In the Groove and Finding Our Niche

We are coming off a week of special activity.  Our circuit overseer has been with us and we have been busy, busy!  We went about our usual service schedule plus attended extra meetings throughout the week including my first official regular pioneer meeting with Chad.  In addition to the circuit overseer, Grand Turk had a visit from four Florida brothers from our RBC in preparation for some upcoming improvements.  Just prior to their arrival, it was especially hot midweek and, with the increased activity, I found myself exhausted to the point of fogged thinking.  I longed for air conditioning and a car, among other things left behind.  However, Jehovah knows what we need and just when to provide.  On Thursday, after having just felt this way the day before, I had the privilege of assisting a few other sisters in providing lunch for the afore mentioned brothers.  Just working in the kitchen with them and enjoying this added association uplifted me.  They have no clue how there saying, "We love you.  We are glad you are here," encouraged me.  So, with renewed zeal, I tackled the remainder of the week including dinner for the C.O. Thursday and Friday night.  We had another family join us at our home for the meal on Friday which was very enjoyable.  Our place is small, but we made it work.  In Grand Turk, Sunday evening during the C.O.'s visit is a time for the congregation to gather before saying goodbye.  We enjoyed skits and performances by those in the congregation along with a nice meal.  It was a riot--the loudest, most lively congregation party I think I have ever attended!  It was a perfect way to end the week!

Lunch for RBC brothers at the Kingdom Hall.

Local sisters who helped prepare lunch.

Angie and I.

Jenny and her son Sammy at our house for dinner with the C.O.

Our C.O. Brother Aldin, Jenny's husband Manuel, and Chad associating after dinner.

Sunday's festivities

We continue to accumulate good calls in the ministry.  Chad's study is progressing and we expect a few more to develop in the coming weeks.  Again, the heat has been tough at times, but just one fruitful visit makes it all worthwhile.  Of course, I'm no stranger to the heat, but here it is much harder to contend with without air conditioned vehicles and houses or alternate forms of witnessing and on foot.  Studies are often held outside hopefully in a little bit of shade.  We have air conditioning in the hall, but it is only used occasionally at congregation meetings.  It is something to which we are having to adjust.  We welcome the ocean breeze and rain when received!

In my last post, I made mention of the glorious lobsters Chad purchased.  I must inform you that they did not disappoint!  Chad grilled both of the giants to perfection.  We split one for dinner and transformed the second into a delicious chilled salad for lunch the following day.  Another local specialty is conch.  We purchased two last weekend for $2.  Yes, a dollar each!  Most turn the conch into conch fritters, conch chowder, or batter and fry pieces (known as cracked conch).  Of course, those who know me also know fried food is not in my diet.  So, I took this cheap fresh catch and turned into conch ceviche.  It was so delicious and will definitely be on the menu again and again!  I know that some of my friends and family share my love of food so I have included pictures from these meals as well as a few others with them in mind--you know who you are :)

Huge lobster tails

Grilled lobster with roasted brussel sprouts and red rice/quinoa blend

Lobster salad and tomato and cucumber salad

Making our own yogurt

The finished product…amazing!

Homemade banana nut bread french toast on the back porch

Vegan pizza on homemade crust

Waffle Sundays even on the island

Conch ceviche with salsa couscous

In the way of personal activities, we continue to enjoy our paddle boards multiple times a week, each time setting a new distance goal.  A group of curious sea turtles joined along side us on one such outing.   Last Monday, I also enjoyed an amazing swim down the shore.  Equipped with my mask and snorkel, I was able to observe so many colorful fish.  The white sands, rock formations, and reefs below make a concrete pool seem just a little boring.  These forms of recreation offer he kind of exercise that Chad likes--exercise that doesn't feel like exercise :)  It's easy to get him out on the water.  Tomorrow he is supposed to go fishing!  I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings home.

On an unhappy note, I did battle my first bout of illness since our move.  I don't know the source because I was the only one affected, but it was a stomach bug that lasted more than 12 hours.  I am fully recovered and hope I don't experience that again!

In about a week and a half, we will be flying home to attend the district convention with our friends and family in Jacksonville.  We look forward to seeing you all and spending time together.  We are assigned to the Bahamas later in the summer, but very few are able to attend from TCI due to the extreme expense.  We decided it would make the most sense for us to go home.  So, I am getting very excited about the week long stay!  Until then, take care and thanks for stopping in to check on us :)