Things...

Today Elina called me from a neighbor’s phone. I knew it was her as soon as I answered because I heard the roosters in the background. Our plan for today was to pick up Elina’s laundry and have it done for her. (Yes, our laundry experience went well yesterday so now we want to do Elina's). We are going to pick it up around 4:00 this afternoon and take it back to her house. Today I got my first peek inside her house. Everytime we are there we have been sitting outside where it is cooler. The inside is so organized. On the back wall she has a row of hooks and they are lined with book bags. On the main wall are alphabet cards. I commented on them and she said Alia (her three year old) is learning her letters. On the right side of the house is the hotplate on the floor which is powered by butane. She has no electricity, no running water and no plumbing. They get their water from rain collection bins outside. You see those everywhere. Her house is one room about 5x6… When we got to her house today she gave me a little handmade basket. Everytime I see her she is giving me something. She has given me two of her dresses (moo moo’s), a bracelet and two pair of earrings that she handmade out of coconut prawns and sea shells. Last night she told me that she learned to make these from her grandmother (her bubu) while she was living on the outer atoll of Mili. Mili is a five hour boat ride from Majuro. Elina has nothing, yet gives me so much. I have started giving her some of my clothes and we laugh that we have traded dresses.

We have been here one week today and I am in no way ready to come home. I just want to soak in as much of this country and culture as I possibly can. It is amazing how anxious I was before I left about being here so long. It is actually a blessing in disguise! Chris and I talked today at our restaurant lunch “event” that none of us are ready to leave. Chris wishes he could stay the entire time instead of just the three weeks! We are not sure what Chase will do, as you all know he informed us he wants to stay forever!

Rickson still continues to amaze me. He is such a good baby. He is sleeping great and was actually the last one to wake up today! He wakes up once or twice a night to eat and then goes back to sleep in his little travel bed. He is making the transition great! He has a little cough and some blocked tear ducts, but other than that is super healthy. It amazes me that his skin is perfectly smooth and not a bug bite in site. There is no explanation other than God’s protection over him, as so many of us prayed for before we got here. His brothers and sisters and all the neighbor children are covered in open sores and bites, but Rickson seems as healthy as if he were born at Christ Hospital in the states.

Chase is such an amazing big brother and I am so proud of him! He loves Rickson so much and sings to him every day. I am still trying to capture his made up “I love you Rickson” song on video. If I can catch him in the act, I will post it on the blog.

Well, I am sure you all are wondering if I am ever going to stop writing today. I just wanted to try to get down some thoughts from a day of doing nothing. By the way, we are getting really good at this “doing nothing” thing.

Until next time…