to provoke your thought.

Something I read quoted from C.S. Lewis at The Rabbit Room that has had me thinking a lot:

"It is a serious thing to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another...all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics.

There are no ordinary people.

You have never talked to a mere mortal.

Nations, cultures, arts, civilization - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors."

~C.S. Lewis, “The Weight of Glory”:

What does this mean to you?

weekend of weekends part 2.

 Saturday started with a little sleeping in [not really], breakfast, and then going to test drive a car with Marieke and Ryan.  We were thinking that we were going to get an insanely awesome deal on it, but we're not sure now.  Oh well.  Coming back from test driving a car, J wanted to get a coconut...

Here he is, goal accomplished.

We all decided to go back to Magazine Beach for some snorkeling and dinner on the beach.  We each went home and cooked our meals and then met back on campus to catch the bus we needed.  J went snorkeling, but I just hung out in the water this time.

Marieke and I, working on our tans...ha!

 I snapped some pics of my handsome man while he was talking to Phillip, another guy who joined us along with Justin, Ryan, and Marieke.

 I love this one :)

 We stayed until after sunset...

 Awesome clear water :)

 YAY! Ocean!

See the sailboat on the horizon??

Once we were done with the beach, we came home and J and I watched Ice Age...well, honestly, I fell asleep for the most of it, but he watched it, haha...and then we went to bed :)  Overall it was an awesome day, although Marieke and I got EATEN ALIVE by sand fleas - my legs look bumpy all over right now it's ridiculous.  Bug spray usually takes care of that issue, but we always forget they exist in the first place :(

Sunday rolled around and we went to church, and then we invited Marieke and Ryan over to watch the game.  It was so weird to turn on the TV and see American football! Haha...anyway, Marieke's sister-in-law had sent her a little container of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte syrup for her birthday, so we made homemade PS Lattes :):)!!! I had also baked some pumpkin spice scone-like treats for this very occasion, so we ate them after our dinner of black bean "burritos."  It was a ton of fun to host them for dinner - I was really excited :)  And it was awesome to feel a little fall-esque:  wouldn't football and PS Lattes do the trick for anyone wanting to feel fall festive-y?  Yes, yes.  It was awesome.  After they left, we were able to Skype for a while with the McAloons, which was super encouraging, and felt like a real hang out time :)  Then I took a Benadryl to try to deal with my sand flea bites, and though we were going to start watching a movie, we were both asleep by 10:30pm :)  I think we needed it anyway.  

 

 

The barista and the excited consumer :)

In other news:  J got A's on ALL his midterms!!!! PRAISE THE LORD for His unfailing kindness towards us in allowing him to study well and have great recall on test days!!! It has been such an encouragement to both of us to know that J has been able to figure out how to study effectively :)  Keep praying for him, it's a long road :)

Well that's the end of our account of the great adventurous weekend.  It was such a blessing to have so much down time together and a lot of fun :)  Much love to all!

weekend of weekends part 1.

Wow - where to begin??

 Marieke's birthday was on Friday and so I threw a little surprise luncheon in her honor.  We had a sandwich bar with carrots, hummus and homemade potato chips on the side, as well as a Funfetti cake with homemade icing.  It was a lot of fun and good to have a bunch of girls over to hangout :)

J took all his midterms this week and we already found out that he got an A in Bio Chem!  Praise the Lord! :)  And since this past week was his midterm week, we were able to have the rest of the weekend ALL to ourselves - YAY!  But seeing as we did so many things, and we are about to read a little and then start a movie, I am only going to post a bit from Friday's "Fish Friday."  We took a trip to a different part of the island with CSA [Christian Student Association] to experience "Grenada's Fishing Capitol"...J was pumped to have some great fish, I on the other hand was fighting drowsiness since I has taken half [HALF!] a Dramamine for the ride up [it was rough people, rough].  I also thought I had lost my phone at one point, so I wasn't the best person to have around that night.  I felt badly for being a party pooper, but the rest of the weekend was great, so there is more to come.  For now, here is some Fish Friday...

 These little girls watched me take pictures of the old church, and wanted to see them all, so I offered to take a picture of them, too...I guess they do this often - I mean, look at those poses!

The old church...I took this with a longer open shutter...I think it looks cool...

 So eager.

 Typical Justin.

 Two of the cooks at one of the stands.

 Fried breadfruit [native of Grenada], fried fish, stuffed potatoes, and garlic bread...

 J and his red snapper...he ate it whole!!

 Well...not the bones, obviously.

 Musical entertainment for the night.

Finally, as we were leaving, my medicated stupor was beginning to wear off...here we are on the bus ride home...

More to come.

cocoa tea & thankfulness.

 THIS, dear friends, is Cocoa Tea.  

They call it Grenadian hot chocolate, but if you try it expecting it  to be hot-chocolately, it is very disappointing.  Turns out it is actually TEA - I wonder if they just thought it would sell better if it was marketed as hot chocolate? I mean, I guess they succeeded.  Almost everyone I met during the first couple weeks was talking about this Grenadian hot chocolate in the markets.  I haven't heard about it since, though. Oh well. 

I've learned to really like it as tea, so here the process: boil down one cocoa ball in 3 cups of water. Strain the water and collect all excess parts of said ball [there is a lot at the bottom].  Add sweetened condensed milk to your liking [Marieke has taught me appreciation for this ingredient.  I feel very European every time I use it ;)]  Then, praise the Lord and enjoy drinking this awesome night time worthy delight :)  Whoever comes to visit first will get a free taster ;)  Just kidding.  Everyone who comes will get to have some - you just have to come :)

On another note, remember how I said yesterday I had collected nutmeg leaves and was planning on making something with them?  Well...it turned out alright, so you get to see the result:

Nutmeg leaves sown together. 

Pieces of a free magazine ripped and then glued back together for a collage effect in the middle.

Pieces of an envelope from Mom's letter for the words. 

And Mom's leaves were finally used at last! :)

I put the remaining Harry Potter party candles around it on the wall for added effect :)

 The words in the middle come from the following verse:

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

I want to dwell in this all day, every day.  Life is so much better when thankfulness in Christ and joy in the Lord is the center of all things!

To be FULL of joy.  

Always. 

To entreat and address God for all things, through all things, in all things. 

Without ceasing.

To be aware and appreciative of all His glorious benefits and ways, overflowing with gratitude.  

In all circumstances. 

This is His will for me. 

Walk through the day praising Him...for His generous provision in waking us up, His renewed mercies, His great faithfulness, our daily bread...and ultimately, eternity with Him for those who know and honor Him as Lord.

Much love.

morning meditations.

 

Just in case you can't read what this says, after Job has suffered long and the Lord is answering him: 

"Or who shut in the sea with doors

when it burst out from the womb,

when I made clouds its garment

and thick darkness its swaddling band, 

and prescribed limits for it

and set bars and doors, 

and said, "Thus far shall you come, and no farther,

and here shall your proud waves be stayed?"

Job 38: 8-11

  

I wasn't actually reading Job this morning, but I love this verse, and it pops into my head every time I see the ocean...I just think of how the Lord has orchestrated all things, and who are we to question His ways when He has even ordained the limits of the waters??  Awesome.

So since I found myself at the beach this morning with a blanket, camera, journal and the Word, I figured it was a good picture in which to include it :)  Note:  I also found "fall"-like nutmeg leaves...I've collected some and plan to make something with them.  If it is cool, I will post about it.  If not, this is the last time you will hear of it ;)

 I chose to walk through the resort that my parents will be staying at on my way to the beach...the main road through it is lined with these lamp posts.  It reminded me of St. James court and Narnia all at the same time :)

 Another Narnia-esque thing, haha...I didn't check out the Fantasy Pool, because well....

 I ran into this one instead...opening to the beach.  This one's for you, Livie...you're going to come here!

 A silly attempt at a serious self portrait with my ridiculous sun hat with which I have a love/hate relationship [for no reason other than to prove that I was the one taking these pictures] but you can see my view from my blanket behind me...

 And oh ho ho! Look who it is!  Is this a relative to a dog whose name begins with "Jane" and ends with "Lou"?  

 

Judging by his proximity, even when I shooed it away...he must be a direct relative ;)

Anyway, I decided to finally venture to the beach for a morning.  I never do this, and its only a 5 minute walk or so from my house.  It was a great way to revel in creation and spend time in the Word.  I've realized my need to cultivate more thankfulness in being here, as this past week or so has been a lot harder than usual.  This morning was a glorious reminder of the Lord's steadfast lovingkindness towards J and I, and that it is surrounding us always.  

Hilarously enough, I was going to start posting a picture a day of something I am thankful for, and when I checked my blogs this morning, I saw that Ashley is doing the same!  So...I promise I'm not copying ;)  Well, even if I am, it is a great idea!  So...I will try to do it...

J took another midterm today, and his hardest one [Anatomy] is on Friday, so please keep him in your prayers!  

I leave you with this...may it be in our hearts continually if we are in Christ:

"Your words were found, and I ate them,

and your words became to me a joy

and the delight of my heart,

for I am called by Your name, 

O LORD, God of hosts."

Jeremiah 15:16

Much love.

P.S. Happy October!!!!

October snuck up on me, no joke. So to all you folks who are starting to feel the full on-set of crisp air, chilly nights, scarf-worthy outings, the smell of bonfire breezes, color changing leaves and the crunchiness that follows...Happy October. 

Please have a Pumpkin Spice Latte, Chai, or some apple cider for me. And DEFINITELY start your fall treat baking...may I suggest anything that includes pumpkin and chocolate combined? I think I have shared my (healthy...er) recipe with a few of you :) 

As for me, I am trying to deceive myself into thinking that the brief, cool breezes that occur during rainstorms are hinting at a coming fall. Haha...I live on a tropical island, who am I kidding? But it's ok - the heat of the Caribbean magnifies the Lord just as much as the chill of fall weather in the states, or wherever else the chill is heading now :) 

Much love to everyone....whenever you wear any red colored fall garment or accessory, think of me. Why red? Who knows. Just do it :)

black & white & beach all over.

Today has been a strange day.  Good, but strange.  It has been a rainy day, and right now it is pouring sporadically off and on outside, so the breeze is awesome.  

This morning was church and then Marieke and I left to meet Natalie to go to Belmont Estates.  Apparently, there is a chocolate factory and farm things up there...chocolate and goat cheese - what more can a girl ask for?  Needless to day, it was something all of us had been looking forward to all week, and so rain was not going to deter us!

We hopped on a bus to get downtown and found ourselves in a deserted market.  And by deserted, I mean there was like, maybe 5 people total downtown.  It was a VERY strange, but kind of cool.  To make this story short, we were informed that we would not be able to get to Belmont Estates on a Sunday as the buses we needed would not be running.  This was contrary to information we had been given, but after discussing it with a taxi driver who was charging more money then we were willing to spend, and watching the clock tick away with no other bus in sight, we decided to come back and hang out at my apartment.  

Well, I was feeling sorry for us and our lack of chocolate, so I suggested we go pick some up from the grocery store, and while we were at it, we decided to go ahead and walk to BBC Beach, which none of us had ever been to but we had seen it off the road.  It was pretty cool - the rain was keeping it fairly cool [except when it stopped and the humidity would spike until the next cloud burst] so we just walked around and took a few pictures...I am going to share my favorites that I edited in black and white.  I'm surprised that I haven't done that yet, but here we are now.

 

View of BBC Beach from the road...

 Candid shot of Natalie.  Reminds me of my photography projects my freshman year of college.

 Love this...good timing, bird.

 Shells.

 Boat again.

 Stairs leading up to a house RIGHT on the beach...waves crashing against it and everything.  THAT close.

 An old boat, something I thought J might appreciate a picture of...sure enough, there was an immediate, "Oh, that's cool" when he saw this :) Called it.

And now, some awesome color contrast doors and things I found - I LOVE these color schemes :)

And a large frog...actually, this doesn't even touch some of the frogs I've seen...but Natalie was brave enough to stick her foot close for comparison.

Anyway, turned out to be a good, unplanned day :)  We then came back to my place and had coffee and some cookies and talked for a while before we all dispersed to make dinner for the husbands :) 

Well, J is home now so we are going to go to bed for him to get up early for his first midterm tomorrow!  Please be praying for him this week!! Love to all.