May 11, 2021

Sunset in Rincon/Aguadilla. (Click to expand)

 Good morning. It is “another beautiful day in Puerto Rico”. This is a frequent expression of mine as I smile at Mary and we toast the morning with a cup of coffee (okay, maybe two or three cups.) At times, as I post photos of Puerto Rico, especially around our part of the island, some friends declare, “You live in Paradise.” I know that is true and I enjoy sharing a photo every couple of weeks on Facebook. However, as we well know, every paradise, except for Heaven, has a side that is off camera. So, I could also show the seamier side of the island. But why go there. I prefer to declare, as did King David, “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalms 118:24). I have included a few photos at the end of the blog. Hope you like our Paradise.

Days have been merging from one to another as the weekly routines of studying, preparing sermons, preaching, visiting church members, planning the church calendar events, board meetings, church building/church grounds upkeep, church musicians’ practice, and so forth and so on, create order to our days.  Every day, with few exceptions, as I go to my office, there is a “To do” list.

The latest “To do” list was getting ready for Mother’s Day last Sunday. It was a wonderful occasion. Although I preached and reminisced a little about my mom and her profound influence on my life, both intentional and unintentional, there were other events on the program as well: One of the women did a delightful interpretive dance with her four-year-old son and the lead elder in our church shared a devotional thought, one taken from a book of devotional thoughts he had recently written and published.  The devotional, entitled “Las manos de Dios”, (The Hands of God) focused on the kindness of his mother toward him on multitudinous occasions. Gifts were given to the women and then the men served up a great meal.

9th hole view. Golf score? Who cares!
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The head count was seventy-six. Lately, the attendance has been climbing to around sixty as more and more get the Covid vaccination. As in the States, it has been a major issue on the island. 8.3% of the population has caught the virus despite stringent guidelines set by the government.  As we pass the year marker, some of our church members have not congregated with us. It appears, as I talk with them, that once this pandemic subsides, they will return. I must admit it dismays me, but I also understand “people are people”, so each decides how best to proceed each day.

Mary’s first year of retirement has been spent staying close to our granddaughter as she studies from home. Her mom and dad often do not get home from work till 7:30-8:30 p.m. We are blessed she could be available. Mary told me she has not been off the island in nearly two years and was getting “stir crazy”. Perhaps if the pandemic threat diminishes, we can take a vacation off the island in the fall.  As for me, on my day off, I play nine holes of golf. My bones complain as does my score 😊, but I have a good time.

I will pause here. Blessings.

 

Johnathan and Mary

Mountain stream (Photographer unknown) 

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Aguadilla from the air (Aules Torres: Photographer)
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