Bahamas Breezes

March 4-11, 2017

A sumptuous dinner with the Mammina’s in their St. John, IN home started our getaway.  Smoked ribs by Ben, and asparagus & Caesar Salad sides by Rose.  Possibly one of the best dinners we will have!!

Saturday found us on a short flight from O’Hare to Nassau.  The cab driver was interesting, giving us some history and his testimony!  He mentioned that the Lord had blessed him, so we asked how he knew Jesus – love when we meet people of another culture who we will see in heaven!  We walked 2 miles to his recommended eating spot, the Fish Fry; which is an area with several restaurant choices on Junkanoo Beach—all authentic Bahamian.  We ordered boiled grouper—cooked in foil with carrots, potatoes, pepper, onions and a little spice.  Also came with mashed potatoes, rice & peas, and cabbage w/ carrots.  It was so delicious—and glad that we smartly ordered one to share!  A wonderful start to our trip.

Sunday: 

After staying in Towne Hotel for the night (needs some TLC, but very authentic!), we headed out exploring the city.  Straw Market reminded us of the Cancun vendors who are so quick to “suck you in”.  Each vendor has their own spot in this open-air building and one grabbed my arm to show me her “wares”—I was able to purchase a lovely Bahamas beach bag, originally at $25—sold for a hard, cold $10 bill – such a deal?  Yikes, I am so not good at turning down these very persuasive people!!   On to the historic Queens Stairs, in honor of Queen Victoria who freed the slaves here on the islands during her reign.  A fascinating history lesson from a local, provided us with yet another view of the way the church made some horrific choices in the past, in regards to choosing profit over caring for human lives.  A highlight was stepping into 2 very different Bahaman church services:  one Anglican with a beautiful singing of the Doxology; another, Zion Baptist where we thoroughly enjoyed the movement, passionate singing and being one of 6 whites in a group of 300 worshipers.  Again, a glimpse of heaven.  Hallelujah! We crossed the bridge to Paradise Island, checked into Harborside Resort and then checked out some eating spots which run anywhere from $ to $$$$$ -- we will be careful!  Split a burger at the American burger spot, a quick walk-through the aquarium, coffee at Starbucks and finished the day watching a free movie at the Atlantis Theatre, Hacksaw Ridge.  Very FULL day – clocked over 6 miles with 14K steps!

Monday: 

Awoke after a restful sleep to hit the fitness center for 25 minutes of biking; then fixed egg wraps in our kitchen.  Headed to our “speel” at the timeshare sales office, hoping to find out some details on our ownership; however there was not much help with that.  Dominique spent the first 40 minutes conversing with us about the islands, his Anglican background, finding Jesus, gratefulness, and the racial issues in America.  Enlightening and enjoyable!  We were able to resist the pressure to buy more vacation pleasures for our family –and walked away with a $100 voucher to enjoy an upscale dinner at one of the $$ restaurants!!  Later that day I read Ann Voscamp’s “Lent to Repent” – where her prayer for the day was for us to repent from “wanting more and keeping up with the Jones”.  So grateful that God has given us contentment, and re-affirmed the decision we made earlier.  It also challenged us to keep our hearts open to His nudges to make life better for some Bahamans by giving out of our abundance rather than hoarding it for ourselves.  Since it was another extremely windy day, we chose to do more walking; checking out the beach area, browsing in the library, finding the Lazy River, eating nachos at Anthony’s and landing in our room early to recuperate.

Tuesday: 

Headed out early to Viola’s, a little open air restaurant on the far side near Atlantis.  Western Omelets and great coffee!  

Back to our resort by 11:30 and spent the next several hours at our pool and hot tub.  Excellent salads at the poolside grill.  Great day of relaxing, a little too much sun for Bill who chose not to put on sunscreen….Enjoyed baked potatoes w/ broccoli and cheese in our room; then leisurely walked to the Marina Village for coffee and a wonderful pina colada cake dessert.  Bill has been off sugar for over 2 weeks and even refused a taste of this—I’m so proud of him.  We sat for an hour enjoying the free entertainment, a one man show with 3 drums, playing a mix of music with various folks stopping to dance.  A lovely, romantic evening!

Wednesday: 

Coffee & breakfast in while praying for Maynard’s three bypass surgery.  After hearing his good report, we headed to the AquaAdventure Park at the Atlantis Complex, where we jumped on the Lazy River, the Crazy River and a short water slide --where Bill jammed his knee/hip as he hit the waterpool at the end.  

Thankful he will see the orthopedic dr. on Monday, hoping for shots in both knees.  Split a reuben sandwich at Murray’s Deli, lounged by one of the 10 pools available to us, and caught the shuttle back.  Being the frugals that we are, we made a delicious pasta supper with leftover onions-feta-balsamic from a previous day’s lunch, adding chicken-mushrooms-bacon from a Quiznos sandwich along with the can of petite tomatoes.  Outstanding!!  Finished off the day watching a 9 pm Junkanoo Parade, festive island dress w/masks, cow bells, brass instruments; then to the Atlantis theatre for a 9:45 showing of The Accountant. 

Thursday:

Leisurely morning, breakfast on the deck.  On to the resort pool to read & people watch.  Tried a pina colada drink, which was as tasty as the Bahama Mama, except a little too much rum made me a bit woozy!!  I am definitely a light-weight.  Lunch at the poolside restaurant, The Point, looking out at the Marina—tried the conch fritters, delicious!  Dinner in, then wandered over near the Marina and found a “Margaritaville” for key lime pie.   A special fireworks exhibit from our deck was a surprise ending!

Friday:

An excellent ending to our sojourn in Paradise Island, a leisurely walk on Cove Beach.  We entered the beach unobtrusively since only Cove guests were allowed on this beach---but so glad we did!! The most beautiful beach we have ever enjoyed.  Not only the many hues of green-blue in the water, but the sandy shoreline was unlittered by seaweed/bark/dirt. Frolicking in the clear water, conversing with a Texan yoga learner, and watching the cruise ships enter the harbor all made for a terrific stroll.  

Re-entering the “legal” area to rest at a pool, we purchased carry out chicken tenders & headed home through the elaborate Marina maze---suddenly discovering that our ever-ready Bahama bag was missing!!!!  Yikes.  A quick race back to the Deli, sending up instant prayers all the way-- –the lonely bag still sitting in an outdoor chair where we had stopped to take a photo.  As the very kind security guard said—“it’s Paradise, mon”; nothing stolen, all credit cards and cash intact!!  I love the Bahamans!  Thank you, Lord.  While Bill napped (we did clock 15,000 steps & almost 7 miles!), I walked back to the Coral Towers to return library materials (a book which I finished and a Yahtze game which went untouched—HA); then we took time to get ready for “Date Night”.  The highly touted “Carmine’s” (of New York) was our destination, where they served family shared portions –way too much food for us—we needed our kids with us!  We behaved ourselves and did not order the pasta specialty, but loved the Caesar salad, the special breads and my third drink of the week, a peach schnaps Beach Cooler!  The shrimp scampi and broccoli were also very good.  A very expensive dinner, compliments of our Vistana voucher.  A delightful day with my special man, a wonderful ending to our romantic getaway in Paradise.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  Grateful for rest, refreshment, recreation.

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

Our third read for Otsego Library Book Club.  This first time novel was a peek into the life of an African American church, written from the perspective of the Church Mothers---those experienced women who watch and pray, not always perfect, but looking & responding to life from the vantage point of age.  The story centered around three young people, with mistakes made and hearts broken, and once again --- the very difficult consequences that follow them because of their choices.  This shows even more vividly than "Commonwealth" how sin ensnares, then drags others in, then destroys more people than could be imagined -- in this case, the destruction of a church.
Although I liked the story line, I never enjoy the crude language --my old age is showing!  Always feels like there could be other words to use that might be just as credible.  I did appreciate that the author portrayed the African American culture in some positive ways-- intelligent & goal oriented teens, kind-hearted church members, forgiveness expressed, a father-daughter relationship restored.

California Connection

California kiddos were calling so I flew from Knoxville to San Jose on 2/18!  Thankful that Ben & Jenny were able to head to the mountains for a 5 day getaway, to sleep, play games & relax.  GrammaLita moved into "Mommy mode", with no back-up from Boppa!!  (However, Mel stepped up to check on me daily, and organize some play days.)  Abbott, Evy and I planned something special each day to keep us busy:  Capitola Mall playground, local park, Library story hour, a walk to Jamba Juice for smoothies, ballet class for Ev, a fun sleepover with Maelie & Mel, Discover Museum with Walker.  Highlights were the "wee hours of the morning rocker dates" with Abbott, singing "Brown Bear" book to him, and the cuddling with Evy while book reading and movie clip watching!!  Fun to be a  part of their normal life and understand "mommyhood" fatigue!

 

 

Then it was on to the Hendren's for a few days-- Keith immediately rewarded me with a special concoction for making it through!!  Fun birthday dinner celebrations for Walker & Maelie, and a splashing spree in the hot-tub were great memories.  Enjoyed worship with Mel at Twin Lakes Church, then hooked up with all for a Monarch Butterfly Hunt and lunch.  Delightful Ending.

 

Time Out in Tennessee

February seems like a lifetime away! Bill & I headed there the 11th for a week of Grandkid memories.  So glad we could give support as Teg & Mik headed on a Family Life Cruise for their 15th anniversary.  Fun times around the table, at Jet's wrestling practice, family T-ball at the park, reading, chatting during our chaufferuing duties, watching "Zootopia", and ending with a scavenger hunt, executed by Boppa at the local PetSmart.

What I didn't expect, being "prayed up" and excited, was the reminders from long ago "Mommy" days --of not being as capable as I had imagined.  My gut honest feelings that I wrote down on my flight out of town:

TN 2/2017

"Humbling.  Being the Grammalita that I long to be is way more difficult than my expectations ever imagine.  I see myself thru rose colored lenses: kind, gentle, patient, creative, wise, even-tempered. Then I play mom/ teacher/ Gramma/ cook/ housekeeper/ game guru/ reader of books extraordinaire/ laundress/ chauffeur and I fall apart.  I only really yelled about 5 times in 7 days; however who am I trying to kid?  Even when I keep my voice low and even, those perceptive kids can tell a frustrated granny- and it translates to "mean".  It seems like when I should be prayed up and full of the Holy Spirit, Marlita shows up instead. How, how, how- does the transforming work of the spirit of God work?? What am I missing?"

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

Commonwealth was our 2nd read for the Sizzler Book Club at Otsego Library.  The author did a good job delving into the characters' thoughts by switching the story line to each one at different points.  The story centered around one family's divorce and how it affected the six children, throughout their lives.  It particularly focused on the death of one boy, and the trickle effects of the "secret" surrounding that death.  Each character added little pieces of information to that day as the story progressed.  At first, when the character and the timeline switched, it took me a while to catch on, but in the end, I appreciated the author's approach.

My overall thought throughout was that our choices in life do not just affect us, there are ripple effects to our kids, to our friends, to our church families...sometimes our selfishness rears its ugly head, we succumb to the pull of that, and we are left with the fallout.

Strings Attached by Joanne Lipman and Melanie Kupchynsky

My friend, Sheila, passed this book on to me.  It reminded me of the movie, Mr. Holland's Opus, starring Richard Dreyfuss....as well as of my own band experience with Mr. Richard Swinsick, a respected musician in the education field who touched hundreds of lives.

Mr. "K", as he was affectionately referred to, came to NJ with memories that he tried to bury of his violent background in war torn Ukraine.  Unbeknownst to his students, that baggage made him into the teacher they knew:  disciplined, demanding, hopeful, creative, sometimes angry, sometimes tender.  It was in the years that he was fleeing for his life, as a young teen --that he heard a violin being played from an open window (one of the only beautiful things he had ever experienced), which instilled in him the dream of being a musician.  That dream kept him going and expanded into teaching others to appreciate and "feel the music".

This book was co-written by 2 of his students, one a competent  violist and the other his daughter, who became a principal violinist in the Chicago Symphony.  Both write in the first person, concurrently weaving each story as the years go by; from their early beginnings at young ages and through to a final concert for Mr. K at his funeral.  This is the story of a life-giving man who changed the lives of his students, amidst personal obstacles.

Mr. Swinsick also brightened our lives, by expecting the best from us; by urging us to pick ourselves up when we "failed" at solo & ensembles; by building a team that depended on one another in marching and concert season; and by fully giving of himself.  Both of these men, as well as countless other music teachers, knew that music would change us and make us better....for all of our lives.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Very intense read because of the violence and evil treatment from slave masters and anti-abolitionists towards slaves and the harborers of runaways.  The interesting twist is the author's premise that the Underground Railroad was actually real--real rails deep underneath the ground that provided escape from southern plantations to places of freedom in the North.

There were many ideas introduced that made me unsure as to whether the author simply took liberties in his fictitious rendering, or if there were elements of truth.  For instance:  that SC actually initially accepted the runaways and provided jobs (after all, this state was in the deep South); that the runaway patrollers could go as far North as needed to capture slaves and return them (I thought that the runaways were given their freedom when they crossed the Mason Dixon line); that Freedom Farms such as the IN Valentine Farm actually were created and used for good; that there could possibly be those who were only interested in their own "gains" as they appeared to be working for the cause of the runaways (SC movers, grave diggers, masters who promised freedoms that were never given).

Overall, a story of the redemption of Cora, in all of the violence, turmoil, disappointments and victories that were hers.....with characters who joined in with her along the way.

Christmas Days 2016

Snowy, cold days with the Hendrens and the Tegelaars. It was the 12 days of Christmas!  After some horrific flight delays and waits, the Hendrens arrived at 3 am, with kiddos time zones slightly messed up!  Grama (GGma) arrived that Tuesday for a broccoli soup lunch with Donna and Alise to spend a little time with Maelie and Walker; but we all ended up working on a Charlie Brown 400 piece puzzle, and ....finished it that day!! Tegelaars set a record and came through the door at 4:30 on Wednesday, to join us for a chicken taco dinner...and we were off to a racing start.
Favorite Moments:
*Quiet First Morning w/ Maelie, snuggling by the Christmas Tree
*Smiles & laughter from Maelie & Walker, on their first trip down the snowy backyard hill
*Bill & Mar taking the Euchre win against Keith & Mel
*Ringing the Salvation Army bells at Walmart
*Watching Jet share his "ga-ga" with Walker (truck) & keeping him entertained
*Hearing Azi nailing Mikkel's bad habits (that mother-daughter thing)
*Seeing the very clear differences in temperament in the grands at Chucky-Cheese.  Some      immediately jumping into all the fun, others reviewing and determining the best places to use their  tickets, others realizing the importance of following Chuckie in order to get more tickets --just a  great Walker Family Fun Day!
*Sitting between Jet and Azi on Christmas Eve
*Reading Aladdin to Maelie and Walker points to the big blue genie and says "Gwama"!!
*Delighting in Zeal's generosity and joy on Christmas morning
*Playing Racko with Jet, one on one
*Costume participation from all on Christmas Day (Teg clearly the most creative...)
*Putting Trux to bed one night, enjoying his insights--reading One Fish Two Fish, trying to skip a page and he nailed me!!!
*"Almost Grown Up" chatter with Azi
*Bible story every night with all the kids gathered in the living room

Simply hanging out and living life with our kids, marveling at their adultness, special relationships with their spouses, and shared parenting.  So proud of them.

New Years Day Musings

God's sense of humor showed up again today! Love when that happens.  Out on my walk on a sunny 45 degree day, reviewing what Pastor Wes encouraged us to do during worship:  release.  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creation - old things are passed away and the new has come." (II Corinthians 5:17).  So, what are the old things that need to go in my life?  The 2016 weights that are holding me?  I release my need for approval (again).  I release my worry over appearances.  I release my control over my carefully laid plans.  I release my control over Bill's life and all that I think he should be doing or not doing (please, Lord).  I release my mouth.  I release my judgmentalism.  I release my need to be right.  I release my anger.  It was quite a walk!

The funny part?  I noticed a hair on one of my gloves and attempted to shake it off.  When that didn't work, I carefully reached over with the other gloved hand to gently remove it and shake that hand.  No chance.  Determining to be rid of it, I took off a glove and used my freed hand to get the rascal and throw it off---then I laughed out loud!  How creative of God to give me the exact visual of my struggle to release the junk in my life!  I desperately want to release those "old things" but they sometimes stick and it takes several attempts to truly "let go".

Releasing, relinquishing, relieving, letting go--so that I can forge ahead with freedom into 2017!  It already feels great to know I'm taking baby steps into the new year.

The Power of a Whisper by Bill Hybels

Truly enjoy the writing of Bill Hybels; relatable, common sense and real.  He did not disappoint in this offering on listening for God's whispers.  This is the book I will take with me on my next prayer day, as a great review and preparation for quietly listening.  Probably the key point Hybels made was that God speaks His word back to us--if I have not been mulling on passages or committing Scripture to memory, those words do not come back to me when I am looking for answers, comfort or direction.

Mostly I loved the personal stories about how God met this man in his need; sometimes broken, sometimes defeated, sometimes fearful.  No matter what I think about huge churches, programs and hype--this is about the daily struggles of one who has loved and served God in both good and bad times.