, "Soul Surfer," starring AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt and Carrie Underwood.
According to Hamilton's Facebook fan page, the Bible verses that she lives by are:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord" - Colossians 3:23
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." - Philippians 4:8
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Glacier cruising in Valdez, Alaska.
Glacier kayaking in Alaska
The newly wed couple caught halibut on their honey moon.
After hiking.
