Second Verse, Same as The First

Bon Dia! How can it be that we are in our final stages of one year of travel? How can we be greeted any better than with a sunset like this from our apartment just as we arrive in Curacao?

So far a couple things are different – a clean apartment with a normal owner. Although our apartment is stocked pretty well, it did need a few things to make it comfortable for our extended stay. After a big grocery store stop for all the essentials, our next stop, Kooyman, because as their moto says, “There is always something to do”.

And finally, day four…..

Lionfish! Yes, second verse same as the first. Jay doesn’t care if they are 17 inches or 2 inches, he is out to spear them all.

Ceviche and chips for lunch, grilled filets for dinner.

For several years I have chosen a word and a phrase to be my focus instead of resolutions. A couple years ago it was “health”. Last year was “rock”. My phrase was, “The LORD is my rock, He is inmovable and unshakable. He is bigger, greater, and provides more protection than any mountain we might climb this coming year.”

This year my word is “simple”. (For 24 years Jay has wanted me to choose the word “obey”…. yeah right.) Luke 9:3 in the message says, “don’t load yourselves up, keep it simple, you are the equipment “. The common denomitator throughout our travels in Europe, Africa, and Curacao have been how simple life really can be. We’ve seen the importance of greeting those you see, smiling at those you walk by, stopping to chat with people while having a cup of coffee, and having meals not only for sustenance, but as events with those you love as well. Taking time – keeping life simple, not crazy busy. It’s a pretty easy word to fulfill here on Curacao, but what about when we get home? How does one bring this type of lifestyle back to the states?

Our brother-in-law shared a story about one of his employees who is from Italy. His time card showed he was working until 6:30 each night. They called him in to inquire since everyone else left each day at 5:00. The gentlemen explained, “coffee breaks”. The Italians (and the rest of Europe) take time during the day for breaks. He was going over to Starbucks a few times a day, so therefore 6:30 was making up that time, not adding overtime to his time card.

Taking time – pretty simple to add balance and health to our lives.

How about you? Did you set a key word for yourself this year? Or did you declare any resolutions? How’s it going?

Awwh, life on Curacao is pretty simple. The most difficult thing is deciding what dive site to go to each day.

We have met up with many of our familiar faces, such as Gina, the owner of Purunchi, the restaurant where we can sell all the lionfish we don’t eat. Lissete, the Lionfish jewelry maker, Jeroen, the dive shop owner, and Melissa, the artist, now along with her parents, our neighbors.

Lissete has given out Jay’s number to those needing a dive buddy. We met up with a Canadian named Stephen, a construction guy in Toronto who escapes the cold weather in the winter, and now has the lionfish fever as well. Our last day diving with Stephen, they speared twenty-four while I spotted for them. That’s a record for Jay and Stephen. I would call that teamwork.

Many things on the island are just as we left it. Our favorite dive shop.

The iguanas pose for photos.

The flamingos sweeping their heads side to side filtering food from the mud and waters in the bay.

Our favorite Papiamentu words.

Sitting on our deck watching ships good by.

The full moon out our front door and sunsets from the back. It’s difficult to decide what sunset picture to add. Hey, there’s a sameness and a difference every evening, each sunset is unique.

And a frequent rainbow.

Our Coast Guard helping to protect the island.

Fireworks on Thursday off the shoreline in Punda.

Punda, vibrant in color and kind people.

The same amazing dutch donut truck at the same place cooking fresh Oliebollens.

The wandering street artists such as Jhomar Loaiza and Francis Sling are still spreading their love throughout the city.

And the best same, Victory Church. The same beautiful smiles, hugs, and voices. Oh, how we were greeted when we walked back in. It was like long lost family coming back home.

Interesting that the sermon involved setting a key word as your intentions for the year. He asked everyone to turn and share it with someone and ask them to walk with you and keep you accountable. Do you have someone walking with you? Amos 3:3 says, “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”

Second verse, nearly the same as the first on the island of Curacao wouldn’t you say?

Our life is pretty simple here. I would even describe it as Dushi – eating lionfish most days, sleeping, diving, going to church, weekly date night downtown Punda, some light reading, long walks along the shore, and enjoying beautiful sunsets each night. There might not be much more to say about the island. So, with that said, after thirty-nine blogs written since March, 2019, I will be taking a break for a month or so.

A common phrase in Curacao, “too blessed to be stressed”. That’s us. May you be as well.

Until March, Blessings, Jay and Kelly