Mom Gets a Taste of Grand Turk Living

Earlier in the week of mom's scheduled visit we enjoyed some good association at the beach.  For Joel, the young brother visiting from Minnesota, the venture into Grand Turk's beautiful turquoise waters marked a first.  At the age of 18, this was his first time entering the ocean.  Living in Minnesota, he had swam only in lakes.  Living as a child in Togo, he had seen the ocean, but it was too polluted to enjoy.  Since our waters are some of the prettiest I have ever seen, I thought it a nice first for sure.  Chad taught the brothers bocce ball and they enjoyed playing for a bit on shore while us sisters relaxed.  It made for an encouraging afternoon!  It was refreshing to have Joel visit our congregation.  His zeal and desire for new experiences as a young brother is to be commended!

Also prior to mom's visit, I had a little helper in the kitchen.  Sweet Charade joined me after lunch and chores for a girl's afternoon at our house.  We baked banana nut bread--one loaf for her and her family and one for us.  I wanted to have plenty stocked up for mom's stay.  While the bread baked and filled the house with the most wonderful smell, we watched a movie and I painted her toenails a bright summer hue of her choice.  When the bread was done, she enjoyed a hot piece along with a cup of my favorite Tessa's almond cookie tea.  I had promised her this tea after she shared tea with me a while back and I was happy to follow through on my word.  Though she loaded her teacup with sugar, she enjoyed it very much and was proud of the healthy bread she had made with whole grains and naturally sweetened with fruit and honey.  I learned later it didn't last more than two days in their house.  Charade is such a joy!  I was happy to have this time alone with her.

The long anticipated arrival of my mom finally came on Thursday.  We were able to watch her plane descend over the island from our porch and then headed to the airport to greet her in the late afternoon.  We enjoyed dinner and quickly unpacked all the goodies she had brought us before walking to the hall for our meeting.  It would be the one meeting night we didn't use air conditioning.  What a welcome to the island!  She was tired and it was hot, but she endured and enjoyed meeting the friends in the congregation as well as the program.  After the meeting I got to really fish through my new groceries.  What would you want most if you were on a tiny island?  My list is probably quite different than most, but exciting for me!   Chad was happy for his treats as well.  Thank you mom for transporting everything, thank you Denise for getting my things from Costco and to mom, and thank you Amazon for making it possible for me to purchase my special things from so far away at a discounted price and ship to my mom's house :)

On Friday morning, we went in the ministry on bike.  Unfortunately, the studies I had hoped to take mom on didn't pan out as planned, but she got a glimpse into our territory and got to meet Paola when we dropped off some dresses mom had brought for her to wear to meetings.  We were also able to deliver new shoes to some of the children in the hall that mom had purchased for them in the States.  All were very appreciative.  After lunch, we visited with the pioneers in Ponte Vedra via Skype during their pioneer luncheon.  We are grateful for the invitation to chat and see everyone we miss so much!  Thank you all for the encouraging conversation and including us in your gathering!  Later, mom and I rode down to the cruise center to explore it's various shops and have a change of scenery.  Mom enjoyed a cool drink prepared by one our sister's at the bar and we both relaxed on the beach under the shade of the palms on lounge chairs.  Lobster and movie night followed.

On Saturday morning, we were back in the ministry, including a little door-to-door.  After enduring the intense heat, we had a relaxing afternoon and attempted to go to the beach, though we didn't last long.  Chad stayed in, happy to watch the first Gator football game on his iPad.  Another evening with dinner and a movie rounded out a quiet, but exhausting day.

Sunday morning meeting was air conditioned to our relief.  In the late afternoon, we did the long bike ride to the lighthouse on the most northern tip of the island.  We then freshened up, took a pre-dinner walk as the evening cooled, and headed over to Osprey for a sunset dinner.  We all had fish which the local animals begged us to share. Uh, wrong table my dear potcakes…wrong table, indeed!

Monday we completed our normal chores and took mom along grocery shopping so she could see what that experience is like here.  By the afternoon, we were finally able to have an enjoyable day at the beach.  Of course, that would be the case on her last full day here.

Tuesday came quickly and after one last breakfast together, a long beach walk to collect more sea glass to take home, and lunch, we returned mom to the airport for her flight back to the States.  Her load was much lighter, having left the majority of what she brought with us and others.  It was a tearful goodbye, but I was happy for her to return to more comfortable conditions and found comfort in knowing our visit home only a short time away.  Throughout the visit, she was a trooper, enduring the quiet and sometimes boring island life, heat, dust, cramped quarters, and different foods.  She saw in just her short stay how these circumstances can increase your appreciation for the blessings you enjoy and how good qualities can be acquired by being put outside your comfort zone.

By Tuesday afternoon, we were back in the ministry.  We hope everyone is having a great start to the new service year.  Our first week has been wonderful with many good calls, studies, and long hours.  We have two auxillary pioneers this month in our congregation in addition to our nine regular pioneers, so we are excited about that as well.  It makes us happy when we think of all our fellow workers around the world who are exerting themselves zealously in the same work!  Please feel free to share your experiences with us also.  We love hearing what is being accomplished by your efforts.  Take care and continue to stay busy with spiritual activities!

Caught in the rain pour while in service.