For Family Home Evening this Monday night, we took a hike up the hill near our home. It's not a long hike, but it's pretty steep, and has a wonderfully rewarding view at the top. We could see this whole end of the island. Standing there, looking out over our island, I started to think about all the things I will miss when I'm back in Utah. Here, in no particular order, are a few of them.
The ocean. No surprise here. I've never before lived close enough to the ocean to walk there every day, and I may not ever again. I love the beautiful, changing colors, the crashing of the waves that I can hear from our house, and how quickly the mood can change. One day the waves will be calm and smooth, the next day huge and pounding. I will suffer ocean withdrawals, for sure.
Stone walls. I love how everything here is surrounded by hand-piled, black stone walls. The locals probably aren't so enamored of them, considering that the rock had to come out of the fields they are trying to plow. However, the character and geometry these walls give to the countryside is priceless.
Instant hot water. I don't know the reasons that Americans insist on heating 30 gallons of water and then leaving it there until ready to use, but I have fallen in love with our little "flash" heaters. Upon turning a tap, I have hot water within a few seconds, and I NEVER run out. Unless we run out of gas, that is. Calling the gas guy to deliver our canisters because we've run out again is something I won't miss.
Missionaries. I know there are missionaries everywhere, but in Utah we just don't have the same access to them that we do here. I have so much appreciated the elder's influence on my children, especially my boys. We have loved being able to feed them and give them a little taste of home.
The beach. I know, I already said the ocean, but this is not the same thing, trust me. Here, to go to the beach, we can go three blocks, walk down 2 stairs, and sit in our beach chairs, on the cement, while the kids play in the sand and water feet away from us. I know I'm a wimp, but I'm way more likely to take the kids to the beach if I don't have to get dirty! Besides that, I've found that there is nowhere better than the beach to make us a happy, no-bickering, everyone-gets-along family.
Time with my family. We have had a unique 10 months here- fewer commitments, less challenging church callings, more time together, and nowhere to go except around the island! While this hasn't always been super fun, it has created many, many opportunities for our family to get to know "us" better. We know what we want for our family- eternity. I think this time has helped us to come just a little bit closer to that.
Flowers. All year round. They're not always as spectacular as Utah flowers in the spring, but I love that there is always something blooming.
The school. Like any school, ours has its strengths and weaknesses, but the kids have had the best teachers this year, they have an awesome speech therapist for Price, Josh and Annie, and they have "specials" out the wazoo: P.E., Music, Art, Computers, and Host Nation (learning the language and culture of Portugal). I hope that the kid's school experience next year is as good as this year was.
I don't know exactly what is coming for our family, but I do know that Heavenly Father is watching out for us. He will guide us to the places and opportunities that are best for us. I know that, because He brought us here.
I will miss the Azores.
The ocean. No surprise here. I've never before lived close enough to the ocean to walk there every day, and I may not ever again. I love the beautiful, changing colors, the crashing of the waves that I can hear from our house, and how quickly the mood can change. One day the waves will be calm and smooth, the next day huge and pounding. I will suffer ocean withdrawals, for sure.
Stone walls. I love how everything here is surrounded by hand-piled, black stone walls. The locals probably aren't so enamored of them, considering that the rock had to come out of the fields they are trying to plow. However, the character and geometry these walls give to the countryside is priceless.
Instant hot water. I don't know the reasons that Americans insist on heating 30 gallons of water and then leaving it there until ready to use, but I have fallen in love with our little "flash" heaters. Upon turning a tap, I have hot water within a few seconds, and I NEVER run out. Unless we run out of gas, that is. Calling the gas guy to deliver our canisters because we've run out again is something I won't miss.
Missionaries. I know there are missionaries everywhere, but in Utah we just don't have the same access to them that we do here. I have so much appreciated the elder's influence on my children, especially my boys. We have loved being able to feed them and give them a little taste of home.
The beach. I know, I already said the ocean, but this is not the same thing, trust me. Here, to go to the beach, we can go three blocks, walk down 2 stairs, and sit in our beach chairs, on the cement, while the kids play in the sand and water feet away from us. I know I'm a wimp, but I'm way more likely to take the kids to the beach if I don't have to get dirty! Besides that, I've found that there is nowhere better than the beach to make us a happy, no-bickering, everyone-gets-along family.
Time with my family. We have had a unique 10 months here- fewer commitments, less challenging church callings, more time together, and nowhere to go except around the island! While this hasn't always been super fun, it has created many, many opportunities for our family to get to know "us" better. We know what we want for our family- eternity. I think this time has helped us to come just a little bit closer to that.
Flowers. All year round. They're not always as spectacular as Utah flowers in the spring, but I love that there is always something blooming.
The school. Like any school, ours has its strengths and weaknesses, but the kids have had the best teachers this year, they have an awesome speech therapist for Price, Josh and Annie, and they have "specials" out the wazoo: P.E., Music, Art, Computers, and Host Nation (learning the language and culture of Portugal). I hope that the kid's school experience next year is as good as this year was.
I don't know exactly what is coming for our family, but I do know that Heavenly Father is watching out for us. He will guide us to the places and opportunities that are best for us. I know that, because He brought us here.
I will miss the Azores.
2 comments:
What a wonderful post...you make me want to go to the Azores. Even though it was hard living in Samoa, I have similar good memories I miss about Island living.
Aunt Suzanne
Your months on that gorgeous island will be years and years of amazing memories for your children.
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