Firsts: New Beginnings

 

New Beginnings

Doug & I have often dreamed of selling everything and moving ourselves to an island.  We never could quite pull that trigger because of the kids and grandkids.  We want to be a part of their lives and they are in that part of their lives that is busy and constantly changing.  The next best thing, however, is to serve a church mission.  

Luckily, senior couples have some leeway in suggesting where they want to go and what they would love to volunteer to do.  Doug, of course, volunteered for the humanitarian, self-reliance, and member leadership support.....all of which he didn't get, because I was chosen to do the medical.  The medical health advisor is generally located in the office of the mission, so Doug is now in the office and is learning all about church finances missionary style.  

After being slightly...well a lot...jet lagged, we woke up on Sunday and went to our first Sunday Sacrament meeting at the Blackrock branch on Barbados.  There are 3 branches here on this island.  For now, this is the one we will be attending to support the membership.  



Sister Lewis (from Jamaica) is serving in the BBM.  She is in the Blackrock branch currently.  Her father, Ernel, was 15 years old when Doug served in Jamaica and would often go on splits with the missionaries.  It was fun to meet his daughter who is now serving!



Sunday evening, all the senior missionaries on Barbados were invited to dinner and dessert at President & Sister Bickmore's home.  It was wonderful to meet the Humanitarian couple, the Kirkham's from Logan, Utah who are serving in the area.  Funny connection, Jay Kirkham grew up in Lehi and knew Ashlyn's in-laws Ron & Debbi Peck.  Small world in the church.  

From left to right: The Fullers (AZ), Sister Newell (CA), The Bickmores (CA), The Kirkhams (UT), Doug & I, and Sister Stoffers (UT).


Off to our first day!  Front porch of our apartment.


Front gate of our apartment complex.  It's Island life!  We have monkeys in the trees and it's lush and green with fruit growing all around: pomegranates, coconuts, Bajan cherries.  4 other senior missionaries live in the complex, so we walk and/or ride to church together among other activities. 

Our office building.  We work on the first floor.  It is literally about 50 steps from the apartment.  It is humid here, so embracing the curly hair again like my days back in SC.  Other than that, my skin feels great!  Our first day was orientation day, so we got to meet everyone as well as most of the young missionaries on Barbados.  What a fun first day!


They assigned me a desk and low and behold......they KNOW me!  I get to look out and see the ocean anytime!  I can definitely work like this!  After work, we walked along the boardwalk and saw a nesting turtle.  She was beautiful.  Hopefully in 60 days, we will get to see her babies hatch and go off into the sea for their new beginnings.

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