Simple Life

We have been on Guam exactly one full week.  Getting over jet lag has been our biggest job, and I think that has been accomplished.  Getting over sickness is yet to be finalized.  I have had it pretty bad the last few days.  Last night it changed to deep coughing for me.  I am pretty sure that I am not safe to socialize with, so I cancelled our plans to go to the Happy Family Church (meets outside, mostly with outer island people) this Sabbath and to spend time with the Krums.  Instead we will spend time with our own little happy Family and go exploring around the island if we feel up to it.  Relaxing together sounds very pleasant indeed.

Our life has quickly changed from the frantic pace of December with music practice, rehearsal and performances, and packing for GYC and Guam, to a much slower pace with few responsibilities.  This morning I felt like God was telling me that He had brought me to "green" pastures for a while.  Thank you, God.

Our life here is quite simple.  We have a simple two bedroom apartment to use with white tile floor, white walls, a few closets, a little white tile bathroom, and a small kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove (overlook the rust), one built in microwave (not working), counter-top microwave (working), washer and dryer, table and chairs (the very tall style), a pretty green couch and love seat with flower pillows (comfy), coffee table upholstered foot rests that slide under it, some dishes, a 5 gallon jug for filtered water from the station (AWR), some towels, beds, pillows, iron and what we brought in four suitcases and carry ons.  I like how our life has changed from a large house and property and everything there is to manage, down a pretty short list.  There have been times I have tried to simplify back at home, but it always seems like it is such hard work there, because there are so many things screaming for attention.  We have gone to the store to purchase a few things, but if we can, we are just making do.

For example, the day I felt the worse, I was quite cold with a fever.  I needed a blanket to lay under on the couch.  There is one light blanket on each bed of the house, but I didn't think I needed my queen size blanket on the couch.  But there are some large sized beach towels here, big enough, at least for me.  When I was really cold, I used two.  (see the photo in Araya's blog post)

Our house is small, so there isn't much to clean.  We don't have many things, so there aren't many things to put away, and there is enough room for everything.

I thought I needed a few more kitchen towels.  I used them like some people use paper towels, but instead they can be washed and used again.  Our apartment came with four kitchen towels, but they have been getting dirty and wet faster then we are running loads of wash.  So I thought I'd get maybe four more towels.  At the store I found out that would cost around $14!  I was going to give up and make do, when I remember the light weight, beach-sized towels I had seen.  They were only $3.99 each.

 I bought a light blue one, cut it in quarters last night, and now am using some of my free time to hand hem the two cut edges of the new kitchen towels.  They cost only $1 each.  Their size isn't exactly conventional, but the dishes we hand wash won't mind.  Last night we were able to hem two towels.  It took less time then I thought it would.

Araya and William are doing their school work every morning.  We brought all our books with us (except the two that got forgotten and are at the moment in the mail on their way here).  Araya brought a violin with her to practice.  William couldn't bring a cello, but he is spending a few minutes on the recorder every day learning a new instrument.

Here is a photo of what our window gecko friend looks like from our side of the window.  (Close your eyes if you don't like lizards, this one is really for my Pohnpei friends.)

Photo by William of Heavenly Light Photography
 (Whose camera is malfunctioning, so unfortunately he isn't posting much on his own blog)

We are thankful for the richness of our life at home.  But for now it is so good to have a simple life.  We give thanks to God for all.

P.S.  And just so you know, I am writing with two audiences in mind, my current blog readers, and also my children and future generations that might want to know what it was like when we lived for a while on Guam.