Unique First Impression and an Update

Phew. I’m still sick. I was in bed for more than 24 hours the other day with no want of food, water, TV, reading, nothing. I’m up today sipping chamomile tea while the rain comes down in torrents hoping my body will respond to warm tea and rest. The most difficult part of being sick right now is trying to acclimate to the new culture but being too tired to fake like I’m OK.   On the bright side, this is a wonderland for Annabelle and we got our cars! Oh how great it is to be able to drive for food, TP, milk, or Dayquil without having to bug a ride off of someone. The Lord provided me with a 2010 Honda Odyssey from a drug dealer (pharmaceutical…what were you thinking) and Barrett with a 2005 Honda Pilot.

Back to Annabelle. We live in a well kept gated community where there is a covered park 20 feet from our front door, a pool 100 yards from that, and kids running free everywhere! When it’s not raining, she is outside running barefoot with a new friend each hour. She LOVES it! So do we. All the kids check in with their folks and then go back to their imaginary worlds and real time games. The parents all chat and take time to find out about us. I feel badly every time I shake a hand (don’t condemn me Lisa), but I do it anyway. I’ve been able to borrow a crock-pot, given toys, and puzzles for Ronnie and Lydia who are enthralled with grass and the playground, yet hesitant about the pool. They love the openness of our temporary home and run circles, hug each other to the ground, and carry the dustpan around while donning random hats. It’s rather entertaining. Now for a quick story.

We were blessed the other day when the chaplain Barrett is replacing took us to the other side of the island where the chapel chaplain reigns. We met him, his family, and the head chaplain who were all jovial and happy to be in Puerto Rico. The trip was about three hours and as we were entering the base, AC said she didn’t feel well and threw up in the zip lock bag I thankfully had in my hands. So we arrived thick in our sickness along with a carsick child. We went to the exchange, which basically is the place where locals tied to the military buy all their alcohol. Half of the store was beer, wine, and liquor. No joke, these retired men filled their carts high with the stuff because it is tax-free and they can resell it (illegally) outside the base. I had to wait behind 4 of these carts to buy cold sore medicine for me and a ginger ale for AC and it took about 40 minutes. I am learning this is normal. Now, back to our story.

After our look around the exchange, we headed to lunch, which was a step up from a food truck (which apparently have the best food on the island). The head chaplain bought our food (chicken, rice, and beans) and we sat on plastic chairs under umbrellas. The kids had their own table. Now, normally the twins do well on chairs as we have been living without highchairs for most of our trip, but not when said chair breaks on Ronnie sending him backwards onto tree roots. Perfect. Embarrassed, we picked him up and put him in a different chair. About 20 minutes later, we heard another crash and saw Lydia face down in the dirt. She apparently decided to try and turn around on her plastic chair thinking it would hold her. Nope. I took my screaming girl to the car to wash her off and say I was sorry. Yeah, so we are the new Chaplain family.

We headed to the beach during Ronnie and Lydia’s naptime and set ourselves up for more madness. The beach was breathtaking! It really was. But the twins SCREAMED at the sand…and at the water…and even when we held them in the water. After ingesting more salt water than they should, I took them to our umbrella while AC and Barrett played till their hearts content. It took about 40 minutes, but the twins finally got off the blanket and walked in the sand. There is hope. Meanwhile, not only am I sick, but my sun jacket, UV umbrella, and gloves are still on a boat somewhere…sadly, I could not hide my discontented demeanor. The other chaplain spouse was gracious to me despite my mood and I ended up enjoying her company. All this to say, our first impression of vomit in a bag, babies falling off chairs, chest colds, mounds of dirty tissues, and my discontentment was epic. Oh Lord, in our weakness, please be strong!

It looks like Barrett is finally on the mend, I’m hoping I will be there soon too. We will probably be in this loaner house for at least one or two more months because the Coast Guard all PCS (move) at the same time. We have to wait for the massive exodus before a house will open and we can’t get our stuff until we have a house, so we continue to live off what we packed up in four suitcases over a month ago. We have bare kitchen essentials, which makes our meals simple, yet it has all worked out. As far as church goes, we still have not been well enough to go. I ache for a home fellowship and people to do life with. Thank you all who have been messaging me and keeping me filled with far fellowship. We love you all and are doing well in this time of long transition. The Lord has a purpose for all of our drama, sickness, and wait. We trust Him in this. He provided us friends, cars, and family time when we needed it…oh…and a run/bike trail that goes straight to the ocean a mile and a half from our door. What an encouragement! OK. Time to wake up the twins.