Thursday Thoughts: 8/16/12

Good morning!

1.  I can't believe it's already Thursday!  The week has gone by so fast.  It's been a good one though.  We have enjoyed so many nice studies and are feeling super pumped.  This morning I am sending my pioneer partner out alone with the group as I enjoy a morning in for myself.  It's the end of the service year and I am grateful to be ahead enough to take some time off from my normal schedule before we hit the ground running in September.  Hopefully, Chad will have the same luxury next year.  Year one is always the hardest.

2.  It is especially appreciated this morning since I did not sleep well last night.  Missing sleep is absolutely miserable!  How can you feel so tired and your body just refuse to rest?  I have rarely had trouble sleeping prior to living here, but now I seem to have a pattern of sleeping well a few nights and then having a restless one.  I prided myself on being able to sleep anytime, anyplace.  I would hear people talk of sleep trouble and just couldn't imagine what that was like.  Well, now I know and, let me tell you, it is zero fun!  Does that mean I'm getting old?  I thought it might be the caffeine in my evening tea starting to affect me so I adjusted to drinking it a little earlier, but that must not be it.  Hopefully, I will get some rest before the meeting tonight and have better nights to follow.

3.  I have really enjoyed some great conversations via Skype with good friends and family this week.  Corresponding with others by e-mail and a particular social network is encouraging also.  I again and again say thank you to each of you.  You have no idea how much we appreciate visiting and how much it helps us here.

4.  Thursday night is reserved for Skype time with my mom and dad.  I am beside myself to think that in just two weeks from today my mom will be here in the flesh.  I cannot wait to spend time with her and give her a glimpse into our life here.

5.  What a great text today!  We have such wonderful imagery to go with these words thanks to our new DVD.  It really helps you to maintain a sense of urgency and prepare yourself now for the things to shortly take place.  The Watchtower this week, too, is right on time in this regard!

6.  I have rediscovered Pandora thanks to my IPad's new ability to receive this service.  I am loving the variety of music that I can now enjoy while cleaning, cooking, or just hanging around the house.  Any Pandora station recommendations?

7.  Thanks for the movie/TV series recommendations we already received.  We look forward to relaxing and unwinding by viewing some of your favorite picks.

Time to get in a little reading and extra fitness post settlement of my breakfast before showering up and pampering myself a little on my day for me :)  Hope you find time to do a little something for you as well!  Have a great day!  It's almost Friday!

Fighting a Little Island Fever

As of today, we have been in Grand Turk for four months.  It has really gone by quickly-- days turning into weeks, weeks into months.  However, over the weekend we had a serious case of island fever.  It doesn't affect us so severely very often, but when it sets in it can be a difficult thing to shake.  Definition: the urban dictionary reads, "the realization that you are stuck on which ever island you are living and not going anywhere."  Yes, that would be us.    Only a plane ride can get you off this seven mile island and just to get to Provo, it costs about $300 for Chad and I.  So, we focus on all the positive things that come from living in Grand Turk (as mentioned before)  and then start brainstorming what we can do to mix up things.  No matter where you live, it's a good idea to make subtle changes to break away from what could become a mundane routine.  I love my routine and I want to give every aspect of it my all.  Making minor adjustments is what keeps me energized.  So, how do you do it?  Here are some small changes that, though simple, really helped us:

1.  We go to the beach as often as we can as there isn't much else to do and it's absolutely beautiful.  So, the change…we find a new beach…a new snorkel location, somewhere we have to hop on bike and travel to, and void of the familiar.  No doubt, you have a lot more options in this area so make use of them with us in mind whether it's a beach, a park, or whatever location you frequent for relaxation.  If you don't go out of your house for relaxation regularly, then there is your change.  Even if it's only for a few minutes, change your environment.

2.  We love to eat (shocked, right?!).  So, the change…we move your meal outdoors…catch the ocean breeze and stick around for the sunset.  The late summer is great for this here.  You can take it further, moving a simple, portable meal to a variety of locations or going out to a new restaurant where you live.

3.  We enjoy being active.  So, the change…well, our workout is different everyday keeping it interesting, but in addition we add in paddle boarding, bike riding, and walking.  Our new plan is to set aside a day to kayak around the island with a beach picnic dinner and scuba dive again soon.  Last night, we laid under the stars on the shore for the meteor shower.  We only saw one, but it was awesome and, most importantly, a change!

4.  We are always studying and being taught.  So, the change…a personal study project...starting today, I have the personal goal of learning at least one new Spanish verb each day.  Putting together my ever growing Spanish vocabulary into correct sentences and conjugating verbs is the toughest part of this language for me.  I hope this will help me stay focused on improving my Spanish and give me a little daily challenge.  I always like to be challenged!

Do you ever feel a need to switch up things?  If so, how do you go about it?  Happy Monday! Now, I am off to finish my coffee and get started on chores.  I look forward to the scheduled Skype chats with a few friends today and tomorrow.  Keeping in touch is another big aid to feeling isolated.  Enjoy your week!

Impressive Faithfulness

Good morning everyone!  It's Monday which I know is the least favorite day of the week for many of you, but I hope to share something that will inspire you as it has me.  In addition to my coffee, I am starting the morning with one of my favorite breakfasts--steel cut oats with egg whites and flax oil.  It is a savory take on oatmeal that will sound and look gross to most, but I absolutely love it!  Chad prefers a sweet approach -- adding brown sugar, cinnamon, and toasted walnuts to his -- which is probably a recipe that appeals more to the masses.  Regardless, steel cut oats are where it's at so if you are eating anything else make the switch and you will thank me later.  The taste and texture is amazing and you can just feel the good things they are doing for your body!  Monday morning fuel!

Anyways, this morning I share a reflection on the impressive faithfulness I have been eyewitness to here in Grand Turk.  As I have mentioned before in other posts, a large percentage of the congregation and general population here on Grand Turk speak Spanish or Creole, although English is the official language.  Yet, every week our brothers and sisters are consistently attending meetings and participating in each part with immense joy.  I ask myself:  Would I be able to do that?  Could I sit through meeting after meeting only understanding a portion of what is being said?  And even if I did, would I be able to maintain such a positive, joyful spirit?  Keep in mind that considerate effort is made just to get to the Kingdom Hall from their homes and jobs, many with small children.  If I am completely honest with myself, I admit that even though I understand what is being said 100% of the time, I occasionally struggle to avoid distraction and focus on the information, especially after an exhausting day.  However, I can't tell you how sincerely happy these friends are and how hard they try to have an active role and communicate despite the language barrier.  It is so exemplary!  You might expect this would be somewhat easier for someone who has been dedicated to Jehovah for a long time, but what about a new Bible student?  As if everything isn't already being introduced for the first time, now you have to take it in the bits and pieces you can understand in a language not your own while following simultaneously in your mother tongue.  Such unbelievable efforts are being made here by a number of students.  Seeing these things, I am encouraged and strengthened even more to be there each and every week.  I hope you are, too!  May we never take for granted the privilege we have to meet together and encourage one another and demonstrate our appreciation by always being present.  Thanks for listening.  Have a good day everyone!