sebring

Hanging out in Florida.  Pretty much on the couch.   Going out for dinner since I am the cook and no one wants to eat food served by a sick cook.  Pretty good principal I think.

I am starting to feel better.   So thankful for that.

Last night Bob and I went to see the movie Avatar.  I smiled through most of it.  It was delightful.  It was!  I loved the whole 3D experience.  I confess that we bought the movie from one of the movie guys on the street in Roatan but to see it on the big screen and with the 3D was really awesome!!   It is a shame that they made God a female, but other then that it was inspiring and beautiful.

I took this in the airport for Emily.

she loves manatees.

We are hoping to go to Sanibel.. maybe tomorrow as the weather is looking up a bit.   It is funny to come to Florida and be cold!!   :-)

Bob's Mom is enjoying being spoiled by us and I know the company is good for her.

the palms are all brown and dead here

Bob and his Mom on her 83rd birthday!

this tree caught my eye as we were going into 

a restaurant.

I am glad I went over to take the photo

on route

So much of life depends on attitude.  Today we got up at 4:50, flew to La Ceiba, then to San Pedro where we waited for 4 hours, flew to Fort Lauderdale where we waited 3 hours, flew to Orlando and drove to Sebring.   Arriving at Bob's Mom's at midnight.

So we can either bemoan all the travel and the waiting or we can simply say "we don't have to do anything today except wait and travel"

We have opted to go with the latter attitude.   :-)

this is the little plane we flew in from la ceiba to san pedro sula

 i love the view from san pedro.  i would like to explore this area a little more.

a glorious day of travel!!

I have always love to travel.  I always get excited at the thought of getting on a plane and going anywhere!!   I remember my first really big trip was going to Israel when I was just out of high school.   That was a big deal for a small town girl from Atikokan but at that point in my life I was really searching for truth and longed to find God.  I thought that going to Israel would reveal who He was. I was seriously considering Judiasm.  But the whole time I was there I kept thinking about Jesus.  That may seem normal to you considering I am a woman of faith now, but truly I was the least likely to accept Him as my saviour.   I didn't accept Him at that point, but that trip to Israel really confirmed to me the living, breathing reality of the Messiah.   So having said that, travelling exposes us to things that we wouldn't normally do and be exposed to.

We are excited to be able to see Bob's Mom and celebrate her 83rd birthday tomorrow.   I love Birthdays.   As our parents get older I think it is important to make the effort to connect and keep making memories.  It is hard to not live close so we try to get there when we can. 

PS In Florida now.  I have been sick since coming here. No internet at the house.  Feeling out of touch a bit.   Missing all of you.   But resting up and relaxing and doing bunches of nothing.

I will come back in a few days and update you on life here.  I have been at Bob Evans Restaurant for too long already so I think I better go home.  Next time, the first thing I do will be to blog.

out and about

On Friday we took Maria to Oakridge since there were some ophthalmologists there from the States.  I am so grateful for the doctors who volunteer to come to the island to help the people here.   Oakridge is about an hour (well more like 40 min. with Bob driving!) away from where we live in Sandy Bay.  It would have cost Maria quite a bit to take a taxi so we offered to drive her.     I have been having some arching and flashes in my left eye and thought I might as well get checked out too so Bob offered to drive us.

this is the view all all views!  i love this part of the island!

The doctor verified that Maria is indeed blind in one eye and there wasn't anything that could be done.  We were hoping to be able to do a cornea transplant but he said that the eye is dead and the only thing to do would be to get a colored contact to covered the eye.  We are looking into that. My eye was fine too for which I was very grateful.

Here is Maria with doctor who checked her eye.

We really enjoyed the drive up the East side of the island.  Oakridge is build along one of the bights and it often called the Venice of Roatan since most transportation is done by boat.  The used to built long dug out canoes, very narrow.  Even still the boats are very narrow and we have gone in one once.   It was very tippy.   Bob, needless to say. was thrilled to be by the water and watched the boats and spoke to the guy who organizes the teams to come.

The following day we had our friends from French Harbour come over for lunch.   They arrived island time..meaning two hours late.  I had to laugh!     I basically had everything ready for chicken tortillas so I just waited for them to arrive.   Things happen at a slower rate here on the island.  We had a wonderful meal together and then at 3:00 we  all trundled into our little car.   We took them to West Bay.   They hadn't been there in years, in fact, Cedric hadn't snorkeled in over 20 years.   They have three wonderful little boys:  Fedric, age 10, Shane age 7, and Jamar who is 3 years old.   They had so much fun splashing around in the water.   The oldest boy was able to snorkel so I took him around in the shallow section and he was thrilled to see so many fish.   Cindy later said that she hadn't had that much fun in years and she felt years younger.   It is funny that they live here and yet don't go to the beach or even eat seafood very often.  I guess that can be a problem for all of us, we begin to take for granted the areas where we live and they lose the 'specialness'.  I believe in PLAY.. I think it is good for the soul and keeps the heart young.

I saw Cedric today at church and he was sick.  I kept asking what was wrong.   And he said that he just didn't feel good.  One funny thing about islanders is that they blame alot of illness on the 'water' or the cold wind.   So he said, it was because he was in cold water swimming and then warm water.   That is why he was aching and sore today.  I laughed and said,  Oh Cedric, you haven't swam in 20 years and I think it doesn't have anything to do with the water but it is just that his muscles were strained.   He looked at me and seriously said, 'you think so?'   haha.. yes!!

I am posting a couple  of pictures I took at church.  A lady at church made a big flag to fly in the capital's city of Tegucigalpa.  She made it to show that to the country our desire for democracy and peace.   May it fly with freedom!!

totally gratified!

At the end of yesterday i said to bob.. wow this day has been totally gratifying!

Let me see if i can paint a picture for you.
on cruise ship days bob and i share the work load at the shop.  he goes in the morning and i go in the afternoon.

So what is so gratifying about working at our 'made in roatan' shop?? It is the people and it following His still small voice throughout the day.

Luma is one of the artists in the shop who does paintings and we wanted more variety so I said to Zenola (who was at the shop with me) that I wanted to walk down the road to the Methodist Market to see if he had some for me.

I also wanted to look in shops for some things to send the kids from the states (cheaper then sending from Roatan!)  I was looking for a tshirt with a barracuda to send to Mattie.  Shhh don't tell him!   No one had it so I was going from shop to asking "Tenge que la camisa con una barracuda?"  Suddenly an american couple tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I lived on the island.   I guess my speaking in Spanish was the clue I don't know.  Or maybe I am starting to LOOK like an islander.   Either way, I said yes.   They proceeded to say that they had a very big problem and needed my help.  I was all ears (not literally of course!)  They told me that had a huge duffle bag full of shoes, clothes, and toys to give to the kids here but they missed the customs officer and now they won't let them bring it off the ship.   They were very upset, and felt it was clearly for here and not Mexico or Belize.   I wasn't sure what to do but I said I would go to the ship and talk to them, as an islander and see if they would allow me to take it off the ship to distribute to the needy.

As we were walking along, I started to pray.   I told Him I didn't really know what to do.  What should I do?  (here is a clue about hearing from God:  ask Him questions.. He usually answers when we are listening)  So suddenly it popped into my head, "call Miss Peggy at Clinic Esperanza."   Cool!   So I did that and within 5 minutes the problem was solved!!   Praise God!   She told me to tell them to take it to Customer Relations, and tell them it was for Clinica Esperanza, Miss Peggy, her phone #, my phone # and it would be released in 2 weeks.   They were overjoyed!!!!   :-)

I called Peggy back later and I said, "so how does it feel to know that He knows you have the answers to life's problems!!"

I walked back to the shop (tshirt-less) but happy to know that I was an instrument in His hands.   All we need to do is be willing to help and ask for the help we need along the way!!  :-)

We had our BEST day at the shop.  It was incredible.   So many people stopped in, caught the vision and bought the local fair.   It's exciting.   I love talking with the people.   Everyone wants to know why we are doing what we are doing and we have many opportunities to share our hearts and our passion to help the islanders to help themselves!   I didn't realize the shop would become a ministry but it is becoming just that.

 
On the way home I stopped at Miss Norma's to bring her some Canadian  flower seeds.   She is a wonderful gardener in Flower's Bay  (actually I think she lives in Pensacola)  Anyways, we had such a great visit.

She makes the most delicious sugar cookies and last I visited she gave me a bag for free.  This time I bought a bag ( a big bag full) but she only charged me .60!!  I tried to give her more but she wouldn't take it.  How do these people ever make money??!!   :-)   She has some cow manure that I am going to go get once the weather dries out a bit.   As I was leaving her place this huge black and brown PIG went squealing it's way around the front of her house.  I said, 'Miss Norma, you got a pig?   cos it just ran away!!"  She said, "nah that ain't my pig, that be neighbor's pig!"   She didn't seem alarmed that it was running like mad down the road. I was hoping to get a picture of the big pig on my way home but it went into hiding somewhere.   I am thinking.. did someone say "pig roast??"   :-)

Bob met a wonderful Canadian couple in the morning that he told me about and they came back in the afternoon to buy another necklace.   We had such a wonderful visit together, she couldn't decide on the necklace to buy and I told her that Yourgin made one to look like a sunset with the dark horizon and she said, oh yeah I saw that right away.   I told her.. well that is the necklace you should choose because you saw what the artist saw.   Sounds like a fit.

Her husband was showing me pictures from Carambola Gardens and showed me a hummingbird shot.  Now folks, I gotta say, it was not the best shot ever so I said, You like hummingbirds??!  Oh they did.  So I went to and got one of enlarged photos of a hummingbird  in a 8 x 10 matte and said, "here take this!"   They said, Oh we can't just take that!!!   I told them they could because I was the artist and if I wanted to give it away I could do that!  They almost cried.   I just started to laugh and they joined in saying they won't forget us.  I don't them ... just don't forget the Lord because that's what really matters!

Small things matter.  It isn't big things. It is small things like helping, like listening to God, like giving instead of taking, and at the end of the day I tell you my smile was pasted on!   Yes totally gratified I was!!


And then to top off such a great day we were invited to Don and Jeanette's for a wonderful dinner made by Kris!   Great times with great friends!!

been a bit chilly these days

 it  sure has been cold.

apparently this is record breaking  weather.

the coldest in history!!!

with the wind factor going down to around 40F.

it has been raining heavy for a few days now,

high winds,

power outages,

and waves around 11 feet high.

 there weren't alot of people on the beach except for crazy photographers and this one lady who is a runner!!

 

the view from the hill by turtle crossing.

you can see west bay below

the waves on west bay are wonderful!!

today we went to coxen hole and saw people carrying umbrellas,

wearing jackets and jeans.

i weakened and put on my jeans, socks, shoes, a fleece and a scarf!!

freezing!

i know it isn't as cold as canada but for tropical weather it is cold and very damp!

we met a couple of ladies from north carolina.

i saw them standing under the shelter of a shop in coxen hole

and mosied over to talk to them.

they wanted to go through the mercado.

i didn't feel right about them wandering through there alone and ending up

in a 'bad area' of coxen hole so bob went to the bank while

i played tour guide.

they wanted to see our shop so we drove over and opened up for them.

they loved the variety of things we had and bought alot of stuff.

then we went for lunch in west end at rudy's.

it was freezing.

they were amazed that we'd stop everything to be with them.

one thing we have alot of:  TIME!

 

real men carry umbrellas!

one good thing is that things are turning a beautiful green!!!

i have laryngitis right now
(cough cough cough)
tomorrow i will be going to the 'made in roatan' shop
i am being real quiet these days hoping my throat will heal
up before tomorrow.

it is so quiet here.
bob is in heaven!

haha.
actually i think it is too quiet for his liking!

a beach walk

Bob and I went for a walk to seadancer.  that was the place we stayed for a few months when we first moved here.  I love to go there.   It was a little windy and cold.   But still so beautiful.
beach walk slideshow

Bob was happy to have Don come over to help with the wiring for his shop (on the property)  It is great to have Don and Jeanette back on the island again.  They are our friends from St. Louis and live here for half the year.

I did some gardening this afternoon.   Jeanette brought me some 'rooting hormones' so I can plant shoots without roots. Marco brought me a plant with lovely yellow flowers but no roots so I trust it will grow.   I also planted my poinsetta plant this afternoon too. I love being able to enjoy it all year round.

Yesterday I went to the shop and met the most wonderful couple.   You can read about it here

josiah and cali

It is cold here.   Bob is sitting opposite me wearing jeans, work boots, and a heavy fleece jacket. 
Time for supper.

Have a great evening.

xo

visitin' left right and centre!

One thing I love about Roatan is that it isn't uncommon to just 'drop in' or have people drop in.
On New Years Day Marco, our neighbor had a cruise ship tour and he brought a Canadian family over for a visit.  After all, they are Canadian and so are we!!!   :-)   It was Liliana's birthday so we had cheesecake and coffee out on the deck.   We had such a wonderful visit with them!   I love Canadians ..  I do.  I admit.  I am a bit partial!  :-)


We decided to take them snorkeling at West Bay and it was great to be in the water again.  It was my first time since my surgery and it felt great!!!   The water was very clear and we saw alot of fish.  We went to the wall and Bob saw a turtle ,about 50 ft down and he went down to rouse it up to the surface but it was happily feeding off the coral and wouldn't budge.   Elka and Jillian were thrilled to see so many wonderful fish though!  They kept lifting their head to say.. 'wow this is really amazing/beautiful/awesome/fantastic!'
It is!!

I talked to a wonderful elderly gentleman on the beach.  His name is Alexander, he lives in the Colonia and he recognized me from being up there.  He saw me when I brought up clothes and toys to the children before Christmas.  Although I had never met him before we talked on the beach for about half hour. He works at Infinity Bay.  It was exciting for me to be able to communicate entirely in Spanish to him.  I am still at the very elementary stage but they now seem to be able to understand me and it is very rewarding to be able to communicate together.  I love the ease that the people here are so open to talk and share together!!

On January 2nd we went to the airport to pick up Don and Jeanette and Kris.

 
I can't begin to say how good it is to have them back on the island again.   They came over for dinner last night and we had a great time catching up, laughing and visiting.   I decided last night that  I wouldn't go on and on about the chicken at the meal.. and I didn't.   BUT I am going to write about it here.  

Bob and I had gone to Plaza Mar to shop and I didn't really like the look of the chicken.  It looked like a bunch of different pieces.  I asked several people if it was chicken breasts and they said.. oh si, si, si.  Liars!!!!!!   :-)

When I got it home, unthawed it I was amazed to see so many pieces of chicken with NO MEAT on them.  It was remarkable.  I usually get my meat from Pollo Rey and love it, but this was butchered (badly) at Plaza Mar and I couldn't believe how each piece was all bone and no meat.  I sent Bobby boy out to the nearby pulperia for more chicken but they only had pork.    BUT miracles do happen and I managed to scrap off little bits of meat (white and dark) off the bones and made the smallest and skinniest chicken parmasan ever!!!    Such is life here.   Fortunately it was turned out delicious and everyone had enough.  Mind you I made scads of veggies and salad to make up for the skimpy chicken on the table!!  :-)

Today it is pouring rain out.  I love rain. So much for doing laundry though.Oh well that can wait.  
Hey maybe I should make soup from all the BONES I have in the fridge!!! Nah, I think I will go to the "Mega Mall" in French Harbour since Bob got me a gift certificate for some foot detox thing.  I will let you know how it goes!

I hope you have a good day and enjoy the people in your world.

xo

the break in

Some of you are aware that on Thursday, during the day, we were broken into.  I am happy to say that although they removed some of the glass panes, cut the screen and came inside that the only thing missing is some food from the cupboard and things from the fridge.  I had been out and was put on the alert when i saw that the bathroom window was open.  I never opened that window so I knew that someone had been inside our place. (we still have no idea WHY they opened that window as it needs to be open from the inside) I was with Maria, and said in spanish, "muy malo!"  very bad!!    I opened the door, speaking very loudly, to scare them away if they were still inside. I didn't see anything missing.

It wasn't until about an hour later that I saw a curtain moving and thought it was strange since I knew I hadn't left it open that I saw the damaged window.  It was rather unnerving to say the least.   We didn't want to leave that open so Bob replaced the glass and then put up 2 x 4's over the window.   He also secured the bathroom windows and  all windows on the deck.   No sense in making it easy for them if they had intentions of returning.  As far as we can tell no one has returned.  We are grateful.

I couldn't believe that they left our computers and my camera.   Something/Someone scared them.  I have an island friend who in his pre Christ days used to break into houses and he said it is common to eat first and then steal.  It is just funny what they took:  curry powder, greek spice, peanut butter, milk, and one really good 60% chocolate bar that was in the fridge!! 

Either way we are thankful beyond words.  I thank the Lord for the peace He gives as we have been able to sleep peacefully at night, and we are praying for continued His divine protection.   Since Christmas there have been many break ins on the island.  Please pray that this would stop soon, and that those who are involved in this would be awakened to His ways and stop hurting and stealing from people.

Thanks so much for standing with us.

On a lighter note I am putting a slide show I made:

http://www.picnik.com/show/id/6605615303_6fDW8/t/picnik-show




Blessings.