new weekend of weekends.

What a great weekend!  It has been so nice for the guys to have such a light load recently! 

Friday night we had a wine tasting at our house - with about 17 people over here total!  It was a ton of fun, and I will do a seperate post on it entirely...later :)  I took pictures...

Saturday night was the opening social for the SO's, so I had to be there to set up/hang out/take down.  Perks of being on the board ;) Haha...but it really is great to meet people and reassure them about things on the island/provide info about various things...I really feel like I have ownership this term - it's a great feeling to no longer be the "new ones"!!!

Today  - J preached at CSA and the Lord really blessed him with great clarity in sharing the gospel from Mark.  It was a blessing to hear/see my husband used that way - I love my man :)  All of us then came home, had lunch, and then the guys went cliff jumping with some of our neighbors who have two boys ages 13 and 11.  They had a great time, and Marieke and I were able to get homework done and read Pride and Prejudice, respectively :)  Then we ate dinner and J and I headed over to Prickly Bay for their free movie night.  Tonight they were showing War Horse.  It was good, but it was better that it was free, if you get what I'm saying :)  

It has been a GREAT weekend, but I think the fun with the hus [for now] stops here - everything takes off this week with school, and I will also be busy planning the upcoming SO fundraisers, including a Bake Sale coming up on February 14th!  However, Becca [a new fellow SO, neighbor, and sister in Christ] offered to do publicity for me!!! And so I want to share some of her creations really quick - I was blown away with what she came up with!!!! It looks GREAT and I can't wait to get this stuff up on campus this week [and after our board meeting tomorrow]...I don't want to give away too much in case other people stumble upon this site who should be surprised :)  But the bake sale is going to benefit a little girl here who was born without an eye, and found a doctor in Florida willing to operate pro bono...but she and her family will need to stay in the states for a while - hence the fundraising.  Anyway, here are some of Becca's creations:

I'm excited to get these up and running!!!

More updates/photos to come :) Much love from Grenada.

tires & the continuing adventures of E & M.

Today we had to get a new tire for the car. 

When J and I came walking home from our ice cream milkshake/ walk on the beach, we noticed that one of our back tires was flat. Well, it was COMPLETELY flat by this morning. In the middle of a load of laundry, Marieke and I took it to the local gas station where we filled it back up only to hear a fairly loud " pfffff" the minute we were done. Three different guys were very eager to help us, and even offered to put a plug in since "the tire is still good" (it has NO tread left to it, by the way) but we declined and went to our car rental friend across the street, Devon. He told us that he would call around and try to find us a good deal on new tires, but there were none to be found. He said our next best option was to get a used tire to replace the one that was quickly becoming flat again, so that is what we did (after he pumped air into it AGAIN - only about 20 minutes after the first time.) 

So we headed on down Maurice Bishop Highway to Broado's tires where we were able to get a new used tire. We had to walk to the bank while the guy put it on though, because (of course) they didn't take cards. And really, that should have been a no-brainer to me - the place is literally a shack with a storage bin full of tires in the back. But the guy was very nice, and we were also able to buy some local oil down from one of his friends that showed up with some to sell in the back of his van (anywhere other than here would deem that "sketchy," but that is honestly how a lot of businesses operate...) 

Once home, I finished up laundry, made lunch for J (who was very excited about oil down), and then worked on my 1 Peter "mini lesson" for tonight. I made some chocolate chip cookies as well and then the cleaning crew arrived. I made dinner, took a shower and hung out with Marieke for a while before the girls came over. It was fun to see some new faces and a good time to have some fellowship, cookies, and the Word :) I'm really looking forward to what this term will hold! 

All in all, it was a very full day and I am beat now. But just to follow up on last night's post: we had a really wonderful date last night - great milkshakes, a walk on the beach looking up at the amazing canopy of stars, and then home for Pride &Prejudice:) My husband is so obliging (and he likes it, even if it isn't Braveheart :) ) I don't really have anything planned for tomorrow, but then again, I didn't have much planned for today besides laundry and look how that turned out :) I need to make some phone calls and send some emails, and beyond that we shall see :) Hope all is well state-side....much love.

ravioli & a milkshake date.

Currently, I am sitting and waiting for J to call in order for me to pick him up from campus so we can have our much-anticipated date night :)  I'm really excited!  

I am surprising him tonight with a ravioli dinner - they were a steal at the store, so I stocked up on three packages [unbeknownst to him] and the first package is being made for tonight :)

He finished his first two classes of his second term today, so we are having a little time to ourselves before his "real classes" begin.  It's been a great two weeks, though!  He has been home for the majority of meals [lunch AND dinner] and so it has been a great start to the term :)

Today he went cliff jumping after his final, but I opted out this time due to the fact that the SOs were having their Start of Term Sale and I wanted to sell a few things.  I only ended up selling some flash cards of J's, but that was ok with me :)  

After dinner tonight, we are going to venture down to Rick's and grab a nutmeg smoothie - a new favorite, but also something that is for "special occasions."  I'm PUMPED!  

Marieke and I went to Bel Air today and worked with our girls, and our new friend Becca will be joining us starting next week. Becca actually has her Master's in Education, so she will hopefully be able to help some sistas out ;)  Our 1 Peter Bible Study starts tomorrow, and we are kicking it off at our house - complete with cookies :)  Pray for us!

Beyond that, I am busy organizing a couple fundraisers and things have been going well so far :)  I'm looking forward to a great [albeit busy] term.

Much love from Grenada.

naps. sun. cooking.

Well, everyone in my house is currently sleeping, and I've been up for about an hour and a half now.  Ever since J has needed to be up early for school, I can't seem to sleep past 6:30am.  This isn't a bad thing, but somehow it has morphed me into an old lady who can barely keep her eyes open past 10am...that right folks, I am now a napper.  I don't know how my husband does it, but most days [unless he comes home for lunch] he makes it through fine...but me?  No...I need that nap. 

To make myself feel better, I'm attributing it to sun exposure and constant states of meal cooking.  Yes, that's it.

That's not what this post is about, that is just a general summary of my life at the moment.  

Naps. Sun. Cooking.

This weekend is a busy one: tomorrow there is a the cookout after the CSA service, and since Ryan is one of the co-presidents, the household was all assigned various duties for meal and drink prep.  J will  be cooking the meat on the grill [I'm really not sure if he was assigned that, or eagerly volunteered...] and I am in charge of drinks...aka, a big cooler full of lemonade and gallons of water.  I also need to make a side dish that I just forgot about until just now...but it should be a good time.  Then, tomorrow night is a pizza meet-and-greet for first termers and the people leading Bible studies this term.  I'm looking forward to meeting more people - it's so awesome to be on "this side of things" and actually know information about Grenada/SGU...it's weird being the source of information, but it feels good to find that I actually do know some things.

I've been working on ideas for fundraisers this term, and we are most definitely going to kick off the fundraising with a big Valentine's Day Bake Sale - complete with wrapped goodies with heart shaped tags explaining where the money is going :)  I'm excited. I might suggest having a movie night fundraiser before Feb. 14, but that will be our BIG event to start it off, I think. I'm also looking into an Ice Cream Fundraising Social that auctions off photos that many of the SOs have taken  - I mean, we are the ones who really get to see the island after all...I think good photography could sell really well :)  Anyway, that's just a few updates on our weekend...J has two finals next week [Monday and Tuesday] and then he starts his "real" term 2 classes - pray for him!  He will be studying all weekend in between grilling meats and eating food I cook :)  If anyone has suggestions for fundraising things, please pass it along :)

Love to all.

girls' night out.

I forgot to mention that this past week was orientation for the new first term-ers.  I missed orientation last time because I stayed later in Louisville, so I was excited to see at least one thing I had missed: the bazaar.  SGU was PACKED with vendors, clubs, and calypso drums.  It was a bit overwhelming, but I'm not even close to how overwhelmed the first termers must have felt.  At least I knew what was going on :)  Since J is now the president of HSO, he had to be at a table representing it, and he got over 2 pages worth of vounteers to sign up - he was not expecting that! So we will see how this term goes...I "worked" the SO table for a bit [being a board member and all] but really was pretty much worthless, so I walked around after my shift was over and visited some of the tables with known freebies...like movie tickets :)

One of my friends had told me that if you guessed your weight within a certain amount, you could win free tickets to the movie theatre here...so that was my first priority :)  I wandered over, guessed my weight [I think they were using the same scale as the gym -ha!] and got my free ticket :) I also got a free veggie samosa from a local restaurant set-up, and bought a cheap Indian goodie to bring back for the hus and I to snack on before I went home to get dinner ready.  It was all very good and I was happy to finally experience the bazaar, although I really didn't miss anything last term :)  It was nice to walk around knowing that I already knew most of the vendors [or where they were located], and so I felt like I was a little bit of an imposter - trying to look "lost and confused" as I scoped out the goods ;) [Although all students/SOs are welcome to partake...I wasn't cheating the system here :)]

So I came home and told Marieke that I had a free ticket that expired the 1st of February and we should use it and split the cost of the other ticket to go to the movies this week.  And then our husbands came home...with two more!  Hooray! Free movie night!  And since the only thing playing this week that was worthwhile was Monte Carlo [which I saw last summer...that took a while, huh?] the guys were fine with us taking the tickets ourselves.  

We had met a new neighbor at church on Sunday [Becca], and so I thought it would be cool to invite her along since she is a newbie to the island :)  So I went over to her apartment and asked her is she would like to join, and she did.  Marieke and I bought M&Ms to put in homemade popcorn, and soon we were ready to venture out on our free Girl's Night.  We walked and talked all the way to the movie and all the way back.  It was relaxing and fun, and luckily, Becca still got a bit of the "Grenadian movie experience"...I didn't think it was possible with a movie as tame as Monte Carlo [no action scenes], but apparently some of the characters/plot moments were too stupid to be ignored, and some things were shouted/commented on throughout :)  Needless to say, it was a good time and I still love this local movie theatre.  Always an adventure to be had... :)  

Today we will [hopefully] have a maintenance man come check out our sink - apparently, a few too many food goods have worked their way down our drain [oops!] and now it's clogged...I never noticed the sink drain cover thing until Marieke pointed it out today...oops again.  Anyway, hopefully this will never happen again, and now we know :)  Beyond that, I need to get my driver's license renewed and some water coolers from the SO storage closet to use for the CSA Barbeque after church on Sunday.  This weekend should be pretty busy!  

Well, that's about it for now - we miss everyone!  But we both have plane tickets now, so we are coming home for sure!!! :)  

Much love from Grenada.

a quick update on the lack of updates.

So, sad story. 

We are pretty much officially a one computer family - which is still amazing, don't get me wrong - but that one computer is mine, and it now travels to campus with my husband for school, which makes things slightly complicated.  His is pretty much kaput...aka, you can't move/barely touch it without it turning off, so this has also made checking email/sending texts/phone calls more difficult, so many apologies for those of you still waiting for me to call back/email/you get the idea.

GOOD NEWS - our gracious Christmas gifts are enough to get a new computer, and Marieke's dad is coming down in February, so we are thinking of ordering one and having him bring it down.  Unfortunately, my computer's headphone jack doesn't work, and that's half the reason J would need a computer for campus working/studying anyway [to listen to lectures/other review material] so we will be making the decision soon.

All this to say:  I'm sorry if the blog isn't as up to its usual par.  I hate that it has to be this way, but it has to be this way :) I will still try my hardest. 

Just to fill you in: 

Marieke and I went back to Bel Air today and met with our girls.  It was more of a hangout, so we will see how the term goes with them...my girl seems to be getting a little more apathetic *sigh*.

J got his plane ticket home today!!! Finally!  He will be leaving 2 days later than everyone else [for the most part] but it also cut a lot of cost, so we are all happy :)

I had my first SO Board meeting yesterday, and I think this term will be a lot of fun - its already flying! It's Wednesday of the SECOND week of classes! Blows my mind!

That's about it.  The apartment is GREAT! Big, tile floors, CLEAN, and fun to have Marieke around during the day when the guys are off during their doctor thing :)  Praise the Lord for all blessings!

Now, the hus needs the computer, and he trumps with studies, anyway :) 

Much love from Grenada.

coming home.

Done and done. 

I am coming to Louisville on MAY 10th!!!!!!!!!!

We found tickets for me that left 5 days earlier than J, but also saved us around $300...he said it was worth it, so Louisville here I come!!!!

And I also got multi-city destination tickets with this great purchase...meaning I will be flying out of Buffalo, NY after spending about a week with my family :)  

Praise the Lord!  Now to pray for better ticket prices for J...

We are going to the beach today with friends, and then having some of our friends form our apartment complex over for dinner tonight :) Shepherd's Pie is on the menu - and I'm excited :)

Much love form Grenada.

Oh AND...if anyone knows of a good job for Marieke and I for about two months, PLEASE let me know!!!!  I will be posting a lot about this via here and facebook...I have a couple leads, but I want a few options ;)  Be on the lookout!

100.

Well, it's official.

I am a blogger.  You can't have 100 posts and NOT be a blogger [too many negatives? Ah well...I said I was a blogger, not a writer!] So, here I am.  Never thought I would make it this far.  Seriously.  I had all the hopes and dreams of being diligent to post on a blog, but I never thought I would really do it.  Hats off to 100!  

There really isn't much to say except that I finished two of the three books I was reading two days ago, ha!  It's been great to read so much before everything starts up again [next week].  If I can leave you all with anything today [it being my 100th post and all], I leave you with this:  

If you cannot read any book but one this year, read The Triumph of John and Betty Stam.  

 I wish I could be more compelling, but it was such an encouragement to me [and to J - he read it, too].  If it says anything, I read it all in one day [except the first two chapters] determined to get done with it in one sitting so I could soak it all in.  It brought joy and conviction to my soul - what a testimony that a young married couple's story can span almost 100 years and still be so compelling and God-glorifying!  Praise the Lord for those who have gone before us to share the gospel, and the recount of their lives in books/articles, etc!  I am very grateful!  It is no longer in print [see? another compelling reason to get it while you can!], but there are some cheaper used options on Amazon.  You might want to hunt around elsewhere as well - but you should own this book!!! It will be money well spent, and you can lend it out to others!  I want all of you to let me know when you buy it...I'll be waiting to hear... ;)

Here is a snippet of John Stam's Class Address for Moody Bible College when he graduated in 1932, as applicable today as it will be until Christ returns:

"This bewildered age needs to know that only 'the foundation of God standeth sure.' Many a man is being torn loose, these days, from the things to which his heart has clung.  It is ours to show the incorruptible riches which bank failures and economic conditions cannot touch.  It is ours to show, in the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the personal communion with Him, a joy unspeakable and full of glory that cannot be affected by outside circumstances..."

And one more thing...the poem that was a favorite of John and Betty's (written by E. H. Hamilton upon hearing of Missionary Jack Vinsen's martyrdom)

"Afraid? Of what?"

To feel the spirit's glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace,
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Saviour's face,
To hear His welcome, and to trace,
The glory gleam from wounds of grace,
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
A flash - a crash - a pierced heart;
Brief darkness - Light - O Heaven's art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To enter into Heaven's rest,
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid? Of that?

Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not -
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid? Of that?


O Lord, give me a heart that fears not man, but delights in knowing You!
Happy Thursday, everyone! Rejoice in the hope that God has given to those who trust in Him!

back to school, back to school...

Wow, so sorry I have been slacking big time these past few days - time has flown and we have been so busy!  We finished out our week with Tim, Jessi and Eli with a cooking class at Dodgy Dock, fishing [the men only, ha!] an adventurous day at Magazine Beach [the waves were HUGE and so fun to ride all the way in, but Tim looked like a lobster at the end of it all!] and a nice dinner out on Friday night.  We played Settlers of Catan [J is very competitive...], watched The Cosby Show and just enjoyed sharing meals and a home together for a week.  It was really great and I was very sad to see them go - I cried a few times, it felt like leaving Louisville all over again.  We are so glad they were able to come and stay with us - it was such a blessing and encouragement - time full of meaningful conversation about marriage and babies and life overall. It was a much needed refreshment from the Lord, for sure.  They left on Saturday morning, and J and I went to the movies that night for a little date night. 

The next day we went to a local Lutheran church and then spent the rest of the day hanging around the house and cleaning [me] and reading [J].  Let me just say that that man devoured books this break - I had my doubts, but he ended up reading the whole Wingfeather Saga [3 books], and a few others on top of that!  I think he read 5 or 6 books!  You know how many I read?  None.  I didn't finish one book.  But I am currently reading 3.  Well, really I'm reading 5, but two don't really count since I am reading one completely at my leisure [Harry Potter 7, at night before I go to bed...sometimes] and the other I am going to devote my full attention to once I finish the other 3 books [Book 1 of the Wingfeather Saga].  My current reads are:

• 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came To Die, John Piper [reading 10 a day...will be done by Friday!]
• Real Food for Mother and Babies, Nina Planck [I love it! So interesting!]
• The Triumph of John and Betty Stam, Mrs. Howard Tayor [not too far into this one - I "accidentally" started today, but it will be a fast read, and super encouraging] 

So there you have it.  I recommend all of them :)  I also recommend reading them one by one, but this batch is pretty manageable since they are completely different genres from one another [devotional, food/nutrition informational, biographical, respectively].  

Ryan and Marieke arrived Sunday night and the guys started school the next day [yesterday].  Its crazy how "full" the island already feels! Everything has felt weird - the fact that my family and the Violas were here only two/one weeks ago and are now gone is weird.  The fact that break is already over is weird.  J is now in 2nd term...weird.  Working out at the gym and seeing people walking across campus when before it was completely deserted...weird.  It's also weird that we only have a little over 4 months until we can come back to the states.  In a way, Grenada has become my "norm," although we definitely miss home and missed coming back for the holidays...so it will be interesting to see how the summer goes.  By the way, if anyone has any suggestions/know of any job openings for the summer, please let me know!!! I will be able to work for 6 weeks, and would really love some extra income :)  Anyway, please continue to pray for us: for wisdom, for J and his studies, for our marriage, for increasing love for others, and anything else you can think of.  I am looking forward to getting a lot of reading done this week before the term REALLY starts for me [Bible study, SO Board, etc. - it's going to be BUSY!!!]

We miss everyone back home! Much love to all!  And here are a few more pictures from the week with the Violas :)

 He actually did end up loving the ocean at Magazine Beach...but I didn't have my camera there...

 

Yipes!!!

 Watching the sunset on campus on our last night!

 Love the Violas!!

 Look at that FACE! And those eyelashes!!! Blessed boy... :):)  I miss seeing him in the morning...giggling and rolling around on the floor :)

Cal zones are GOOODDDD!

Someone got sunburn on someone's nose.  Someone else wasn't too happy about it...

Love from Grenada.

eli is a fan of sand.

This is Tim and Jessi's last night with us, so while they are packing, I wanted to share a few pics of the babe enjoying some sand  - he LOVES it!!! I will post more later...

 

 This is one of only THREE pictures I got of him looking up at all - he was SO fascinated by the sand!  It was hilarious!

 And I've gotta post some of these because they are just sweet :)  We watched a sunset on campus tonight before we went to dinner...here are Eli and Uncle J hanging out ;)

I think this looks swell, don't you? :)

Pray for safe travels for the Viola fam as they head back tomorrow morning!  And as they stay overnight in Miami :)  It has been a JOY to have them here!!!!!

adventurs part 2.

the world according to eli.

 

first of all, this is me in uncle j's hat.  it is muhc to big on me, and uncle j and aunt e laugh at me every time i have it on, but it provides some good shade, so i am a happy camper...i don't see what all the fuss is about??

it's been quite a journey so far.  we went to uncle j's school campus.  i watched daddy go cliff jumping.  we went to the market today and aunt e and uncle j watched me while mommy and daddy took a tour of an old fort.  we went to dinner at a pretty place with fascinating lights called Dodgy Dock.  we went to see Puss in Boots so mommy and daddy could experience a Grenadian movie.  i'm trying my hardest to start crawling, but the best i can do is rock a little and then topple forward.  it's hard work being me!  but at least i'm becoming quite the world traveler.

 this is me, mommy and daddy at uncle j's campus.

 

daddy likes this picture.  i like being tossed.

 this was after uncle j and daddy jumped once...do you see me and mommy on top?? i loved the breeze...

 this is something uncle j and daddy kept calling a "ninja pose"....

 maybe i will do it someday?...

 i was reading john owen with daddy...but i got distracted by a flash...

 aunt e put me in front of the mirror while mommy was resting and i was a little fussy...i got quite excited...

 what 'chu lookin' at??

 this is mommy and daddy at Dodgy Dock for one dollar wing night.  daddy and uncle j were VERY happy!

 i think they left me somewhere on the floor while they wanted to take pictures of themselves...uncle j and daddy really wanted to start eating their wings, but mommy and aunt e wanted them to be clean for pictures...

 he really just wants to be eating...

this was their feast.  i didn't really care for it...i would rather have bananas.

 well, everybody, that about sums it up.
  please pray for me and mommy - she is very sick and has a fever, and i have been a bit fussier with a low grade fever today - pray that we get all better tonight!!!

tomorrow we are going to the pool and the beach!  hooray!

adventurs in gren-a-duh...as recounted by baby e.

so i got to this very big place after traveling on three very loud, noisy things in the air.  there were a lot of older ladies who smiled and giggled with me a lot, and i fell asleep a lot, too so it was fun overall.  we got to the place where aunt e and uncle j lived and it was dark.  i wasn't tired at all.  i rolled on a big bed while mommy talked to aunt e.  then everyone went to bed, and they put me in a big suitcase.  i don't think aunt e and uncle j know what a baby bed is...oh well.  i'm learning to like it ok.  they put a fan next to my head, so that's nice.  i'm always pretty sticky in this big place with lots of green stuff everywhere, its pretty hot.  mommy puts me in onesies all the time, and the place i was before we were in the three loud things was cold and she always put me in a lot more clothes.  i like kicking my legs a lot, so i think i like less clothes. 

last night daddy strapped me to himself and carried me to this big place with blue moving stuff that was wet.  he put my foot in it, and it was ok the first time, but then some of the blue stuff came up on me and scared me.  i didn't like it so much after that.  i wanted mommy.

today, they took me to another big place with moving blue stuff, and i was little scared at first.  but then i realized that this stuff wasn't going to come up and hit me in the face, and then i loved it!  i learned how to splash, and i hung out with my very silly uncle j.  he always makes the same face at me...i wonder if his face will stick that way?  

right now i'm eating some food with mommy and daddy and everyone is talking about crab racing tonight.  i don't know what any of those things are, so i will probably want to sleep a lot anyway.  well, that's all for now.  keep watching for my updates - i'm learning a lot about this big place. 

keep it dry!

 there i was, minding my own business, laying on my mat...

 next thing you know, daddy has me strapped and putting me in cold wet stuff!

 

 then they gave me to uncle j...are you sure he knows what he's doing??

 then daddy was eating my hand...

 then they made me STAND in the wet stuff!!!

 no, no, no i did NOT like that!

 mama!!!

 YAY! Mama :)

 this is what they keep calling a "bed"...do they think i'm stupid??

 i was a little worried about this wet stuff, but the hard stuff on the side was cool...

 mommy helped me get in the wet stuff and not be scared.

 one of my newest favorite things to do is chew on mommy's collarbone.

 daddy kept disappearing underwater, and it was a little disconcerting at first...

 but then he would come back and it was really funny!

 mommy and daddy are the best.

  then silly uncle j put a flower on my head.

 did i mention he is silly?

 he is VERY silly!

 so silly, he doesn't even know what's going on behind him...

 well, i think i like this stuff afterall.

love, baby e.